Announcing the 2008 Prize

Sarojini Naidu Prize 2008 will support writings on two themes

Panchayat Leaders are already assuming the responsibility for transforming their villages through various development schemes connected to drinking water, sanitation, primary education, health and nutrition.

In 2007 for the first time, Sarojini Naidu Prize supported theme based writing on women and Panchayati Raj. Women in Panchayati Raj ~ Bringing Education to Every Child, was well received by journalists from across the country and The Hunger Project received more than 1,300 articles written on the topic.

Education and health are top priorities for the country and absolute necessities in the villages. Thus, whilst still supporting the theme of education, the Sarojini Naidu Prize has also introduced a new area - Women in Panchayati Raj ~ Ensuring Primary Health for All.

Women Panchayat leaders play a critical role in ensuring primary health for children, women and the aged, and are now also playing a critical role in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a vehicle to ensure promotive, preventive and curative interventions at the grass root level. The Hunger Project also announces the launch of Sarojini Naidu Prize for Television. One prize will be awarded to a television producer/journalist for outstanding coverage of 'Women in Panchayati Raj' and the role played by the women leaders in bringing education to every child in their villages or ensuring primary health for all.