Vipin Gaur Honoured at ‘Tehelka Samvad’ Conclave; Upendra Rai and Yashwant Singh Lead Media Discourse, Diverse Voices Felicitated
Lucknow: The prestigious ‘Tehelka Samvad – Desh Ki Baat, Seedha Samvad’ conclave, organised by Tehelka India News at Hilton Garden Inn, Lucknow, emerged as a dynamic platform for national dialogue—bringing together leading voices from governance, media, academia, and the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. The event stood out for its wide-ranging discussions and recognition of excellence across multiple domains.
The conclave was graced by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak as Chief Guest, alongside Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, Fisheries Minister Dr. Sanjay Nishad, and Vipin Gaur, General Secretary of the Newspaper Association of India (NAI). Their presence underscored the importance of synergy between governance and media in strengthening democratic discourse.
A major highlight of the evening was the felicitation of Vipin Gaur, who was conferred with the prestigious ‘Tehelka Samman’ for Media Excellence & Leadership. The award recognised his tireless efforts in promoting press freedom and empowering small and medium newspapers across the country. Through his leadership, the Newspaper Association of India has emerged as a strong national platform advocating ethical journalism and institutional growth.
Adding intellectual depth to the conclave were eminent media personalities Upendra Rai, CMD and Editor-in-Chief of Bharat Express, and Yashwant Singh, Founder-Editor of Bhadas4Media. Upendra Rai emphasised credibility, fearless journalism, and the responsibility of mainstream media in the digital age, while Yashwant Singh highlighted the importance of independent media platforms in ensuring transparency and accountability within the industry. Both were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to journalism.
The conclave also honoured several distinguished personalities from diverse fields:
- Dr. Binish Thomas, Director, International Council for Journalists, was honoured for his contribution to global journalism dialogue and received recognition in the Best Geo-Politics category.
- Mr. Niraj Sharma, noted social worker, influencer, and public figure, was awarded for his impactful presence as an Impact Influencer.
A special combined session featuring three astrologers highlighted the growing influence of traditional knowledge systems in modern public discourse.
Among those recognised in the field of astrology and spiritual guidance:
- Mrs. Nitisha Malhotra (Astrologer Nitisha Malhotra) was honoured with the Jyotish Martand Samman.
- Ms. Aditi Dua (Tarot by Aditi) received the Stellar Visionary Influencer award for her work as a tarot card reader.
- Mrs. Poonam Choudhary (Poonam Choudhary Official) was conferred the Jyotish Gaurav Samman for her contribution as a Vedic astrologer.
The event also recognised the growing impact of digital creators and influencers:
- Several YouTubers and social media influencers were felicitated for shaping public opinion through digital platforms.
- Sefali Sharma (Nazar Battu Productions) received the Best Social Media Platform award.
- Mayank Mishra (Nazar Battu Productions) was also honoured with the Best Social Media Platform award.
- Mr. Chetan Rawat, influencer, was recognised for excellence in digital content creation under the Best Social Media Platform category.
In the radio and broadcasting segment, popular voices were honoured for their audience engagement and content innovation:
- RJ Tripti (Red FM) was awarded Best Content Creator.
- RJ Sona (Red FM) received the award for Best RJ & Influencer.
- RJ Prateek (Red FM) was also honoured as Best RJ & Influencer.
Addressing the gathering, Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay stressed the need for media–academia collaboration to promote research-based journalism, while Fisheries Minister Dr. Sanjay Nishad highlighted the role of media in amplifying rural narratives, particularly under the “नीली क्रांति” (Blue Revolution) initiative.
With Bhadas4Media as the media partner and Bharat Express as the channel partner, the conclave successfully brought together traditional media, digital platforms, and policymakers under one roof. The event not only celebrated excellence but also reinforced the vital role of responsible journalism and informed public dialogue in a लोकतांत्रिक framework.
At the heart of the evening remained Vipin Gaur’s inspiring leadership, complemented by the powerful insights of Upendra Rai and Yashwant Singh, making the conclave a landmark moment in contemporary media and public discourse.
