New Delhi: The Gandhi Peace Foundation on Monday announced the award of its prestigious Kuldip Nayar Patrakarita Samman for 2022 to The Wire’s senior editor Arfa Khanum Sherwani.

The award honours the legacy of journalist, author and human rights activist Kuldip Nayar and is awarded to journalists working in Indian languages contributing to democratic values and independent media.

The announcement was made at a press conference held on Monday at New Delhi’s Press Club of India by the well-known academic and author, Ashis Nandy.

Speaking to the press, he said, “The future of Indian democracy lies with us and not those who control the media in the country. I have great pleasure in mentioning the person in whose name the award is being given out, Kuldip Nayar. He was an uncompromising journalist and it is to his credit that he never bent against all kinds of control on the media.”

Nandy also announced that the awardee for 2021 was the independent journalist and YouTuber, Ajit Anjum.

“We recognise the two awardees today as not only those who are representing themselves," said Nandy, "but also representing all of India. We are congratulating them on the courage, tenacity and hard work they have done over the years.”

The awards will be formally conferred at a public function later in the year.

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