RATNA BHARALI TALUKDAR
Freelance journalist
Award: Regional Award North East (Print)
For chronicling the lives and struggles of coal-mine workers in Upper Assam
‘‘I never imagined that as a freelancer based in Guwahati, with very limited exposure and just a couple of stories, I would win an award. The fact that I did, shows that stories that matter do not go unnoticed despite limited exposure and reach’’

MIR EHSAN
Senior Staff Reporter, The Indian Express
Award: Regional reportage in J&K (Print)
For exposing the story of fake surrenders, how innocent villagers were paraded as militants in the Valley
‘‘I had to work very fast on a tip-off, travelling to 10 villages in one day to convince residents about their need to tell the truth. The way I see it, the news proved to be life-saving for those villagers too — they might have been killed to clear all evidence’’

SOMINI SENGUPTA
New Delhi Bureau Chief, The New York Times
Award: Foreign Correspondent Covering India
For a wide range of stories from across India, right from the Naxal heartland to Ground Zero of Japanese encephalitis
‘‘The good thing about working in India is that there’s no dearth of public opinion. It’s not at all hard to get people to talk.’’

... contd.