Ednan: Brightest star in galaxy of journalists
ISLAMABAD: Ednan Awais Shahid, a smiling and good-looking face, appeared like the brightest star in the galaxy of journalism, and secured a great name, respect and honour within no time just because of his hard work and dedication to his work.
Alas! He is no more among us but I am very right in saying that the reputation and recognition he earned in journalism, within a couple of years, few could achieve by spending their entire life.
The news of the government conferring Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (National Medal of Honour) upon the late Ednan Awais Shahid for his meritorious services in journalists has been welcomed across the journalist community with great pleasure.
For those who remained fortunate enough to enjoy the company of young, talented and confident Ednan knew that he deserved this honour on account of his selfless and distinctive contribution to journalism.
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz is bestowed on people in recognition of their selfless and distinctive services that bring pride to the country.
It is universally acknowledged that a man’s abilities are recognised after his death. He is among those 40 illustrious personalities who have been awarded the civil award.
Honouring him with such a supreme award, the government has admitted his contribution to journalism, a large number of journalists in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were of the opinion.
Ednan was the elder son of well-known Khabrain Group of Newspapers Chief Zia Shahid. He started his career as a reporter with the daily Pakistan. After the launch of the daily Khabrain in 1992, he worked as managing editor and resident editor of Khabrain.
His hidden qualities appeared with the launch of The Post. Prior to the launch of this English paper of the Khabrain Group, he went to the US for a three-month training course to learn the emerging trends in the print media, especially the modern techniques in captivating layouts.
He spent one month each at the news desk of three different newspapers. Newspaper Houston Chronicle declared Ednan the best journalist to have worked with that paper as an internee and published his pictorial introduction.
Ednan also tried to eradicate exploitation of journalists in the field to start paid internship and also offered good salaries to the staffers. Like a ship captain, he knew the capabilities of each person of his crew but he succumbed to coronary failure last year in London when he was only 37. The stalwarts of Pakistan journalism paid him glowing tributes at a reference held in his memory.
Source: The Post
Date:3/24/2008
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