Bhubaneswar: Noted journalist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner P. Sainath received the first Sambad Journalism Award at a programme marking the 42nd anniversary of Odia daily 'Sambad' and the 17th anniversary of 'Kanak News' on Sunday.

Sainath received a cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a memento. Sambad and Kanak News Editor Tanaya Patnaik announced that the award would be presented every year to a journalist of the country for excellence in the field of journalism.

Speaking on the occasion, Sainath recalled his long association with Odisha and said he had reported more from the state during his 46-year career than Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He said Odisha had provided him with a lot of stories and information about its history and freedom fighters.

Sainath said two of his books are closely connected with Odisha. His book 'Everybody Loves a Good Drought', which contains 68 stories from 19 districts across India, has more than 20 stories related to Odisha. While researching for 'The Last Heroes', a book on India's freedom fighters, he also came across several freedom fighters from Odisha and many lesser-known stories.

“Every time I come to Odisha, I learn something new,” Sainath said, adding that every corner of the state had stories waiting to be reported.

Eastern Media Limited Chairman and Managing Director Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, speaking at the event, stressed the need for people to have the courage to question the functioning of institutions.

Patnaik also expressed concern over the functioning of Parliament and state legislatures and said that the media was facing a crisis of trust. He said people should give priority to the interests of their country rather than political parties.

Sambad and Kanak News Editor Tanaya Patnaik said Sambad had started 42 years ago with the aim of connecting people with one another, while Kanak News took the effort to television 17 years ago.

She said the media profession was facing serious challenges because of growing distrust. She called upon journalists to move beyond the glare of cities and focus more on villages and ordinary people.

“Now is the time to return to the grassroots, go to villages and connect with people,” she said, while also stressing the need to protect the environment and nature for future generations.

Eastern Media Limited Director Dr Monica Nayyar Patnaik thanked readers and viewers for helping the Sambad family establish a strong presence in the media and entertainment sectors. She said the organisation would continue its efforts to connect with people across Odisha through various programmes.

Bhabani Sankar Tripathy, News Editor, Sambad and Kanak News, delivered the welcome address and said the organisation would continue its efforts to raise issues concerning the interests of Odisha. He also assured that the media group would stand by truth and facts and continue its fight for the state's interests.