Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan told a packed audience in Chennai that freedom of expression remains the cornerstone of Indian democracy and that no nation can emerge without fearless journalism in India and a robust literary culture. Speaking at the third Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman, the annual literary awards hosted by The New Indian Express group, he paid tribute to the late Ramnath Goenka and praised writers and journalists who pursue truth with courage.
Fearless journalism in India at the heart of the ceremony
Radhakrishnan said Ramnath Goenka stood firm for journalistic integrity and intellectual courage during some of the nation’s most testing periods. The Vice-President described Goenka as a doyen of Indian print journalism who defended democratic values and insisted that an independent press must be safeguarded if India is to thrive.
The awards night honoured a range of achievements in contemporary Indian writing. Legendary Kannada author Chandrashekhara Kambara received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades-long contribution to regional and national literature. Kambara’s work has been widely celebrated for its linguistic depth and engagement with social themes.
Subi Taba won the Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman for Best Fiction with Tales from the Dawn-Lit Mountains. Judges praised the book for its vivid storytelling and emotional reach. In the non-fiction category Sudeep Chakravarti was awarded for Fallen City: A Double Murder, Political Insanity, and Delhi’s Descent from Grace, a work that the panel said offered rigorous reporting and a sharp analysis of recent events. Neha Dixit received the Best Debut award for The Many Lives of Syeda X The Story of an Unknown Indian, recognised for its investigative depth and narrative power.
The ceremony drew senior figures from government and media. Health Minister M Subramanian and the Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan attended, alongside senior editors and executives from The New Indian Express group, including Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla and Editor Santwana Bhattacharya. The presence of these dignitaries underlined the event’s significance as a forum where literature, journalism and public policy intersect.
Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, Chairman and Managing Director of The New Indian Express group, said the award pays tribute to writers who wield the pen with courage, imagination and integrity. He highlighted the role of newspapers and literary institutions in fostering debate and holding power to account.
Speeches at the event repeatedly returned to the theme that a healthy democracy depends on the free flow of ideas and fearless reporting. The awards, organisers said, aim to celebrate work that challenges accepted narratives and deepens public understanding.
For readers and writers alike the Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman continues to be an important marker of excellence. By recognising both established figures such as Kambara and emerging voices like Subi Taba and Neha Dixit, the event underscored the breadth of Indian writing and the vital role of journalism in documenting and interpreting contemporary life.
The New Indian Express group will continue its coverage of the awards and the conversations they inspire, including features and interviews that explore the relationship between literature, reporting and democratic accountability.
Key Takeaways:
- Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan urged support for fearless journalism in India as essential to democracy.
- The New Indian Express presented the Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman awards, including a lifetime honour for Chandrashekhara Kambara.
- Winners included Subi Taba for fiction, Sudeep Chakravarti for non-fiction and Neha Dixit for debut writing.
- The event highlighted the enduring link between fearless journalism in India and the health of public discourse.
