2. Indian Journalist focused on development of India. Won Magsaysay award in 2007 for journalism, literature, and creative communication arts. One of the few journalists who work for development of the undeveloped. “There are two kinds of journalists. One kind are journalists, the other are stenographers." PROFESSION
3. Started career with fellowship in Times of India. “I felt that if the Indian press was covering the top 5 per cent, I should cover the bottom 5 per cent.” Travelled around 1 lakh km across 15 states. Spent three fourth of a year in rural areas in last decade. Concentrated on 10 most backward districts in these states. CONTRIBUTIONS
4. “Everybody loves a drought”- 84 reports published in 18 months. Awakening about ‘Paid News’. Brought up corruption in elections of 2004, 2009. Currently rural affairs editor of ‘The Hindu’. Working in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra on Farmer suicide problem. CONTRIBUTIONS
5. His writing initiated Drought management programs, Area development programs for tribal people, and development of a policy on indigenous medical systems. CONTRIBUTIONS
6. Over 30 national and international awards and fellowships in 26 years. European Commission’s Natali Prize in 1994. Boerna Journalism Prize from the UN FAO. “Friends I introduce you to the most irreverent voice in Indian journalism. I bring to you the man who will go through life being the boy who said, 'The Emperor has no clothes'.” – K. A. Abbas, noted film director and journalist. ACHIEVEMENTS
