Jaipur: Journalist Pragnya Bharati Choudhury, a reporter with Odisha Television Limited (OTV) who had highlighted the hardships of women in the absence of sanitary pads during the 2022 floods in Odisha has been conferred with the prestigious Laadli Media Award.
Pragnya shared the award with OTV cameraperson Jyoshnarani Dalai, who was also given the Laadli award for her contribution to the story.
Pragnya received the award at a ceremony held at Jaipur International Centre in Rajasthan. While Dr Dev Swarup, Vice Chancellor of Baba Amte Divyang University, Rajasthan, graced the event as the chief guest, Jaydeep Biswas, Chief Policy and Partnership of UNFPA India, was the guest of honour.
Out of 857 entries in 13 languages received from across the nation, 87 media professionals were chosen for the 13th edition of the prestigious Laadli Award. A diverse panel of 55 eminent personalities from various walks of life from across the country and some from overseas made up the jury panel.
An initiative by Population First, a Mumbai-based social impact organization, and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Laadli Media and Advertising Award commits to fostering gender sensitivity in media and advancing the vision of a more equitable society.
Pragnya’s reportage titled ‘Plight of menstruating women in the midst of Odisha flood fury’ highlighted how scores of girls and women in flood-marooned areas of the state were at their wits’ end in the absence of sanitary pads. The story urged that sanitary pads must be included in the category of relief materials taking women’s menstrual hygiene into account.
The reportage compelled the Odisha government to swing into action immediately. Hours after the story was telecast, the Odisha government decided to include sanitary pads as flood relief items.
In a journalistic career spanning over a decade, Pragnya has worked across mediums – TV, digital, and print.
With a Bachelor’s in Computer Application and a Master’s in Development Journalism and Electronic Communication from Utkal University, Pragnya hails from the Rayagada district of Odisha. She is the daughter of Jogeswar Choudhury, a prominent socio-cultural activist and retired high school headmaster, and Nirupama Choudhury, a housewife.
