Kashi pays tribute to well-known TV journalist Kamal Khan; upholds its ancient syncretic, secular tradition

Denizens of Kashi, the oldest living city of the world, paid homage to the late NDTV journalist Kamal Khan, who died in Lucknow yesterday, by holding Ganga Aarati on the Dashaswamedh Ghat on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti.

The special Ganga Aarati for the popular and well respected TV journalist Kamal Khan was organised by Ganga Seva Nidhi. “By holding the Ganga Aarati to pay homage to Kamal Khan, the residents of Kashi upheld the syncretic and secular tradition of the city known for its saints Kabir and Tulsidas,” said Amitabh Bhattacharya, the founder member of Ganga Seva Nidi.

It is on this Ghat that several dignitaries including Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, PM Narendra Modi and film actor Amitabh Bachchan have performed Ganga Aarati.

The special Ganga Aarati to pay tributes of Kamal Khan lasted for 46 minutes amid chanting of Sanskrit Sanskrit hymns from the Vedas. A portrait of Kamal Khan with garland of flowers was kept at the site during the Aarati. A large number of people gathered on the ghat to pay their respects to the departed journalist.

As a journalist of NDTV based in Lucknow, Kamal Khan was quite popular for his unbiased and in-depth reporting of major political and social issues.