INVC,,
Shimla,,
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, gave away Developmental Journalism Awards for the year 2010-2011 for Print and Electronic Media to the outstanding journalists for their creative stories over various aspects of development which had taken place in the State, at a prestigious function organized here today.
For the year, 2010, the State Level Award was given to Smt. Hem Lata Verma, the then Staff Reporter, Indian Express, for her story “At Apple Pad Another Revolution” appeared in Indian Express on 21st May, 2010. The District Level Award was presented to Sh. Rajeev Kumar Phull, Assistant Editor, Himachal This Week, Dharamshala for his story “Vanishing Kangra School of Painting is Rejuvenated” appeared in Himachal This Week on 14thAugust, 2010.
For the Year 2011, the State Level Award was given to Shri Jagdish Bhatt, the then Special Correspondent, Times of India, for his story “For Personal Hygiene” published in Times of India on 1st June, 2011. The District Award went to Shri Subhash Mehra, Correspondent, Jansatta, Dharamshala ,for his story “Patlo, Duno Ke Sahare Talash Lee Khushhal Zindgi Ki Rah” appeared in Jansatta on 29th December, 2011.
In Electronic Media Section, in the year 2009, the Story of Shri Sanjeev Sharma, Reporter, the then MH-1, Shimla “Yog Paryatan” telecast on MH-1 on 4th July, 2009 had been adjudged the Best Story and Shri Kundan lal, Reporter, Doordarshan, Keylong for his story “Badalati Tasveer” telecast on DD News on 13th December,2009 had been adjudged the second Best Story.
For the year 2010, the Award goes to Shri Anil Goma, the then Reporter of Punjab Today for his story “Polythene Hatao- Paryavaran Bachao” telecast on Punjab Today on 23.4.2010.
For the year 2011, the story of Smt. Monica Chauhan, Reporter, Day and Night News Channel, Shimla “Rehabilitation of Sex Workers in H.P.” telecast on Day and Night News Channel on 1st December, 2011 had been adjudged the first best story and Shri Shishu Sharma Shantal, the then Reporter, DD News, Shimla story “Watershed Pariyojna Se Hamirpur Zile Ke Tauni Devi Vikas Khand Main Logon Ko Labh” telecast on DD News on 1st September, 2011 had been adjudged second best story. Addressing the Awardee Journalists and other fraternity, Chief Minister exhorted journalists to protect their credibility as all the four pillars of democracy were in the deep threat of protecting their credibility. He said that media was playing the role of watch dog of the society and it had to rise to the expectations of the people by building its credibility among them. He said that in the age of competition credibility happened to be the greatest asset to the media so that readers could repose their faith in the reports appearing in different media sections. He said that negative reporting was required to be in a constructive way instead of negating the things for the sake of criticism only. He lauded the role of media in pre-independence era which had helped in giving momentum the freedom movement. He congratulated the Award Winner Journalists and hoped that they would be inspiring fellow journalists to look at the things in right perspective.
Chief Minister announced enhancement in the concession in HPTDC Hotels and Restaurants to the Awardee Journalists from existing 25 percent to 40 percent and constitute a Committee under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary (IPR) and consisting of official and non-official members related to media to vouch for the interests of working journalists.
Shri Ajay Mittal, Additional Chief Secretary (IPR) welcomed the Chief Minister and said that very high level committee consisting of top journalists had judged the stories and recommended the same for the Awards. He said that developmental journalism awards aimed at motivating the working journalists to educate the society about the positive aspect of the governance and educate them of the achievements state had made on various fronts. He urged the journalists to file more such stories and create good competition for awards in coming year.
Shri B.D.Sharma, Director of Information and Public Relations, proposed vote of thanks.
Dr. Rajiv Bindal, former Health Minister and MLA, Shri Ganesh Datt, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA, Shri Rajender Singh, News Editor, Amar Ujala, Shri B.M.Nanta, Managing Director, HP State Civil Supplies Corporation, Shri Pradeep Chauhan, Advisor, Economic and Statistics, prominent journalists of the town were also present on the occasion.
