The noted legal luminary and famous columnist A G Noorani released the daily in front of thousands of people including intellectuals, politicians - both mainstream and pro-resistance, scholars, journalists, lawyers, university students and people from almost all walks of life. The event started with the group choir led by the famous Kashmiri singer Waheed Jeelani.
Noorani in his speech said, “I have participated in myriads of seminars across the globe, but this one is special and something I never involved myself in. I feel as if all the Kashmiris have come out of their houses to witness this event.”
He said press in Kashmir is very serious and Rising Kashmir will live up to the expectation of the readers. “Rising Kashmir will rise to new challenges,” he said.
Lauding the work of reporters in any newspaper he said it is the contribution of reporters who work in the field and they are the people who sustain a newspaper.
A G Noorani who will be contributing a fortnightly article for Rising Kashmir said, “We columnist rely on the stories filed by reporters, it is reporters who deserve kudos for their work.”
He said journalists in the valley have faced huge loses but they have been successful in upholding the professionalism in the conflict area like Kashmir.
“I know what journalists of the valley have been through and they have showed determination in all difficult times,” he added.
Syed Rafi-u-Din Bukhari, the Editor-in-Chief of Rising Kashmir at the end of Noorani’s speech presented a memento to the visiting guest.
Professor Siddiq Wahid, Vice Chancellor Islamic University of Science and Technology expressed happiness over the launching of Rising Kashmir and wished the team best of luck.
He said, “Kashmir is a troubled state and we hope that Rising Kashmir comes up with something great.”
He said in the contemporary eon, it is very difficult to present contrary views on the same pages.
“The paper is always contained by pressure groups, like people who coerce them and corporates,” he said. “The challenge is how you express and balance things despite these two forces,” he added.
He said a newspaper is supposed to carry views from all sides and he hopes that it will be visible in the newborn paper—Rising Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, Registrar KU, Syed Fayaz said Rising Kashmir seems to be a serious attempt in the newspaper journalism. “The paper should be truthful and something acceptable to masses—and yes they have done good thing that they launched it in the University of Kashmir,” the Registrar said.
He appreciated the title of the paper and said it should be focused on Kashmir seriously.
“I like the title ‘Rising Kashmir’ and I feel it will work for the betterment of Kashmir that has suffered a lot from the past two decades,” he added.
Veteran Journalist Shuja’at Bukhari, who is an active member of Kashmir Media Group (KMG) in his speech said, “Rising Kashmir will represent the dominant sentiment of Kashmiri people. It will become the voice of people.”
“God willing Rising Kashmir will create its space in the market very soon,” he said.
Senior Journalist Riyaz Masroor, while giving the vote of thanks acknowledged the hard work of Rising Kashmir team and wished them luck.
Masroor in his brief speech lauded the role of Greater Kashmir for empowering the English press in Valley and for setting a trend of national integration by opening its offices in Muzaffarabad and Islamabad.
Khalid Jehangir, 
