It can be stated, without going into any detailed study of reading behaviour that News papers and magazines are more widely and extensively read than other literary work produced in any language. Yet, journalists are not as often talked about as Novelists, creative writers or poets. Nor are peans written in their honour, or recognition granted to them as easily.
Muslims have been at the forefront in journalism, wether it be English or Urdu. In todays day and time, we can name Saeed Naqvi, M.J. Akbar, Nidhi Razdan, S. Hussain Zaidi, Rana Safawi, Rana Ayyub, Annie Zaidi, Seema Mustafa and kulsoom Mustafa Talha amongst important journalists writing in English.
Kulsoom Mustafa Talha who has recently been awarded the Waqar Rizvi Award for Journalism, belongs to an illustrious family literateurs and educationists. Her father Kalbe Mustafa was an advocate and literateur. He has written several books in Urdu, amongst which “Fan-e-Khataabat” has been widely acclaimed. I came in contact with Kulsoom Talha in late 1990’s at a literary gathering at my father’s residence, and have known her since. She came accross as an extremely well informed, talented and dynamic personality. Grit, honesty, resilience, poise and purpose define her character. Her association with women empowerment, Child health and development, humanism and education has lent stature to her personality.
She has been an outspoken and honest journalist and is presently writing for Milli Gazette, Women Feature Service, Uday India, Village Square etc.. She started out with the Northern India Patrika and has worked for TOI, Reuters and other frontline media houses. She is also a visiting Professor at several Media institutes across India. Her recent social initiatives ” Zuban aur Tallafuz ” and ” Kishwari Connect ” are the talk of the town.
mehfilsukhan 