By Special Correspondent
Hailing from a remote and past militancy hits region Bunjwah, in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, Shafqat Ali Sheikh was born on 05 June 1994 in a middle poor class family in village Binoon of Tehsil Bunjwah. At the time of his birth, Shafqat’s family was residing in a muddy house constructed two decades ago by his grandfather. During the turmoil the family of Shafqat had been get harassed by various elements as militancy was on peak at that time and his family was living from hand to mouth. The family income of Shafqat was very low and was dependent on agricultural and other home practices. The parents of Shafqat were having ray of hope among him as He was the first male child in their family and his grandmother had served him a lot at the time of his childhood. Since from the day of his birth, his life takes various U turns despite his parents was feeling unsafe and unsecure as they have faces various threats, tortures from various ends.
When Shafqat was 4 years old, He joined a private reputed institution Amin Academy Bunjwah in 1998 at his neighbouring village Jawalapur where He received basic education from Nursery upto class 8th till 2008 and later joined government institution in 9th class upto 12th received education from Government Higher Secondary School Binoon till 2013. Continuing his studies, Shafqat joined Government Degree College Kishtwar in 2013 in Arts stream and unfortunately due to some unfavourable circumstances of his family He was unable to attend the exam of two subject that results his failure in examination and wastage of year in academic session in 2014.
Having ray of hope for betterment of life , He joined paramedical college in 2014 as Pharmacist trainee in Doda of which study centre was in Kishtwar that later was shifted to Doda and passed the examination through Jammu and Kashmir State Paramedical Council Jammu in Dec 2017 . During his training as Pharmacist He also decided to continue my studies through distance mode via IGNOU and completed his Graduation in year 2018 in Arts stream.
During the spans of life in 2013, Shafqat’s life feels disgraced when He applied for post of teacher through RET mode in School Education Department that the post was later changed as General line teacher to provide undue benefits to some blue-eyed persons . Having not any Political approach or economically sound, He can’t challenge the orders passed by Education Department. The rejection of name in selection panel changes the mind of Shafqat not to loose hope but to do so that everyone could ask you for help and to curb such injustice with others that happens with Shafqat.
During the time, Shafqat was using social networking sites including Facebook through which He get connected with one of dynamic Journalist Mohd Majid Malik who via telephonic call published a news story of regarding Bunjwah using his reference in the story that was second time, the name of Shafqat was published in newspaper and He getted too much excited after reading his name in newspaper for that He received various appreciations from various corners. “This news story changes the mind to become a fearless journalist and to become voice of voiceless, Shafqat told Reporter”. Adding that, the day was a historic day in my life when a news was carried by a reputed newspaper by my tagline and finally I worked as Reporter of Newspaper till 2015 under the guidance of Sr. Journalists Mohd Majid Malik, Junaid Malik, Mansoor Qadir, and various others. Although working as Reporter, one day when my news item was not carried by reputed Newspaper I decided to write voluntary and to be a Freelancer”. Working as Freelance Journalist since from 2016, Shafqat got various opportunities but finally decided to be a freelancer and to become a independent voice of voiceless. Since from 2016, Shafqat writes various news stories and raised various issues through print and electronic media as Freelancer. Shafqat had written hundreds of columns, articles and editorials on current issues that had got published in various leading dailies, weeklies Newspaper of state and even in National Newspapers.
During his working as Freelancer and advantages of social networking sites, Shafqat got membership in All Indian Reporters Association from Jammu and Kashmir, and later in Human Right Organizations that backed up him in raising the issues on public interest. In 2017 Shafqat was shortlisted for Voice of Kashmir Journalist of year Award from National Human Right Social Justice Commission New Delhi by Amb. Amar Sarang. But unfortunately He failed to attend the award ceremony due to his personal reasons. Continuing working as Freelance Journalist, French Club Jammu features Shafqat as Personality of Jammu and awarded him Journalist of Year award on 15 Mar 2019 that encourages the hopes and helps in writing columns and articles on public interest through print and social blogs. In 2019 India Star book of world records shortlisted name of Shafqat as best awardee in field of Social Activism and Journalism of which He get all awardee certificates and badges via courier as He had not attended the ceremony .
Having interest in Journalism, Shafqat is pursuing PG Course in Journalism and Mass Communication through IGNOU.
During the time of his reporting , Shafqat received various threats, emotional tortures and family blackmailing by some self styled politicians from various corners but Alhamdulillah By Almighty Allah blessing noone can stop Shafqat and even his father was harassed by various goons to stop him from raising the issues of common masses. Some miscreants are yet trying to blackmail Shafqat on the name of his father, but without caring anyone Shafqat continuously is raising the issues of poor and downtrodden masses for the welfare of society.
“Now a days , Journalism had became my passion and profession for providing helping hands among all needy and orphans as through various organisations including Global Peace Foundation, Khidmat Foundation and SHAHEEN Trust , I am providing helping hands for all masses without any discrimination of caste or religion, Shafqat added”.
Shafqat’s name was also shortlisted for FMBAF Award by AN CONSULTANCY INDIA and The NICHE Mumbai of which the function was held on 14 June 2019 at St Andrews Bandra West Mumbai Maharashtra and Shafqat bagged 24Caret Gold plated Certificate and AN CONSULTANCY INDIA medal.
Beside all this Shafqat was awarded as Best Reporter Award by NSS Unit of GDC Kishtwar in collaboration of District Administration Kishtwar for mass awareness of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and SVEEP campaign during 2019 and also bagged best Columnist Award on occasion of Republic Day 2020 by District Administration Kishtwar. Shafqat was also feliciated and was awarded with Certificate of Participation / Appericiation by Team French Club Jammu during International Players Meet Up 2020 held at Sweet Tempetation inside Maharaja Hari Singh Jammu on 15 Mar 2020.
The whole story changes my mind to become voice of voiceless and is trying to become one who wins the heart of others despite all threats while concluding Shafqat said that , “Only Death can Silent me else No One can face Me” Shafqat added.
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