Champion of Investigative Journalism and Community Voice

Iqbal Kuttar is an experienced journalist who began working in various fields of journalism from a young age. Born on June 14, 1973, in Mangalore, he is the son of K. Koyam and Mariyam. He completed his education at Ullal Government Model Higher Primary School, Bharat High School, Government Pre-University College, and obtained his degree from KSOU, Mysore.

Known for his sharp writing filled with critical reviews and genuine expressions, Iqbal has been the editor of the fortnightly newspaper ‘ENCOUNTER’ for the past 21 years. He is also the publisher and owner of this newspaper.

While studying at Karnataka State Open University, he entered journalism through investigative reporting. In 1993, he worked as a reporter for the evening daily ‘Mangalore Mithra,’ and in 1995, he served as the news editor for the first Beary language magazine ‘Beary Monthly.’ He then started his own fortnightly newspaper ‘Special News’ as an editor in 1997. From 1999, he worked as the news editor for the weekly newspaper ‘Pushpa Mandara’ for two years, then continued as the editor of the fortnightly ‘Hello Mangalore’ in 2001. In 2003, he started his own newspaper ‘encounter’ and has been successfully leading it for the past two decades.

Iqbal created and hosted the popular Beary language radio program series ‘Chombapu’ on Radio Sarang 107.8 FM of St. Aloysius Institution, Mangalore, introduced many achievers from various fields through interviews.

Iqbal Kuttar is also an RTI (Right to Information) activist and an advisor to RNI (Registrar of Newspapers for India). He has successfully processed the title and registration procedures for over 60 newspapers, including five major literary academy publications under the PRB Act 1867 in Karnataka.

He has received several awards, including the ‘Media Award’ from Ullal Youth Council in 2000, the ‘Sourabha Award’ for journalism in 2011, and the Kerala-Karnataka Achievers Award in Dubai in 2013. He is the founding president of the Editors Club of Dakshina Kannada and a member of the Karnataka Working Journalists Union. Iqbal Kuttar currently resides in Ullal Taluk.

Address & Contact:

Global Associates
1st Floor, Pioneer Complex,
Nellikai Road, Mangalore- 575001
Phone: +91 9845083205
Email: iqbalkuttar@gmail.com