Odisha Governor Raghubar Das expressed his hope that the new state government would address the unmet needs of journalists and complete pending plans for their welfare. Speaking at the Kolhan Division Level Honor Ceremony-2024 organized by the Press Club of Jamshedpur, Governor Das emphasized the importance of supporting journalists, acknowledging the contributions of senior journalists, and honoring the families of deceased media professionals.
The ceremony, held on Sunday at NH Hill Hotel, brought together journalists and dignitaries from across the region. Governor Das, who served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, reminisced about his efforts to promote journalist welfare during his tenure. “I feel immense joy and pride in meeting and honoring today’s young journalists. While I initiated several journalist-friendly initiatives, including housing schemes and health insurance, some plans remained incomplete due to the change in government. I hope the new government prioritizes these initiatives,” he said.
The Governor expressed sorrow for the loss of many senior journalists and highlighted the need to support their families. During his tenure, he had introduced financial aid of five lakh rupees for deceased journalists’ families and initiated health insurance schemes, which were left incomplete. Governor Das encouraged the current government to revive and expand these efforts.
The event also featured speeches by notable journalists, including Ganesh Mehta, Editor of Hindustan, and U.N. Pathak, Editor of Dainik Jagran. They shared their perspectives on the evolving role of journalism and the challenges faced by media professionals.
Journalists were awarded based on their work across various categories: Print Media (Hard Story): Rohit Singh secured the first prize, followed by Santosh Mishra and Uttam Mahato. Print Media (Feature Story): Parvinder Bhatia won the first prize, with Rishabh Srivastava and Raja Karmakar taking second and third places, respectively. Print Media Photography: Sudarshan Sharma took the top spot, followed by Md. Parvez and Anup Mishra. Electronic Media: Vijay Sahu won first place, with Prashant Singh Rajput and Prabhanjan Kumar coming in second and third. Digital Media Portal: Akash Kumar claimed the first prize, while Charanjit Singh and Md. Shahzada secured second and third places.
In addition, 26 senior journalists, 17 families of deceased journalists, and 19 supporting institutions and individuals were honored for their contributions to the field of journalism.
The event began with a presidential address by Sanjeev Bhardawaj, President of the Press Club of Jamshedpur. Kulwinder Singh conducted the program, ensuring its seamless flow, while Vikas Srivastava delivered the vote of thanks. Prominent attendees included Press Club Vice President Rakesh Singh, Sumit Jha, Joint Secretary Amit Tiwari, Uttam Gupta, Treasurer Manman Pandey, and other esteemed members.
Parvinder Bhatia bags first prize in report writing
Jamshedpur
Senior journalist Parvinder Bhatia of The Pioneer, won the first prize in the report writing contest ( Print Media- features category) organized by the Press Club of Jamshedpur. Governor Das presented the award to Bhatia for his outstanding report on Ratan Tata, which showcased Tata’s lesser-known contributions, including his architectural designs for two houses in Jamshedpur. Bhatia’s achievement was celebrated as a testament to the excellence and dedication of local journalists.
