JMI Faculty Member and Three Alumnae Receive Prestigious ‘Ramnath Goenka Award’

It is with great pride that Dr. Rahul Ramagundam, Associate Professor in the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), along with three distinguished alumnae, has been honored with the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award. Dr. Ramagundam received the esteemed accolade in the Non-Fiction Category for his book titled The Life and Times of George Fernandes. The ceremony, marking the 17th edition of the award, was held at the Maurya ITC in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on March 19th.

The Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence, instituted by the Indian Express Group in memory of its founder-proprietor, Ramnath Goenka, celebrates outstanding contributions in various fields. Mr. Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, presenting the awards to the deserving recipients.

Adding to the glory of JMI, three alumnae from the MA Convergent Journalism course offered by the university's Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre (AJK MCRC) were also honored at the ceremony. Niha Masih (Batch of 2008-10) received the award in the Foreign Correspondent Covering India category (print) for the year 2021, recognized for her insightful story on the surveillance of human rights activists. Currently serving as a staff writer with the Washington Post, Masih's work reflects her dedication to impactful journalism.

Zoya Hussain and Hera Rizwan (Batch of 2020-2022) were jointly awarded for their investigative journalism piece on hysterectomies among India’s women manual scavengers for the year 2022. Hussain, an independent journalist associated with Mongabay, and Rizwan, a journalist with BoomLive, showcased exemplary dedication and commitment in shedding light on this critical issue.

These achievements underscore the excellence of the Convergent Journalism programme at AJK MCRC, JMI, which was established in 2005. Over the years, this program has nurtured and produced exceptional journalists who continue to make significant contributions to both national and international media.

Prof. Eqbal Hussain, the Officiating Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the awardees. He emphasized that such accomplishments by JMI faculty and alumni serve as a source of inspiration for current students and a testament to the university's commitment to excellence in education and professional development.

The recognition garnered by Dr. Ramagundam and the alumnae not only brings pride to JMI but also serves as a reminder of the university's enduring legacy of producing outstanding journalists who excel on both national and international platforms. Their achievements stand as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence in academia and journalism at Jamia Millia Islamia.