Jamia Vice Chancellor Najma Akhtar visited the house of Danish in Gaffar Manzil at 2:30 pm on Saturday to condole his death. During her more than thirty minutes stay, she interacted with Danish’ s father Mohammad Akhtar Siddiqui. Other university officials, including Naseeb Khan and Registrar, were also accompanied the V-C.
While interacting with Danish’s father, Professor Akhtar got emotional. Recalling the contribution of Danish, who died on the line of duty in Afghanistan, she said it is a huge loss to the university and media fraternity. Danish studied at Jamia from Class XI where his father was a Professor.
After completing his studies from the university’s prestigious MCRC, Danish started working in TV channel but as he enjoyed grabbing photos he was looking for opening in the field until the big break came in 2011 when he joined Reuters as an intern to go up the ladder, winning Pulitzer award and becoming first Indian journalist to do so.
Najma said on Tuesday the university plans to condole Danish death by calling online condolence meeting. “We will soon hold exhibition of Danish’s exemplary work in due course of time so that students can take inspiration from it,” she said. Danish was awarded Distinguished Alumni Award also.
She termed Danish a true fighter like his father whom she has known for quite a long time.
Najma said Danish worked passionately to bring out the truth to show it to the world and always raised his voice against the wrong. “Danish’s death is a loss not only to his family and Jamia fraternity but to the whole country,” she said.
Since the news of Danish death broke on Friday, family members, neighbours and local leaders visited his house to meet his father. On Saturday, Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan also interacted with Danish’s father in Ghaffar Manzil. Former Okhla MLA Asif Md Khan and others too met the family members on Friday night.
“I was informed about it (his death) by Reuters. The Ministry of External Affairs has also informed that they are trying their level best to trace the remains. My appeal would be that they expedite the process and bring the body back to us as soon as possible,” Danish’s father Siddiqui told The Indian Express.
