Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali presented the prestigious Moulana Abul Kalam Azad National Award, to veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Rahnuma-e-Deccan Urdu Daily Syed Vicaruddin today at his residence.
The Award, instituted by the Telangana State Urdu Academy, comprises of Rs. 1.25 lakh, a citation and a plaque.
Syed Vicaruddin expressed his gratitude and announced that the amount of Award would be donated for the welfare of Urdu journalists along with equal amount from himself.
Out of the award amount an amount of Rs. 10,000/- each would be presented to a Telangana agitation champion Jaleel Pasha and an ailing senior Urdu journalist Khurram Nafees.
The Award was conferred on him for his contribution in the field of journalism and social services spanning over 6 decades.
The Award was scheduled to be presented to him at the National Education/Minorities Welfare Day celebrations held at Nizam College yesterday, but owing to his ill health he could not attend the programme and the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Mahmood Ali, along with Mr. Syed Omer Jaleel, Secretary to Government,
Minorities Welfare Department and Prof. S. A. Shukoor Special Officer Telangana State Urdu Academy drove over to his residence at Asifnagar to present the Award.
Speaking on the occasion, Vicaruddin said “Maulana Azad played a key role in promoting education.” He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister KCR for conferring the award and thanked the Dy. CM for personally coming down to bestow the same.
Immediately after receiving the award, he donated the award amount (Rs.1,25,000/-) for the welfare of Urdu journalists and assured to pay the equal amount in donation.
Mahmood Ali said, “Syed Vicaruddin is the senior most editor of any Urdu daily. He upheld high values and ethics of journalism as an editor at great heights.
The Chief Minister instructed me to personally present the award to Vicaruddin at his residence as he could not visit the award ceremony due to ill health.” (INN)