First ever Akashvani Annual Awards in J

Jammu, Apr 8 (UNI) In the first ever Akashvani Annual Awards-2006 held in Jammu and Kashmir, public broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) felicitated this evening its journalists, artistes, programmers and stations across the country for their contribution in propagating ''information and education''.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad presented the awards which carried cash prizes, trophies and citations, at a glittering function in the newly-constructed state-of-the-art General Zorawar Singh auditorium of Jammu University.

The K L Sharma award for 'Best Correspondent' was given to Mr Khalid Qureshi, senior correspondent at AIR's news service division, New Delhi.

AIR, Imphal, correspondent B B Sharma was presented the 'Bold and Courageous Reporting Award' while Mr Akhil Mittal of AIR's news service division, New Delhi was given 'Best News Editor of the Year' award.

AIR, Tiruchirapalli was presented the 'Best Regional News Unit Award' for effective coverage.

Meanwhile, the Lassa Kaul Award for national integration was bagged by AIR, Ahwa's Gujarati programme 'Gunvanti' produced by Mr Dhiraj Gosai.

The first prize for radio play was given to 'Dagvali Ki Raat' produced by Mr Kunjkishore Rohal of AIR, Shimla while ''Banala Gachhara Chhai'' by Mr Basant Mohanty and Gagan Kumar Das of Cuttack (station won the first prize for a musical production.

AIR, Panaji (Goa) won the special documentary production award for the film ''Highways - The changing face of India'' produced by Mr Satish Deshpande while ''Suraj Ke Saat Ghodey'' produced by Mr D D Banswal of Delhi station won the first prize in the farm and home category.

Radio Kashmir, Srinagar was conferred the M L Manchanda Award for technical excellence in the 'Best Maintained Difficult Station' category.

Besides this, the presentation of S D Burman's composition by Tanushree Shankar and party from Kolkata, Himachali folk songs by Karnail Rana's group and Dogri folk dance items left the audience awestruck.

The Akashvani Annual Awards were instituted in 1974 with a view to promote professional excellence and to bring out the best in the staff working at various radio stations and installations.

UNI