KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Prominent citizens, journalists had gathered at Press Club of India to pay tributes to eminent journalist and Chairman of Kashmir Times group of Publications Ved Bhasin.
“Ved Bhasin will be remembered for his uncompromising attitude and convictions, very few journalists fit in this category,” said Rahul Jalali, President of Press Club of India. “It was a personal loss. I felt home with him, after my father Pran Nath Jalali’s death. The kind of journalism he espoused is dying. Ved Bhasin has today united us all. He was that kind of personality.”
The renowned filmmaker Tapan Bose said people would wonder how a Hindu from Jammu has a soft corner for struggle of Kashmiris. “It is very difficult for me to come to terms that he is no more. He loved his country. He fought for justice and peace,” Bose said.
“I knew Ved Bhasin from a very young age, as he was a family friend. Relationship meant a lot for him. He made be believe that meaning of life is felt through relationship. His life must be celebrated,” said Air Marshal Kapil Kak, retired Air force officer.
It is indeed a sad occasion, said Riyaz Punjabi, a former VC KU. “I have known Ved ji, when I started teaching law at Jammu University. He became friend a guide. He stood for values and I didn’t expect him to go so soon.”
Prof Sushila Bhan in her tribute to Ved Bhasin said the deceased was among very few journalists, who would stand for truth, tradition and modernity. “We should have every year a programme or a lecture to commemorate him and his ideas, he lived and worked with,” she said.
“I cannot claim familiarity with Ved Bhasin,” said Vinod Sharma, a senior scribe. “But we shared ideas of peace between India and Pakistan. He facilitated visit of Pakistani journalists to Kashmir in 2004. I had few interactions with him, which were meaningful. We agreed if the peace has to be between two countries, there should be peace in Kashmir.”
Though Ved Bhasin had left the National Conference long ago, said Muzaffar Shah of ANC, “imprints of his ideas, he left, still exist. He was secularist to core. He never minced his words to fullfill commitment. “
Ved Bhasin had great knack to bear criticism and be affable to his worst critics as well, said Capt Tikoo. “He would love to hate and fight with me on range of issues. He was a wonderful host. I disagreed with him on range of issues, but that never came between our personal relations.”
“Early years, when I started practice as lawyer, I worked for Kashmir Times, reporting court,” said Ashok Bhan. “By conviction, he was a strong socialist, will often quote Ram Manohar Lohia. He was oscillating between politics and journalism. He said while sentiments in Kashmir are strong, leadership is week and a failure. He upheld human values, but wanted to mainstream J&K.”
MY Tarigami said at a time, when political divisions in J&K have now transformed into religious divisions. “He was a bridge for all,” he said. “And his loss at this time has created a vacuum.”
David Devdas, A K Dhar and Badri Raina also spoke on the occasion.
At the end Anuradha Bhasin Jamwal thanked people who had assembled and said her father definitely deserved this tribute. “Last few years, he was disappointed, the way media was being controlled,” she said. “He believed in humanity and humankind. He believed in narrowing social disparities.”
