The State government presented the best journalist and photo journalist awards for 2008, 2009, and 2010 on Sunday. Thirteen journalists, including videographers and photographers, received the awards.
The government also gave away photo competition awards in categories such as Neeru-Pragati, Krishna Pushkaralu, Vanam-Manam, Pavitra Sangamam, Chandranna Bima, women empowerment, tourism in AP, Polavaram/Pattiseema project, Polam Pilustondi, traditional festivals, Swachh Andhra Pradesh, NTR Gruha Nirmanam, Chandranna Cheyutha and the best news picture of A.P.
Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister Kalava Srinivasulu, Andhra Pradesh Press Academy Chairman Vasudeva Deekshitulu and I&PR Commissioner S. Venkateshwar honoured the recipients with a shawl, memento and cash prizes.
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Senior journalists Turlapati Kutumba Rao and Nandiraju Radhakrishna were presented the V. R. Narla Lifetime Achievement award and the B. Nageswara Rao best journalist award respectively. A prize of ₹3 lakh and ₹2 lakh were presented respectively to them.
Photo journalists from The Hindu , including Chief News Photographer K.R. Deepak, Senior Special News Photographer Ch.V.S. Vijaya Bhaskara Rao, Principal News Photographer V. Raju, photographers S. Rambabu, Sk. Basheer and U. Subramanyam were presented awards. P.V. Satyanarayana received the Khasa Subba Rao best rural journalist award, while Naga Durga Bhavani was given the best woman journalist award. Andhra Jyothi cartoonist M. Venkateswara Rao received the best cartoonist award. A cash prize of ₹1 lakh each was given.
For 2009: K. Bhaskara Rao (M A Raheem best photo journalist); Ganjivarapu Srinivas (M. Narsing Rao best rural journalist); Emineni Ravichandra (Shoebulla Khan best rural journalist); V.V. Seshagiri Rao (best videographer). T. Srinivas Reddy received the M. A. Raheem best photographer journalist award for the year 2010. Chinta Muni Sekhar received Khasa Subba Rao best rural journalist award, while D. Chandra Bhaskara Rao received M. Narsing Rao best rural journalist award for 2010.
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Addressing the gathering, the Minister said having worked as journalist for about 14 years he knew the hardships faced by them. The government’s top priority was to provide housing for the journalists. The government was working in that direction and preparing modalities, he said.
The problems associated with the journalist health cards would be addressed at the earliest. The welfare schemes being implemented for the journalists in other States was examined. There was a proposal to provide ₹3,000 as monthly pension to the journalists. A decision would be taken after discussing with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he said. “I don’t say that the journalists should write reports in favour of the government. But the reporting should be objective,” he said.
Mr. Deekshitulu said the awards were being given for the first time after the bifurcation of the State. The academy would take up programmes for the welfare of journalists shortly, he said.
Mr. Venkateshwar, I&PR Additional Director Malladi Krishnanand and others spoke.