New Delhi: Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA), a respected associate of Indian Sports Journalists Federation (SJFI) and recognized by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), a momentous occasion was celebrated on Saturday in association with. Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA). The event honored journalists aged 80 and above, recognizing their invaluable contribution to sports journalism and highlighting their important role in shaping the story of sports in India.
held in Arun Jaitley Cricket StadiumSpecial SJFI medals and citations were presented to eminent journalists at the ceremony only KaushikK.Datta and C.S.Ramachandran. Two minutes silence was observed in memory of respected sports journalists Harpal Singh Bedi and Kishore Naithani and to acknowledge their lasting impact on the field.
The program began with a brief introduction by DSJA President Abhishek Tripathi, who emphasized the important role of sports journalists in shaping India’s sports narrative. Tripathi expressed his gratitude to the special guests including DDCA President Rohan Jaitley and Rajan Manchanda of DDCA Apex Committee.
Jaitley began the event with emotional remarks before presenting the SJFI medal and citation. “The intersection of sports, cricket and journalism has been important, especially with the remarkable events we have seen over the past year, including two World Cups and the Olympics,” he said. It is truly a pleasure to see familiar faces from our community coming together for this important occasion.”
He expressed his commitment to nurturing the next generation of sports professionals and said, “I look forward to working together, especially to encourage youth participation in sports journalism. There is untapped talent waiting to be discovered in our city.
Honoring his father’s legacy, Kewal Kaushik’s son shared, “It is a deep honor to gather here today to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our distinguished members. His work being recognized on this prestigious platform reflects the era in which he excelled, including my father’s. They serve as role models from whom we have learned a lot about discipline and professionalism.”
Kaushik started his career with the Press Trust of India from 1949 to 1960, before joining the Times Group, where he worked from 1961 to 1990. At The Times of India, he covered important national and international events including the Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics and the Olympics. Asian Games. His contributions spanned major publications including The Statesman, Tribune and the Evening News (Hindustan Times), where he reported on important competitions, including the famous wrestling bout between Dara Singh and King Kong.
Notably, he also excelled as a football player, competing in the top division of the Delhi League for two decades and winning six league titles between 1950 and 1960. His enthusiasm for sports extended to playing matches against teams from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. An important presence at the Afghan independence celebrations in Kabul in 1950. This experience enriched his insights and reflected his deep commitment to both journalism and football.
Kaushik’s son also shed light on the relationship between his father and K. Dutta, saying, “Dutta and my father were close associates, they maintained their cordiality even after retirement. His association dates back to 1989 when he covered important events like the Nehru Cup in Siliguri. It is their unique bond and discipline that has taught us a lot.”
During his time at the Times Group, Dutta worked closely with Kaushik, fostering a strong professional bond that enriched his contributions to sports journalism.
At the event, Dutta’s son reflected on his father’s remarkable celebration, saying, “My father turned 93 on September 30, and today is especially special because we also celebrate my mother’s birthday. It is a great honor for our family to be here together. “My father’s dedication to journalism has inspired us all and we are extremely proud of his lifelong commitment to the profession.”
Ramachandran, who was honored at the ceremony, has also dedicated more than 30 years of service to the Indian Express, primarily covering football and hockey. Recognized for his exceptional expertise, he has left an indelible mark on the sports journalism landscape.
During the event, Ramachandran expressed his gratitude saying, “I am extremely grateful to this association for honoring us today. I am very happy to gather here with everyone and I look forward to everyone’s cooperation in this effort. Let’s hope initiatives like this continue, and I hope we’ll all meet again soon to discuss our shared passion for sports journalism.
The event concluded with a celebration honoring the invaluable contributions of veteran sports journalists who have shaped the landscape of sports journalism in India. The heartfelt speeches and emotional reunion highlighted the importance of recognizing those whose dedication has inspired generations.
