Janmabhoomi editor Hari S Kartha bags Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bai Award
By S Chandrasekhar
Nationalist daily Janmabhoomi’s Editor, Hari. S Kartha, has bagged the best journalist award instituted to commemorate the 117th birth anniversary of Maharani Regent Sethu Lakshmi Bai, the late ruler of Travancore, during the finishing years of British rule.
The Award was presented to him at a glittering function, in Thiruvananthapuram on November 20, by Maharaja Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma.
The Award was for an editorial serial Thikachum Vyakthiparam (Strictly personal) appearing in Janmabhoomi.
Delivering his presidential address the Maharaja said mankind has a duty to protect and preserve history.
“Bharat has an unbreakable tradition continued from times immemorial. As time moves fast, our character and interest is shrinking. We take the help of outsiders to preserve our history. But there is a lurking danger of vested interests. Due to the blessings of Sri Padmanabha, the Travancore Kings have been able to establish dharma rajya and are continuing the same culture and tradition.”
Receiving the award, Hari S Kartha said that the time is overdue that media re-invents itself as a medium or charioter of change. He said Travancore Kings laid foundations for Kerala’s growth, which was emulated even by foreigners. “If future democratic rulers of Kerala had continued the development spree initiated by Travancore Kings, Kerala would have been number one state in India”, he concluded.
Son of Veteran Journalist GS Kartha who has served Times of India, Kerala Kaumudi, Mathrubhoomi, Malayala Manorama, Hari S. Kartha has worked for Financial Express, Deccan Herald and Reuters before joining Janmabhoomi. He was also an ABVP activist during his educational tenure.
