NEW DELHI: Ravish Kumar, who is one of five to be awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay prize this year, has been recognized for "harnessing journalism to give voice to the voiceless" and for his "unfaltering commitment to professional, ethical journalism of the highest standards".
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and BSP chief Mayawati were among senior political leaders who took to Twitter today to congratulate NDTV's Ravish Kumar for being honored with the 2019 Magsaysay Award.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, who won the 2006 Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, tweeted his congratulations, welcoming Ravish Kumar to the "club of Magsaysay awardees".
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"Delighted to hear the great news of Ravish Kumar being announced 2019 Ramon Magsaysay award. I welcome Ravish to the club of Magsaysay awardees and hope to see his brave journalism go from strength to strength in these difficult times. Many congratulations my friend," Mr. Kejriwal wrote.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati also congratulated Ravish Kumar and hoped his win would inspire other journalists to fulfill their responsibilities as the fourth pillar of democracy.
"Congratulations to NDTV Managing Editor and one of the country's leading journalists Ravish Kumar, for winning the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award. I hope the country's media will be inspired to serve the country and the Constitution as the fourth pillar of democracy and fulfill its responsibilities with fearlessness," she tweeted in Hindi.
"Congratulations to Ravish Kumar, a journalist who has the courage, to tell the truth, and criticize with discretion, who has won the 2019 Ramon Magsaysay Award. I respect his patience," Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted in Hindi.
Ravish Kumar, who has been with NDTV since 1996, was raised in Jitwarpur in Bihar, Ravish Kumar pursued his early interest in history and public affairs at the Delhi University.
"Congratulations to @ravishndtv and team @ndtvindia. Ravish keep up your good work. You are an inspiration. #RavishKumar #RamonMagsaysayAward," Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said.
A number of other political leaders, like Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien, former Jammu, and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also tweeted.
Derek O'Brien called Ravish Kumar a "champion".
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti praised Ravish Kumar as "one of few people driven by integrity".
