Fazil Husain Parvez: A story-teller par excellence

No stress, worries, or care in the world. Who wouldn’t like to revisit their childhood days? But few would be ready to relive a troubled infancy. Becoming fatherless at an early age and ending up with meager resources to carry on makes a bad pillow for comfort. But adversity can have a positive effect too. For some like Fazil Husain Parvez, it made him grow strong and resilient. He did not let adversity become a stumbling block but turned it into a stepping stone for success.

Today he is a well-known name in media circles. Despite the odds stacked against him, he proved his mettle as a journalist – earning the love and respect of his peers. Bitten by the writing bug at an early age, he found solace in the written word and started pouring out his emotions on paper even as he tried to grapple with hard times. Little did he know that this escape route would become the foundation of his future. He navigated through the ups and downs of life but never let go of his passion for writing. And it didn’t take long for the newspapers to take note of his talent. Parvez wanted to make a difference with his writings and he did it when the opportunity came his way. Humble to a fault, Parvez doesn’t mince words nor shies away from a challenge.

Born into the family of Syed Ibrahim and Syeda Rahmath Unnisa Begum on January 21, 1961, Parvez faced the challenges of adolescence boldly. While most teenagers grappled with college choices, young Parvez was already contributing articles and humour pieces to the leading Urdu daily, Rahnuma-e-Deccan. He never lost sight of his burning ambition to make it big in the media. Nearly 40 years into his chosen field, his work speaks volumes of his tireless efforts.

Parvez had his early schooling at the Zilla Parishad High School, Jogipet, Aiza High School in Hyderabad, and later he studied at Anwarul Uloom College from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Sciences. During his college days, he mastered the art of public speaking, a talent he perfected in his later years. Today he is as good with his pen as with his speech. As a student, he was very active and won the Union elections thrice. Thereafter, he earned a Bachelor of Communication and Journalism degree from Osmania University, followed by a Master of Philosophy. Age is no bar for learning. Parvez proved it by pursuing a Doctorate in Journalism from Osmania University nearly 22 years down the line.

What makes him stand out from other scribes is the way he crafts his stories with empathy and insight – bringing to light the struggles and triumphs of people. His write-ups bring home the magic of journalism and provide a ringside view of events. His literary flair and engaging style of narrating complex subjects in simple words make his stories a compelling read. His editorials in the weekly tabloid, Gawah, have set new benchmarks in views. Written under the column “Sacch to Magar Kehne Do”, they are a running commentary on current affairs. Parvez doesn’t hesitate to call a spade a spade. He doesn’t spare anyone, not even his community when it comes to speaking up truth. And that’s another factor that sets him apart from his fellow journalists. No wonder he bagged the prestigious Press Council of India national award for Excellence in Journalism in 2003. The award is all the more important since in the history of Urdu journalism he is the only scribe to get recognition at the national level. When you work all through the night you sure have your day.

Parvez also bagged the Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2018 from the Telangana government. The award was presented by the State Urdu Academy on the occasion of the Telangana Formation Day celebrations in 2023.

Though he started his career as a sports journalist with Rahnuma-e-Deccan, he later turned into an all-rounder, writing about everything under the sun. Parvez also worked for newspapers like Awam and Nai Duniya, Delhi, before bringing out his own weekly, Gawah. Although it is a small journal, what he writes in it gets noticed and picked up by even the mainstream Urdu media.

Over the years Parvez interviewed influential figures, covered groundbreaking stories, and fearlessly exposed corruption and injustice. He has had the opportunity to interact with five Prime Ministers, two Presidents, and numerous ministers, not to speak of Bollywood celebrities and sports stars. He has also written extensively about the Hyderabad royalty, bringing out hitherto unheard facets of the Nizam family. His interviews make for an interesting read as they give a rare insight into the mind of the person he is speaking to. He has carved a niche for himself through perseverance and unwavering determination. This is not all. Parvez has to his credit six books till date on different subjects. “Jab ghame dil satata hai to likh leta hun”, he says in his characteristic way.

A versatile journalist that he is, Parvez is a much sought-after scribe both in India and abroad. He is also a regular figure in TV news shows, debates, and discussions. Quite often he serves as visiting faculty and guest speaker at prestigious online and offline programs, sharing his wealth of knowledge with aspiring journalists and media enthusiasts.

In his early years, he had a brush with the All India Radio. He did interviews with notable personalities and presented skits for the radio. Another important facet of his personality is that he is perhaps the only Urdu journalist to write about local heroes and mirror the achievements and culture of different communities. The special numbers he brought out on Hyderabad localities and communities form an important source material for researchers. Not just this. He is also a successful PR (public relations) man,  lending his expertise to numerous fledgling companies, and helping them establish a strong presence in the market through brilliant and witty PR campaigns. Under his leadership, notable campaigns were launched. Political parties might have their own differences but they all turn to Mediaplus, the ad agency started by Parvez, for scripts, speeches, campaign slogans, and publicity material. And he never lets them down.

His long innings in the media have made him immensely popular with the Indian Diaspora. NRIs in the Gulf, Western and European countries eagerly look forward to his editorials in the Gawah week after week. His invitation to Saudi Arabia as a media delegate in 2019 for the Saudi Vision-2030 and later as a royal guest of King Salman for the Hajj in 2023 speaks of his immense popularity. On official invitation, he also visited the UK in 2005 and the USA in 2008. Earlier in 1998 he toured Iraq, Iran, and several other countries and published his reports and travelogues.

Budding journalists have a lot to learn from him.  Always full of ideas and encouragement, he is a team leader who always leads from the front. Throughout his illustrious career, he mentored numerous journalists, nurturing their talent and guiding them towards excellence. His editorials published in book form make a good style sheet for upcoming journalists. Titled “Sachh to Magar Kehne Do” (Let’s speak truth, no matter what), followed by its sequel “Sacch hi toh Hai” (Truth, Indeed) offers insightful analysis and diverse perspectives on current affairs – both politics and social issues. This apart, one can slake the literary thirst by reading his articles which have a fictional flavor. Currently, Parvez is working on his new book titled “Kadwa Sach” (Bitter Truth), which promises to delve even deeper into pressing social issues. His other book ‘Urdu Media: Kal Aaj Kal’ is a ready reckoner as far as Urdu journalism goes. Encyclopedic in nature, it tells all about the evolution of Urdu media over the years. It lists the names of almost all the Urdu dailies and weeklies along with the names of their editors. The book also takes a peek at radio, television, the internet, social media, and the role of Urdu. It packs information about social media sites too.

Another important feather in his overcrowded cap is that Parvez is now a subject of research for scholars. Amena Maqbool of Telangana University has done her Doctorate on the journalistic achievements of Parvez. His extensive body of work and his impact on the field of journalism and Hyderabad’s rich heritage have captivated the attention of academics, underscoring his enduring legacy.

Happily married to Syeda Shahnaaz Begum, Parvez has three sons and a daughter. His eldest son, Syed Khaled Shahbaaz, is a journalist in his own right with a flair for Information Technology. His second son, Syed Owais Hussain Salman, is a financial analyst practicing in Australia and the third one, Syed Aquil Hussain Farhan works in UAE. His daughter, Shahla Fatima, is a practicing doctor in Bahrain. A great family man, Parvez tries hard to maintain the familial ties. His write-up on the death of his sister shows his depth of love and affection. It simply moves one to tears.

Parvez’s journey from a fatherless child to a leading journalist is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. His unwavering passion for writing and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream big.At 62 he continues to touch hearts with his words. And his story is far from over. There are many more lives waiting to be transformed by the power of his pen.