Inspiring story of a small village boy, from unknown to a top-notch media personality

In a world of all types of disparities, it’s always inspiring to hear stories of individuals who have risen from humble beginnings to attain tremendous success. One such inspiring story is that of Ghazanfar Ali Khan, who was born and raised in a tiny village, Darauli, in the north Indian district of Siwan. Today, Khan is a celebrity journalist and media consultant credited with writing about 25,000 stories, reports, and features on diverse subjects.

Khan has been recognized for his writings and contributions by several countries, including Sri Lanka, South Korea, Austria, Germany, Tajikistan, and Nepal. All these countries presented him with commendation letters for his role as a journalist promoting relations between Saudi Arabia and these countries. Despite his modest beginning, Khan’s scholarship, creativity, and determination led him to occupy top positions in different publications in India and the Middle East.

Khan, who passed an M.A. in English from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), emigrated from India to Saudi Arabia in 1993. On arrival in the Kingdom, he worked briefly for Riyadh Daily, an English newspaper. Subsequently, he served as the Bureau Chief at Arab News, the largest English newspaper in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region, for 26 years. Khan has been working in mainstream Saudi media for the last 29 years, with expertise in writing political stories, business reports, features, and consultancy. 

He has written and published thousands of reports, news stories, interviews, and features in different publications in Saudi Arabia, India, and the United States. Khan’s inspiring journey from poverty to becoming one of Asia's most influential media personalities is a testament to his unwavering determination and unparalleled efforts. He has had the distinction of interviewing more than 50 heads of states, about 500 ministers of different countries, billionaire business tycoons and Bollywood celebrities.

Khan was born on 8 October 1962 in Darauli village in Siwan district of Bihar (India), to the late Mr. Abdul Hamid Khan and Mrs. Koraisha Khatoon.  He obtained his high school education from S.L. Jain High School, Darauli, Siwan (Bihar). Later, he moved to Aligarh for higher studies. He passed B. A. Honors and M. A. English from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh). He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the Delhi-based Management Promotion Institute and an honorary doctorate from the World Human Rights Protection Commission (WHRPC).

His determination and hard work paid off as he established himself as a successful journalist, eventually becoming a top-notch writer and media consultant in the Middle East. Khan has had the distinction of working for leading Indian dailies like The Times of India and The Hindustan Times from 1985 to 1991. He also worked as a contributing editor for The Diplomat Magazine, published by the Institute of Diplomatic Studies under the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

His stories about tourism, travel, and important places in Ahlan Wasahlan, the inflight magazine of Saudi Arabian Airlines, have won high commendations. He also contributed stories and features to the Associated Press in 1994 and 1995. Thus, he contributed around 25,000 reports, news stories, and features to various publications, including Arab News, The Diplomat, Ahlan Wasahlan, The Hindustan Times, and The Nation and the World.

Several awards and accolades were presented to Khan for his inspiring career and achievements. Some of them include membership of the jury of the Samir Foundation Award in Lebanon (Selected by EU) in 2013, panelist at an important session of Global Inter-Media Dialogue in Bali, Indonesia in 2006, participation in Global Media Summit in South Korea in 195, participated in Global Forum for Media Development in Athens, Greece in 2008, and participation in Global Media Forum in Bonn, Germany in 2018 and also in 2019.

He was also chosen to participate in the Middle East Journalists’ Visit Program organized by the Singapore Government in 2016. Khan received a commendation certificate from the Italian Embassy in 1995, while the South African Embassy in Riyadh presented an appreciation letter to him in 2000. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh also presented a commendation certificate to Khan in 200, and the German Embassy in Riyadh presented a commendation certificate to him in 2001.

These are in addition to the appreciation letter from Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi, Editor in Chief of Arab News in 2015, appreciation letter from German Ambassador Mr Haller Dieter in 2017, letter of Appreciation from Austrian Ambassador Gregor W. Koessler in 2017, letter of Appreciation from Brazil Ambassador Sergio Luiz Canaes in 2009, Appreciation Letter from Indian Ambassador Mr Hamid Ali Rao in 2015, Commendation Certificate from South Korean Ambassador Kwon Pyung-oh in 2017, and Appreciation Letter from Mr Khaled Almaeena, Editor in Chief of Arab News in 2008.

He was also presented an Appreciation Letter from Dr Abdul Qader Tash, Editor in Chief of Arab News in 1998. He has had the distinction of presenting a research paper on Indo-Saudi Cultural Relations at the Center for Asian Studies at Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi Arabia. He is also Member of the Saudi Journalists Association, Riyadh, since 2019, besides being the chairman of the Hind Life and Education Trust, Patna (India)

He is married to Rizwana Khan, who teaches Hindi at the Riyadh-based International Indian School in Saudi Arabia. He has one son and two daughters. His eldest daughter, Zaina Hamid Khan, is a student of medicine in Georgia, while his son, Osama Hamid Khan, is a student of business management at the Delhi-based Amity University. His youngest daughter, Lubna Hamid Khan, plans to move to Malaysia or India to pursue higher studies in 2024.