Jasdeep Singh Malhotra, principal correspondent of the Hindustan Times, who was killed under mysterious circumstances in a road accident in September 2013 when he was working on a series of investigative stories on "sand and gravel mafia" in Punjab, was on Sunday honoured posthumously with the Betab Memorial Award for Excellence in Journalism here.
The award, instituted by the Betab Memorial Society, Punjab, was presented to Kulwinder Kaur Malhotra, wife of the deceased journalist.
The award carries Rs 21,000 in cash, a citation and a shawl. The award is given every year for good stories in print and the broadcasting media.
A day after Malhotra reported a story about 'goonda tax' with a daily collection of Rs 20 lakh by the sand mafia from Pathankot district, he was killed in a road accident on September 22, 2013 when he was going to Pathankot for further coverage of the story.
While giving the award, Darshan Singh Brar, a senior citizen and retired central education officer, said Jasdeep Malhotra was an outstanding and bold journalist, who dared to do investigative and public-oriented stories.
Parvesh Sharma, deputy director, All India Radio, and Pawan Gulalti, an educationist, said in democracies, the role of a journalist is crucial to make elected representatives work responsibly.
{{/usCountry}}Parvesh Sharma, deputy director, All India Radio, and Pawan Gulalti, an educationist, said in democracies, the role of a journalist is crucial to make elected representatives work responsibly.
{{/usCountry}}