Panaji, November 12, 2026
The Department of Information and Publicity has announced the winners of the Goa State Journalists Awards which have been instituted to encourage journalists in this field. “The Goa State Journalist Awards” are conferred in ten categories for news items and articles, news reports, published during the previous calendar year and carries a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/- each in different categories besides a certificate and a memento.
This year, the following journalists have won the State awards under the Goa State Journalist Award Scheme: Shri Vijay S. De Souza from the Navhind Times has been awarded the best Editor Award on National Integration and Communal Harmony for his Editorial “Celebrating statehood”, Shri Shirish Kunkaleker, of Prudent Media has bagged the award in Rural Reporting for his video story “जायो: Bloom in battle”.
Ms Nida Sayed of The Times of India has been awarded for her article “Goa scientists derive water-soluble, odourless collagen from jellyfish” in best reporting in Public Health and Hygiene.
Shri Loukik Shilkar from Prudent Media was awarded for the Video report “Illegal work of diversion of Mhadei water at Bhandura” in best reporting with Special reference to women and Children/ Social issue.
In Sports Reporting, Shri Rohit Vadkar from Prudent Media bagged the award for his report “The Legend- Padmashri Brahmanand Shankhwalkar”.
The award in Reporting on Art and Culture was bagged by Shri Sameep Narvekar of Bhangarbhuin for his report “चुडटाची शेंदरी इतिहास जमा जावपाचे वाटेर”.
The award on Reporting on Education was bagged by Ms Gauree Malkarnekar from The Times of India for her report “Raising the bar behind bars, one degree at a time”.
Smt Gayatri Kunkalekar attached to Tarun Bharat bagged the award on Reporting on Government achievement for her report “गोव्यातील पहिले ‘ ॲग्री क्लिनिक’ सांखळीत”. Shri Rajtilak Naik from The Times of India bagged the award in category Best Photograph of the year.
State Journalists Awards Committee who judged the awards comprised Dr. Prakash Vazarikar, Professor at the Government College, Khandola, Sr. Journalist, Shri Kishor Shet Mandrekar and Former Programme Executive, Doordarshan, Panaji, Shri Uday Kamat.
The prizes to the winners of the competition will be presented on the occasion of the National Press Day function to be held on November 16, 2026 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
