DevRishi Narad Journalist Awards 2024: Sunil Ambekar ji recalls emergency, stresses on responsible journalism

New Delhi, June 29, 2024: The Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra successfully organised the DevRishi Narad Journalist Awards 2024 on Saturday, June 29. The award ceremony took place at the Speaker Hall Annex, Constitution Club, where 12 journalists were honoured across various categories for their remarkable contributions to the field of journalism. Prominent dignitaries while addressing the gathering including Sunil Ambekar ji, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, RSS, stressed the need for responsible reporting and also recalled the dark days of the emergency when the media was gaged

The prestigious event saw the recognition of several distinguished journalists:

• Shrestha Verma, Associate Editor at TICE, received the Outstanding Young Journalist DevRishi Narad Award.
• Deepti Mishra, Chief Sub-Editor at Jagran New Media, was awarded for Excellence in Women and Gender Journalism.
• Vikas Kaushik, Associate Executive Producer at ABP News, received the award for Excellence in Rural and Environmental Journalism.
• Dharmendra Singh, Deputy News Editor at Dainik Jagran, was honoured for Outstanding Newsroom Support.
• Manish Chauhan, Senior Deputy Editor at Panchjanya, received the Excellence in Digital Journalism award.
• Harish Chandra Barnwal, Vice President at Bluecraft Digital Foundation, was awarded for Outstanding Content Creation (YouTube).
• Gaurav Mishra, Special Correspondent at Bharat 24, received the Excellence in Courageous Journalism award.
• Sanjay Kumar, Senior Cameraman at News Nation, was recognized for Excellence in Photography/Videography.
• Nemish Hemant, Deputy Chief Reporter at Dainik Jagran, was honored for Outstanding Print Journalism.
• Dinesh Gautam, Consulting Editor at Times Now Navbharat, received the Excellence in Television Journalism award.
• Anita Chaudhary, Political Editor at Swadesh, was awarded for Outstanding Column Writing.
  Each recipient was presented with a certificate, a memento, a shawl, and a cheque for Rs 11,000.

Additionally, Reema Parasar, Senior Consulting Editor at DD News, received the Outstanding Journalist DevRishi Narad Award, accompanied by a certificate, a memento, a shawl, and a cheque for Rs 21,000.

Selection Process and Jury Panel

The selection process for the DevRishi Narad Journalist Awards 2024 involved inviting entries through both online and offline channels across 12 categories. A respected jury panel was constituted to evaluate the entries and select the awardees. The jury included:

• Raj Kishore, Editor-in-Chief, Buland Bharat TV
• Priya Kumar, Director General, DD News
• Praful Ketkar, Editor, Organiser
• Hitesh Shankar, Editor, Panchjanya
• Anant Vijay, Associate Editor, Dainik Jagran
• Harsh Vardhan Tripathi, Columnist and Panelist
• Dignitaries and Guests

The ceremony was graced by prominent dignitaries including Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, RSS, who served as the chief speaker, and Avinash Pandey, CEO of ABP News, who was the chief guest. Shubh Karan Bothra, Chief Advisor and Trustee of Bothra Foundation Trust, Delhi, presided over the event.

Keynote Addresses

In his address, chief guest Avinash Pandey emphasised the importance of learning from DevRishi Narad’s approach to resolving issues through communication. He highlighted Narad’s emphasis on fact-based information exchange to avoid negative societal impact and urged journalists to adopt a similar style in their work.

Key speaker Sunil Ambekar praised the vital role of journalists in bringing truthful information to the public and strengthening democracy. He congratulated the awardees and stressed the need for responsible reporting that avoids adverse effects on society. Ambekar also reminded the audience of the significance of recalling events like the Emergency to prevent future national adversities.

Highlights of the Ceremony 

The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, media professionals, editors, and senior journalists. Raj Kishore, Chairman of the jury panel, provided insights into the selection process for the awards. Ritesh Agarwal, Vice President of Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra, introduced the organisation, while Ashok Sachdeva, President, extended the vote of thanks.

The ceremony concluded on a high note, celebrating the contributions of journalists who play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and safeguarding democratic values.