Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
The annual Bhartendu Harishchandra awards for the years 2004 and 2005 were presented to writers for their original books in Hindi on journalism and mass communication, national integration, women's problems and children literature.

The Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Asha Swarup gave away the prizes at a function in New Delhi today. Swarup in her remarks said that the awards are an honour for those related to Hindi journalism. The awardees in their works have reflected different perspective of journalistic practices. She appreciated the topics reflecting the issues concerning children and women. Veena Jain, Director, DPD in her welcome address outlined the various activities undertaken by the Division.

For the year 2005 in the journalism and mass communication category, the first prize was given to Dr. Gyanprakash Pandey for his book 'Jansanchar: Sidhant evam Shodh' and the second prize went to TV journalist Vartika Nanda for her book 'Television aur Apradh Patrakarita'. Social activities Vijay Mohan Tiwari got the third prize for his celebrated book 'Harsood, 30 June'. Five authors received commendation prizes.

For the year 2004, communicator Dr. Ashok Jerath received the first prize for his manuscript 'Yeh Akashwani Hai' and the second prize was jointly awarded to Shri K.S. Mehta and Sh. Chandrakant Sardana for their book 'Jansanchar – Kal, Aaj aur Kal'. Shri Ami Adhar 'Nidar' bagged the third prize for the book 'Samachar: Sankalpana evam Anuvad'. Three authors received commendation prizes in this category.

In the women's problems category, the first prize was given to Ramanika Gupta for her book 'Stree Vimarsh: Kalam Aur Kudal ke Bahane' for 2004, and to Alka Pathak's manuscript 'Peer Pathara Gayee Hai' for 2005. S/Shri Suryakumar Pandey and Akhilesh Srivastava 'Chaman' were awarded the first prizes in children's literature category for 2004 and 2005 respectively. Gulshan Rai Monga's book 'Poorvottar Bharat: Darshan aur Chintan' got the first prize in national integration category for the year 2004.

In the journalism and mass communication category the first prize carries Rs 35,000 cash while Rs 25,000 and Rs 20,000 are given for the second and third prizes respectively. For books on women's problems, national integration and children's literature Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 are given to the first and the second prize winners respectively. All the awardees also received a citation.

Named after the father of Hindi journalism, Bhartendu Harishchandra Awards are given by the government since 1983 to encourage original book writing in Hindi on topics related to journalism and mass communication. Later, in 1992-93 three more categories, namely- national integration, women's problems and children's literatures, were also included for the awards.