Pune Journalist Honored with Prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award
Sandip Dighe, a distinguished special correspondent with The Times of India in Pune, has been recognized with one of India's most esteemed journalism honors. On Friday, he was presented with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in the specific category of the Prakash Kardaley Memorial Award for Civic Journalism.
Vice-President Presents Award at New Delhi Ceremony
The award for the year 2024 was formally conferred upon Dighe by Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan during a significant function held in the national capital, New Delhi. This accolade celebrates Dighe's exceptional and dedicated journalistic work throughout 2024, which focused on critical civic issues within the Pune region.
Investigative Reporting on Cantonment Bungalow Irregularities
Dighe's award-winning reportage centered on exposing widespread irregularities concerning the Old Grant Bungalows located in the Pune and Khadki cantonment board areas. His in-depth investigations brought to light several serious discrepancies that violated established regulations and norms.
- Commercial Misuse: The reports documented instances where these residential properties were being illegally utilized for commercial activities, contravening their intended purpose.
- Unauthorized Constructions: Dighe highlighted numerous cases of unauthorized constructions and modifications being carried out on these heritage bungalows.
- Illegal Sales to Builders: Perhaps most critically, his journalism revealed that some bungalows had been sold to builders and developers without obtaining the mandatory No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the competent defence authority, a clear violation of procedural orders.
Beyond the bungalow scandal, Dighe's comprehensive coverage also addressed several other pressing civic issues plaguing both the Pune and Khadki cantonment areas, providing a voice to local residents and highlighting systemic problems.
Impactful Journalism That Spurred Official Action
The power of Dighe's persistent and factual reporting was demonstrated by the concrete administrative responses it triggered. His series of exposés successfully captured the attention of multiple high-level authorities, leading to decisive interventions.
- Directorate General of Defence Estates: The central body responsible for defence lands took note of the findings.
- State Inspector General of Registration: The state-level registration authority was alerted to the irregularities.
- Army Authorities: Relevant military officials were informed and engaged with the issue.
As a direct consequence of this journalistic scrutiny, these agencies took appropriate and necessary action to halt the unauthorized transactions and address the violations, showcasing the vital role of civic journalism in upholding accountability and governance.
The Ramnath Goenka Awards are renowned for honoring journalists who demonstrate courage, integrity, and a commitment to public service. Sandip Dighe's recognition in the civic journalism category underscores the significant impact of local, ground-level reporting on national consciousness and administrative reform.
