New Delhi, Dec. 7 : Charkha Development Communication Network, a non-governmental organization, devoted to highlighting issues related to marginalized communities via the media to reach out to policy makers, awarded the Sanjoy Ghose Media Fellowship 2008-09 and the Sanjoy Ghose Ladakh Women Writers’ Award to women writers on Sunday.

Marking its Founder’s Day in the national capital at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smiti, the chief guest Shahid Syed Mahdi, former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia presented the awards to three journalists-- Nursrat Ara, Freelance journalist contributing to Women International News Gathers Service, Canada and Kashmir images, Srinagar Tanveen Kawoosa, sub-editor ‘Features’ in English daily ‘Etalaat’ and Deepika Thussoo, Human Rights activist and freelance journalist contributing to Hindustan Times, Kashmir Times, Jammu.

Meanwhile, the first ever Sanjoy Ghosse Ladakh Women Writers’ Award was presented to Rinchen Dolma, News Reporter, Reach Ladakh news website and radio presenter, Thinlas Chorol Social Worker, teacher and freelance writer and Zainab Akhter freelance writer contributing to Kashmir images, Greater Kashmir.

Earlier, Shankar Ghose, the President of Charkha delivered a welcome address and chief guest Syed Shahid Mahdi gave a keynote address.

The Award signifies Charka’s concern to connect a region, which is remote and difficult to the mainstream, through the writings of women in the media.

The Fellowship and Award have been supported by Unniti Foundation, India an organization which promotes for empowerment of rural communities focusing on women and girls in India and Nepal.

Set up in 1994, Charkha, facilitated by standard operating procedures and a committed team of professionals , is a competently run organization governed and advised by eminent individuals having expertise in different walks of life. (ANI)