🔴 Central India’s leading English newspaper, The Hitavada’s News Editor Mukesh S. Singh honoured for fearless public interest journalism
🟢 Award instituted in memory of D.P. Choubey, veteran journalist and father of martyred IPS Vinod Choubey
🔵 Three decades of investigative reporting shaped discourse on governance and accountability
By : Akshay Lahre
Raipur । In an atmosphere resonant with dignity and civic gratitude, The Hitavada’s Raipur News Editor Mukesh S. Singh was conferred with the prestigious D.P. Choubey Memorial Public Relations Award during the 38th National Public Relations Day celebration held at the Golden Tower Auditorium, NIT Campus, Raipur. The event, hosted by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) Raipur Chapter on April 21, was a resplendent acknowledgement of journalistic integrity and public communication excellence.
Singh’s fearless reportage over three decades has continually echoed the voice of the people. Through his relentless pursuit of truth and accountability in governance, Singh’s journalism has served as both a mirror and a beacon. His investigative work—exposing the Mahadev Online Betting Scam, the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam, and the CGPSC Recruitment Irregularities—shook the very structures of political complacency. In a time when noise often replaces news, his pen continues to strike with facts and conscience.
The award bears the memory of the late D.P. Choubey, an esteemed journalist of undivided Madhya Pradesh, former News Editor of Bilaspur Times, and the inspirational force behind the Bilaspur Press Club. He was also the father of martyred IPS officer Vinod Kumar Choubey, who laid down his life in the line of duty as SP Rajnandgaon. The award not only celebrates professional excellence but also commemorates a profound legacy of sacrifice, duty, and truth.
National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur’s Professor Dr. Dilip Singh Sisodiya delivered a thought-provoking keynote, emphasising the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public relations. “AI does not replace the human,” he said. “It empowers professionals to become more strategic, responsive and ethical. When AI drafts the release, the PR professional breathes life into it with empathy, moral clarity and contextual intelligence.” According to him, AI redefines PR from mere information transmission to relationship-building—rooted in transparency and public trust. He further stressed that the collaboration between human sensitivity and machine efficiency will yield optimal results, especially when AI handles scale and speed, and the human adds nuance and understanding.
Senior journalist Varun Sakhaji Shrivastava, Deputy Executive Editor of IBC-24, speaking as Chief Guest, underscored the dual responsibility of media and PR professionals—as both creative communicators and social custodians. “The age of digital dominance has brought speed, but also distortion. Our task is to balance immediacy with integrity,” he said. Citing the rising relevance of AI, he predicted a future where mobile devices might exist in liquid form, enabling real-time engagement with millions—emphasising, however, that technology must never overtake the human conscience guiding it.
Suchi Mishra, Head of PR and Communications at BALCO and the event’s chairperson, said that truth and objectivity are the twin anchors of professional communication. “PR is not about spinning narratives but presenting facts with sincerity and purpose,” she asserted. She stressed on continual learning and updating oneself with evolving tech tools, and insisted that field-based and eye-witness reporting should remain at the core of information sharing.
Alok Dev, Additional Director in the Public Relations Department, spoke warmly of the awardees. “Naseem Ahmad Khan excels not just in designing and editorial work, but embodies commitment and precision,” he said. “Saurabh Sharma brings literary depth and serious insight to his writing. Both are role models for their peers.” He called on the entire PR fraternity to remember that this day is not just a ceremonial celebration but a call to reaffirm ethical communication, social responsibility and meaningful dialogue with the public.
Other awardees included Deputy Directors Naseem Ahmad and Saurabh Sharma (Public Relations Department), S.K. Roop (Samyak Kranti), Dr. Kirti Sisodiya (C-Positive Web Portal), Satyesh Bhatt (PRO, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur), and Vijay Vajpai (Deputy Head, External Affairs, BALCO). Their contributions were described as beacons of professionalism and creativity.
Dignitaries present included Dr. Prateek Pandey, Associate Vice President (Corporate Affairs), Adani Enterprises; noted social worker Nighat Parveen Khan, widow of martyred ASP I.H. Khan; senior journalist Manish Vora; Shia scholar Maulana Gauhar Ali; Congress Minority Cell’s Sahil Hussain; youth speaker Kaif Abbas; Panasonic India’s Rizwan Haider; and entrepreneur Firoz Khan. Their presence signalled the multi-sectoral significance of the occasion.
The programme was conducted seamlessly by CSPCL’s Public Relations Officer Vikas Sharma, while PRSI Raipur Chairman Dr. Shahid Ali delivered the welcome address. Other core team members included senior journalist Girish Mishra, PRSI Secretary Dr. Kumar Singh Toppo, Treasurer Dr. Daneshwari Sambhakar, officers Chhaganlal Lonhare, Manish Mishra, Ghanshyam Kesharwani, Dr. Om Prakash Dahariya, Ritulata Tarak, Srishti Singh, Bharti Gajpal, and Rukhsar Parveen.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended his warm wishes through a written message, congratulating all recipients and underscoring the government’s appreciation for public communicators and journalists who continue to operate with integrity and courage.
For Mukesh S. Singh, the award is not just a recognition, but a reaffirmation—that journalism rooted in public service, accountability, and fearlessness still holds the power to change minds, stir systems, and write history in the ink of truth.
