Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Rural Reporting Awards Honor Dipti Raut and Reji Joseph
The Statesman gave awards to journalists who reported on rural communities in India.
Dipti Raut won first prize for a report about unsafe childbirth practices affecting rural women.
Jyoti Yadav won second prize for reporting on illegal sand mining and illicit liquor in Bihar.
R. Samban won third prize for stories about tribal people in Kerala.
Reji Joseph received a separate award for reporting on environmental dangers to islands and coastal communities.
The ceremony was held at Kala Mandir in Kolkata.
The awards recognize reporting published in newspapers, magazines, or websites.
They aim to help people understand social, political, and economic problems in Indian villages.
Dipti Raut of Divya Marathi won first prize for reporting on rudimentary childbirth methods used by women in rural India.
Jyoti Yadav of ThePrint received second prize for reports on illegal sand mining and illicit liquor in Bihar.
R. Samban of Janayugom Daily won third prize for reporting on the tribal community in Idamalakudi, Kerala.
Reji Joseph received the Cushrow Irani Prize for Environmental Reporting for “Disappearing Islands of India.”
The awards ceremony took place at Kala Mandir in Kolkata, with West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul as chief guest.
- Who
- Journalists Dipti Raut, Jyoti Yadav, R. Samban, and Reji Joseph received awards; Agnimitra Paul attended as chief guest.
- What
- The Statesman Awards for Rural Reporting 2025 recognized reporting on rural and environmental issues.
- When
- The ceremony took place on Wednesday; the recognized reporting was published in 2025.
- Where
- The ceremony was held at Kala Mandir in Kolkata, and the reports covered parts of India including Bihar and Kerala.
- Why
- The awards promote awareness of social, political, and economic issues in Indian villages and recognize developmental and investigative reporting.
- First prize
- Dipti Raut of Divya Marathi; cash award of Rs 25,000.
- Second prize
- Jyoti Yadav of ThePrint; cash award of Rs 15,000.
- Third prize
- R. Samban of Janayugom Daily; cash award of Rs 10,000.
- Environmental reporting award
- Reji Joseph won the Cushrow Irani Prize for Environmental Reporting 2025.
- Winning environmental series
- “Disappearing Islands of India.”
- Ceremony venue
- Kala Mandir, Kolkata.
- Eligible entries
- Reports on rural India in English or a regional language, with or without an English translation.