Uday Shankar gets RedInk Award from Mumbai Press Club!

Satyamev Jayate--on Saturday received the Mumbai Press Club’s prestigious RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism 2013 for its path breaking initiative.

Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India was honoured with a special award for featuring gutsy journalism on a general entertainment channel through Satyamev Jayate. The award recognizes Satyamev Jayate’s remarkable contribution in highlighting social issues that continue to plague modern India and to help create public awareness through the pioneering TV program.

“It is extremely gratifying to receive this recognition. I am honoured and humbled. Satyamev Jayate was our modest attempt to bring to the fore many important challenges that modern India continues to grapple with. It was an initiative to offer a public platform to issues that concern all Indians. While I am delighted to see these efforts being recognized, the focus should continue to be on the issues and all those working to make a difference,” Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India said.

N. Ram, the former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu and Kuldip Nayar veteran author-journalist-activist were honoured with the RedInk Lifetime Achievement Award by Chief Guest K Sankarannarayanan, Hon. Governor of Maharashtra.

Veteran journalists and senior editors from across the length and breadth of the country graced the evening that was hosted by renowned columnist Bachi Karkaria in her traditional wit. I&B Minister Manish Tewari, Uday Shankar, N. Ram participated in an engaging panel discussion on ‘Keeping Media Free and Fair’ that was moderated by television anchor Arnab Goswami.

The RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism by the Mumbai Press Club honour and celebrate good journalism in India to encourage values of fearlessness and ethical writing. Journalists were rewarded in nine categories based on votes by an eminent panel of judges including Kumar Ketkar, Pritish Nandy, Minhaz Merchant, Shirish Inamdar, Hussain Zaidi, Khalid Mohammad Colvyn Harris and Rahul Bose.

Satyamev Jayate is a landmark show in Indian television that set new benchmarks from the very first episode in May 2012. Star India was instrumental in conceiving the show that also demonstrated how TV can be an effective tool to influence social change and empower people. It was the most-talked about show during its 13-week run, questioning social mores, helping shape mindsets and leaving an imprint on the minds of people with compelling tales from everyday life.

This is the third successive accolade for Satyamev Jayate and follows coveted recognitions by the Government of India and popular television channel CNN-IBN in 2012. The show was rewarded by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes in October while it bagged the CNN-IBN ‘Indian of The Year’ award under Special Achievement category in December last year for its efforts to create awareness against social discrimination.