Devarshi Narad Patrakar Samman 2026: 12 scribes felicitated in Delhi for excellence in journalism
New Delhi, June 16
In a glittering celebration of journalistic excellence, the Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra organised the prestigious Devarshi Narad Patrakar Samman 2026 at the "Speaker Hall" of the Constitution Club.
The event honoured 12 outstanding journalists across diverse categories for their impactful contributions to the field.
Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, attended the occasion as the chief guest, while Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), delivered the keynote address.
Other prominent dignitaries included Narendra Thakur, Vishal, and Rajesh from the RSS.
The awardees, selected through a rigorous process by a distinguished jury comprising senior media professionals such as Mamta Verma (DD News), Raj Kishore (Amar Ujala), Rohit Vishwakarma (NDTV India), Brajesh Kumar Singh (Network18), Aishwarya Pandit (ITV Network), and Harish Chandra Barnwal (Blue Kraft Foundation), received certificates, mementos, shawls, and a cheque of Rs 11,000 each.
Notable winners included Pooja Rana (OpIndia) for Outstanding Young Journalist; Garima Upreti for Journalism on Women's Issues; Himani Diwan (Kisan Tak) for Rural/Environmental Journalism; Vimal Tyagi, Mayank Baliyan, and Manogya Tiwari for excellence in YouTube, X, and Instagram content creation respectively; Prabhat Ranjan Mishra for Investigative Journalism; Neeraj Kumar Dubey for Digital Journalism; Nihal Singh (Dainik Jagran) for Print Journalism; Dr Ram Kinkar Singh (PTI) for TV Journalism; Shashwat Panigrahi for Column Writing; and Ramanuj Sharma (Hindusthan Samachar) for Innovative Journalism.
In his address, Rahul Kanwal drew inspiration from the mythological figure of Devarshi Narad, emphasising that true journalism lies in empathetic engagement and facilitating dialogue - qualities no AI can replicate. He urged journalists to focus on meaningful human connections amid technological disruption.
Keynote speaker Sunil Ambekar called upon media professionals to highlight societal truths and avoid viewing every issue through a narrow political lens. "Journalists should not become part of politics," he said, while acknowledging India's progress across sectors and the importance of using technology for humanity's benefit.
He stressed that the future belongs to India and urged collective efforts for national development.
The event also featured insights into the RSS centenary celebrations from Rajesh Kumar and details of the selection process by Brajesh Kumar Singh.
A large gathering of editors, senior journalists, and social media influencers attended the ceremony.
This annual recognition continues to celebrate ethical, courageous, and impactful journalism rooted in truth and public service.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see awards for journalists from different mediums, but I have to say—the presence of an RSS functionary as keynote speaker makes this look like a politically aligned event. We need more independent journalism awards, not ones where the ruling ideology has a seat at the table. Still, congratulations to all the winners. Kaam toh kiya hai unhone.
Really impressed that they recognized a journalist from Kisan Tak—rural and environmental journalism is so underrated. Himani Diwan deserves this. Also, the emphasis on 'truth and empathy' by Rahul Kanwal is spot on. AI can never replace a journalist who connects with real people. Jai ho journalism ka! 🌾
Interesting to see such a wide mix of awardees—from traditional print to Instagram creators. The cheque amount of Rs 11,000 feels a bit low compared to the stature of the event though. In the US, similar awards come with much bigger purses. But symbolic value still counts. Glad to see Indian journalism getting its due.
That moment when Rahul Kanwal said "journalism is not a job, it's a responsibility" really hit home. We need more platforms like this that honour investigative and courageous reporting. But I wish they had more female winners—only two out of twelve? That's a gap. Still, congratulations to Garima Upreti for the women's issues category—bahut important hai. 🙏
Sunil Ambekar's point about journalists not becoming part of politics
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