The secret of a Good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds
This saying goes well with Pandit Sham Lal Razadan, the Veteran Journalist of Jammu & Kashmir State.
Pandit Sham Lal Razadan, founder of the Daily “Sharda” newspaper, is indeed a legend in Jammu & Kashmir Urdu Jouralism history. Having started Sharda Urdu (edited Calligraphed, got printed and marketed by himself) in Jammu in 1952 he had, by the time of his demise in May 2006 atb 83,built an unparallel feet in Journalism. Razadan was among the most successful pioneers in the field of Journalism and his contribution to the development of a healthy press in Jammu & Kashmir immense.
A self made newspaper entrepreneur, who had personal experience of doing every task involved in newspaper production. Despite the shortage of funds and printing facilities in Jammu in those difficult days, he showed courage and dynamism in building up the SHARDA from almost a Scratch and within a few years it became Jammu’s popular Urdu newspaper. Razadan evinced keen interest in the professional development of journalism. He had a penchant for press repoting which clung to him all his life. This is what made him so unique among the newspapers published in Jammu & Kashmir.
Razadan started his life with struggles that was full of pains and sufferings. During Indo-Pakistan partition in 1947 he had a narrow escape while leaving Lahore for Jammu where he finally settled down. He had never forgotten the trauma and agony he underwent at partition time. He lost his capital, asset in Pak and was reduced to zero. He and his wife Mrs Sham Rani Razadan are Witness to of in 1947. Mrs. Sham Rain’s four brothers was shot dead by Pakistan’s in 1947, in her presence and looted all Gold ornaments, Valuable items and were subject to terror.
Well known in social and political circles of the state and had overwhelmed people with his personality and deeds from very childhood. He thereby started getting lost of respect and regard in society during his social and student life.
Sham Lal Razdan firmly believed in the freedom of press. He was of this pinion that freedom of the press must always be tempered with responsibility and that the nation’s integrity and solidarity must be a supreme consideration. He believed in maintaining harmonious relations with the Government and thought all issues could always be sorted out through dialogue and negotiations. According to him journalism was one of the greatest institutions of Social power and progress and it must be used as an instrument for a positive development of the society.
Daily Sharda, newspaper is being published, of the state, i.e. Jammu even since it came into being.
Sharda Newspaper was established in 1952. It is being published from Jammu till date.