Shajil Kumar of Malayala Manorama has been chosen for this year's International Press Institute (IPI) India Award For Excellence in Journalism for his outstanding work on "endangered tribal communities" who live on the slopes of Western Ghats in Kerala.
The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a trophy and a citation.
The jury, which was headed by former Chief Justice of India A S Anand, unanimously selected Kumar's exclusive report 'The tale of endangered communities', out of several entries.
The jury included N Ravi, Chairman IPI India chapter and Director, The Hindu, M K Razdan, Editor-in-Chief, the Press Trust of India and Riyad Mathew, Senior Assistant Editor Malayala Manorama.
Kumar had done exhaustive and oustanding journalistic work in exposing the fragile lives of very microscopic tribal communities on the slopes of Western Ghats in Kerala, who have unique racial and cultural characteristics and how they are trapped between tradition and modernity.
Kumar's series of reports highlighted not only the uniqueness of the language and culture of the tribes but also the threats to their continued physical and cultural existence as district anthropological communities, a statement from IPI, India Chapter said.
The award will be presented at a function in New Delhi by the end of January 2016.
The IPI had instituted the annual award in 2003 to recognise and honour the best work done by an Indian media organisation or journalist working in print, radio, television and internet mediums in furtherance of public interest including safeguarding of freedom of the press and other freedoms such as human rights.
The event was spearheaded by Niranjan Hiranandani,
Co-founder and MD of Hiranandani Group and Dr Sujit Chatterjee, CEO of Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital.
Expressing his gratitude, Governor Vidyasagar Rao said, "I feel honored and privileged to deliver the first 'Dr L H Hiranandani' oration here in Mumbai. Dr Hiranandani dedicated his entire life to make specialized healthcare affordable to the common man. I am very happy that the Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital Trust has instituted an award in his name. Dr Advani has renderd outstanding service to the medical profession and to the society at large for more than four decades. I extend my heartiest congratulations to Dr Advani on being conferred the first Dr L H Hiranandani Award."
Honorable Former President of India Pratibha Patil also addressed the gathering and said, "Dr . L H Hiranandani Hospital has been in the forefront of healthcare and a lot of initiatives. In addition, the hospital also leads in creating and spreading health awareness in the country. I heartily congratulate Dr Suresh Advani for receiving this prestigious award. I am known to Dr Advani's contribution and he is an excellent doctor who has surpassed limitations and earned a name in the world for his excellent skill."
Commenting on the event, Niranjan Hiranandani said, "Dr L H Hiranandani was a man respected and loved for his contributions in the field of healthcare, education, social work and human rights. His compassion for poor was evident with his relentless efforts in addressing their basic needs. The Dr L H Hiranandani Oration is a token of gratitude and recognition for contributions made by doctors on grounds of humanity and compassion."
Dr Suresh Advani is a renowned oncologist in India and has over 650 publications to his credits.
He has long been involved with medical oncology/hematology with strong interaction with clinical branches and basic scientists.
On winning the award, Dr Suresh Advani said, "It always
feels very humble to receive such a great honor in the name of a great person like Dr. L H Hiranandani. I had the privilege of working with him. It is only his love and respect that he showed to everyone around him that really impressed me. And it is with this humbleness I accept this honour and I will try to work in his shoes. He would see all his patients with great respect be it small patients, poor, rich. I hope I can follow his path and reach that follow his steps in the service of humanity."
Elaborating on the initiative, CEO of Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Dr Sujit Chatterjee said, "Many medical experts in their individual capacities have contributed significantly towards building a noble cause of securing health and offering innovation to encourage basic healthcare requirements. We are proud to present this award to Dr Suresh Advani who epitomizes the intent and purpose of this recognition."
The selection committee included members namely, Smt. Pratibha Patil, Chairman of the Award Committee, Shri Niranjan Hiranandani, Padma Shri Dr Rustom Soonawala, Dr Nischal Israni and Padma Vibhushan Dr B K Goyal.
About Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital Located at Powai in Mumbai, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital is a 240 bed ulti-specialty hospital.
It is the first NABH accredited multi-specialty hospital in Mumbai and among the first few in India. Website: http://www.Hiranandanihospital.Org
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Source: Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital.
