Print Journalist (2010-11)
Syed Nazakat (2010-11)
Syed Nazakat is a journalist from the Kashmir valley currently based in Delhi. He holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Konrad Adenauer Asian Center of Journalism, Philippines. He is at present working with THE WEEK magazine as a Senior Correspondent and also is a member of its investigative team. He has extensively reported on politics, security, terrorism, developmental and human rights related issues like custodial killings, torture and abuse of power; India-Pakistan relations and peace process, Kashmir conflict and troubled Northeast region of India. He has also covered international affairs like political turmoil in Burma, Thailand, Pakistan and Nepal, the developmental issues in Laos and Cambodia, the war in Afghanistan, killings of Indians in Philippines and more recently he has reported from Australia on India-Australia strategic ties. He has been awarded the prestigious journalism award in India, the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award for a series of in-depth reports on South Asian earthquake in 2005. He has also been nominated as the finalist for the 2010 Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding International Investigative Reporting in Geneva for his two powerful cover stories on "India's Secret Torture Chambers" and "Top Secret" on India's secret chain of Guantanamo-like prisoners and rendition program for kidnapping terrorism suspects. He continues his exceptional work and coverage of sensitive stories with courage and determination
Anita Pratap (2010-11)
Anita Pratap was the South Asia Bureau Chief of CNN till January 1999. She covered all the major stories in the region including the nuclear tests, the ethnic war in Sri Lanka, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, conflicts in India's Kashmir and North East. She was the first television journalist to report from the 22,000 ft Siachen Glacier. Before joining CNN, she worked eight years as a correspondent for TIME magazine, covering stories in the region. Anita worked as a reporter for leading Indian magazine and newspapers including India Today, Sunday and the Indian Express. In addition to hardcore breaking news, she has consistently reported on issues such as population, education, health care, poverty, child, women, cultural and Historical issues. She has worked as an independent documentary film-maker, directing and scripting films on these issues. She has won the American George Polk Award in 1997; the Eminent Indian Award conferred by the Indo-American Society in 1997; won all three nominations in the television news category for the Pinnacle Award; won the Chameli Devi Jain Award in 1998 given to an "Outstanding Woman Media Person". She won a Lifetime Achievement award in 2007 and was honoured by her alma mater Miranda House for her "Outstanding contribution to the fields of international print, television and web journalism" in 2009. Her first book "Island of Blood", published by Penguin was an instant best-seller. Photographed by Mahesh Bhat and authored by her, their book UNSUNG, on people who have contributed to society against personal odds, was released in mid 2007. It has helped generate over Rs.6.5 million (USD130000.00) in aid to the causes of the Heroes featured in the book. UNSUNG has received rave reviews and made a great impact on the lives of the Heroes featured.
Tarun J Tejpal (2009-10)
Mr. Tarun J Tejpal is a journalist, publisher and novelist and in his 26-year career he has worked with India Today, Indian Express, The Telegraph and Outlook. In 2000 he started Tehelka, a news organization that has earned a global reputation for its aggressive public interest journalism. Mr. Tejpal has been listed as one of Asia’s 50 most powerful communicators and among 50 leaders at the forefront of change in Asia. His debut novel The Alchemy Of Desire was hailed as a "masterpiece", and his new one, The Story of My Assassins, has been termed "an instant classic". Both have been translated in more than a dozen languages worldwide. Both as a journalist and a writer, his work is seen as courageous and pathbreaking.
Umesh Anand (2008-09)
Umesh Anand is a journalist by profession. His last assignment was as the Resident Editor of the Times of India in Delhi. Umesh conceptualised Civil Society, a monthly magazine that was launched to track Indian change leaders. Through this venture, he has helped spread new ideas on green business, water, organic farming, alternative models in health and education, innovative use of information technology and traditional knowledge.Rita Anand (2008-09)
A teacher by profession, Rita Anand switched to being a researcher and reporter on social issues in the nineties. Rita conceptualised Civil Society, a monthly magazine that was launched to track Indian change leaders. She has worked with the Centre for Science and Environment, the Women's Feature Service and has studied urban slums and reproductive health under a Panos fellowship. She has built a loyal, national readership, thereby proving that Indians value free media and serious content.Altaf Ahmed(2007-08)
He is a freelance journalist and a social activist with a special interest in human rights. He has been working for the last 25 years on communal and linguistic harmony, and peace and human rights. He has organized campaigns and written a number of articles on social issues like land rights, tribal rights, Indo-Pak harmony, environment, conservation of resources, etc. and has also been recognized by the Indian government for his services to the community. Photo Journalist
Mahesh Bhat (2010-11)
Mahesh Bhat, a documentary and editorial photographer based out of Bangalore, has been commissioned by prestigious international periodicals and corporations from over 20 countries. His book UNSUNG co-authored with Anita Pratap, on people who have contributed to society against personal odds, was released in mid 2007. It has helped generate over Rs.6.5 million (USD130000.00) in aid to the causes of the Heroes featured in the book. He was awarded the Vocational Services Award from the Rotary Club for his work on UNSUNG. UNSUNG has received rave reviews and made a great impact on the lives of the Heroes featured