Mumbai
(Special Correspondent) : Renowned Mumbai-based
photojournalist and journalist Imtiaz Shaikh has been conferred with the
Special Journalism Award by the Maharashtra Urdu Academy. The honour was
presented during the Academy’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, marking 50 years
since its establishment. The award includes a cash prize of ₹15,000 and a
trophy.
Imtiaz Shaikh, who has been associated with
Mumbai Urdu News for many years, has earned a distinguished reputation in the
field of visual journalism. His photographs have appeared in several national
and international newspapers and magazines, earning widespread recognition.
Known for his dedication and courage, Shaikh notably captured powerful images
during the Mumbai terror attacks, risking his life to document the tragedy.
Over his two-decade-long career, Imtiaz
Shaikh has worked with prominent media organisations such as Mumbai Urdu News,
Do Bajay Dopahar, Urdu Times, PTI, Mid-Day, Getty Images, Anadolu Agency
(Turkey), Gujarat Samachar, Sun TV, and The Times of India.
In recognition of his exceptional
journalistic contributions, he has previously received seven awards from
various reputed institutions, including the Bombay Press Club and Mumbai
Marathi Patrakar Sangh.
Congratulating him on this achievement,
Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate and Urdu Academy CEO
S. Shoaib Hashmi lauded Shaikh’s remarkable service to Urdu journalism and
photo reporting.
Expressing his gratitude, Imtiaz Shaikh
thanked the Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Academy for selecting him for this prestigious
honour. He said,
“I have been serving in journalism for the
past two decades, and I will continue to do so with the same passion and
commitment. I am thankful to my organisation for giving me the opportunity to
serve people through journalism.”
The announcement of the award has brought
immense joy to his family, friends, and fellow journalists, who celebrated this
well-deserved recognition of his professional excellence.