Noted journalist Anant Vijay chosen for prestigious Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre National Creativity Award

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Noted journalist and columnist Anant Vijay has been selected for the prestigious Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre National Creativity Award and will be felicitated with the coveted honour at a ceremony on November 3 (Tuesday), to be held on the occasion of Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava (Foundation Day).

Vijay, who is also a known face on TV debates and shows, won the award for his decades of outstanding work as an editor and writer. He is already the recipient of the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award, the Government of India’s highest honour in the field of journalism.

The award will be conferred upon the seasoned journalist Anant Vijay during the state decoration ceremony (Rajya Alankaran Samaroh), being held on the occasion of Chhattisgarh’s ‘Rajyotsav’ (foundation day) on November 3.

The Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre National Creativity Award is one of the 36 awards, under which the Chhattisgarh government has selected achievers under various categories including sports and youth welfare, Agriculture, public relations department, cultural and tourism and will honour their unparalleled contributions in the respective fields on Tuesday.

Notably, Anant Vijay is a veteran in the field of journalism with over three decades of experience and has served several organisations in various capacities.

He currently serves as the Editor (Features) at Dainik Jagran, the country’s most widely read newspaper group. He is also the recipient of the National Film Award (Swarna Kamal) for his outstanding writing on cinema.

Anant Vijay has authored 17 books so far, with his latest work titled ‘Marxwad ka Ardh-satya’ (The Half-Truth of Marxism). This book, when hit the stands, created a wave, contributing significantly to strengthening an alternative narrative. Another of his works, ‘Amethi Sangram’ garnered widespread attention and was translated into several Indian languages, including English.

For the past 15 years, the writer has been contributing a weekly column in ‘Dainik Jagran’, on topics related to literature, art, and culture. He is also a regular columnist in the ‘Nai Dunia’.

Anant Vijay also serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Governing Council of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.

Last year, he was appointed by the Prime Minister as a member of the Selection Committee for the Padma Awards. He has also served as a Visiting Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, July 17 (IANS) Karnataka Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development Sharan Prakash Patil reacting to the status report filed by the government regarding the June 4 stampede tragedy which claimed 11 lives, stated that lapses occurred and action has been initiated to prevent tragedies in future.

Speaking to the media in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, on Thursday, he stated, while answering a question on the status report, “We have taken action and that will be followed, why would you doubt?”

When asked whether the police had been made scapegoats, Minister Patil said, “I am not here to defend. A decision has been made. Whenever there is a huge event happening, it is the responsibility of the department to make to make appropriate arrangements.”

“They should be aware of the situation and about things in that connection. Definitely, there would be lapses. Many lives have been lost. We can’t take it so easily,” he stated.

“Even to prevent these incidents in future, we have to take action,” Minister Patil stated.

Minister for Labour Santosh Lad stated that he had not read the report completely and added that the report would be placed before the Cabinet.

“Let me go through it and react,” he said.

Sources confirmed that the Judicial Commission report on the stampede by retired Justice Michael D Cunha submitted to the government will be placed before the Cabinet.

Sources stated that the report has highlighted the negligence by the Karnataka Police and organisers. Sources further revealed that Home Minister G. Parameshwara is likely to question the findings of the report putting the entire blame on the state police.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government in its status report submitted to the High Court regarding the June 4 stampede has stated that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) invited people to the IPL victory celebrations unilaterally without consulting the police, sources confirmed on Thursday.

The High Court had recently given an order with regard to providing the status report by the state government to respondents the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB and the DNA event management firm by setting aside the state’s request to keep the report confidential.

The report stated that the RCB invited people for the victory celebration event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium unilaterally and also without consultation and required permission by the police department.

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2020 Delhi riots: SC pulls up police for delay in filing response to bail pleas in ‘larger conspiracy’ case

New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Delhi Police for seeking additional time to file its counter-affidavit in the bail petitions filed by student activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-ur-Rehman, all accused in the 2020 Delhi riots “larger conspiracy” case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria made it clear that the matter should not be delayed further and posted it for hearing on Friday, directing the Delhi Police to file their counter-affidavits in the meantime.

At the outset, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, sought two weeks to file a response. However, the Justice Kumar-led Bench refused to accede to the request, observing that sufficient time had already been given.

“We have given you enough time. You may be appearing for the first time. Last time, we said issue notice and we said in open court that we will hear this matter on October 27 and dispose it of,” the apex court remarked.

When ASG Raju pressed for at least one week, the Justice Kumar-led Bench was unmoved. “What is the question of a counter-affidavit in a bail matter?” it said.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioner side, opposed the plea for adjournment, highlighting that the accused had already spent over five years behind bars without trial.

“When the matter is about delay, there cannot be more delay,” Singhvi argued.

“The petitioners have been in jail for more than five years,” Sibal added, urging the top court to proceed with the hearing.

At this, Justice Kumar-led Bench remarked, “Mr Raju, examine if you can think of coming out with something… after all, it is a matter of bail… five years they have completed,” Justice Kumar remarked.

“Let me have a look at it, but sometimes appearances can be deceptive,” responded ASG Raju.

The Supreme Court then listed the matter for Friday.

The petitioners have challenged the Delhi High Court’s order denying them bail, which had held that there was prima facie material to suggest a conspiracy behind the 2020 riots.

The Supreme Court had issued notice to the Delhi Police on September 22. The February 2020 Delhi riots, which erupted amid protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), claimed 53 lives and left over 700 injured.

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Rajasthan: Naresh Meena launches ‘Jankranti Yatra’ after jail release, targets govt over corruption

Jaipur, July 21 (IANS) After spending eight months in jail for slapping a Sub-Divisional Magistrate during polling in Deoli-Uniyara (November 2024), political leader Naresh Meena has launched his ‘Jankranti Yatra’ from Kamkheda Balaji Dham in Manoharthana, Jhalawar, on Monday.

The yatra, aimed at protesting corruption and injustice, will cover 150 km and conclude on July 28 at Trikuta Mata Temple in Kota.

During the launch, Naresh Meena fiercely criticised the government, saying, “Great men have sacrificed everything for the nation. What do I have? At most, they’ll get my petrol pump shut.”

He alleged a widespread nexus of corruption in every department and warned that if the current situation continues, not only common people but even farmers and leaders would lose their land.

Addressing the gathering, former minister Rajendra Gudha supported Meena, condemning the government’s action and calling it an injustice.

“What happened with Naresh Meena should never happen to any youth again,” Gudha said.

Referring to the recent violence in Samaravata village, he remarked, “The village is deserted now. That mob was the reaction to the mistreatment of women and children. It has sent a strong message.”

Gudha further warned the government that public unrest could rise if the system continued to silence dissenters.

Quoting Chanakya, he said, “When the king becomes a businessman, the public becomes beggars.”

He alleged that all leaders have turned into businessmen, abandoning public welfare.

The coordinator of the yatra, Sohag Meena, said around 300 workers are accompanying Naresh Meena. The first halt was at Harnavada, Baran district, and the march will continue through several villages before concluding in Kota.

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