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Journalism of Courage
Professor Abdul Majeed Matoo
8226; Former registrar of Kashmir University, Matoo, 62, is the National ConferenceNC candidate from central Kashmir8217;s Beerwah constituency. Matoo hails from a family of academics in Budgam district. Having done his post-graduation from KU in 1969, he obtained his doctorate degree from Aligarh Muslim University. He was then appointed as deputy director, libraries. Subsequently, he joined the Kashmir University8217;s Central Asian Studies CAS as a lecturer, later becoming its director. Matoo was also appointed as Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences. The professor was finally assigned the university8217;s prestigious post of registrar in 1998, from where he retired in 2004.
8220;Social service is in my blood and politics is the field where I can really serve my people,8221; he says.
GHULAM NABI RATANPURI
8226; A well-known broadcaster of the Valley, Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri is the NC8217;s candidate from south Kashmir8217;s Pulwama assembly constituency. Before joining the NC formally, 54-year-old Ratanpuri resigned from the Prasar Bharti. Born at Ratnipora Pulwama in 1954, the broadcaster pursued a career in journalism. Upon graduating in 1974, he joined a local Urdu daily in Srinagar. Soon after, he joined the NC8217;s official mouthpiece Nawai-e-Subah, where he served as chief editor for two years. In 1981, Ratanpuri joined Radio Kashmir Srinagar as assistant editor and was elevated to programme executive. During his tenure, Ratanpuri interviewed almost all the leading politicians of the state. He also remained associated with Radio Kashmir8217;s most popular current features programme, Sheherbeen.
8220;I am contesting polls because I want to ensure that good people come to power and are able to really make a difference in the future,8221; he says.
DR GHULAM QADIR BHAT
8226; This 33-year-old dental surgeon is among the youngest faces in the National Conference. Bhat will contest the polls from north Kashmir8217;s Sangrama constituency. After completing his BDS from Bagalkote-Bangalore in 2000, Bhat joined politics to fulfill his slain father8217;s dream. The doctor-turned politician is the son of the NC8217;s slain MLA, Ghulam Rasool Bhat of Shrakwara village, who was shot dead by suspected militants on March 3, 1997. Senior Bhat8217;s brother, too, was gunned down by suspected militants.
8220;I am in politics as I want to help my people, especially the downtrodden,8221; he says.
JAVEED DAR
8226; Javeed Dar, who will contest polls from north Kashmir8217;s Rafiabad constituency, belongs to a family with a political background. Born in 1974, Dar did his schooling from a prestigious missionary school in Baramulla, St Joseph8217;s Higher Secondary School. After completing his graduation in Commerce, he did his post-graduation in Business Administration from Pune University in 1999. Soon after completing his degree, Dar joined the People8217;s Democratic Party and even rose to the position of state secretary in PDP. He quit the PDP recently after he felt it ignored him.
8220;I am contesting polls to bring change,8221; says Dar.
ALTAF AHMED KALOO
8226; This 34-year-old businessman joined politics in 2007, and is contesting polls from south Kashmir8217;s Pahalgam constituency. Born in a picturesque village in Ashimuqam, Altaf did his schooling from south Kashmir. He obtained his bachelor8217;s degree in engineering from the Islamia Institute of Technology, Bangalore. He later joined the family business. He is also pro-vice chairman of Delhi Public School in Anantnag.
8220;I am contesting polls for developing Pahalgam constituency,8221; Kaloo says.
GHULAM NABI WANI NILOORA
8226; An engineer by profession, 30-year-old Wani is contesting polls from south Kashmir8217;s Pulwama district. Wani did his BE from the Regional Engineering College. He was appointed as junior engineer in the rural department and then he was sent on deputation to the police housing board. Before joining the poll fray, he resigned from government service. Wani8217;s father Ghulam Qadir Niloora was shot dead by militants in 1991. His brother, Nazir Ahmed, a former MLA, was assassinated by militants.
8220;I want to serve my people,8221; says Wani.
NASIR SOGAMI
8226; Fortyfour-year-old Nasir Sogami is political secretary to party president Omar Abdullah and is contesting polls from Amira Kadal, the constituency for which the Hizbul Mujahideen supremo, Salahuddin, once fought a battle of the ballot. Sogami did his schooling from Presentation Convent and his group was the last batch of boys from the famous missionary girls8217; school. Sogami joined the Youth National Conference when Omar Abdullah became its president in 1998. A career in politics was a logical choice for this Commerce graduate, who comes from a political family. His grandfather, Ghulam Nabi Wani, was member of the J038;K Constituent Assembly and a minister in Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah8217;s cabinet. His father was a leader of National Conference.
8220;I am contesting polls for a reason and that is that I want to reach a level where I can help people,8221; he says.
