Journalists win C-NES media awards for several important studies

Guwahati, Jun 9 (UNI) Two journalists, one from Pune and the other from New Delhi, today shared the C-NES-Setu National Media Fellowship,2007, for their work on two separate issues in the Northeast.

One of the topics was related to environment under stress and the other on the impact of the conflict in the region on women.

The winners were freelance journalist Neeraj Vagholikar from Pune and Preeti Gill attached to New Delhi-based 'Zuban'.

Neeraj who was also a member of environmental group 'Kalpavriksh' had worked extensively on issues relating to the impact of large dams in the Northeast. Preeti, an editor at Zubaan, a feminist publishing house in New Delhi, has conducted several researches on the issues relating to the Northeast.

Their topics were ''Large Dams and the environment in North-east India'' and the ''Impact of conflict on women,'' with focus on Nagaland, Asom and Manipur.

The fellowships are spread over three months and will involve extensive publishing of their research in mainstream and influential Indian newspapers and magazines.

''As a result of these writing, we expect a better understanding of the situation in the region, especially for women, who face violence and challenges of development in a highly sensitive environment with its social implications in a multi-ethnic region,'' said Sanjoy Hazarika, chairman of the Committee and Managing Trustee of C-NES, in a statement here.

The C-NES-Setu Fellowship, which carries an award of Rs 75,000 is so designed that it goes to a journalist from outside the Northeast and to one from the region in alternate years.

The first two winners were Nitin Sethi, formerly of the environmental magazine, Down to Earth magazine in New Delhi, and Sankab Baruah of the Assamese daily, Dainik Janambhoomi.

However, this year, the compelling nature of the proposals of the two finalists forced the Selection Committee, comprising of columnist and author Sanjoy Hazarika, Asom Bani editor Dileep Chandan, and Imphal Free Press editor Pradip Phanjoubam to meet several times to select a winner.

Ultimately, it was decided to award a fellowship to both finalists after increasing the overall award money to Rs one lakh and dividing it equally between Mr Vagholikgar and Ms Gill.

UNI