Bhuvan Bhushan Devaliya Memorial Lecture: Deepti Chaurasia Honored with State-Level ‘Bhuvan Bhushan Devaliya Journalism Award 2026’
Bhopal: During a special event organized by the Bhuvanbhushan Devalia Memorial Lecture Series Committee at the Sapre Museum in the state capital, Bhopal, senior journalist Deepti Chaurasia was conferred with the 2026 state-level ‘Bhuvanbhushan Devalia Journalism Award.’ This honor was bestowed upon her in recognition of her long-standing, impactful, and meaningful contributions to the field of journalism.
The central theme of the Bhuvanbhushan Devalia Memorial Lecture was "Challenges Faced by Women in Journalism," a subject that sparked serious deliberation among journalists, media experts, and intellectuals from across the state and the nation.
On this occasion, Deepti Chaurasia’s journalistic journey, her editorial vision, and her unwavering commitment to public causes were specifically highlighted. It is worth noting that Deepti Chaurasia is counted among the country's leading broadcast journalists and editorial leaders. She possesses over 25 years of experience in political journalism, newsroom management, and strategic content creation. Known for her sharp editorial insight and compelling presentation style, Deepti has successfully anchored numerous significant political debates and election coverage across various national and regional platforms.
Currently, she serves as an Editor at LiveIndia.news. Additionally, she is producing an analytical program titled "Insight with Deepti Chaurasia" for Doordarshan Madhya Pradesh. Across various platforms—including television, digital media, and YouTube—she has consistently presented issues of public interest with great impact.
Throughout her extensive journalistic career, Deepti Chaurasia has conducted exclusive interviews with many of the country's top political leaders, anchored major national conferences, and played a pivotal role in bringing to light high-profile stories such as the Vyapam and Asaram cases.
PG Diploma in Hindi Journalism from IIMC
She also possesses a strong academic foundation. In 1998, she obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Hindi Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, where she honed her expertise in the professional nuances of reporting, editing, and newsroom operations.
Throughout her career, she has held significant responsibilities, serving as Executive Editor at India News MP-CG, Deputy Editor at News State MP-CG, and Consulting Editor at TV 27, in addition to working as a correspondent and reporter for Aaj Tak, Headlines Today, and ETV News.
Upon receiving the honor, Deepti Chaurasia stated that journalism serves as a medium for fulfilling one's responsibility toward society; she noted that the stronger the participation of women in this field, the more sensitive and balanced the media will become. Journalists, academicians, and numerous media professionals present at the event congratulated her on this distinction, hailing it as a moment of pride for the state's journalism landscape.
In her address, veteran journalist Deepti Chaurasia remarked that when a problem is viewed from a distance, it often appears as colossal as a mountain; however, once we navigate through it, it simply fades away. She observed that women in the field of journalism face even greater challenges—specifically, the challenge of balancing a dual identity.
Being a woman, and being a journalist... how does one move forward?
Deepti Chaurasia stated, "In newsrooms, significant beats—or subject areas—are often assigned to male journalists. Furthermore, during field coverage, cameramen often hesitate to accompany female reporters. She asserted that, even today, gender discrimination remains the single greatest challenge confronting female journalists."
Citing an example, she noted that in smaller towns, when prominent political leaders visit, female reporters are frequently not assigned the task of covering the event because they are often underestimated. "At home, a young woman faces considerable obstacles when choosing to pursue a career in journalism. Plagued by struggles on three fronts—family, fieldwork, and gender inequality—many women are ultimately compelled to abandon this profession.
Consequently, the number of female reporters in this field remains low, as they tend to exit the profession relatively early." She further posed a poignant question: "Why is it that in photographs depicting a rape survivor, she is invariably portrayed with her head bowed in shame?" Why is she not depicted fighting back?
If Glamour Takes Precedence in Journalism, the Truth Is Bound to Be Buried: Jayanti Ranganathan
Calling upon women journalists in India to confront the challenges inherent in the field of journalism with hard work and dedication, renowned national journalist Jayanti Ranganathan stated on this occasion that journalism should never be viewed through the lens of glamour. For, if glamour is accorded undue importance in journalism, there is a distinct possibility that the truth will inevitably be suppressed. Jayanti Ranganathan, who serves as the Executive Editor of the national Hindi daily Hindustan, was speaking here as the keynote speaker at the 15th annual ‘Bhuvan Bhushan Devalia Lecture Series,’ organized at the Madhavrao Sapre Museum and Research Institute.
Jayanti Ranganathan stated that she left her banking job to pursue a path of creative expression, entering the field of journalism through the ‘Times School.’ She noted that, at a time when journalism was a male-dominated profession, she received unwavering support from her family. She emphasized that she entered the field of journalism not for the glamour, but with a sense of mission. She joined Dharmayug.
She recounted that when the notorious criminal Charles Sobhraj escaped from prison, Bharti-ji (the magazine's then-Editor-in-Chief, Dharamvir Bharti) assigned her the task of tracking him down to conduct an interview. She added that, in the course of covering this story, she even ventured into the infamous ‘Kabaad Gali’ (Junk Alley). This work earned her both respect and recognition.
Dr. Mangala Anuja, who serves as the Research Director at the Madhavrao Sapre Newspaper Museum and Research Institute, observed that the earliest instance of women's journalism in India dates back to 1835. Today, Indian women in the field of journalism are by no means lagging behind their global counterparts.
Dr. Anuja noted that women not only had to confront numerous struggles but also achieved success amidst those very challenges. They faced discrimination in the workplace; furthermore, they were often underestimated and denied promotions. Frequently, they received little to no support from their male colleagues.