News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know . i i i . – t ’ a l y n t k PHOTO:REUTERS “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor” is a tribute to New York and those affected by September 11. A drone show recreates the Twin Towers over New York Harbor to honor victims of the September 11 attacks. The display used 2,977 lights, one for each life lost in the 2001 attacks. SAJA Marks 25th Anniversary Of 9/11, Reflecting On Its Role Helping Journalists Understand South Asia O n the 25th anniversary of Septem- ber 11, the South Asian Journalists Association honors and remem- bers the thousands of people who lost their lives in the attacks, as well as the countless families, communi- ties and first responders whose lives were forever changed. SAJA had a profound impact on journalism in the days, weeks and months following 9/11, helping mainstream news organi- zations better understand South Asia, a region that had suddenly been thrust into the spotlight. For more than a year, SAJA documented reporting from South Asian journalists, tracked the experiences of South Asian victims and survivors, shined a light on hate crimes and backlash against Muslim and Sikh communities, and offered journalists sources for cover- ing the aftermath. In 2002, SAJA worked with the family of Daniel Pearl, theWall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped and killed while reporting in Pakistan, to create an award in his name. The Daniel Pearl Award continues to this day, recognizing outstanding investigative reporting about South Asia that exhibits courage and exposes important public issues. “SAJA was still a relatively new organi- zation on 9/11, but in that difficult time, it showed the value of a journalism organi- zation dedicated to the region and to the journalists who cover it,” said Jyoti Thot- tam, SAJA’s president at the time. “We be- came a resource for countless journalists all over the world trying to quickly get up to speed, even as many of our members were deeply involved in covering 9/11 or were affected by it. SAJA also showed what it meant to be a community of journalists, the people who are there for each other in times of crisis.” “At the time, I was the vice president of SAJA, and the South Asian Journalists Association became the organization of record to which most mainstream journal- ists turned for context and understand- ing of Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, the Taliban, al-Qaeda and more,” said Indira Somani, SAJA’s current president. “I’m grateful we existed and helped educate the mainstream.” “Looking back, I am so grateful to all the members who volunteered to help other journalists understand complex issues around religion, history, geopolitics and more,” said Sree Sreenivasan, SAJA’s co-founder and former president. Twenty-five years later, SAJA is proud to continue its mission of supporting South Asian journalists, strengthening the next generation of storytellers and helping news organizations better understand the communities they cover. As we mark this anniversary, we honor the journalists, colleagues and communi- ties affected by 9/11 and reflect on the en- during importance of accurate, nuanced and informed journalism. ABOUT US Founded in March 1994 with just 18 members, the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) now represents more than 1,000 journalists of South Asian origin across the U.S. and Canada. SAJA serves as a network for training, inspira- tion, and support—not only for South Asian journalists but for anyone covering South Asia and its diaspora. SAJA also aims to improve the coverage of the sub- continent and its diaspora. Press Release News India Times (September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026) September 18, 2026 26 25th Anniversary Of 9/11 PHOTO:REUTERS/BRENDAN MCDERMID PHOTO:TWITTER @EBOOPATEL Flowers amongst the names on the North Pool at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, U.S., August 31, 2026. President Biden meeting the relative of Balbir Singh Sodhi at the White House Sept. 15, 2022. Balbir Singh Sodhi, photo left, was the first victim of 9/11 backlash. Retweet by Eboo Patel who was part of the discussions at the White House Summit ‘United We Stand.’ PHOTO: REUTERS/JEENAH MOON/POOL Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firefighters pay their respects next to the reflecting pools at the 9/11 Memorial, on the day of a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, in New York City, U.S., September 11, 2026.