Srinagar, Oct 5: The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J&K Regional Branch, in collaboration with the Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, on Sunday organised the 15th Sat Paul Sahni Memorial Lecture to commemorate the life and legacy of the eminent journalist and former Director General of Information, Sat Paul Sahni.
The event was graced by Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, IAS (Retd.), former Adviser to His Excellency the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, who attended as the Chief Guest. The memorial lecture was delivered by Professor (Dr.) Shahid Rasool, Dean of Academic Affairs at the Central University of Kashmir.
Among the dignitaries present were Dr. Ashok Bhan, IPS (Retd.), Chairman of IIPA J&K; B. R. Sharma, IAS (Retd.), Secretary, IIPA J&K; Professor Alka Sharma; Vice Chairman IIPA J&K, Dr. G. N. Qasba; Secretary Amar Singh Club, Nasir Hamid Khan, and other members of the organising committee.
Welcoming the guests, Dr. G. N. Qasba paid rich tributes to Sat Paul Sahni, recalling his extraordinary life and contribution to journalism and public service. Born in 1922, Sahni began his journalistic career in 1948 with The Times of India and later served as Bureau Chief of United News of India (UNI) in Srinagar before holding the position of Director General of Information in the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
A prolific journalist and photographer, Sahni’s career spanned more than six decades during which he reported four major wars — 1948, 1962, 1965, and 1971 — and chronicled some of the most significant political, cultural, and historical developments in Kashmir and across India. His collection of rare photographs, including those published posthumously in Nehru’s Kashmir, continues to serve as a valuable visual record of India’s heritage.
Describing Sahni as not just a journalist but a mentor, social activist, and cultural enthusiast, Dr. Qasba said he played a pivotal role in nurturing ethical journalism and institutional development in Jammu and Kashmir. As a founding member of the IIPA J&K Regional Branch and an active member of the Amar Singh Club, Sahni contributed selflessly for over three decades, leaving behind a legacy rooted in integrity, discipline, and public service.
Delivering the memorial lecture on the theme “Media and Viksit Bharat @2047,” Professor (Dr.) Shahid Rasool underscored the transformative role of media in shaping India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. He identified six critical domains of media’s contribution — strengthening democracy, promoting knowledge and innovation, fostering social cohesion, advancing developmental journalism, driving behavioural change, and representing India on the global stage.
Professor Rasool highlighted the importance of engaging youth and leveraging digital platforms to create an informed, participatory society. He stressed that credibility, ethical journalism, and accountability remain the cornerstones of a media ecosystem capable of driving national transformation.
The Sat Paul Sahni Memorial Lecture series, instituted in 2010, has over the years featured prominent journalists, scholars, and administrators such as Ved Bhasin, Raj Chengappa, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, and Pardeep Dutta. Each edition has explored themes ranging from media ethics and governance to press freedom, social media, and the evolving role of journalism in nation-building.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks to the dignitaries, speakers, and participants for their contribution in celebrating the enduring values of truth, integrity, and professionalism in journalism.
B. R. Sharma, Chairman, and Dr. A. K. Bhan, Patron of the IIPA J&K Branch, lauded the efforts of Dr. G. N. Qasba, Vice Chairman (Kashmir), G. M. Andrabi, Joint Secretary, and Bashir Ahmad Shah, Executive Committee Member, for successfully organising the event.
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