Staff Writer /Chennai
Noted journalist Dr Syed Ali Mujtaba received an excellence award for journalism at a public function here in the city on Friday.
“We are living in a mediatized society that is controlling our lives. The forces of negativity are building the narratives of ‘othering’ communities, and we must be careful to gulp this pulp fiction. The challenge before us is to separate the chef from the grain when we consume the media’s kite-flying tactics,” said Dr Mujtaba after receiving the award for his fearless writing.
The award included a shawl and a citation. The citation reads: “Dr Syed Ali Mujtaba is a jewel of journalism whose pen champions integrity and inspires a generation.”
Notable members present on the occasion were; Mr Saravana Kumar Kumaravasagam, a distinguished diplomat serving as the Consul General of Malaysia, and Mr. G. L. Gnanatheva the Trade Director of Sri Lanka. Mr. Shawnawazkhan Advisor – Global Career Connect, TANSAM, Mr. B. Krishnamoorthy from Indian Ordnance Factories Service (IOFS), Mr. J.V.Raghoo Bruno, National Secretary of Human Rights Commission for Social Justice Council.
The others who received the award were; Ms Lavanya, a news anchor, Ms. Mayuri Kamaraj, founder of Kalvi Kadavul Kamaraj Trust and granddaughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Perunthalaivar Kamarajar and Ms G.Vijayalakshmi, a social worker.
Syed Ali Mujtaba is an Academic, Author, Filmmaker, and Journalist. He is a Jefferson Media Fellow at the East-West Centre Hawai. He has written six books and has made two documentary films. He currently writes for ten websites and has large followers for his weekly current affairs programme on Media Star World, a YouTube channel.
The event was an interfaith ‘Iftar’ function organized by ‘Halal India, Private Limited Chennai. Around 250 distinguished Chennai citizens gathered to break the fast with the Muslims in the holy month of Ramadan. Their presence demonstrated that peace and harmony are the core values of Indian civilization.