The Hindu : New Delhi News : Award for woman editor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Award for woman editor

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 29. Recognising the effort towards creating environment awareness, the Chameli Devi Award for an Outstanding Woman Mediaperson was today presented to Sunita Narain, editor of Down to Earth magazine.

Announcing the Award, the chairman of The Media Foundation, B.G. Verghese, congratulated Ms. Narain. "Most journalists set out into their profession with the feeling that they want to make a difference -- that they would like to bring about a change. But regrettably, most of us fail. Sunita is one of the few who has succeeded and this is an acknowledgement of that success,'' said senior journalist Vir Sanghvi, who also presented the Award.

`Overwhelmed' by the award, Ms. Narain said: "This is a recognition of the fact that the Centre for Science and Environment has to do more with journalism with a purpose. The magazine, Down to Earth, was Anil Aggarwal's dream. And I have always felt that we are carrying forward his dream. The fact that we have won this award today, I feel is a vindication of our efforts towards Anil's dream.''

With many a successful campaign behind her, Ms. Narain pointed out that one of the key issues that need attention is water. Not just the quality but pollution, rainwater harvesting, access to water, pesticides in water are issues that CSE would be concentrating on. "We are looking at more reportage on water and related issues. And it is not just the availability of water that would demand attention but also solutions. That is the work of the media -- to highlight the crisis and also point out the way forward. For CSE, one of the main focus areas is availability of water for the poor people,'' she said.

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion on "Who Rules Ten Years After The Airways Judgement: State, Citizen or Market?'' Chairing the discussion, Mr. Sanghvi noted: "I am completely against this entire expose that India TV has been carrying out. For me, that is not journalism even in the loosest sense of the term. But that does not justify the route taken by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Do we need more regulation or freedom is the question.'' Speaking about the Airways Judgement, former Attorney General, Ashok Desai, pointed out: "Technology in this sector is one that is fastest changing. But we are still governed by the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885. In fact, soon we will be celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Act which governs a large part of the system.''

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