Media is undoubtedly one of the best modes of spreading awareness. It has the power to reach out to millions, create a buzz and cause action. The second edition of the All India Environmental Journalism Competition, which has now been concluded, by GIZ, ICLEI South Asia, Asian College of Journalism, The Third Pole, DW Akademie and IFAT India aimed towards encouraging media coverage of environmental issues by acknowledging and awarding good journalistic reports. 

 

Each one among the multitude of entries received stood out with its unique style and concept. The range that these articles and videos covered was widespread – deforestation, solid waste management, groundwater system, organic farming, rain water harvesting, community involvement, etc.  The majority of these articles brought into the limelight issues and pleas of so many communities and villages all over India and highlighted the need to take action. Collective raised voices never go unheard! We would like to thank each one of those who sent across their entries. 

 

The winners for the All India Environmental Journalism Competition 2014 are:

 

Print category – 

First prize goes to Sibi Arasu for this article “Uttarakhand’s ghost busters”, published in Blink issue of The Hindu Business Line on June 14, 2014.

Second prize goes to Paramita Ghosh for her article “Iron in their souls", published in the Hindustan Times on March 30, 2014.

 

Internet category – 

First prize goes to Stella Paul for her article “And Not a Drop to Waste”, published on Inter Press Service News Agency on May 6, 2014.

Second prize goes to Makarand Purohit for his article “Digging them into a hole”, published on Indian Water Portal on December 8, 2013.

 

Video category – 

First prize goes to Ritu Bhardwaj for her video "The Garden Game Changer in India", published on Thomson Reuters Foundation on June 5, 2014.

 

Photo category – 

First prize goes to Shadab Nazmi for his photo essay “Computer Graveyard”, published in India Legal fortnightly magazine on March 31, 2014.

 

Clean Ganga Award – 

This year, in taking up the new Indian Government’s initiative, the German Embassy awarded a special prize: The "Clean Ganga Award" for the best journalistic entry on the rejuvenation of the Ganges. The winner is Nitin Sethi for his article “Is the Ganga beyond makeover?” published in the Business Standard on June14, 2014.

 

Congratulations to all the winners! German Ambassador to India, Mr Michael Steiner honoured this year’s winners of the All India Environmental Journalism Competition at IFAT India 2014, India’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, refuse and recycling. The ambassador, together with Dr Dieter Mutz of GIZ, Mr Gerhard Gerritzen of IFAT organisers Messe München and journalist Darryl D’Monte of The Third Pole handed over mementos and certificates to the winners of the print, internet, video and photo category. Representatives of the sponsors, including IFAT, ICLEI South Asia, KfW, and German Water Partnership, handed over  the certificate and cheque to the award winners.

 

We ardently hope that much more is written about environmental issues prevailing in India and the word is spread a bit more, because even just “a bit more” can help change somebody’s life!