Pakistani journalist wins Rajiv Gandhi award

E-Paper | July 11, 2026

NEW DELHI: Pakistani journalist and author of the recently launched book, ‘Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience’, Reema Abbasi, has been honoured as the best literary personality of the year at the Fifth Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Awards held in New Delhi.

The largely attended event was organised by Pehchaan, an NGO focused on nurturing the girl child that is led by prominent media professionals, activists and policymakers, who recognised the tome as a valuable chronicle of shared history.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2014

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Firdaus

Sep 01, 2014 07:04am

I feel very honored and happy to see young women from South Asia doing world-class stuff! Congratulations, and right on!

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Elyas

Sep 01, 2014 07:34am

Kudos, good job.

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Dr. Ansari

Sep 01, 2014 07:43am

Congratulations!!! More books like this are needed. To highlight the rich heritage of this land is long over due. Thank you and keep up the good work.

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Saiyed zaidi

Sep 01, 2014 07:55am

In the 70's we were a better nation just like any devoloping southeast asian country untill to you know who's ugly face appeared on the scene and spoilt the whole show.

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Matt

Sep 01, 2014 08:34am

A question for quizzed minds: would she had won if her book title read "Mosques of Ahmedabad" ?

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Sachin Dhawan

Sep 01, 2014 09:03am

Congratulations to Pakistan!!

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a mans

Sep 01, 2014 09:12am

we should seriously change the names of these awards.. it adds this political undertone which undermines the honour...

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Arvind V. Gokhale

Sep 01, 2014 09:13am

Congratulations. I read the book. Its extensively wonderful.

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Alpha

Sep 01, 2014 09:20am

As she got an award in India, soon she will get one in Pakistan !!!

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Abbas Ali

Sep 01, 2014 09:49am

Good work. People should be aware of the rich cultural heritage of the region.

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indian

Sep 01, 2014 09:55am

Congratulation..happy to see at least somebody from Pakistan making positive news in the world..

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Sana Jahan

Sep 01, 2014 09:55am

She should write a book on mosques in India and Burma, would see if she gets the same price.

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Dilip Thorat

Sep 01, 2014 10:13am

Congratulations and Wish You all the Best in Your Career and Life.

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Valiya

Sep 01, 2014 10:40am

Thank you Pakistan for keeping these heritages intact.

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Indian from India

Sep 01, 2014 10:44am

Congratulations.....wants to see more this type of news.

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Garib manus

Sep 01, 2014 10:46am

Congratulations to Ms Abbasi for her excellent work.

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Akil Akhtar

Sep 01, 2014 10:58am

Got an award for writing a book about temples not for her journalistic excellence. Would she get an award from india for writing anything in favour of Pakistan or slightly critical of India, guess not.

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indian

Sep 01, 2014 11:12am

Ms Abbasi Congratulation. You people are hope of South Asia.

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Shahryar Shirazi

Sep 01, 2014 11:27am

Great and congrats! it'll be good to see a profile of the other participants and entries into the competition.

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Tamilselvan

Sep 01, 2014 11:43am

@Valiya can this book be purchased via Amazon.com?

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muhammadzauq

Sep 01, 2014 12:05pm

She should also write a book on History mosques in India especially Babri Masjid

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Moiz Omar

Sep 01, 2014 12:18pm

Congrats!

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kolassery

Sep 01, 2014 01:24pm

Congrats Ms Abbas for her excellent work to document the cultural history of the Hindu minorities of Pakistan.

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Curios mind

Sep 01, 2014 01:25pm

@Matt . More appropriate question would be if she would get a similar award for this book in Pakistan.

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Arsala

Sep 01, 2014 02:20pm

@Curios mind - the more appropriate question is what Matt has asked. why don't you answer his question - if you have any?

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zana

Sep 01, 2014 03:03pm

keep up the good work!!!!

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Taimoor Khan

Sep 01, 2014 03:51pm

Rajeev Gandhi award? Whats that? anyone gives two cents about it in Pakistan? Never heard of it. On a separate note, the lady should at least wear traditional Pakistani cloths when representing Pakistan internationally.

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Marsala

Sep 01, 2014 04:00pm

@Arsala I guess we'll never know the answer to Matt's question, but we will find out the answer to @Curios mind's question soon.

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Capri of Bangalore

Sep 01, 2014 04:39pm

@Arsala My reply to Matts question is not too difficult. The answer is Yes, why not? So many books have been written by Indian authors on Indias Islamic heritage and we are not shy of talking about it, acknowledging it , or writing and discussing about it. So if one had been written on Mosques of Ahmedabad and it was a Quality production in terms of content and pictures, it would ve got a wide review and perhaps even won an excellence award. Unlike your country that does not even acknoeledge your Hindu past. Come on , let me see you admit this fact honestly!

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G. Din

Sep 01, 2014 05:36pm

"One swan doesn't a summer make!"

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nms

Sep 01, 2014 07:12pm

@Matt Books are written about the rare things not the common one. Introspect yourself and think in which direction the Pakistan is going due to this religious intolerance...

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JSaeed

Sep 01, 2014 07:28pm

@Matt - Exactly. Sounds more like an appeasing award than anything else.

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Bonnie

Sep 01, 2014 07:50pm

@Taimoor Khan I thought Pakistani dresses are originally what the Indian dresses are not one knows about ethnic Pakistani dresses even in USA they sell them as Indian dresses like sari shalwar kameez etc enlighten me please

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Anser

Sep 01, 2014 08:05pm

Her new assignment is now about historic mosques in Indian Punjab.

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swesh

Sep 01, 2014 09:11pm

@muhammadzauq why not on temples of pakistan descreated on reguler basis

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hellboy

Sep 01, 2014 10:07pm

@Taimoor Khan : if your thinking represent the majority of people then Pakistan will never become a pluralistic and tolerate society. Pakistan is in need of people like her to grow as a country like Jinnah wanted.correct me if i am wrong ?

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gopal

Sep 01, 2014 10:08pm

For all Muslims of the world, specially Pakistanis please read the book, WHY I AM NOT A HINDU, and be surprised no hindu thought of killing the author. the book is available on Amazon.

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Kanishk

Sep 01, 2014 10:17pm

I really appreciate young lady's work and also congratulate the deciding body to select an author from across the border.

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zak

Sep 02, 2014 12:55am

A subject of no consequence

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Munawar Hameed

Sep 02, 2014 01:12am

Dear Sir, I really appreciate your kind words. Fortunately, not only this our sister made a positive difference from Pakistan, but there are number of people who have been making. I appreciate India for its generous attitude.

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Sam

Sep 02, 2014 02:46am

@Taimoor Khan This is the problem with pakistani mind they always teach woman what should they wear... why dont you focus on yourself ?

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Rahul

Sep 02, 2014 03:06am

Congratulations to Ms. Abbasi for the excellent work and this pestegious recognition. Well deserved !

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Onlooker

Sep 02, 2014 04:31am

@muhammadzauq I hope you can use your spare time to do that mate. Negating each and everything is a kind of metal sickness.

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Akil Akhtar

Sep 02, 2014 04:33am

@G. Din No a million RSS goons do make a summer, LOL

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Onlooker

Sep 02, 2014 04:34am

@zak It is true for people always look for benefit and return for no matter what the matter is.

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Indian Panjabi

Sep 02, 2014 06:04am

Light of sanity and tolerance in a largely intolerant and violence filled, hate filled country. It is the responsibility of Pak national institutions like the Law and Order, Police, Judiciary to protect minorities. In addition, Pak Central government should ensure the rights and safety of minorities like Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyas and Sindhis to make it an effective democracy, not a false one. Good wishes from an Indian panjabi.

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Indian Panjabi

Sep 02, 2014 06:08am

@Sana Jahan Why should she write about those? There are thousands of mosques in India and Burma which are protected so there is no fear to them. The largely intolerant Pakistani radicals have reduced minorities from 45-50% at independence to 3% right now. Hence, her act is an act of bravery by displaying courage to support the righteous in a largely violent country. There is no need for writing books on India or Burma's mosques which are housing thousands of muslims who ironically live better and safer lives than those in Pakistan. So, you need to get your self checked okay.

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tikamdas

Sep 02, 2014 06:31am

Well done madam Reema. Your espousal of truth, your literary exposure and your charming personality, combined, have touched large number of hearts to warmly applaud your effort. In the land dominated by emotion of hate and untruth this effort of a journalist is indeed welcome. And the recognition in awarding this labour is highly appreciated..

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Saadia

Sep 02, 2014 07:27pm

Congragulations!! Keep up the good work.

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almas mohommad

Sep 03, 2014 03:24pm

congratulation

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syed wasim haider

Sep 03, 2014 10:42pm

congratulations

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