CHENNAI: The reading habit among the current generation of journalism students seems to have decreased, opined Nalini Rajan, dean of the Asian College of Journalism, here on Saturday.
Speaking at a press meet to announce a journalism award instituted in the name of Chennai-based veteran journalist the late R Parthasarathy (1915-2003), Rajan said that reading habit was a pre-requisite if journalists wanted to excel in long-form journalism.
The first to receive the journalism award, which carries a cash prize of `1 lakh and a citation, would be former Editor of The Indian Express, Shekhar Gupta, at a function in Chennai on May 17, said R P Ram Mohan, Parthasarathy’s son.
Madhav Narayan, Parthasarathy’s grandson, said that they would also give scholarships to five students of the Asian College of Journalism from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, beginning this year.
“To commemorate his birth centenary, a committee consisting of eminent citizens of Chennai as well as editors of publications across India will be formed to to select a journalist who has made a significant contribution and he or she will be given the award,” said Ram Mohan.