Hyderabad, Aug. 24 -- It was an evening steeped in warmth, camaraderie, and a sense of homecoming. Friends met friends, old bonds were renewed, and stories from the newsroom days of yore filled the air. There was poetry, laughter, serious talk, and plenty of emotions as two veteran journalists - Mir Ayoob Ali Khan and Aziz Ahmed - were felicitated for completing 50 years of their remarkable journey in the world of journalism.

The programme, organised by Syed Fazil Husain Parvez, Editor of Gawah at Mediaplus, stood out for more reasons than one. In a world where journalists are seldom honoured by their own peers, here was a rare occasion when the profession paused to celebrate its own. Adding to the charm was the fact that almost everyone...