PUNE: “These days, caste has become more important for people than their own problems. In the last four years, this issue has strengthened like never before. The country is not going to progress if the elections are going to be held on the basis of caste,” writer and humourist Ramdas Phutane said.
He was speaking at the felicitation ceremony of the Varunraj Bhide Patrakarita Puraskar, an award in journalism given in the name of late journalist Varunraj Bhide. The award is given away by Varunraj Bhide Mitra Mandal.
Delhi correspondent of Maharashtra Times Sunil Chavake was awarded the Varunraj Bhide Patrakarita Mukhya Puraskar.
The Ashwasak Patrakarita Puraskar (credible journalism award) was conferred upon Correspondent Sushant Sangave of Sakal, Chief Reporter of Loksatta Vinay Karmarkar and Correspondent of Network 18 Advait Mehta.
While Phutane and industrialist Sanjay Malpani gave away the awards, former Mayor Ankush Kakade and former MLA Ulhas Pawar too were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the awardees expressed that a newspaper is like a lens to the society. Hence, we must give preference to the positive news.
Varunraj Bhide worked in Sakal at various positions for 25 years. He had a deep knowledge of the political, economic and social issues. His style of reporting the State Assembly had earned him a fearful respect amongst politicians. He was also popular among journalism students whom he taught current affairs and reporting. He was also president of Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ).
