The PoleStar Foundation announces the winners of 21st Annual PoleStar Awards

• Celebrates Excellence in Journalism in Technology, Business and Good News Categories

Chennai (India),19^th November, 2019: The PoleStar Foundation, an independent Trust established in 1998 to recognise Excellence in Journalism, announced the winners of the 21^st Annual PoleStar Awards. The Awards recognise the importance of the role of the Indian journalists and honours the best of the best for their path-breaking contributions. Mr.S Ramadorai, Former Chairman, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Former CEO & MD, Tata Consultancy Services, presided over the function as the Chief Guest and presented the awards to the winners. Mr.Arun Jain, Founder, PoleStar Foundation and CMD, Intellect Design Arena Limited and eminent dignitaries from Industry, Media and Academia were present at the event to encourage and salute exemplary work in Technology Journalism, Business Journalism and Good News Feature.

From left to right: Abhay Gupte – PoleStar Jury, David Appasamy – PoleStar Jury, G Seetharaman, Winner – Best Feature in Technology Journalism, V Balaraman – PoleStar Advisory Committee, Arun Jain, Founder, PoleStar Foundation,  Tora Agarwala, Winner - Best Good News Feature, Rukmini Rao, Winner – Best Feature in Business Journalism, S. Ramadorai – Chief Guest, Former Chairman, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)', Former CEO and MD of Tata Consultancy Services, Goutam Das, Winner – Best Feature in Business Journalism, Rahul Sachitanand, Winner – Best Feature in Technology Journalism, Vijayalakshmi Rao – PoleStar Jury and Jyotindra Dubey, Winner – Jury Special Recognition

The Foundation through its annual awards honours the journalists for their contribution and commitment to the nation and its people, and also for tirelessly acting as a catalyst in disseminating quality information to the world. The 21^st AnnualPoleStar Awards was held on 15^th November, 2019 at Hyatt Regency Chennai.

The categories include Best Feature in Business Journalism, Best Feature in Technology Journalism, Best Good News Feature and Jury Special Recognition Award. The Technology & Business journalism awards consist of a trophy, citation and prize money ofRs2 Lakhs. While theBest Good News Feature and the Jury Special Recognition award carry a trophy, citation and prize money of Rs 1 Lakh.

21st Annual PoleStar Awards, the winners are:

• Best Feature in Business Journalism
  Article: Setting Flipkart Right
  Publication: Business Today
  Journalists:   Goutam Dasand Rukmini Rao

• Best Feature in Technology Journalism
  Article: Breach Suspected!
  Publication: The Economic Times
  Journalists: G Seetharaman  and Rahul Sachitanand

• Best Good News Feature
  Article: Hima Das: The girl who chases time
  Publication: The Indian Express
  Journalist: ToraAgarwala

• Jury Special Recognition
  Article: The Binary Options Blackhole: Forget about making money, it will suck in what you have
  Publication: ET PRIME
  Journalist: JyotindraDubey

Mr. S Ramadorai, Former Chairman, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)',Former CEO and MD of Tata Consultancy Services, delivering the Keynote Address, said, “Over years of rapid change, we have seen technology transform the reach and scope of Journalism: thanks to a multitude of platforms, tech solutions and Big Data analysis, Journalists are able to respond to events more quickly than ever before.Yet we are also acutely aware that technology appears to threaten the most basic ends of journalism, when we see how the deluge of information leaves consumers unable to sift out the relevant, and when ‘Fake news’ takes over to the point where there seem to be few indicators to separate out fact from fraud. This brings into significance the need for ‘responsible journalism’ and is an opportunity for TV channels, publishers and the likes to establish a level of trust with the audience. After all, the benefits of technology goes hand in hand with its responsible use.”

Mr.Arun Jain, Founder, PoleStar Foundation and Chairman& Managing Director, Intellect Design Arena Limited in his Special Address, spoke on the Economic Engine for Rural Development - Applying Design Thinking. He spoke on the developments in Rural India and gave his profound insights and learning to bring about a sustainable change in the country.  He said “Through Design Thinking for rural development, understanding Gram Panchayat development models, connecting models to action at grass rootand with experiments and successes we can bring change in the rural areas.”

Congratulating the Winners, he further added, “The PoleStar Foundation salutes the spirit of true journalism that represents a standard of excellence that does not come by taking a shortcut to success, but by remaining uncompromising day in and day out to stay factual, fair and yet publish articles that are relevant and credible.” This year, the Foundation received 350 nominations (Business- 124, Technology -115 and Good News- 111) from journalists across India. The entries were evaluated by a panel of jurors comprising members from the corporate world and academia who selected the winners in all the categories.

The jury panel included: Mr.AbhayGupte - CEO, Manipal Technologies Limited, Ms.Aruna Rao – Advisor for Strategic Technology, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Former CTO - Kotak Mahindra Bank and Group Companies, Dr. Ashok Korwar - Growth Consultant and CEO Coach, Mr. David Appasamy, Head - Brand & Strategy, Social Beat, Mr.Mukesh Sharma - Co-Founder & Managing Director, Menterra, Mr.SriramSivaram - President, Madras Engineering Industries Pvt. Limited, Ms.Vijayalakshmi Rao - Business Advisor and Mentor. The awards ceremony was graced by eminent leaders from the industry, bureaucrats, senior journalists and other eminent guests from the trade associations and academia.

About The PoleStar Foundation

The PoleStar Foundation instituted the PoleStar Award in 1998 to celebrate Excellence in IT journalism. The foundation through its annual awards pays tribute to media citizens and social impact enablers’ contribution, for their commitment to the nation and its people. Visit http://www.polestar-foundation.org.

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