Dear Editor,
Death has ruthlessly plucked my good friend Sharief Khan from this mortal world at the relatively young age of 59 years, but such divine intervention must visit us all at some point in time.
I first met Sharief many years ago when I reported for the Stabroek News, and we immediately became friends. He was at the time the Chief Reporter of the said newspaper, working directly under Stabroek News founder David de Caires.
I last met him recently at a social function and he was indeed looking a bit frail, but he indicated to me that he was alright and doing well after undergoing a medical intervention last year. Like my other journalist friend Bert Wilkinson, I also advised Sharief to ensure his medication was taken as directed and that he continued to visit his physician as scheduled.
Sharief was the epitome of journalistic competence and excellence in Guyana and the Caribbean, and must be placed very high up in any Journalism Hall of Fame which we may establish. In fact, I think we ought to move very swiftly and establish the Sharief Khan Hall of Fame for journalists who have excelled. I must admit that with the current crop of journalists, we will be hard pressed to find suitable inductees.
Sharief was a journalist par excellence in both print and audio media, and was in a genre of his own. To compare Sharief with any other journalist is to discredit one who achieved the highest level of journalistic pragmatism and decency, even though at times, in the bad old days, he had to struggle against oppressive forces to maintain the thin line between objectivity and bias. In his early days as a journalist, he mastered the art of effectively reporting the news in a politically-charged environment where political interference in reporting the news was commonplace. His indomitable will to be the best ensured his survival, growth and ultimate eminence in the communication business in Guyana and all of Caricom. Indeed, Sharief stands proud on the journalistic pedestal of the region.
Perhaps American investor, industrialist and philanthropist Warren Buffett had Sharief in mind when he said, “The smarter the journalists are, the better off society is. For, to a degree, people read the press to inform themselves – and the better the teacher, the better the student body.”
Sharief was indeed a master at disseminating the news in his usual candid style and played a pivotal role in firmly establishing the Stabroek News, Guyana’s first independent newspaper from 1986 until he left in 1992.
A small man with a big heart, Sharief was unfailing and unwavering in his daily advice and mature guidance to us young reporters at the Stabroek News. I vividly recall his advice to capture the essence of the story in the opening paragraph but not exceed 28 words. That was a tough call, but many of us mastered it as we all adhered to the journalistic rule of “word economy.”
He also told us our articles for the newspaper must be written using simple words so the ordinary man in the street could understand, and not to use “big words” which only the intellectuals could understand. An indulgence in “big words” could defeat the entire purpose of a newspaper to educate, inform and entertain across all strata.
Though I am very saddened at his passing, I take comfort in the fact that despite having been born into poverty, like so many of us, his remarkable achievements in journalism did not trigger condescension – a trait so identifiable in many lesser mortals. He steadfastly remained throughout his life a very simple and affable man – characteristics of a great personality.
As Chuck Palahniuk, American freelance journalist, satirist and novelist said, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever. The goal is to create something that will.”
Those in journalism in Guyana should take a little page from the big book that is called ‘Sharief Khan – the Journalist’ and try to emulate him partially. It will make a big difference.
Rest in eternal peace, my friend.
Yours faithfully,
Mahadeo Panchu
