Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2017 SAJA awards!
The Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Report on South Asia
WINNER: May Jeong The Intercept Death From The Sky: Searching for Ground Truth in the Kunduz Hospital Bombing
Anuj Chopra Agence France-Presse Taliban use child sex slaves to kill Afghan police
Chris Kay Bloomberg News London Exile Who Runs Pakistan’s Biggest City Is Losing Control
Outstanding Enterprise Reporting
WINNER: Jane Qiu Science Magazine Tibet’s primeval ice
WINNER: Shashank Bengali The Los Angeles Times They gambled, and lost
Anjali Kamat Slate “We are nothing but machines to them”
Outstanding Business Reporting
WINNER: Erica Fry Fortune Magazine Nestlé’s Half-Billion-Dollar Noodle Debacle in India
Amy Yee The New York Times In Rural Bangladesh, Solar Power Dents Poverty
Faseeh Mangi Bloomberg News China’s New Silk Road Hinges on a Small Pakistan Port
Outstanding Arts and Culture Reporting
WINNER: Ashish Malhotra CityLab New Delhi’s Modernist Icons Are Under Threat
WINNER: Sarah Khan Saveur Magazine Eating Bunny Chow in Durban
Kai Schultz The New York Times Centuries of Buddhist Tradition Make Room for Bhutan’s First Law School
Sanjena Sathian Ozy India’s Radical Classical Star
Outstanding Piece of Literary Non-Fiction
WINNER: Amy Yee Electric Lit Delhi’s Current Flows On
Kavita Das Guernica Magazine Groove – On Music: Etching memories, cultures, and music onto her violin
Minahil Khan NBC Essay: How the Spirit of Activism Helped Me Embrace America
Outstanding Multimedia Story
WINNER: Sonia Narang Public Radio International Portraits from Nepal: Survivors struggle to rebuild a year after the deadly quake
Amy Wu The Californian Documentary sheds light on women in agtech
Moni Basu CNN From the darkness of disaster, a ray of hope for one girl in Nepal
Outstanding Story by a South Asian Journalist in North America
WINNER: Moni Basu CNN These crossings are nothing but fatal
Sanjena Sathian & Smita Sharma Ozy.com One last pilgrimage before dying
Sriyanka Ray BRIC TV Sweatshop of Wall Street
Outstanding Story by a Student Journalist in North America
WINNER: Aysha Khan Think Progress What will government transparency look like under Trump?
Shakeeb Asrar and Urooj Azmi Pulitzer Center Navigating the Death Penalty in Pakistan
Meet the winners and finalists of
SAJA's 2016 Annual Journalism Awards
Daniel Pearl Award
Winner: Azmat Khan - BuzzFeed
Syed Zain Al-Mahmood - WSJ
Khurrum Anis - Bloomberg
Outstanding Enterprise Reporting
Winner: Jesse Pesta and Preetika Rana - WSJ
Joanna Sugden and Aditi Malhotra - WSJ
Ryan Devereux - The Intercept
Outstanding Business Story
Winner: Amy Yee - Roads and Kingdoms
Diksha Madhok - QZ
Raymond Zhong - WSJ
Outstanding Arts and Culture Reporting
Mansi Choksi - The New Yorker
Winner: Maria Tavernini + Photos by Andrea de Franciscis - Narrative.ly
Rhitu Chatterjee - PRI
Outstanding Feature Story
Winner: Natalie Obiko Pearson - Bloomberg
Sanam Maher - The New York Times
Gordon Fairclough - WSJ
Outstanding Photography
Smita Sharma - The New York Times
Winner: Jason Motlagh - Blackbeard Films
Jesse Pesta - WSJ
Outstanding Story on any Subject
Murtaza Hussain and Razan Ghalayini - The Intercept
Winner: Moni Basu + Photos by Lexey Swall - CNN
Lisa Desai and Yasmeen Qureshi - PBS
Outstanding Editorial/Op-Ed/Commentary on any Subject
Aisha Sultan - St. Louis Post Dispatch
Kavita Das - The Atlantic
Winner: Dipka Bhambhani - Daily Caller
Outstanding Story on any Subject by a South Asian Student in the U.S. or Canada
Winner: Paayal Zaveri - KQED News
Nikita Sampath - Freelance
Vandana Rambaran - Journalism Without Walls
The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia
A Woman's Drug-Resistant TB Echoes Around The World
Geeta Anand
The Wall Street Journal
Outstanding enterprise reporting about South Asia or the worldwide South Asian diaspora
Falak: The Complete True Story Of ‘India’s Baby’
Paul Beckett and Krishna Pokharel
The Wall Street Journal
Outstanding business story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora
Lender’s Own Probe Links It To Suicides
Erika Kinetz
Associated Press
Outstanding arts and culture reporting about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora
1,100 Pounds Of Matzo In Kathmandu: Welcome To The World's Largest Seder
Amy Yee
The Atlantic
Outstanding feature story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora
Early Death Assured In India Where 900M Don’t Eat Enough
Mehul Srivastava and Adi Narayan
Bloomberg
Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora
In India, A Small Pill, With Positive Side Effects
Amy Yee
The New York Times
Outstanding story on any subject: For South Asian journalists
A Woman's Drug-Resistant TB Echoes Around The World
Geeta Anand
The Wall Street Journal
Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: For South Asian Journalists
Disparity In Pay Divides Doctors
Manoj Jain
The Washington Post
Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the United States or Canada
Keeping Turkana Girls in School and The Future of Education in Turkana
Dipti Kumar
Video: http://bit.ly/17kdCIi
What Are You Doing to Fix India’s Broken Education System?
Rakesh Mani
The Long Farewell: A Medicine That’s Transforming The Way We Live
Anjali Thomas
2012 SAJA Journalism Awards
The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia: All media
Winner
The Unwinnable war, Aryn Baker, Time
Finalists
War pulls apart Afghan families, Joshua Partlow, The Washington Post
Outstanding enterprise reporting about South Asia or the worldwide South Asian diaspora: All media
Winner
Series: On the smuggler’s trail, Stewart Bell, The National Post
Finalists
From Kerala to Dayton, Arthur Pais, India Abroad
‘Slow poison’ scars Indian lungs as asbestos firm sells $7 roof for slums, Adi Narayan and Andrew MacAskill, Bloomberg
Outstanding breaking news reporting about South Asia or the worldwide South Asian diaspora: All media
No Finalists
Outstanding business story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media
Winner
J.P Morgan’s hunt for Afghan gold, James Bandler, Fortune
Finalists
Soil renewal puts Pakistan’s poor on stronger ground, Amy Yee, The New York Times
Outstanding arts, culture, or travel story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media
Winner
Kabul rock city, Ali M. Latifi, Al-Jazeera
Finalists
Angel Island profile: Eliseo Felipe, Jeffrey Chin
Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media
Winner
When parochialisms collide, Parthiv N. Parekh, Khabar
Finalists
Outstanding visual storytelling about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (includes audio slide shows, photo essays and video stories)
Winner
Why are children smoking in Indonesia? Jon Meyersohn and Dan Harris, ABC News
Finalists
With newborn baby, Bhutanese refugee family plants American roots, Matt O'Brien and Jane Tyska, Inside Bay Area
Photographs of Afghanistan show a country carved up by war, Balazs Gardi and Teru Kuwayama, The Daily Beast
For journalists of South Asian origin working in North America for any media outlet: Outstanding story on any subject: All media
Winner
A soldier’s war on two fronts, Moni Basu, CNN
Finalist
Born on 9/11- Ten Children, Ten Years Later, Zain Shauk, Susan Carroll, Johnny Hanson, Tanyia Johnson, The Houston Chronicle
Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
Winner
Finalists
Doctors often struggle to show compassion while dealing with patients, Manoj Jain, The Washington Post
Violence at Queens Sikh Temple Evokes Memories of India’s Troubled Past, Sujeet Rajan, Feet in Two Worlds
Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the US or Canada: All media
A double edged sword: gay and illegal in America, Kumutha Ramanathan (FIRST prize)
Squeezed out in India, students turn to U.S, Nida Najar (SECOND prize)
JUDGES: Franz Strasser, The BBC; Mark Stein, Dow Jones; Tiffany Harness, The Washington Post; Prabha Natarajan, Dow Jones; Jonathan Capehart, MSNBC contributor; Blake Hounshell, Foreign Policy.
2011 SAJA Journalism Awards
Category 1 - The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All Media
Winner: The Shadow War (Series) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 -- Mark Mazzetti,Dexter Filkins, The New York Times
Judge’s Statement: The Shadow War exemplifies the very best of investigative reporting. It breaks significant news, tells a larger tale and explains policy implications along the way. The reporters' access and doggedness was most impressive.
Finalists:
Along The Grand Trunk Road: Coming Of Age In India And Pakistan -- Steve Inskeep; Julie McCarthy; Phillip Reeves, NPR
On Patrol (Series) 1, 2, 3, 4 -- Christopher Chivers, The New York Times
India’s Diabetes Epidemic Cuts Down Millions Who Escape Poverty -- Jason Gale, Bloomberg News
Afghan Women and The Return of the Taliban -- Aryn Baker, TIME
Category 2. Outstanding story about the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All Media
Winner: Bhutanese refugees series -- Matt O'Brien, Jane Tyska, Contra Costa Times / Bay Area News Group
Judge’s Statement:
The Bhutan series is a meticulously detailed account of a development that with different players is evident all around the U.S. Immigrants and refugees form a new community in a seemingly disparate place. In this case Bhutanese refugees in northern California. The reporter and photographer documented this in print, video and pictures in a way that is seldom seen-- as a continuum starting with the journey from the refugee camps and proceeding through the immense cultural adjustments to be made after arrival. Extraordinary work.
Finalists:
An American Honor Killing -- Abigail Pesta, Marie Claire
Nikki Haley -- George Joseph, India Abroad
They've Struck Oil, But They're Not Rich -- Sachi Cunningham, Los Angeles Times
Category 3. Outstanding business story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All Media
Winner: The Organ Dealer -- Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, Discover magazine
Judge’s statement:
The Organ Dealer is meticulously reported and compellingly written, so much so that you feel you are at the author's side during his investigation. Mr. Bhattacharjee's writing conveys an impressive knowledge of the complex health and business issues involved with the black market for kidneys. An investigative tour de force.
Finalists:
Suicides in India Revealing How Men Made a Mess of Microcredit -- Yoolim Lee, Ruth David, Bloomberg News
Tax-Free Living in Pakistan -- Adam Ellick, The New York Times
Category 4. Outstanding arts, culture, or travel story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
Winner:
How India's Success Is Killing Its Holy River -- Jyoti Thottam, TIME
Judge’s statement
This well-researched, wide-ranging piece expertly explains how industrial development in India is causing a water crisis that’s crippling communities along a 600-mile stretch of the Ganges River. By examining the historical, environmental, geographical and religious components of India’s “war over water,” Thottam illuminates a complex issue that has global implications, and brings it home through finely etched personal stories.
Finalists:
Street Food Goes Gourmet -- Preeti Chandan, India-West
A Normal Man In A Not So Normal World -- Amitava Kumar, Preston Merchant, The Caravan
Behind the Scenes at the South Asian Spelling Bee -- Dr Mona Khanna, Shar Adrias, southasianspellingbee.com
Category 5. Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
Winner:
An American Honor Killing -- Abigail Pesta, Marie Claire
Nikki Haley -- George Joseph, India Abroad
They've Struck Oil, But They're Not Rich -- Sachi Cunningham, Los Angeles Times
Category 3. Outstanding business story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All Media
Winner: The Organ Dealer -- Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, Discover magazine
Judge’s statement:
The Organ Dealer is meticulously reported and compellingly written, so much so that you feel you are at the author's side during his investigation. Mr. Bhattacharjee's writing conveys an impressive knowledge of the complex health and business issues involved with the black market for kidneys. An investigative tour de force.
Finalists:
Suicides in India Revealing How Men Made a Mess of Microcredit -- Yoolim Lee, Ruth David, Bloomberg News
Tax-Free Living in Pakistan -- Adam Ellick, The New York Times
Category 4. Outstanding arts, culture, or travel story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
Winner:
How India's Success Is Killing Its Holy River -- Jyoti Thottam, TIME
Judge’s statement
This well-researched, wide-ranging piece expertly explains how industrial development in India is causing a water crisis that’s crippling communities along a 600-mile stretch of the Ganges River. By examining the historical, environmental, geographical and religious components of India’s “war over water,” Thottam illuminates a complex issue that has global implications, and brings it home through finely etched personal stories.
Finalists:
Street Food Goes Gourmet -- Preeti Chandan, India-West
A Normal Man In A Not So Normal World -- Amitava Kumar, Preston Merchant, The Caravan
Behind the Scenes at the South Asian Spelling Bee -- Dr Mona Khanna, Shar Adrias, southasianspellingbee.com
Category 5. Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
Winner:
My Mother's Last Sari -- Madhulika Sikka, Daily Beast
Judge’s Statement:
My Mother's Last Sari is a beautifully crafted poignant essay which manages to be both moving and unsentimental which is a remarkable feat given the subject - a daughter writing about her mother's passing. The death of a parent has been the subject of many moving essays and tributes but Madhulika manages to weave in a much larger story of immigration and the courage of these early immigrants, the traditional women whose courage and bravery is too often dismissed, sometimes even by their own children. The sari becomes a symbol of something far more than six yards of cloth, rising beyond being a repository of cultural tradition to an emblem of courage and strength.
Finalists:
Obama's Pakistan Dilemma -- Matthew Kaminski, The Wall Street Journal
But Is It Racist? -- Tanzila Ahmed, Sepia Mutiny
Photojournalist notebook: Reflections on a visit to Bhutan and Nepal, Jane Tyska, The Oakland Tribune/Bay Area News Group
Category 6. Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (single or series)
Winner: Women of Afghanistan Under Taliban Threat -- Jodi Bieber, TIME
Statement:
Jodi Beiber did an amazing job with a difficult topic and one endemic to countries beyond Afghanistan's borders. Bieber's very human treatment highlights the subject of abuse and violence against women without exploiting the woman as victim. It highlights her inherent beauty as well as the offense.
Finalists:
The Mainali Family Journey Part 1 & 2 -- Jane Tyska, The Oakland Tribune/Bay Area News Group
Along The Grand Trunk Road: Coming Of Age In India And Pakistan -- NPR
Category 7. Outstanding coverage of the South Asian environment, including the Pakistan floods (All Media)
Winner: NPR Flood Coverage -- Julie McCarthy, NPR
Judge’s statement:
These are exceptional reports. Everything that journalism should be. While the coverage is outstanding in every way I was particularly impressed by the elegant writing of the narration.
Finalists:
Coal India Limited -- Srinivas Kuruganti, Blurb books
Inside the Flood Zone -- Reza Sayah, CNN
Category 8. Outstanding story on any subject: All media
Judge’s Statement:
My Mother's Last Sari is a beautifully crafted poignant essay which manages to be both moving and unsentimental which is a remarkable feat given the subject - a daughter writing about her mother's passing. The death of a parent has been the subject of many moving essays and tributes but Madhulika manages to weave in a much larger story of immigration and the courage of these early immigrants, the traditional women whose courage and bravery is too often dismissed, sometimes even by their own children. The sari becomes a symbol of something far more than six yards of cloth, rising beyond being a repository of cultural tradition to an emblem of courage and strength.
Finalists:
Obama's Pakistan Dilemma -- Matthew Kaminski, The Wall Street Journal
But Is It Racist? -- Tanzila Ahmed, Sepia Mutiny
Photojournalist notebook: Reflections on a visit to Bhutan and Nepal, Jane Tyska, The Oakland Tribune/Bay Area News Group
Category 6. Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (single or series)
Winner: Women of Afghanistan Under Taliban Threat -- Jodi Bieber, TIME
Statement:
Jodi Beiber did an amazing job with a difficult topic and one endemic to countries beyond Afghanistan's borders. Bieber's very human treatment highlights the subject of abuse and violence against women without exploiting the woman as victim. It highlights her inherent beauty as well as the offense.
Finalists:
The Mainali Family Journey Part 1 & 2 -- Jane Tyska, The Oakland Tribune/Bay Area News Group
Along The Grand Trunk Road: Coming Of Age In India And Pakistan -- NPR
Category 7. Outstanding coverage of the South Asian environment, including the Pakistan floods (All Media)
Winner: NPR Flood Coverage -- Julie McCarthy, NPR
Judge’s statement:
These are exceptional reports. Everything that journalism should be. While the coverage is outstanding in every way I was particularly impressed by the elegant writing of the narration.
Finalists:
Coal India Limited -- Srinivas Kuruganti, Blurb books
Inside the Flood Zone -- Reza Sayah, CNN
Category 8. Outstanding story on any subject: All media
Winner:
The Most Wanted Surrogates in the World -- Habiba Nosheen, Hilke Schellmann, Glamour
Judge’s statement:
A very-well reported piece on surrogate mothers that not only addresses the personal and emotional cost of the practice but also highlights a conundrum for policy makers -- which insurance company pays for the medical care of these pregnant women, who may sometimes profit from bearing another couple's child. And getting it published in Glamour, competing against headlines like "30 Flirty Dresses under $125" ...priceless!
Finalists:
More airport security screenings for Sikhs (Series) -- Anju Kaur, Sikh News Network
Rwanda: Take Two -- Pia Sawhney, The Washington Post
Warlord Reflection On Liberia's Bloody Wars -- Seema Mathur, Mike Martin, CNN
SF Police Chief: Muslims a Possible Threat -- Anser Hassan , Illume Media
Category 9. Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
Judge’s statement:
A very-well reported piece on surrogate mothers that not only addresses the personal and emotional cost of the practice but also highlights a conundrum for policy makers -- which insurance company pays for the medical care of these pregnant women, who may sometimes profit from bearing another couple's child. And getting it published in Glamour, competing against headlines like "30 Flirty Dresses under $125" ...priceless!
Finalists:
More airport security screenings for Sikhs (Series) -- Anju Kaur, Sikh News Network
Rwanda: Take Two -- Pia Sawhney, The Washington Post
Warlord Reflection On Liberia's Bloody Wars -- Seema Mathur, Mike Martin, CNN
SF Police Chief: Muslims a Possible Threat -- Anser Hassan , Illume Media
Category 9. Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
Winner:
Across the Border - Tech-savvy, Poverty-ridden -- Sujeet Rajan, The Indian Express North American edition
Judge’s Statement:
In his thought-provoking essay about the parallel worlds of progress and poverty, Mr. Rajan cautions readers not to forget about "Shining India"'s darker side. He uses vivid examples to make his points, while staying focused and tight in his writing.
Finalists:
Let These Women Pray! -- Asra Nomani, Daily Beast
Detention Reform and Its Discontents, Anil Kalhan, Dorf on Law
Category 10. Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (single or series)
Judges did not select a winner in this category.
Category 11. Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the US or Canada: All media
First place:
Watch and learn -- Riddhi Shah, Boston Globe - ($500 Prize)
Judge’s Statement:
Judge’s Statement:
In his thought-provoking essay about the parallel worlds of progress and poverty, Mr. Rajan cautions readers not to forget about "Shining India"'s darker side. He uses vivid examples to make his points, while staying focused and tight in his writing.
Finalists:
Let These Women Pray! -- Asra Nomani, Daily Beast
Detention Reform and Its Discontents, Anil Kalhan, Dorf on Law
Category 10. Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (single or series)
Judges did not select a winner in this category.
Category 11. Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the US or Canada: All media
First place:
Watch and learn -- Riddhi Shah, Boston Globe - ($500 Prize)
Judge’s Statement:
Riddhi Shah’s piece is an enjoyable read with history and context. The reporting, tone and writing was compelling and kept me engaged.
Second place--tie: ($300 Prize)
Canadian women getting controversial surgery to mimic virginity -- Tamara Baluja, The Province
Rogue militias abuse rural Afghans -- Mujib Mashal, Al Jazeera English
Third Place--tie: ($200 Prize)
$325 a week; living as a newspaper vendor -- Vishal Persaud, The Wage Divide
The Heretics -- Vivekananda Nemana, Shoeleather Magazine
Second place--tie: ($300 Prize)
Canadian women getting controversial surgery to mimic virginity -- Tamara Baluja, The Province
Rogue militias abuse rural Afghans -- Mujib Mashal, Al Jazeera English
Third Place--tie: ($200 Prize)
$325 a week; living as a newspaper vendor -- Vishal Persaud, The Wage Divide
The Heretics -- Vivekananda Nemana, Shoeleather Magazine
2010 SAJA Journalism Award Winners & Finalists
Category 1 - The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia: All media
WINNER:
The New York Times – Adam Ellick Part 1: Class Dismissed Part 2: A Schoolgirl's Odyssey
FINALIST:
Mother Jones – Scott Carney Meet the Parents: The Dark Side of Overseas Adoption
Category 2 - Outstanding reporting about South Asians in North America: All media
WINNER:
India Abroad – George Joseph- Under the Gun
FINALIST:
Reuters - Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Anurag Kotoky - Young Indians say "no thanks" to American dream
Category 3 - Outstanding business story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
WINNER:
Christian Science Monitor – Lisa Schroeder - Compressed natural gas clears the air in Bangladesh
FINALIST:
Bloomberg BusinessWeek - Mehul Srivastava with Prashant Gopal - What's Holding India Back
Category 4 - Outstanding arts, culture, or travel story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
WINNER:
The Financial Times – Farooq Ahmed - An American’s journey to Mecca
FINALIST:
Illume – Anser Hassen - Illume Speaks with Playwright Wajahat Ali
Category 5 - Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
WINNER:
ABCDLady – Mayank Bubna - Talking to the Taliban
FINALIST:
The Wall Street Journal – Matthew Kaminski - Holbrooke of South Asia
Category 6 - Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or South Asians in North America (single or series)
WINNER:
Reuters – Andrew Biraj - Taking the fast train
Category 7 - Outstanding piece or series covering the conflict in Sri Lanka: All media
WINNER:
Associated Press – Ravi Nessman - Civilian casualties in the Sri Lanka civil war
FINALIST:
National Post – Stewart Bell - The Tamil Tigers in Canada: Weapons, Money and the Tamil Diaspora
Category 8 - Outstanding story on any subject: All media
WINNER:
Washington Post – Rajiv Chandrasekaran - Part 1: From Captive To Suicide Bomber Part 2: A 'Ticking Time Bomb' Goes Off
FINALIST:
Playboy – Shashank Bengali - Pirates of Somalia
Category 9 - Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
WINNER:
The New York Times – Sandeep Jauhar - A Doctor by Choice, a Businessman by Necessity
2009 SAJA Journalism Award Winners & Finalists
Category 1 - The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
WINNERS:
Testing Grounds: Our medicine at what cost -- Kris Hundley, St.Petersburg Times
Pakistan: State of Emergency -- David Montero,- FRONTLINE/World
FINALISTS: Karachi: The Urban Frontier -- Steven Inskeep, NPR
The Godfather of Bangalore -- Scott Carney, Wired
Category 2 - Outstanding business story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
WINNER:
Indian to the Core, and an Oligarch -- Anand Giridharadas, The NewYork Times
FINALISTS: India Billionaire Mallya Isn’t Showing Shareholders Everything --
Abhay Singh and Subramaniam Sharma, Bloomberg
Grounded: Indian American Flight School Goes Out of Business -- Lisa
Tsering, India West
Category 3 - Outstanding arts, culture, or travel story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
WINNER:
A Nod to Arranged Marriage this Wedding Season -- Sandip Roy, NPR
FINALISTS:
Losing the Yeti -- Tim Sullivan, Associated Press
On the “Slumdog” Trail -- Jonathan Foreman, Standpoint
Category 4 - Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
WINNER:
The Real Bhutto: Against the Mythmaking -- Jonathan Foreman,National Review
FINALISTS:
First Person: Cabbie’s Girl -- Simran Chawla, The Washingtonian
Be Gay, Be Anything You Want - Just Not Single -- Sandip Roy, New AmericaMedia
How to Save Afghanistan -- Rory Stewart, Time
Category 5 - Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or South Asians in North America (single or series)
WINNER:
Praying in Exile -- Emilio Morenatti, Associated Press
FINALIST:
Domestic Violence in Pakistan -- Emilio Morenatti, Associated Press
Category 6 - Outstanding piece or series covering the Mumbai Attacks: All media
WINNER:
India Security Faulted as Survivors Tell of Terror -- Yaroslav Trofimov, Geeta Anand, Peter Wonacott & Matthew Rosenberg, The Wall Street Journal
FINALISTS:
In Just Minutes, Mumbai Was Under Seige -- Emily Wax, The Washington Post
Mumbai Massacre: The Fourth Day -- Dan Harris (anchor), Nicholas Schifrin (correspondent), ABC News
Category 7 - Outstanding piece or series covering the conflict in Sri Lanka: All media
WINNER:
Inside Sri Lanka: An "Island of Blood" (six-part series) -- StewartBell, The National Post
FINALISTS:
Sri Lanka: A Terrorist in the Family -- Beate Arnestad, FRONTLINE/World
Sri Lanka: Shadow War -- Ravi Nessman, Associated Press
Category 8 - For journalists of South Asian origin working in North America for any media outlet: Outstanding story on any subject: All media
WINNER:
Chaplain Turner’s War (eight-part narrative series) -- Moni Basu, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
FINALISTS:
Opting Out -- Geeta Anand, The Wall Street Journal
Education Push Yields Little for India’s Poor -- Somini Sengupta, The New York Times
Category 9 - For journalists of South Asian origin working in North America for any media outlet: Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
WINNER:
Equal treatment for the uninsured? Don’t count on it -- Manoj Jain, Washington Post
FINALISTS:
The Pitfalls of Linking Doctors’ Pay to Performance -- Sandeep Jauhar, TheNew York Times
Targeting Tolerance in Mumbai -- Sadia Shepard,The Forward
Category 10- Students of South Asian origin in North America: Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the US or Canada: All media
1st PLACE:
India: The Cost of Yellowcake. Mining Uranium on Tribal Lands -- Sonia Narang, Graduate School of Journalism, University of California - Berkeley
2nd PLACE:
Healthy. Happy. Holy. -- Adithya Sambamurthy, Graduate School of Journalism, University of California - Berkeley
3rd PLACE:
Hoardhouse: Compulsive Clutter in NYC -- Karn Dhingra, Jackie Kasuya, Ben Piven, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism
2008 SAJA Journalism Award Winners
Winners for work executed in calendar year 2007. Each person/team below will receive a certificate at the SAJA Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 20, 2008, at Columbia University.
SAJA Hall of Fame Inductee
Gopal Raju, founder of India Abroad and a leading South Asian journalist for several decades.
CATEGORIES FOR US/CANADIAN MEDIA OUTLETS
I. The Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America
Winner: Yaroslav Trofimov, Staff Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, for Untouchable
Finalist: Scott Carney, Investigative Journalist, WIRED, for The Bone Factory: Inside India's Underground Trade in Human Remains
II. Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: Broadcast (TV/Radio)
Winner: Sujata Berry, TV Producer, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, for Who Speaks For Islam
Finalist: Philip Reeves, South Asia Correspondent, National Public Radio, for The Ganges: A Journey Into India Part 5; Where the Ganges Meets the Sea, A Journey Ends
III. Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: New Media
Winner: Neil Katz, Producer, Frontline World Rough Cuts, for India: The Missing Girls (Frontline link, High resolution video)
Finalist: CNN, for CNN Uncovering America: The Asian-American Journey
IV. Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
Winner: Amar Bakshi, Online Correspondent, The Washington Post for Hate America; Hate Amar Too?
Finalist: Meenakshi Verma Agrawal, ABCDLady, for Riding the Mumbai Locals-Ladies Style
V. Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or South Asians in North America (single or series)
Winner: Daniel Acker, Adam Dean, Adam Ferguson, Warrick Page & Asad Zaidi, Bloomberg , for a series of photos of "Bhutto's Final Days."
Finalist: Jay Mandal, Photographer, The Indian Star/On Line News, U.S-India Ties: Yawn of a New Era
CATEGORIES FOR SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISTS BASED IN THE US OR CANADA
VI. Outstanding story on any subject: Print
Winner: Bobby Ghosh; TIME Magazine, for Behind the Sunni-Shi'ite Divide
Finalist: Jay Dixit, Senior Editor; Psychology Today, for The Ideological Animal
VII. Outstanding story on any subject: Broadcast/Radio
Winner: Mayank Bubna, Dan Rather Reports on HDNet, for Burma's Ethnic Crisis
Finalist: Sujata Berry, TV Producer; Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, for Benazir Bhutto - Feature interview
VIII. Outstanding story on any subject: New Media
Winner: Sachi Cunningham, Producer/Reporter/Videographer; Frontline/World, for Nepal: A Girl's Life
Finalist: Amar Bakshi, Online Correspondent; washingtonpost.com, for Begum Nawazish Ali - Drag Queen Defies U.S.
IX. Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
Winner: Subrata Chakravarty, Journalist; India Abroad (Oct. 19, 2007); Rediff.com (Nov. 19, 2007), for The man who broke the story of the Mahatma's assassination
Finalist: Sandeep Jauhar, Doctor/Journalist; The New York Times, for Break a Confidence? Never. Well, Hardly Ever.
X. Outstanding photograph on ANY SUBJECT (SINGLE OR SERIES)
Winner: Sumit Dayal; Photojournalist, www.eurasianet.org, for Afghanistan: The New National Army Strives to Professionalize
CATEGORIES FOR STUDENTS OF SOUTH ASIAN ORIGIN IN US OR CANADA
XI. Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian STUDENT in the US or Canada: All media, including photography.
The student winners receive a certificate, plus a cash award as indicated below.
1st Prize: Mrinalini Reddy, Student; Medill School of Journalism, for Muslims on TV, No Terror in Sight ($500.00)
2nd Prize: Sidra Khatkaty, Student; Radio Rootz, for Hate Crime? Exploring Conflict in the South Asian Community ($300.00)
3rd Prize: Nayna Sasidharan, Graduate student; Emerson College, for Saving a Life with a Swab ($200.00)
SPECIAL ONE-TIME CATEGORY
XII. Outstanding piece covering the political turmoil in Pakistan: All media, including photography
1st Place: Anil Kalhan, Visiting Professor, Fordham University Law School; AsiaMedia & Dorf on Law, for Musharraf's Global War on Journalism (Part 1 & Part 2)
Finalist: CNN (Carolyn Stidham, Awards Manager), for Coverage of Pakistan's State of Emergency
2007 SAJA Journalism Award Winners
Winners for work executed in calendar year 2006. Each person/team below will receive a certificate at the SAJA Annual Dinner on Saturday, July 14, 2007, at Columbia University.
SAJA Journalism Leader Awards
Bill Keller, executive editor of The New York Times
SAJA Hall of Fame Inductee
Peter Bhatia, executive editor of The Oregonian
CATEGORIES FOR US/CANADIAN MEDIA OUTLETS
I. The Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: Print
Winner: Paul Watson, The Los Angeles Times, for a series of articles looking at the consequences of the war in Afghanistan.
Finalist: S. Mitra Kalita, The Washington Post, for "A Reversal of the Tide in India; Tech Workers Flow Home to More Success."
II. Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: Broadcast (TV/Radio)
Winner: Philip Reeves, NPR, for "The Disappeared of Sri Lanka.
Finalist: Simone Ahuja, CNBC/DLife TV, for "Diabetes Around the World."
III. Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: New Media
Winner: Samantha Grant, FRONTLINE/World, for "India: A Pound of Flesh."
Finalist: Preston Merchant, www.sepiamutiny.com, for "They don't hire their own people. They hire Kenyans."
IV. Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
Winner: Sandip Roy, NPR and New America Media , for "Saving the NSA Effort on Some Calls to India."
Finalist: Swetha Iyengar, Indian Life and Style Magazine, for "Did Kaavya Betray our Community?"
V. Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or South Asians in North America (single or series)
Winner: Q. Sakamaki, Redux/ Newsweek, for "Sri Lanka: War Without End."
CATEGORIES FOR SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISTS BASED IN THE US OR CANADA
VI. Outstanding story on any subject: Print
Winner: S. Mitra Kalita, The Washington Post, for "Reaching for Legitimacy in the Immigrant Economy; Networks Help Illegal Workers Find Jobs, Housing."
Finalist: Stephanie Mehta, Fortune magazine, for "Behold the server farm! Glorious temple of the information age!"
VII. Outstanding story on any subject: Broadcast/Radio
Winner: Seema Mathur, CBS 42 KEYE News, for "ER: In Critical Condition/ Specialists."
Finalist: Lisa Amin, KNTV, for "Journey To India - PART 5."
VIII. Outstanding story on any subject: New Media
Winner: Jigar Mehta, The New York Times, for "Troubled Children, Part 2."
Finalist: Leela Jacinto, Women's eNews, for "Algerian Amnesty Heightens Danger to Women."
IX. Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
Winner: Mohi Kumar, Little India, for "The Wall."
Finalist: Feroza Master, Media Magazine, for "The Impossibility of Objectivity."
X. Outstanding photograph on ANY SUBJECT (SINGLE OR SERIES)
Winner: Dipti Vaidya, The Tennessean, for "Dog Rescue."
CATEGORIES FOR STUDENTS OF SOUTH ASIAN ORIGIN IN US OR CANADA
XI. Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian STUDENT in the US or Canada: All media, including photography.
The student winners receive a certificate, plus a cash award as indicated below.
1st Prize: Mayank S. Bubna, New York University, for "Rushdie Experiment," published in ABCDLady.com. ($500.00)
2nd Prize: Sudhin Thanawala, University of California, for "Slums Separate Bombay From its Future," published in the San Francisco Chronicle. ($300.00)
3rd Prize: Ambreen Ali, Northwestern University, for "After the Earthquake." ($200.00)
2006 SAJA Journalism Award Winners
Winners for work executed in calendar year 2005. Each person/team below will receive a certificate at the SAJA Annual Dinner on Saturday, July 15, 2006, at Columbia University.
SAJA Journalism Leader Awards
Tom Curley, president and CEO of Associated Press
Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor, NBC Nightly News
SAJA Hall of Fame Inductee
A.M. Rosenthal (posthumously) of The New York Times
CATEGORIES FOR US/CANADIAN MEDIA OUTLETS
I. The Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: Print
1. Fabian Dawson, Valerie Fortney, Michael Roberts, Ted Rhodes, Vancouver Province and Calgary Herald, for "Abandoned Brides: Canada's Shame, India's Sorrow." A joint public service investigative project y two newspapers about sham weddings by Canadians to women in India. The story, which ran over five days in October 2005, had wide-ranging impact, including changes in governmental procedures and the issuance of a religious decree condemning the practice.
2. Cam Simpson, Chicago Tribune, for "Pipeline to Peril." An investigative series about the deaths of 12 Nepalese men massacred in Iraq and how they were pawns in an international trafficking scheme, one that gets financial support from the U.S. government, which relies on an illicit pipeline of cheap labor for America's military bases in the region.
3. (tie) Amy Waldman, The New York Times, for "India Accelerating." A four-part series on India's vast new highway network, its biggest public works project since independence - and all that the project is helping to spread: capitalism, transformation of villages and AIDS.
3. (tie) BusinessWeek staff for "China & India: What You Need to Know Now." A special cover story that comprehensively compared the rise of these two giants and offered reportage, analysis and guidance for how America can do business - and compete - with both countries.
II. Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: Broadcast (TV/Radio)
Anna Cater, Safina Uberoi, Wide Angle, Thirteen/WNET, for "1-800-INDIA." A documentary about how the lives of young Indian men and women working at call centers are changing - and how, they, in turn, are changing India.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/india2
Madhulika Sikka, Jay Lamonica, Brook Runnette, ABC News Nightline, for "Bollywood 101." A special report on India's movie industry, its biggest starts and its impact on Indian culture and society.
Shazia Khan, NY1 News, for "Little Bangladesh ." A look at the Bangladeshi community in Brooklyn, NY.
III. Outstanding story about South Asia, or South Asians in North America: New Media
Arthur Rhodes, AsiaMedia, for "Sri Lanka's Presidential Election: Tamils Explain Why They Will Not Vote." A piece that explores how the country's civil war is shaping its election.
Shruti Mathur, Minneapolis-St. Paul StarTribune.com, for "Being Hindu." A multimedia slideshow that describes what it is to be a Hindu to a Midwestern readership.
Francis C Assisi, Elizabeth Pothen, INDOlink.com, for "South Asians and the US Civil War." A series that investigates the role South Asians played during the US Civil War.
IV. Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or South Asians in North America: All media
Bret Stephens, The Wall Street Journal, for "Chinook Diplomacy." A first-hand look at the effect of U.S. aid, delivered by Chinook helicopters and other means, on areas in Pakistan devastated by the 2005 earthquake.
Anindya Mukherjee, Bloomberg, for "The Evolving India." A series of columns about India's efforts to modernize its industries and its political system.
Swetha Iyengar, India Life & Style, for "20 Something." A series of essays by a young South Asian American, covering, race, politics, religion and more.
V. Outstanding photograph about South Asia, or South Asians in North America (single or series)
Tomas Van Houtryve, Time Asia , for " Gunning for Nepal." A series of photographs that depict one of Asia's deadliest conflicts.
John Stanmeyer, Time Asia, for "Beyond Denial." A series that portrays how India's government and wider society have yet to acknowledge the scale of the country's AIDS problem.
Yuri Kozyrev, Time Asia, for "Asian Journey: Ghosts of War." A series that depicts how decades of conflicts have left a permanent mark on the Afghan landscape.
CATEGORIES FOR SOUTH ASIAN JOURNALISTS BASED IN THE US OR CANADA
VI. Outstanding story on any subject: Print
Geeta Anand, The Wall Street Journal, for "The Most Expensive Drugs." A four-part series about how well-intentioned legislation to encourage treatments for rare diseases has led to a wave of very expensive drugs, some costing patients as much as $600,000 a year .
Shankar Vedantam, The Washington Post, for "Psychiatry's Missing Diagnosis." A three-part series on the importance of ethnic and social differences in treating mental patients.
Bijal Trivedi, Wired, for "The Rembrandt Code." A report on high-tech techniques are being put to battling forgeries of classic paintings.
VII. Outstanding story on any subject: Broadcast/Radio
Pia Sawhney & Sanjana Singh, Chai Break Films, for "Out of Status." A documentary about four Muslim families whose lives were changed when a family member was detained or deported after 9/11.
Sharmeen Obaid, New York Times Television, for "Women of the Holy Kingdom." A documentary about the everyday lives of Saudi women. Produced with Jay Keuper and Maiken Baird.
Arun Venugopal, WNYC, for "Kabaddi in Queens." A light-hearted radio piece about the fifth annual international Kabaddi tournament in Queens and the unique characters playing this unique sport.
VIII. Outstanding story on any subject: New Media
Sasha Khoka, PBS Frontline/World, for "Calcutta Calling." A multimedia story about three Minnesota girls adopted as infants from orphanages in India.
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2006/01/india_calcutta.html
Amar Shah, ESPN, for "A Wicket Wedding." A look at an Indian American's journey to India for his wedding, where he falls in love - with a new sport.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=cricket
M. Asif Ismail, PublicIntegrity.org, for "FDA: A Shell of its Former Self." A special report about the declining ability of the Food and Drug Administration to keep the public safe.
http://www.publicintegrity.org/rx/report.aspx?aid=722
IX. Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
Dharma Adhikari, Counterpunch, for "The Reversal of Democracy in Nepal." An in-depth analysis of current events in Nepal.
Shivali Shah, Southern Exposure, for "South Asian Americans in the American South." A cover-story essay that explores the experiences of South Asian immigrants in southern U.S. states.
Sindya Narayanaswamy, Khabar, for "Musings on Identity." An essay about a young South Asian American's visit to nonprofit in Bangalore.
X. CATEGORIES FOR STUDENTS OF SOUTH ASIAN ORIGIN IN US OR CANADA
Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian STUDENT in the US or Canada: All media, including photography.
The student winners receive a certificate, plus a cash award as indicated below.
Arjun Kashyap, Michigan State University, for "The New Indian Princes." An in-depth report about prominent Indian executives and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and how their education and experiences in India shaped them. ($500.00)
Mayank S. Bubna, New York University, for "Artists in Exile," published in Humanus. A look at the growth of the Tibetan art movement in the U.S. and abroad. ($300.00)
Rohina Phadnis, University of Maryland, for "Cabbie and the City," published in ABCDLady. A profile of an Pakistani cab driver and his adventures in New York. ($200.00)
SPECIAL ONE-TIME CATEGORY FOR COVERAGE OF 2005 SOUTH ASIA QUAKE
XI. Outstanding story covering the Earthquake's aftermath: All Media
1. Janet I. Tu & Thomas James Hurst, Seattle Times, for "A Journey to Pakistan." A special report about the efforts by a Pakistani organization in Seattle to make a difference among the suffering and destruction caused by the earthquake.http://www.seattletimes.com/pakistan
2. Somini Sengupta, The New York Times, for a series of front-page and other stories that covered the earthquake from all angles.
3. (tie) Matthew Pennington, Tim Sullivan, Munir Ahmad, Associated Press, for series of stories about the human cost of the earthquake
3. (tie) Satinder Bindra, CNN, for series of breaking news reports about the earthquake and its aftermath.
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