Rajeev Kumar Mishra, chief sub-editor with Rajasthan Patrika of the Bengaluru edition, has been shortlisted for the 2nd G Santha Teacher Memorial Journalism Award 2017.
Rajeev has been covering all beats — ranging from politics, crime, sports, business, science and technology, to space and defence — often doubling up as a deskperson-cum-reporter. His specials on India’s space programmes ensured that the non-English-reading segments benefitted immensely, especially in non-metro cities.
Who is Rajeev Kumar Mishra
Hailing from Bihar's Siwan district, Rajeev has been in journalism for the last 13 years. Born to farmer-parents, he was a casual announcer with All India Radio in Jamshedpur before starting his career with Dainik Uditwani in 2004.
Later, he moved on to Lokmat Samachar before joining Rajasthan Patrika in 2008. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Vardhaman Mahaveer Open
University in Kota, Rajasthan. He is married to Nisha Mishra and has a daughter and a son.
Expressing his happiness, on winning the award, Rajeev says, “It’s a matter of pride for me. I dedicate this award to my newspaper and all its readers. I am delighted that my selection was done by highly revered jury members.”
The award will be presented next week on October 11 in Bengaluru, during the 2nd Guru Kalam Memorial Lecture. The lecture is being organised by Inspired Indian Foundation in association with the Abdul Kalam International Foundation (AKIF), Rameshwaram.
The award that has been instituted by Inspired Indian Foundation (IIF), a writers' movement carries a memento, a certificate of appreciation and Rs 10,000 in cash.
Rekha Satheesh, a Senior Chief Sub-Editor with The New Indian Express, Kochi, was the first recipient of the G. Santha Teacher Memorial Journalism Award last year.
Shortlisting process
The jury selected Rajeev Mishra from a list of six journalists across India shortlisted
from various streams. Seven members of IIF, a representative of AKIF and a relative of late G Santha teacher constituted this year’s jury.
"This year too we had a tough task in picking one from the shortlisted six journalists. Finally, it was Rajeev Mishra's consistent commitment to the reader as a writer that helped us in choosing him for this prestigious award. We found his writing well-researched, sans any sensationalism," says Dr Kota Harinarayana, Mentor of IIF.
The shortlisting process began in January this year. Once the final list of candidates was drawn up, a confidential report from their Editors was sought to measure some of their performance parameters.
“Our endeavor is to recognize electronic, print and wire media journalists, from both reporting and desk, who make invaluable contributions to their profession. We seek the opinion of readers/viewers as well, while short-listing the awardees. Next year, the award will be given to a television journalist,” says Sindhu A, National Coordinator, IIF.
About late Santha teacher
Born to scholar parents in 1942, G Shantha was a post-graduate in English literature and hailed from Thalavadi in Kerala’s Alappuzha district. She first taught English in colleges of Kerala and Tamil Nadu before settling down at Mahatma High School for Girls, in Kerala's Chennithala.
She passed away at the age of 65 on 17 February 2007, following a heart attack. She went an extra mile in spreading the essence of English literature among rural children, even after her retirement.