Press Release

GMC Awards PRESS RELEASE SEP 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Journalism and public service are two sides of a coin: Vijay Rupani
- CM hands over GMC-ONGC Awards 2018-19 to journalists at Ahmedabad
- Veteran crime journalist Jaydevbhai Patel gets Lifetime Achievement Award

Ahmedabad
September 19:

Addressing a large gathering of journalists and media professionals at the 13th Foundation Day celebration of Gujarat Media Club in Ahmedabad on Thursday, the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani underlined the positive role media is playing in transforming the society for better. He emphasised that journalism and social service are two sides of a same coin.

On the Thursday evening, in presence of the families of journalists and top dignitaries from different sections of the society, the Chief Minister accompanied by Debasis Basu, executive director, ONGC - Ahmedabad Asset handed over GMC-ONGC Awards for 2018-19 to five winners and a Lifetime Achievement.

This year the life-time achievement award was conferred upon veteran crime journalist Shri Jaydevbhai Patel.

The Award for Print News report of the Year in Vernacular (Gujarati) was given to Mr Pritesh Trivedi from Divya Bhaskar on a report about drought condition in the State. The Print News report of the Year in English was handed over to journalist Mr Nikunj Soni of Ahmedabad Mirror for a story about Dwarf Boy's quest for justice to be eligible for medical admission.

The award for News Photograph of the year was given to Mr Pragnesh Vyas of Chitralekha, for a touching photo of a girl engrossed in reading a book in a cart pulled by other women highlighting the present struggle for women and future aspirations in a single frame.

Ankit Ashokkumar Chauhan (Gujarati), DD Girnar (Doordarshan) was handed over the award for Television News Report of the year for his TV report on Divyang School in remote villages.

Abhishek Singh Rao bagged the Online Story of the Year award for his story on harassment of women trainees in Gujarat Police, published in Hindi online portal 'The Article' (VoxPress Media Lab Pvt Ltd).

All the winners were given a citation and prize money of Rs 25,000 each while the Lifetime Achievement award was given with a prize money of Rs 51,000 - all sponsored by the event sponsor ONGC Ahmedabad.

As a special recognition from the Jury, Mr Siddhesh Joshi was appreciated for his television report appeared in ABP Asmita on A smart school in a tribal village with public contribution.

The winners were selected by an independent jury comprising of notable personalities from different professional background.

Former Chief Secretary of Gujarat State, Mr Pravin K Laheri chaired the jury, which also included Dr Himanshu Pandya, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat University, Prof Shanta Kumar, Director, Gujarat National Law University, Mr Mukesh Patel, Senior Taxation Expert, Mr Pradyumna Vyas, Former Director, National Institute of Design and Mr Mukund Pandya, Senior Journalist.

In his address, the Chief Minister Rupani recognized media's positive role in reporting the natural calamity in the State and expressed optimism that media will perform its role by maintaining credibility in delivering the correct information to the people in every nook and corner of the STate.

"Journalism is a noble profession for the public good. This is an occasion to celebrate and honour the fourth estate - fourth pillar of the democracy. By working in the interests of the journalists of the State, the Gujarat Media Club, which is an organisation by the journalists, for the journalists and of the journalists - has earned the reputation and trust of its fraternity," Rupani told the gathering.

Adding further he said, "Journalists should not forget to carry forward the people-oriented journalism of Raja Rammohan Roy and Gandhiji."

The Chief Minister also congratulated the new team of GMC office bearers for the year 2019-20, including President Mr Nirnay Kapoor (IndiaTV), Senior Vice President Mr Ashish Amin (NavGujarat Samay), Vice President, Mr Rutam Vora (The Hindu BusinessLine), Vice President Ms. Neha Amin (Gujarat Global), Secretary General, Mr Rajiv Pathak (News18 Gujarati), Secretary (Organisation) Mr Kuldeep Tiwari (Ahmedabad Mirror), Jt Secretary Mr Bharghav Parikh (Freelance Journalist), Jt Secretary Mr Ripple Christy (Sandesh), Treasurer Mr Ajit Solanki (AP) and Executive Committee Members, Ms Gopi Maniar Ghanghar (Aajtak), Ms Kinjal Mishra (TV9 Gujarati), Mr Sagheer Mehdi, (Gujarat Vaibhav), Mr Sanjay Pandey (Freelance Journalist), Mr Bhupendra Thakur (News24) and Mr Parag Dave (The Economic Times).

The Guest of Honour of the evening, Shri Debasis Basu, Executive Director, ONGC - Ahmedabad Asset appreciated the efforts by the Gujarat Media Club and its long association with the Public Sector Maharatna for its Annual Awards.

"It has been a decade long association between ONGC and Gujarat Media Club in this endeavour and Media has played a vital role in projecting achievements, initiatives and innovations adopted by ONGC. Each of our success stories have been properly showcased by the media fraternity and on behalf of ONGC, I convey my gratitude and appreciation to my media friends," Basu said in his address.

President, GMC Shri Nirnay Kapoor gave an insight into the current activities of the club and outlined the future roadmap. "We are looking to be a catalyst to help journlists to further develop their skill. We have laid down a plan to conduct at least one activity that will be aimed at capacity building and professional development of our fraternity," he said.

Minister of State for Home, Pradipsinh Jadeja, BJP State Unit President Jitubhai Vaghani, BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya, Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia among other dignitaries graced the event with their presence.

Sr Vice President Mr Amin made the concluding remarks and thanked the Chief Minister for gracing the event and encouraging GMC with their support. He also thanked event sponsor ONGC, co-sponsor Firolac and Happy Faces organisation for supporting the event and hospitality partner Crowne Plaza - Ahmedabad for smooth functioning of the event and lavish dinner.