STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Prof R.K Chhibber Memorial Trust, New Delhi, on Friday announced institution of two awards jointly with the Press Club of Jammu to honour outstanding work in the field of journalism by media persons based in Jammu or working in newspapers, etc, published from Jammu.
The awards will be open to journalists working in Hindi and English language newspapers, news magazines and print news agencies.
The awards have been instituted in the memory of Prof R.K Chhibber, former Director Education Jammu, who passed away in 2014.
To be given away every year, each award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation.
Announcing the Awards, Sushil Chhibber, Managing Trustee of the Prof R.K Chhibber Memorial Trust, New Delhi, said, “Before he became an academic, my husband used to bring out two fortnightly newspapers from Jammu, which were later shut down due to his busy schedule, first as a teacher and later as an administrator in the Education Department. The awards will honour exemplary and outstanding work in journalism, especially that which exposes wrongdoings by the people holding important positions in the State administration or any of its agencies. As for the award for political reporting, it is aimed at promoting journalism questioning the political class.”
Chhibber said a jury of eminent persons, mainly from the field of journalism, will decide the winners.
She also appreciated the gesture of the Press Club of Jammu to attach its name to the awards.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashwani Kumar, President, Press Club Jammu, said, “Such awards go a long way in giving impetus to journalists, especially young journalists, to explore and question those in power through their newspaper writings. The profession of journalism is a noble profession, which highlights the issues concerning the common man that need to be addressed by those in power. It is heartening to know that Prof R.K Chhibber Memorial Trust has decided to reward outstanding efforts in this regard.”
Welcoming the institution of the two awards, Zorawar Singh Jamwal, General Secretary, Press Club Jammu, said, “I am sure these two awards will go a long way in promoting good journalism and also provide a reason for journalists to do better work.”
