Dubai: Veteran journalist and former Executive Editor of the UAE’s national news agency, WAM, Binsal Abdul Khader was honored with a heartfelt farewell by his fellow Malayalam media professionals in Dubai as he prepares to return to India after more than two decades of service in the Gulf.
Speaking at the event, Binsal expressed deep gratitude for the unique opportunities the UAE offered him during his journalistic career. “No other place could have provided me with such a diverse and rich experience,” he said. “The chance to interview presidents, prime ministers, and global leaders has been an incredible privilege.”
Among the many memorable interviews he conducted, Binsal fondly recalled his interaction with the late former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. “He was one of the most down-to-earth and visionary individuals I’ve ever met. He spoke from the heart and had a remarkable ability to foresee the future,” Binsal said. He shared a particularly striking insight from the 2009 interview, where Dr. Kalam stated that the era of traditional warfare was over, and that future conflicts would be fought in cyberspace — making digital security the new frontier of defense.
When asked during the interview if he would consider becoming a candidate for Prime Minister, Dr. Kalam humbly dismissed the idea. “Though he said no, I sensed he had the passion and vision for such a role,” Binsal added.
A law graduate from the Faculty of Law, Delhi University, Binsal had briefly practised as a lawyer before entering journalism. Now he plans to practise under Advocate M.R. Hariraj, a designated Senior Counsel at Kerala High Court.
Reflecting on his time in the UAE, Binsal, a native of Kaipamangalam in Thrissur, Kerala, highlighted how the country’s multicultural environment gave him the chance to connect with people from over 200 nationalities. “Living in the UAE was truly a celebration of friendships — a journey I’ll always cherish,” he said.
The farewell gathering was organized by a group of Malayalam media professionals in Dubai, coordinated by Vanitha Vinod, Roy Raphael, and Yaser. Fellow journalists and friends including M.C.A. Nasser, Jamaludeen, Sadiq Kavil, Shinoj Shamsudheen, Suresh Vellimuttam, Anoop Keechery, Sreejith Kaimal, Jaseetha Sanjith, Saleeh, and Manaf also spoke, praising Binsal’s professional journey, humility, and contributions to journalism.
