Events

The awards will be in the following categories:

• Print News report of the Year in Vernacular
• Print News report of the Year in English
• Online Story of the Year (English/Gujarati/Hindi)
• Online Video Story of the year (English/Gujarati/Hindi)
• Television News Report of the year in Gujarati/Hindi/English
• News Photograph of the year
• Life Time Contribution to Journalism

First six awards will carry a prize equivalent of Rs 25,000 (inclusive of lifetime membership of GMC to non-members) while the Lifetime award will carry a prize of Rs 50,000 and citation. These awards are supported by ONGC.

Nominations can be from Gujarati, Hindi and English languages.

Journalists, not necessarily GMC Members, should be Gujarat based at the time of filing the story while all stories and photographs should have been published/broadcast between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018.

All submissions shall be related to Gujarat only and strictly be bylined. For non-bylined articles applicants have to submit verification from the editor of mass circulated dailies.

Publication should be a registered entity with RNI with at least 10,000 copies in certified circulation audit.

For Life Time Contribution to Journalism award, the nominee should have served at least 30 years in journalism. The recommendation for Lifetime Achievement Award shall be accompanied by introduction of the journalist, profile, work and special contribution in advancing/benchmarking the profession or style of journalism with address details of the recommended and recommender.

Broadcast submissions should be straight reporting or documentary style and at least 90 to 180 seconds in duration, and print articles should be at least 500 words in length.

The entries in Broadcast will have to be sent on a CD/DVD in standard format (MPEG, PDF).

Print submissions and Photographs should be submitted in original. Please do not submit newspaper cuttings of published pieces. Submit full versions of newspapers where it got published.

Selection process: A maximum of two entries by the same writer/journalist may be submitted. No newspaper, magazine, wire service, syndicate or news organisation may have more than two entries in each category.

Submitted articles and reports will be judged by a jury of eminent journalists and personalities.

The selection committee will evaluate each submission based on the overall merit of the entry, with an emphasis on:

Originality: The article/report shall be proactive rather than reactive (in response to an announcement or someone else’s story)

Creativity: The information is presented in skillful and imaginative way, with a distinctive approach or angle.

Substance of the story: The depth and quality of the research, consultation process, analysis, and presentation of the information in the article/report.

Interpretation of information: The ability of the journalist to present complex information and issues in layman’s terms, without compromising the scientific or professional integrity of the subject matter, and in a way that retains the interest of readers/viewers.

Quality of writing and presentation: Proper grammatical use, interesting layout of the information, and readability.

Clarity of the message: The purpose of the article/report is clear (e.g. increased awareness, change in perception or attitudes, call-to-action) and the significance of the subject matter for the reader/viewer is apparent.

Relevance: The information is pertinent, timely, accurate, and helps address a contemporary issue or opportunity affecting society at large.

Effectiveness: The article/report has the potential to catalyze national, regional, local priorities.

There will be no entry fee for any submissions and will be open to all who have completed 18 years of age. Each entry shall be accompanied with the form attached.

If the entry is a subject of legal challenge/proceedings, GMC jury may require the Applicant to furnish additional information/explanation in such case.

If the entry is part of a series, all the parts will have to be submitted.

Fiction will not be considered.

An endorsement letter should be submitted, signed by a person senior to the Applicant, employed by the same organisation, and included with the entry form.

Incomplete entry form and enclosures will automatically become ineligible and if more than the permitted number of entries are submitted, entries will be considered in chronological order, the additional entries will be ignored.

The Applicants will be deemed to have read and understood the rules and regulations when they sign the entry form.

The decision of the Jury appointed by Gujarat Media Club shall be final and binding and no correspondence of whatsoever nature will be entertained.

Gujarat Media Club reserves their right to suspend, cancel, or modify the rules and regulations for these Awards at any time and without prior notice.

No claim of whatsoever nature shall be entertained if the winner[s] fail[s] to collect the Prize[s] at the Awards ceremony and/or venue specified by Gujarat Media Club.

Completed Nominations should reach (hard copies only, no e-mails please) latest by June 10, 2019 at the

following address:
Secretary-General
Gujarat Media Club
B-503, Fifth Floor, Krishna Complex,
Opp Dev Ashish Business Park,
Off SG Highway, Bodakdev,
Ahmedabad.380015
Mobile 9998199982
Phone : 079-26871981
Those wanting to come in person and submit their entries can visit GMC office from Monday-Friday between 4.30 pm to 8.00 pm.

GMC governing council members or their immediate relatives/spouse/wards are not eligible to apply for this award.

Winners will be honoured at a ceremony that will be held during the GMC Annual Function in Ahmedabad in July this year. The date will be intimated in due course. So rush your entries before it is too late. You can also forward this mail to your friends and circles.

Best Wishes and Warm Regards
Bhupendra Singh Thakur
Secretary-General (2018-2019)

ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE ON THE GMC website www.gujaratmediaclub.com

Journalists were called to HCG Hospital for HEART CHECKUP last Saturday which included FBS, ECG, Lipid profile, 2D Echo Screening. I was one of them. What turned out to be informative in all these dreary, morbid process of giving blood and certifying yourself as sick was the auditorium in the cellar where two doctors addressed the journalists.

“My heart, your heart,” began Dr. Manoj Vithlani, Diabetes Consultant, HCG hospitals citing the slogan of HCG hospital. If the hearts are taken care of by each one of us everyone is healthy.

Cardiologist Dr Jay Shah stressed how important is BRISK WALKING. “One should walk briskly in the morning and walking releases endorphin which reduces stress hormones,” he said. In a 40 minute walk 125 calories are burnt that is a good way of keeping fit, he added. I COULDN’T AGREE MORE. THOSE WHO ARE SHY OF WALKING OR WALK AS IF THEY ARE WALKING IN THEIR BEDROOM DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE MISSING. Brisk walking is akin to jogging and exhilarating.

Indeed endorphins could be the panacea of all ills not limited to only journalists. Brisk walking boosts endorphins reducing stress hormones alleviating depression. Regular exercise means production of feel-good endorphins which can improve the mood and even boost self-esteem.

Dr Shah had a stern warning to all of us. DON’T EAT BAKERY PRODUCTS SUCH AS KHARI BISCUITS AND BRANDED ONES LIKE BUTTER BISCUITS THAT ARE RICH IN “MAIDA.” All these maida products have maximum “Transfat” which can increase risk of atherosclerosis. Maida is harmful and best avoided, he said.

Since everyone is smoking polluted air why smoke cigarettes? Dr Shah asked. Smoking can also affect hair and nail growth.

For ushering in heart diseases and heart attacks diabetes is the main culprit. It is a silent killer. It leads to four times more heart attacks than otherwise. Diabetes must be checked and treated within first five years to keep it under control as the body gets used to the control measures in early stages and very difficult at later stages. It also reduces complications later. Those who ignore diabetes in early stages suffer high blood pressure later, Dr Manoj Vithlani warned.

“Stress undoubtedly is the most common ailment today. Each one of us suffers from stress including myself,” said Dr Jay Shah. Stress is dangerous because it leads to inflammation of the arteries. Chronic stress is indeed acts like a flame burning our arteries and leading to cardiac-vascular problems. Stress can change gene activity affecting the immune system.

Another note of warning he issued to all of us was WHEN THERE IS A CARDIAC PROBLEM NEVER CALL THE DOCTOR HOME. That leads to waste of time. Since a heart attack is progressive early intervention can limit the damage and to handle it only a hospital is the best option. One can give aspirin to the patient and take him to hospital (Modern science says chewing aspirin works faster than swallowing and can save life before medical intervention takes place). Never give sorbitol, Dr Shah said as it can complicate the heart problem leading to unintended consequences.

He made a surprising statement that obesity is linked to cancer. Of course not all obesity cases end in cancer but chances of cancer are very high in obese persons.

Remember SUGAR KILLS, Dr Shah said. “Do you know only after eating you feel hungry?” After eating if you sleep carbohydrates (calories) get deposited in your system that turns into fat later. So never keep chota mota snacks or picker-uppers at home as you become addicted to it after eating.

Many of us resort to multiple use of oil after once using it for frying puris or vadas. These re-heated oils are dangerous to health as they turn TOXIC, Dr Jay Shah said.

Erratic food consumption or lack of self-control in eating could be the cause of most of the heart diseases and cancer.

To keep healthy eat green leafy vegetables and fruits daily, said Dr Jay Shah. May his soul rest in peace.

I asked Dr Shah: “You suggest green leafy vegetables and fruits daily. Yet these are the ones that are most contaminated with chemicals. Is that the way to keep healthy?”

Dr Shah had to sheepishly admit such was the case as chemical contaminants are found in almost in everything we eat.

One journalist friend of mine later remarked once out of the auditorium. “Maybe we should eat grass to keep ourselves healthy.”

Isn’t that what the cows, buffaloes eat without succumbing to heart diseases, diabetes, BP and Cancer?
VN Balakrisna

Ahmedabad, Aug 5: As more and more variety of mass media platforms are gaining popularity, there is a growing need to provide adequate skills for the youth aspiring to become future journalists, stated Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani at the Gujarat Media Club (GMC)-ONGC Award and 12th Annual Day celebrations in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

The Chief Minister, accompanied by Debasis Basu, Executive Director, ONGC - Ahmedabad Asset, handed over the annual GMC media Awards 2017-18 for excellence in journalism. The awards are sponsored by ONGC, Ahmedabad Asset.

This year the Lifetime Contribution to Journalism Award was conferred upon veteran 85-year-old journalist Shri Mahesh Thaker. Due to weak health, Shri Thaker couldn't remain present at the function and the award was received by his daughter Ms Bela Thaker, who is also a journalist.

The awards jury consisted of Former Chief Secretary of Gujarat State, Shri Pravin K Laheri, noted management consultant and founding curator of World Economic Forum, Mr Sunil Parekh, and Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Gujarat University, Prof Sonal Pandya.

The jury deliberated upon the entries and had a tough time choosing the best entries in each of the categories, especially in the digital castegory. On the insistence from the jury members, the digital category was split in two separate awards each for Best Digital Story in Audio-Visual and Best Digital Story in writing.

The award for the Best Digital Story in Audio-Visual was given to Shri Mehul Zala from ApnaGujarat.com for his story on state of healthcare and private hospitals in Gujarat, followed by Best Digital Story in writing to Ms Damyantee Dhar for her story on midwives working in tribal Gujarat published in thewire.in.

The award for Best story in Print- Gujarati went to Mr Shayar Rawal from Nav Gujarat Samay for his impactful human interest story on the travails of a class-10 student who needed kidney transplant but the cops made his family run around for a document - domicile certificate - to qualify for government benefits.

The award for Best story in Print - English went to Ms Azera Parveen Rahman, who is an independent writer living in Naliya, for her story on a unique bone collector of Kutch. The Award for Best story in electronic media was given to Mr Amit Patel of Chhota Udepur from Sandesh News for a story on people, who are the oustees of the Sardar Sarovar dam, living on the banks of Narmada river without drinking water facilities. The story of News18 reporter Sanjay Joshi on mineral water fraud came very close but could not make it to the award. Still, a special certificate of appreciation was given to him for it.

The award for best News Photograph of the Year was given to Mr Amit Dave from Reuters for capturing the finale of Siddi Dhamal.

All the winners were given a citation and prize money of Rs 25,000 each (including Rs 10,000 worth of life membership for non-members).

The Chief Minister also congratulated the new team of GMC office-bearers for the year 2018-19. It includes President Darshan Desai, Senior Vice President Nayan Dave, Vice President Sunil Raghu, Vice President Nirnay Kapoor, Secretary General Bhupendrasingh Thakur, Secretary Organisation Nandini Oza, Joint Secretary Binita Parikh, Joint Secretary Rutam Vora and Treasurer Viren Vyas.

The Chief Minister encouraged media persons to upgrade and equip themselves for the emerging tools of journalism and underlined the significant role the Gujarat Media Club (GMC) can play in this direction.

Addressing a gathering of GMC members, businessmen and political leaders, Shri Rupani stated that there is a growing popularity of new mediums of journalism such as radio and social media other than electronic media and print.

"New age mediums such as social media and radio are gaining popularity, at the same time, there is an increase in the number of people working in these new mediums. At this crucial juncture, there is a need of skill development and training for those who aspire to make a career in this field," said Shri Rupani.

The Chief Minister stated that organisations such as Gujarat Media Club (GMC) have an important role to play in providing skill development opportunity to young people.

In his speech, Shri Debasis Basu, Executive Director, ONGC - Ahmedabad Asset, highlighted the ONGC's activities in the region and its long-standing association with the State. "ONGC is committed in its CSR initiatives in the areas of health, public welfare and other development activities concerning cities and State as a whole," Shri Basu said. He invited mediapersons to visit the ONGC facilities to get a first-hand experience of ONGC's world-class oil & gas installations in the State.

Darshan Desai, President Gujarat Media Club, highlighted the activities of the GMC and new initiatives taken during the past one year,l including Mediclaim and Personal Accident Insurance coverage, for GMC members. "The club, which was started in 2006 with barely six people has today become a family of 306 from a variety of fields relating to journalism," he added. Giving other details, he said to enhance the skills of journalists the GMC conducted an exclusive workshop by Google, whose experts came from New Delhi and imparted orientation towards new techniques of making optimum use of internet tools. This year, a special Eye Check-up Camp was also organized with the help of IDFC Bank and Contacare Eye Hospital. The usual activities of cricket tournament, Navratri garba and health checkup for members and their spouses were also held at always.

Minister of State for Home, Shri Pradipsinh Jadeja, BJP State Unit President Shri Jitubhai Vaghani, Ahmedabad Mayor Ms Bijal Patel and BJP spokesperson Shri Bharat Pandya graced the event with their presence.

Secretary-General of 2017-18 and new Treasurer Viren Vyas made the concluding remarks and thanked the Chief Minister, Mayor and BJP leaders for gracing the event and encouraging GMC with their support. He also thanked ONGC for sponsoring the awards and the annual day ceremony as well as The Grand Bhagwati and its team for facilitating a grand dinner for the guests.

GMC’s former president Pradeep Mallik compered the event in style.

A unique health checkup camp was organised by the Gujarat Media Club with support from CIMS Hospital - Ahmedabad on May 13, 2018. The health checkup camp, held every year, received overwhelming response from the members, who turned up in large numbers to get their health status checked. Over 150 members along with their relatives participated in the camp, which was organised under the able guidance of noted Cardiologist Dr Anish Chandarana and Hearth Surgeon Dr Dhaval Nayak. Dr Chandarana and Dr Nayak shared life-changing secrets of good health and provided much-needed guidance to all the participants. GMC also recognises the support and efforts put in by the CIMS staff including Ketanbhai Acharya for smooth and successful arrangement of the camp. The health check-up camp was accompanied by snacks and lunch for the participants.

The annual health check-up will be held at the Zydus Hospital shortly. As last time, the member interested should send his/her name and that of the spouse with age ASAP at the GMC email address. Please note the date of the checkup will be decided once all of you have sent in your confirmation since the hospital needs to plan the checkup as per the number of interested members. Please cooperate.

Thanks and Regards,
Bhupendra Singh Thakur,
Secretary General

Google News Lab, which is IT behemoth Google's media arm, conducted a workshop “Storytelling in the Digital Age”on Tuesday 27 March 2018, jointly with the Gujarat Media Club at the Ahmedabad Management Association.

Surabhi Malik, Media Training Specialist with Google News Lab conducted the workshop.

Journalist members from the GMC enthusiastically registered for the workshop.

The GMC, as a responsible organisation working for welfare of those in media fraternity, extended invite to editors of leading newspapers and television channels to depute their journalists to join us and benefit from the workshop. We also called in students studying across journalism schools to add digital edge to their skill set. It was heartening to see such an enthusiastic participation from both media and student fraternity to our invitation.

The workshop took the participants into the journey of futuristic digital age of journalism, touching upon various topics like useful tools available for journalists on Google News Lab, need for Verification Tools, use of reverse imaging to eliminate fake visuals and videos, journalism 360 and immersive story telling.

We hope to carry forward this endeavour going forward and hold similar workshops that would help us journalists wade through sea of information that lies jumbled up in digital universe.

Dear Members

Gujarat Media Club is pleased to announce the GMC Awards for best performances in journalism in the following categories:

• Print News report of the Year in Gujarati
• Print News report of the Year in English
• Print News report of the Year in Hindi
• Television News Report of the year in Gujarati/Hindi/English
• News Photograph of the year
• Life Time Contribution to Journalism

First five awards will carry a cash prize of Rs 25,000 while the fifth award will have Rs 50,000 and citation. These awards are supported by ONGC.

Nominations can be from Gujarati, Hindi and English languages. Journalists, not necessarily GMC Members, should be Gujarat based at the time of filing the story while all stories and photographs should have been published/broadcast between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016. All submissions shall be related to Gujarat only and strictly be bylined. For non-bylined articles applicants have to submit verification from the editor of mass circulated dailies. Publication should be a registered entity with RNI with at least 10,000 copies in certified circulation audit.

For Life Time Contribution to Journalism award, the nominee should have served at least 30 years in journalism. The recommendation for Lifetime Achievement Award shall be accompanied by introduction of the journalist, profile, work and special contribution in advancing/benchmarking the profession or style of journalism with address details of the recommended and recommender.

Broadcast submissions should be straight reporting or documentary style and at least 90 to 180 seconds in duration, and print articles should be at least 500 words in length. The entries in Broadcast will have to be sent on a CD/DVD in standard format (MPEG, PDF). Print submissions and Photographs should be submitted in original. Please do not submit newspaper cuttings of published pieces. Submit full versions of newspapers where it got published.

Selection process A maximum of two entries by the same writer/journalist may be submitted. No newspaper, magazine, wire service, syndicate or news organisation may have more than two entries in each category.

Submitted articles and reports will be judged by a jury of eminent personalities.

The selection committee will evaluate each submission based on the overall merit of the entry, with an emphasis on:

Originality: The article/report shall be proactive rather than reactive (in response to an announcement or someone else’s story)

Creativity: The information is presented in skillful and imaginative way, with a distinctive approach or angle.

Substance of the story: The depth and quality of the research, consultation process, analysis, and presentation of the information in the article/report.

Interpretation of information: The ability of the journalist to present complex information and issues in layman’s terms, without compromising the scientific or professional integrity of the subject matter, and in a way that retains the interest of readers/viewers.

Quality of writing and presentation: Proper grammatical use, interesting layout of the information, and readability.

Clarity of the message: The purpose of the article/report is clear (e.g. increased awareness, change in perception or attitudes, call-to-action) and the significance of the subject matter for the reader/viewer is apparent.

Relevance: The information is pertinent, timely, accurate, and helps address a contemporary issue or opportunity affecting society at large.

Effectiveness: The article/report has the potential to catalyze national, regional, local priorities.

There will be no entry fee for any submissions and open to all who have completed 18 years of age. Each entry shall be accompanied with the form attached

If the entry is a subject of legal challenge/proceedings, GMC jury may require the Applicant to furnish additional information/explanation in such case.
If the entry is part of the series, all the part will have to be submitted. Fiction will not be considered.

An endorsement letter should be submitted, signed by a person senior to the Applicant, employed by the same organisation, and included with the entry form.

Incomplete entry form and enclosures will automatically become ineligible and if more than the permitted number of entries are submitted, entries will be considered in chronological order, the additional entries will be ignored.

The Applicants will be deemed to have read and understood the rules and regulations when they sign the entry form.

The decision of the Jury appointed by Gujarat Media Club shall be final and binding and no correspondence of whatsoever nature will be entertained.

Gujarat Media Club reserves their right to suspend, cancel, or modify the rules and regulations for these Awards at any time and without prior notice.

No claim of whatsoever nature shall be entertained if the winner[s] fail[s] to collect the Prize[s] at the Awards ceremony and/or venue specified by Gujarat Media Club.

Nominations should reach latest by March 25, 2017 at the following address:

Secretary General

Gujarat Media Club

B-503, Fifth Floor, Krishna Complex,

Opp Dev Ashish Business Park,

Off SG Highway, Bodakdev,

Ahmedabad.380015

Mobile 9998199982

Phone : 079-26871981

GMC governing council members or their immediate relatives/spouse/wards are not eligible to apply for this award. Winners will be honored at a ceremony that will be held during the GMC Annual Function in Ahmedabad this month. The date will be intimated in due course.

So rush your entries before it is too late. You can also forward this mail to your friends and circles.

Best Wishes and Warm Regards

Darshan Desai
Secretary-General

Create healthy debate, Governor Kohli exhorts media

Honourable Gujarat Governor OP Kohli bestowed upon four media professionals GMC Awards for their outstanding work in the field of journalism at the ninth Gujarat Media Club Foundation Day celebrations. They included veteran photographer Zaverilal Mehta who was honoured with Life Time Contribution to Journalism Award.

At a graceful function in the presence of who’s who of Gujarat media industry, senior bureaucrats and police officers, GMC members and their families at Golden Glory Hall of Karnavati Club on Saturday evening, Honourable Governor Kohli exhorted media professionals to live up to the expectations of society. Media is the watchdog of society and it should stay on course while creating healthy debate in a democracy, he said.

Honourable Governor Kohli cautioned the media against devaluing news in its rush to announce “breaking news”.

The GMC Award jury, headed by noted economist and former Union minister YK Alagh, selected the works of

• Zaverilal Mehta who was honoured with Life Time Contribution to Journalism Award.
• Manishsinh Rathod of Navgujarat Samay for Best Print report (Gujarati),
• Omprakash Sharma of Rajasthan Patrika for Best Print report (other languages),
• Narendra Paperwala of Sandesh news channel for Best TV report. Each of these awards, supported by oil major ONGC, carried Rs 25,000 in cash while the life time contribution awards carried a citation and Rs 50,000 in cash.

The other members of the jury were former Chief Secretary of Gujarat PK Lahiri and former Director of MICA Binod Agrawal.

On behalf of GMC, outgoing President Pradeep Mallik of Ahmedabad Mirror also felicitated the newly elected President of Indian Newspaper Society Kiran Vadodaria, the Chairman and Managing Director of of Sambhav Group. Later Mallik also apprised Honourable Governor Kohli, the invited dignitaries, including Director General of Police PC Thakur and ONGC Executive Director Yash Malik, and GMC members and their families of the club’s activities during the year gone by.

Dear Members. Greetings.

Gujarat Media Club is announcing GMC Awards 2014 for best performances in journalism in the following categories. Nomination process has already been started. Last date for the nomination is 31st March, 2015.

Gujarat Media Club Awards Form 2015

• Print News Report of the Year in Gujarati
• Print News Report of the Year in English/Hindi
• Television News Report of the year in Gujarati/Hindi/English
• News Photograph of the year
• Life Time Contribution to Journalism

First four awards will carry a cash prize of Rs 25,000 while the fifth award will have Rs 50,000 and citation.

Nominations can be from Gujarati, Hindi and English languages. Journalists should be Gujarat based at the time of filing the story while all stories and photographs should have been published/broadcast between 1 Jan 2014 to 31 Dec 2014

All submissions shall be related to Gujarat only and strictly be bylined. For non-bylined articles applicants have to submit verification from the editor of mass circulated dailies. Publication should be a registered entity with RNI with at least 10,000 copies in certified circulation audit.

For Life Time Contribution to Journalism award, the nominee should have served at least 30 years in journalism. Any person can nominate a candidate for Lifetime Achievement Award accompanied by introduction of the journalist, profile, work and special contribution in advancing / benchmarking the profession.

GMC ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ Conferred on Veteran Bhagwatikumar Sharma

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Media Club (GMC) celebrated its 8th Foundation Day and ‘Second Awards’ function on Saturday by honouring five media persons for their work. It was a rare sight to see leading journalists and their families with literacy figures, academicians, bureaucrats and business leaders in a warm and excited ambience at Golden Glory Hall of Karnavati Club.

Worthy guests on the occasion included National Dairy Development Board Chairman T Nanda Kumar, ONGC Ahmedabad assest Executive Director Yash Malik and eminent literary personality and Sahitya Akademi Awardee Raghuveer Chaudhary.

Renowned journalist, novelist and poet Bhagwatikumar Sharma was honoured with GMC ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ for his contribution to journalism. The award carried a cheque for Rs 50,000 besides citation. As the 80-year-old Surat-based doyen was not well and unable to travel to Ahmedabad, his grandson Advait accepted the award on his behalf and thanked GMC.

GMC also announced awards in four other categories, each carrying a certificate and a cheque for Rs 25,000. These awards were supported by ONGC.

Asmita Dave’s report on a young kid’s fightback after losing both his hands in an electric shock impressed the jury members. She was awarded for filing the ‘Best News Report in print Gujarati while Roxy Gagdekar was selected for ‘Best News Report of the year’ in print English. His report on illegal mining in the state was hailed by the jury members.

Shailesh Raval was selected for the award of ‘Best News Photograph of the Year’. His worthy photograph of Garba in Vadodara brought him laurels from the jury.

Vivek Kumar Bhatt was selected for the ‘Best Television News Report of the Year’ award. His reporting in the forests of Chhatisgarh was nominated for the award.

An eminent jury consisting of former IIM Ahmedabad director Bakul Dholakia, management thinker and former minister Jay Narayan Vyas and out-going GMC President and Padma Shri awardee Devendra Patel.

On this occasion the newly elected committee of GMC was introduced to the gathering. The office-bearers:

President: Pradeep Mallik, Deputy Resident Editor, Ahmedabad Mirror; Senior Vice-president : Virendra Pandit, Special Correspondent, The Hindu Businessline; Vice- President Leena Misra, Resident Editor, The Indian Express; Vice-President Neha Amin, Executive Editor, Gujarat Global; Secretary General: Nayan Dave, Special Correspondent, The Pioneer; Secretary (organisation): Viren Vyas, News Editor, Gujarat Samachar, London; Joint Secreraty: Shatrughan Sharma, Special Correspondent, Dainik Jagaran, Joint Secretary: Manish Desai, Bureau Chief, CNBC Awaz; and Treasurer: Ram Mani Pandey, Senior Camera person, ABP News.

The programme was anchored by Bhupendra Singh. Distinguished guests and invitees included a galaxy of bureaucrats, journalists and media associates. Anil Johari, former Executive Director of ONGC, Ahmedabad assets also graced the occasion.

October 31, 2011

Describing journalists in general as having “very poor intellectual level”, Press Council chairman Markandey Katju has called for the electronic media to be brought under the purview of the council. Katju went on to say in a television interview that he had a very poor opinion of most people in the media.

“The general rut is very low and I have a poor opinion of most media people. Frankly, I don’t think they have much knowledge of economic theory or political science or literature or philosophy. I don’t think they have studied all this,” Katju said.

He also said that he had written to the PM demanding that the Press Council be given “more teeth”. Only last month, Katju had said in another TV interview that he would not shy away from using the “danda” to rein in erring journalists.

When asked if these measures would not threaten freedom of the media, he said, “Everybody is accountable in a democracy. No freedom is absolute. Every freedom is subject to reasonable restrictions. I am accountable, you are accountable, we are accountable to the people.”

He added, “Indian media is very often playing an anti-people role. It often diverts the attention of the people from the real problems which are basically economic. 80 per cent people are living in horrible poverty, unemployment, facing price rise, health care (problems).”