Minister for Information, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali has felicitated the journalist Umar Manzoor Shah for bagging the Europe’s top journalism award-Lorenzo Natali Media Prize 2017. The award was conferred on Mr Shah by the European Commission at Brussels on June 7.Zulfkar has also extended felicitations to journalists Rayan Naqash and Aamir Rafiq Peerzada for bagging RedInk Awards for Excellence in Indian Journalism-2017.Pertinently, all the three journalists are from Jammu and Kashmir.Complimenting the recipients of the awards, Zulfkar said that the media is a vital organ and has an extremely crucial role in sustaining and strengthening peace, development and democracy.He said that journalists have an important role to play for building a bright future for the State’s youth. “If the print and electronic media works responsibly within parameters of positivity and productivity it can be extremely effective in spreading awareness and focusing critical attention on important issues,” he said.Zulfkar said that it is heartening to note that the State’s enterprising youth are bringing laurels to J&K in every sphere, both within and outside the country.Meanwhile, Director Information & Public Relations, Mr Muneer-ul-Islam has also extended felicitations to the three award winning journalists from the State.