Ravish Kumar
Ravish Kumar, the name resonates with journalistic integrity, unwavering courage, and a commitment to truth. Born on December 5, 1974, in Jitwarpur village in the East Champaran district of Bihar, Ravish Kumar has etched his name in the annals of Indian journalism as a seasoned journalist, author, and media personality. According to 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $20 million.
Ravish Kumar's journey began in the heart of rural Bihar. Born to Baliram Pandey and Yashoda Pandey, he spent his formative years in Jitwarpur before embarking on a quest for knowledge. Kumar pursued his high school education at Loyola High School in Patna and later moved to Delhi for higher studies. After graduating from Deshbandhu College, affiliated with the University of Delhi, he further honed his skills by enrolling in a post-graduate diploma in Hindi Journalism from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
From 1994 to 2022, Ravish Kumar served as a stalwart at NDTV India, eventually ascending to the position of Senior Director. His influence was profound, hosting several programs that became benchmarks in Indian television journalism. Notable among them were the flagship weekday show Prime Time, Hum Log, Ravish Ki Report, and Des Ki Baat.
However, Kumar's dedication to truth and fearless journalism has not come without its challenges. He has faced death threats in the past, a testament to the risks he undertook to unveil the truth.
On November 30, 2022, in a surprising turn of events, Kumar resigned from NDTV a day after the channel's founders and promoters, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy, resigned as directors on the board of RRPR Holding Private Limited (RRPRH), marking a significant shift in his career.
Since 2022, Ravish Kumar has ventured into the digital realm, launching his own news channel on YouTube, reaffirming his commitment to providing the public with unfiltered news and analysis.
Ravish Kumar's contributions to journalism have been acknowledged through numerous awards. He is a two-time recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award for the Best Journalist of the Year (2017, 2013) and received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2019, making him the fifth Indian journalist to be honoured with this accolade.
His long list of awards includes the Gauri Lankesh Award for Journalism, the first Kuldip Nayar Journalism Award (2017), and the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award for Hindi Journalism and Creative Literature (2010, awarded in 2014).
In 2023, on World Press Freedom Day, Ravish Kumar was awarded the Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels, Belgium, recognising his critical and independent journalism in India.
Behind the formidable journalist is a family man. Ravish Kumar is married to Nayana Dasgupta, a history professor at Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi. The couple is blessed with two daughters.
In addition to his journalism career, Kumar has made significant contributions to literature. He has authored several books, including The Free Voice: On Democracy, Culture and the Nation (2018), Bolna Hi Hai: Loktantra, Sanskriti Aur Rashtra Ke Bare Mein (in Hindi), Ishq Mein Shahar Hona (in Hindi), Dekhate Rahiye (in Hindi), Ravishpanti (in Hindi), and A City Happens In Love.
In 2023, Ravish Kumar became the subject of the documentary "While We Watched ", by filmmaker Vinay Shukla, providing audiences with a closer look at the man behind the fearless journalism.
Ravish Kumar's legacy is not only defined by his awards and accolades but also by his unwavering commitment to truth, fearlessness in the face of adversity, and a deep sense of responsibility towards his audience. As he continues his journey in the digital space, one can only anticipate the impact he will continue to make on the landscape of Indian journalism.
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