Lokmat’s PV Gadgil and MY Dalvi journalism awards presented at grand function

   By Vijay Darda | 24-03-2022

Politicians who destroy diversity weaken their country: Varadarajan

Vijay Darda

“People speaking different languages and following various religions and cultures live in many countries of the world and they are the strength of these countries. However, some politicians think this is a weakness and they try to destroy this diversity. History shows the politicians who have done this have ended up weakening their own country. Russia is a war monger but Ukraine also tried to destroy its diversity,” said Siddharth Varadarajan, senior journalist and founding editor of ‘The Wire’.

Varadarajan was addressing the Lokmat Media group’s Patrapandit Padma Shri PV Gadgil Socio-Economic Journalism and Patramaharshi MY ‘Baba’ Dalvi Investigative Journalism Awards for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, presentation function on Wednesday. He was the chief speaker.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and divisional commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma were the chief guests. Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda, editor-in-chief Rajendra Darda, group editor Vijay Baviskar and former editor (Lokmat, Nagpur) Dilip Tikhile were prominently present in the function.

Varadarajan delivered a talk on ‘Russia-Ukraine war and its effect on India’. He said that while Russia had violated international laws by attacking Ukraine, the latter too was responsible for the war.

“The mother tongue of many Ukrainians, especially those living in Donbass region, is Russian. Ukrainian leaders had promised devolution of power but they went back on their words. The Russian-speakers wanted to live with dignity in Ukraine but when the government did not fulfill its promises they started looking to Russia for help. This is the basic reason for war,” said the senior journalist.

“The situation created due to this war is the most dangerous after end of Cold War. Its effects will be long lasting. The ties between United States (US) and Europe on defense and economy will strengthen while Russia will weaken economically and militarily. This war will once again lead to an arms’ race. China will benefit from it but India will be at risk,” said Varadarajan.

Lavangare-Verma said that Lokmat newspaper did not only publish news but it regularly acted as a mirror for the administration. “Newspapers have a big role in solving various problems and showing the right path to the government,” she added.

Rajendra Darda delivered the welcome address. The dignitaries presented the awards to the winners. Lokmat executive editor Shrimant Mane welcomed the guests. Bal Kulkarni conducted the proceedings while Dilip Tikhile proposed a vote of thanks.

Positive journalism is need of hour: Darda

“Lokmat’s journalism has always been about providing a voice to common citizens, the oppressed and poor and ensuring that they get justice. Doing positive journalism that helped the society is the need of the hour. This is the motto of Lokmat. The awards were instituted due to the inspiration of Lokmat’s founding editor and senior freedom fighter Jawaharlal Darda ‘Babuji’. We are the only newspaper group that has started awards in the name of our editors. The tradition of fearless and social welfare journalism will continue,” said Rajendra Darda.

LOKMAT JOURNALISM AWARD WINNERS

MY Dalvi Investigative Journalism Award (2017-18)

• Manoj Shelar, Lokmat – Nandurbar
• Vitthal Khelgi, Dainik Punyanagri – Solapur
• Datta Yadav, Lokmat – Satara

PV Gadgil Economic Development Writing Contest (2017-18)

• Shriniwas Nage, Lokmat – Sangli
• Shantaram Gaje, freelance journalist – Ahmednagar
• Suresh Wandile, retired Information Officer – Mumbai

MY Dalvi Investigative Journalism Award (2018-19)

• Naresh Dongre, Lokmat – Nagpur
• Pradip Raut, Tarun Bharat – Mumbai
• Sanjay Patil, Lokmat – Karad

PV Gadgil Economic Development Writing Contest (2018-19)

• Vilas Pandhari, Saamna – Pune
• Hanmant Patil, Lokmat – Pimpri Chinchwad
• Pramod Jadhav, Deputy Commissioner of Social Welfare – Sindhudurg

MY Dalvi Investigative Journalism Award (2019-20)

• Sudhir Lanke, Lokmat – Ahmednagar
• Santosh Suryawanshi, Sakal – Nashik
• Ganesh Wasnik, Lokmat – Amravati

PV Gadgil Economic Development Writing Contest (2019-20)

• Adv Kantilal Tated, Loksatta – Nashik
• Pravin Ghodeswar, Parivartanacha Vatsaru – Nashik
• Prof Sanjay Thigale, Lokmat – Sangli

Jury: Senior journalists Kamlakar Dharap, Sudhir Pathak, Virag Pachpor, Shashikant Bhagat, Babanrao Walke and Chandrakant Dhakulkar

Lokmat journalism awards given away

Lokmat’s PV Gadgil Socio-Economic Journalism and MY ‘Baba’ Dalvi Investigative Journalism Awards for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 were distributed in the presence of senior journalist and founding editor of ‘The Wire’ Siddharth Varadarajan and Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut at a glittering function on Wednesday. (From L) MP Krupal Tumane, group editor of Lokmat Vijay Baviskar, Lokmat editor-in-chief Rajendra Darda, chairman  of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda, divisional commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma and former editor (Lokmat, Nagpur) Dilip Tikhile were prominently present on the occasion.

 

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