Mumbai: The Second Annual Shriram Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism were presented in four categories at a glittering function organised by the Shriram Group and South Africa’s Sanlam Group. Chief Guest Dr. Arvind Mayaram, Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, graced the august occasion. Several prominent personalities from the world of banking and finance including regulators and corporate India also graced the occasion.

The Second Annual Shriram Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism in association with The Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) – Chennai, were presented as follows:

·        Category – Financial Markets: Ms. Aarati Krishnan for her story “A very strange bull market” published in Hindu Business Line;

·        Category – Banking: Mr. V Keshavdev for his story “India Inc’s MahaKumbh” published in Outlook Business.

·        Category – Economic Policy: Mr. Bibek Debroy for his story “Control and food inflation” published in The Economic Times;

·        Category – Sectoral Issues: Mr. M Rajshekhar for his story “Great rural land rush: 3 to 100- fold rise in farm land prices may not bode well“ published in The Economic Times

Each Category Winner received cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh along with a citation. Parameters for the Awards were Insight, Analysis, Depth, Uniqueness, Originality, Comprehensive and Balanced Approach, Level of research, Follow up of story by others leading to wider discussion, Overall Impact of the story apart from the above.

Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred to Eminent Editor Mr. T. N. Ninan who  received a prize amount of Rs. 2.5 Lacs.

Commenting on the Awards, Mr. Arun Duggal, Chairman, Shriram Capital Ltd., said, “We are very happy to have received 228 nominations from business and financial journalists in the second edition of ‘Shriram Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism’. Shriram Capital and Sanlam Group recognize the multi-faceted role that financial journalists play in setting up the knowledge base in reporting key issues of the Indian economy, policy making, banking, financial markets and sectoral issues. One of the key attributes of the Shriram Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism is the integrity and independence of the judging panel. It consists of business leaders, corporate governance and sustainability practitioner, academia as well as editor. After all, such diversity is needed as a business journalist is an instrument of change and an influencer of influentials!”

Mr. Dr. Johan van Zyl, Chief Executive, Sanlam Group, added, “Shriram Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism recognise that business journalists are an important source of knowledge on what is happening in the BFSI sector and have a great influence on the views of key players, decision makers, influencers as well as their readers. Economic and business stories now move at a digitally driven speed that does not allow as much time for comprehension, let alone reflection. Radical changes and dynamic developments emphasize the need to stand still, think and ponder. There is a pressing need to recognize those pearls of journalistic wisdom that stimulate the much-needed change in the thought process of the corporate world.”

The criteria used for judging includes analysis and understanding of the issue; use of research and data; relevance to the audience and the quality of writing and communication (including accuracy). This year too, an eminent panel of independent jury members constituted by the IFMR will scrutinize the nominations for the Awards. The distinguished panel of independent jury members comprises: Mr. Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director – TVS Capital Ltd.; Mr. Srinivasan K. Swamy, Chairman & Managing Director, R. K. Swamy BBDO; Ms. Ashu Suyash, CEO, L&T Mutual Fund; & Mr. Adit Jain, Chairman, IMA Asia and Mr. Swaminathan S. Aiyar, Consulting Editor of Economic Times. (winner of the Life Time Achievement Award at Shriram Sanlam Awards for Excellence in Financial Journalism in 2012).

Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Chennai played an important and independent role in the selection process by scrutinizing the nominations and making them available for the Jury Members for their consideration.

The Shriram Sanlam Awards Committee is being chaired by Mr. Arun Duggal, Chairman, Shriram Capital Ltd. Other committee members are Mr. G. S. Sundararajan, Group Director, Shriram Group; Mrs. Akhila Srinivasan, Managing Director, Shriram Life Insurance Company Limited; Mr. C. V. Krishnan, President, Institute for Financial Management and Research; and Dr. G R Chandrashekhar, Assistant Professor, Institute for Financial Management Research.

Nominees for the category — Financial Markets:

1.         Mr. Sumit Sharma for his story “Bane or Boon” published in Business India

2.         Ms. Aarati Krishnan for her story “A very strange bull market” published in Hindu Business Line

3.         Mr. Sameer Bhardwaj for his story Strategies of Investment Gurus , published in Economic Times

Nominees for the category – Banking:

1.         Mr. Raghu Mohan for his story “Brace For A Blowout” published in Business World

2.         Mr. V Keshavdev for his story “India Inc’sMahaKumbh” published in Outlook Business

3.         Mr. T. B. Kapali for his story “Banks not inclusive enough” published in Hindu Business Line

Nominees for the category – Economic Policy:

1.         Mr. T K Arun for his story “A dozen alternatives to food subsidy for improved welfare of the poor” published in Economic Times

2.         Mr. M Rajshekhar for his story “Hydelgate: Why Arunachal Pradesh’s hydel boom is going bust” published in Economic Times

3.         Mr. Bibek Debroy for his story “Control and food inflation “ published in Economic Times

Nominees for the category – Sectoral Issues:

1.         Mr. Pavan Lall for his story “Chordia vs. Porsche – no holds barred “ published in Fortune India

2.         Mr. M G Arun  for his story “R.I.P. Made in India” published in India Today

3.         Mr. M Rajshekhar  for his story “Great rural land rush: 3 to 100- fold rise in farm land prices may not bode well “ published in Economic Times

Source: Lokesh Shastri