Veteran sports journalists of Delhi Kewal Kaushik, K. Datta and C. S. Ramachandran honoured with SJFI medal and citation

Mr. Kewal Kaushik receiving SJFI medal from Mr. Rohan Jaitley, president, DDCA.

The felicitation of super senior sports journalists was an SJFI general body decision and in the first phase 15 scribes were shortlisted, the city-wise break-up being: Delhi (4), Kolkata (3), Pune (1), Chennai (3), Bengaluru (1), Hyderabad (2), Guwahati (1).The fourth Delhi shortlist, K.N.K. Menon has shifted base to his native town in Kerala. He will be felicitated by the Kerala sports journalists soon- SJFI

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: Veteran sports journalists of Delhi aged 80 and above, Mr. Kewal Kaushik, Mr. K. Datta, and Mr. C.S. Ramachandran were presented special SJFI medal and citation here on Saturday evening.

The tradition of honouring Veteran sports journalists was started by Sports Journalists’ Federation of India (SJFI) and they are providing names of the journalists and SJFI medals and citations to their member units.

According to the SJFI, “The felicitation of super senior sports journalists was an SJFI general body decision and in the first phase 15 scribes were shortlisted, the city-wise break-up being: Delhi (4), Kolkata (3), Pune (1), Chennai (3), Bengaluru (1), Hyderabad (2), Guwahati (1).The fourth Delhi shortlist, K.N.K. Menon has shifted base to his native town in Kerala. He will be felicitated by the Kerala sports journalists soon.”

This function was organized by Delhi Sports Journalists’ Association (DSJA), an affiliate of the Sports Journalists’ Federation of India (SJFI),  in collaboration with the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA).

Mr. K Datta did not attend the event, his journalist son, Mr. Rahul Datta recieved his father’s SJFI medal and citation.

A huge number of Delhi’s senior sports journalists, DDCA president Mr. Rohan Jaitley, Joint Secretary Mr. Rajan Manchanda,  Mr. Ashok Sharma, Director, DDCA and Dronacharya Awardee cricket coach and Director, DDCA Mr. Rajkumar Sharma were present to celebrate the memorable moment.

Mr. C S Ramachandran receiving SJFI medal from Mr. Rohan Jaitley, president, DDCA.

The event, held at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, celebrated journalists aged 80 and above, honouring their invaluable contributions to sports journalism and highlighting their critical role in shaping the narrative of sports in India.Heartfelt speeches and emotional reunions highlighted the importance of recognizing those whose dedication has inspired generations.

The ceremony witnessed the presentation of special SJFI medals and citations to esteemed journalists Mr. Kewal Kaushik, Mr. K. Datta, and Mr. C.S. Ramachandran by Mr. Rohan Jaitely, President, DDCA.

A two-minute silence was also observed in memory of revered sports journalists Mr. Harpal Singh Bedi and Mr. Kishore Naithani, acknowledging their lasting impact on the field.

Mr. Rohan Jaitley opened the event with heartfelt remarks before presenting the SJFI medals and citations. He noted, “The intertwining of sports, cricket, and journalism has been significant, particularly with the remarkable events we’ve witnessed over the past year, including two World Cups and the Olympics. It is truly heartening to see familiar faces from our fraternity come together for this momentous occasion.” He further expressed his commitment to nurturing the next generation of sports professionals, adding, “I look forward to working more closely together, especially to encourage youth engagement in sports journalism. There is untapped talent in our city waiting to be discovered.”

Mr. C.S. Ramachandran, dedicated over 30 years of service to the Indian Express, primarily covering football and hockey. Recognised for his exceptional expertise, he has left a lasting mark on the sports journalism landscape.

Mr. Ramachandran expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am extremely grateful to this association for honouring us today. It brings me great joy to gather here with everyone, and I look forward to everyone’s cooperation in this endeavour. Let us hope that such initiatives continue to thrive, and I hope we can all meet again soon to discuss our shared passion for sports journalism.”

Mr. Suresh Kaushik sharing his thoughts.

Honouring the legacy of his father, son of Mr. Kewal Kaushik, Mr. Suresh Kaushik shared, “It is a profound honour to gather here today to celebrate the invaluable contributions of our distinguished members. Their work is being recognised on this esteemed platform, reflecting the era in which they excelled, including my father. They serve as role models from whom we have learned much about discipline and professionalism.”

Mr. Kewal Kaushik began his career with the Press Trust of India from 1949 to 1960 before joining the Times Group, where he worked from 1961 to 1990. At The Times of India, he covered pivotal national and international events. His contributions spanned major publications, including The Statesman, Tribune, and Evening News, where he reported on significant competitions, including the legendary wrestling bout between Dara Singh and King Kong. Notably, he also excelled as a football player, competing in the top division of the Delhi league for two decades and winning six league titles between 1950 and 1960. His enthusiasm for the sport extended to playing matches against teams from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, including a significant appearance for the Afghan Independence celebration in Kabul in 1954. This experience enriched his insights and reflected his deep commitment to both journalism and football.

Mr Suresh also highlighted the bond between Mr. Kewal and Mr. K. Datta, stating, “Mr. Datta and my father were close allies, maintaining their camaraderie even after retirement. It is their unique bond and discipline that has taught us so much.” kaushik further said, “my association with Mr. C S Ramachandran dates back to 1989 when we covered significant events like the Nehru Cup football in Siliguri.”

During his time at the Times Group, Mr. K. Datta worked closely alongside Mr. Kewal Kaushik, fostering a strong professional bond that enriched their contributions to sports journalism.

Mr. Rahul Datta, son of Mr. K Datta, receiving his father’s SJFI citation and medal from Mr. Rohan Jaitley, president, DDCA.

At the event, Mr. K. Datta’s son, Mr. Rahul Dutta, reflected on his father’s remarkable celebration, stating, “My father turned 93 on September 30th, and today is particularly special as we also celebrate my mother’s birthday. It is a great honour for our family to be here together. My father’s dedication to journalism has inspired us all, and we are immensely proud of his lifelong commitment to the profession.”

DSJA President Mr. Abhishek Tripathi expressed his gratitude to distinguished guests, including DDCA President Rohan Jaitley and Mr. Rajan Manchanda from the DDCA Apex Committee.