23 Journalists honoured with Matri Shree media awards

New Delhi, Apr 29 (UNI) Twenty-three journalists were today honoured with the 31st Matri Shree media awards for the year 2007 for their contribution to journalism.

Aditi Kaul of Times of India, Rajesh Ahuja of UNI, Akash Deep Anand of Univarta, Rajesh Due of Doordarshan, Pramod Mehta of AIR, Shemin Joy of PTI, Amrit Mohan of Bhasha and Vibha Sharma of Hindustan Times were among those honoured with the awards by noted litterateur and chairperson of senior citizen Keshri Club Kiran Chopra at a function in the Capital.

The awards were to be originally conferred by Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken but he could not make it at the last minute due to being indisposed.

Others who received the award were Mrs Sumitra Goyel of Punjab Kesri, Mr Virendra Verma of Nav Bharat Times, Ajesh Kumar of Daily Hindustan Hindi and Mr Arjun Deshpresmi of Daily Jagran.

Also among the recipients this year were cartoonist of Financial Express Rohneet Far, Poonam Mehta of Sahara TV channel, Brijesh Pahuja of the Sadhna TV, Navin Gandhi of Total TV, Gaurav Dwivedi of Zee news, Amlesh Raju of Janasatta, Vinod Dabas of Amar Ujala.

Mr Rangnath Tiwari of Rashtriya Sahara received the prize for best photography while Mr Ram Koshor Parcha of Daily Tribune got the prize for best film critic.

Rakesh Rohan's 'Krrish' got the prize for best film of the year.

The winners received the Matri Shree Bharat Mata shield.

Speaking at the function, Mrs Chopra, lauding the role played by journalists in society, said the media had a significant part to play in improving the state of a nation and giving it a proper direction.

Speaking on the occasion, convener of the Matri Shree media awards committee Dinesh Sharma said the awards, instituted in 1977, were aimed at honouring journalists who have been dedicating themselves to the service of the nation.

A screening of the feature film 'Krrish' was also held on the occasion.

UNI