Media professionals awarded in Raipur for impactful reporting on children’s issues

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

RAIPUR: Recognizing the pivotal role of journalism in shaping a safer, healthier future for the next generation, MCCR Trust, in collaboration with UNICEF, honored nine journalists and two photojournalists with the prestigious ‘Media for Children Award’ on June 19.

The ceremony celebrated their outstanding and compassionate reporting on child rights, health, nutrition, and education across Chhattisgarh.

Initiated in 2020 by MCCR, in collaboration with UNICEF, this marks the first specialized media award of its kind in Chhattisgarh.

The core objective of the award is to place child rights, grassroots innovations, and success stories at the very heart of the developmental agenda.

The theme for the 2026 edition, "Empowered Media for Child Rights, Towards a Safe Childhood," resonated deeply, drawing a good number of entries.

An eminent jury meticulously selected the finest reportage that successfully amplified awareness and advocated for child welfare across various formats, including print, television, radio, digital news platforms, and photojournalism.

This year, the distinguished media professionals recognized for their dedication to highlighting child-centric issues include:

Digital Media - Ruchi Pandey, Print Media - Anuj Nahariya, Vikram Tiwari, Yashwant Chakradhari, and Yashwant Sinha, Electronic Media - Kush Agrawal, Photo Journalism - Pradeep Dadsena and Hemant Goswami and for Creative Excellence - John Rajesh Paul, R.K. Gandhi, and Narad Yogi.

Handing over the awards, Seema Kumar, Chief, UNICEF Chhattisgarh, lauded the media’s indispensable role in cultivating public awareness. "The media acts as a powerful catalyst in sensitizing citizens about the health, nutrition, and safety of women and children," Kumar remarked.

Key health officials and experts including Dr. Nirmala Yadav, Joint Director, Reproductive and Child Health, and Dr. Smriti Dewangan, Deputy Director Maternal Health, shed light on the state’s health priorities and their expectations from the journalistic community.

Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF, elaborated on the media's critical responsibility in generating widespread awareness around health and nutrition.

Dr Gajendra Singh, Health Specialist, UNICEF, provided a comprehensive overview of UNICEF’s ongoing initiatives and impactful contributions to child welfare in the region.