News

by: Rev. Fr. Stanley Kozhichira, Secretary, SIGNIS Northern Region

Jan 21, 2018: For the first time Media Department of the Archdiocese of Delhi along with Voice of Delhi, Dilli Vaani and Signis Northern Region organised Media Meet 2018 Awards function at DCC Hall to honor all the journalists in the Archdiocese for their achievements and accomplishments and to felicitate those who are contributing articles and news items for the Delhi Archdiocese magazines. Many eminent personalities such as Mr. Rajendra Prabhu, Dr. Vinod Jose etc. graced the event with their presence.

The event started with a prayer by Fr. Robinson Rodrigues followed by a Welcome note by Fr. Stanley Kozhichera. The event was enlivened by the presence of His Grace Archbishop Anil Couto, Archbishop Vincent and Msgr. Susai Sebastian Vicar General.
The awarders were as follows:
-Regular Reporters
1. R. Nihal Pedric - (New Delhi – Sacred Heart Cathedral)
2. M.S Stanislaus - (Paharganj – St. Anthony’s Church)
3. C.M Thomas - (Prasad Nagar – St. Michael’s Church)
4. Lubhawna John - (Shahdra – St. Joseph’s Church)
5. Ruchika George - (Defence Colony – St. Luke’s Church)
6. Catherine Toppo - (New Delhi – Sacred Heart Cathedral)

- Young Reporter
1. George David Toppo (Delhi Cantonment – St. Paul’s Church)

- Longest Serving Reporter
1. Rose Mary – (R.K Puram - St. Thomas Church)

- Dilli Vaani & VOD Reporters + Translators
1. Neelam Carl - (Ashok Vihar - St. Montfort Parish)
2. Veena Gabriel - (IP Extention – Blessed Mother Theresa Church)
3. Anita Sobha – (New Delhi – Sacred Heart Cathedral)

- Designer
1. Ashish Rosario
2. Jim Isaac
3. Akhilesh Tharakan

- Highest Subscription
1. Church of Immaculate Conception, Kanhei - Voice of Delhi
2. Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi - Voice of Delhi
3. Church of the Transfiguration, East of Kailash - Dilli Vaani

- Best Reporter
1. Reema Sujith (Alaknanda – Holy Spirit Church) – (By Dr. Vinod Jose)

Mr. Rajendra Prabhu

Mr. Rajendra Prabhu, one of the most senior journalists was honored with the Award for Lifetime career in Journalism.   With a professional career in journalism spanning for over 50 years, he worked as a sub editor cum reporter in the Bhopal based English daily M. P. Chronicle to national daily Hindustan Times and several technology magazines at the higher levels.  He was special correspondent of HT for 15 years in Delhi and reported from almost all major trouble spots of the county and events in many countries including a month long visit to major science and academic and industrial centres in the US, France, Italy, UK and Japan, all on invitation from respective governments or official and industrial organizations. Riot affected Assam in 1983, Sri Lanka in 1984, technology-industrial centres and labs in US, Nuclear and technology centres in France, industrial policy in Japan and industrial and technology centres in Italy and Germany were some of the many centres he covered abroad.  His day to day coverage Indian astronought Rakesh Sharma in a Soviet spacecraft got much commendation in both India and Soviet Union where he also visited major space centres. In the US he interacted with NASA scientists at Houston and technology leaders at famous Bell Labs and at leading industries like AT&T. One of his exclusive reports in HT shook Parliament for three days at a stretch and forced an apology from the then Law Minister. In HT he also brought to the front page Science and Technology reports and established regular coverage of events like Science Congress and transformation in telecom technology.

Dr. John Dayal

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed to Dr. John Dayal an eminent Journalist, Author, occasional documentary filmmaker, Educationist and internationally known Human Rights and Peace activist.  He is Member of the National Integration Council, chaired by the Prime Minister of India. He is also involved in civil society movements concerning Human rights specially rights of Dalits and indigenous people.
During his journalism career as War Correspondent, Foreign Correspondent and Editor, he served in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Europe. Dayal is a former National President of the All India Catholic Union, the country’s main Catholic Laity movement, and Secretary General of the All India Christian Council.

Dr. Vinod K. Jose

The Courageous Career in Journalism Award was presented to Dr. Vinod K. Jose a renowned journalist, executive editor of The Caravan, which calls itself “India's only narrative journalism magazine" and is published in the English-language in New Delhi. Earlier, he was the founding editor of the Malayalam-language publication Free Press. Jose's contributions to Indian journalism are in the area of narrative or literary journalism, similar to the style of Granta, The New Yorker, The Atlantic and Mother Jones. He has won many awards and accolades for his work.
The event concluded with networking opportunities for guests during refreshments.
We congratulate all the awardees and also Fr. Stanley Kozhichira and the entire media department whose initiative would certainly encourage others to channelize their energies into exploring the skills of writing and reporting.