P. Narayanan, a 90-year-old veteran journalist, writer and public intellectual from Idukki, has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his lifelong contribution to literature and education. A co-founder and chief editor of the Janmabhoomi daily, Mr. Narayanan is a towering presence in Kerala’s journalistic and intellectual circles for decades. He has also played a prominent role in public life, having served as the State organisational general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and as a member of the national executive committee of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Mr. Narayanan’s literary output is equally substantial, comprising nearly 10 original books and more than 100 translated works spanning a wide range of subjects. Reacting to the announcement, he said Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan had called him on Sunday morning to personally convey the government’s decision. “I accept this honour with the utmos

Mark Tully, veteran journalist, author and one of the most prominent foreign observers of India, passed away at a private hospital in Delhi on Sunday. He was 90. Confirming his death, senior journalist and close friend Satish Jacob said, “Mark passed away at Max Hospital, Saket this afternoon.” Tully had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment under the nephrology department, India Today reported. Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on October 24, 1935, to British parents, Tully went on to become one of the most respected chroniclers of India’s political and social life. He served as the BBC’s New Delhi bureau chief and later as South Asia correspondent for over two decades, becoming a trusted voice on Indian affairs for global audiences. He reported firsthand on some of the most defining moments of modern Indian history, including the Emergency, Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the anti-Sikh riots, and conflicts between India and Pakistan

  Picture Credit: The Hindu  No.1 Vellala Street, a book recalling the early life of noted cartoonist, journalist and playwright T.S. Sridhar, better known as Marina and Bharaneedharan, was unveiled on Saturday at an event that also marked his birth centenary. Speaking on the occasion, N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Publishing Group, described Sridhar as a rare creative figure who flourished under three distinct identities. Under his own name, he made a mark as a skilled cartoonist and illustrator for Ananda Vikatan. As Marina, he emerged as an acclaimed playwright, memoirist and writer of sharp, humorous prose. As Bharaneedharan, he became a prolific chronicler of India’s religious and cultural traditions. “It is unusual for someone to do equally well in three creative fields over a lifetime,” Mr. Ram said. Reflecting on the book’s central theme, Mr. Ram referred to psychologist Howard Gardner’s idea that a nurturing childhood can become a cradle for creativity. Marin

Odisha Chief Minister on Jan 23, announced Rs 4 lakh in financial assistance for the family of senior journalist Sheela Pattnaik, who died in a tragic bus accident in Bhubaneswar. The assistance will come from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The Chief Minister’s Office said her death is deeply unfortunate. It noted that Sheela Pattnaik, a prominent journalist in electronic media, will be remembered for her valuable contribution and responsible journalism. According to Prameya News, Sheela Pattnaik died on January 6 after her scooter slipped and was hit by a bus on the Pipili-Mangalpur road. The accident also claimed the life of another person and has shocked the entire Odisha media community. Journalists and colleagues have remembered her as a dedicated and hardworking professional in electronic media.

Science Journalist Jackson Ryan has turned on tips for his newsletter - No Breakthroughs, a move for people to pay for work they enjoy.  “[No Breakthroughs] is about bad science and bad science reporting, and because of that, I thought I'd turn on tips. If people read and enjoy my newsletter, they can go to Ko-Fi and send some money through,” Ryan told Influencing.  “I'm not really expecting a whole lot. I did it because right now, I don't need to turn on paid subscriptions for my newsletter. That's something that I'm planning on doing, perhaps when I reach a critical mass.” Ryan explained it wasn’t a hard process at all to click via the link to the Ko-Fi website and “[you] can essentially say here’s five bucks for that piece of reporting you just did.” He added that he was doing No Breakthroughs for his own personal sanity.  “I find it a worthwhile endeavour for myself,” he said. “Writing about some of these issues that I don't think anyone else is writ

....to the story. That of course is the reality of Australia Day and our dailies this morning cover the event in depth, with plenty of words and masses of pictures. Welcome to Tuesday and hope you had a great long weekend. And yes it was Australia Day and the coverage focus varies. The Sydney Morning Herald perfectly captures the mood of the day with a spot-on headline and a picture by Steven Siewert on page one of flag waving military folks and a ferry chugging away from the quayside. The SMH has two pages of coverage on pages 2 and 3 ('Nazi chants at anti-migrant rally, thousands at Invasion Day march'), and that extensive story by Patrick Begley, Amber Schultz, and Jessica McSweeney, with more pictures by Steve Siewert, Sitthixay, Ditthavong, Wolter Peeters, Alex Ellinghausen and Louie Douvis.  At The Australian ('Traitors versus the true: our values under seige') again there is extensive coverage, with that main story penned by Anthony Gallowa