Mera Khazana… My Treasure: An award of Rs 25,000… celebrations worth Rs 21,000....by Baljit Balli
This photograph of the medal takes me back to 1996—a time when recognition in journalism felt rare, weighty, and deeply meaningful. That was the year I was honoured as Punjab’s Shiromani Journalist in Punjabi journalism. Along with the medal came a shawl, a certificate, and a cheque for ₹25,000.
I was then a Senior Reporter with the Ajit newspaper group in Chandigarh. In those days, the Shiromani Award carried immense prestige. Many journalists quietly—and sometimes not so quietly—worked towards it. I did not. The honour came to me without pursuit, and perhaps that made it feel even more humbling.
The selection each year was made by the Language Advisory Board constituted by the Punjab Government, with the Language Minister as its Chairperson. At that time, Bibi Rajinder Kaur Bhattal held the portfolios of Higher Education and Languages.
Two things worked in my favour: I was counted among the most active and credible investigative journalists of that phase, and my professional relationships—including with Bibi Bhattal—were warm and respectful.
In the 20–22-member Board, my name was approved unanimously. The award ceremony was held annually on Punjab Day, November 1, and presided over by the Governor, who personally presented the honours.
That year, the then Governor, General Chhibber, conferred the awards at a state-level ceremony in Patiala.
₹25,000 was a substantial amount in those days—when a US dollar was valued at around ₹35. I kept very little of it for myself. Out of that sum, ₹21,000 went into celebrations with close relatives, friends, and journalist colleagues. It felt right to share the moment, to turn personal recognition into collective joy.
In later years, I too became a member of the Language Advisory Board on several occasions and took part in the selection of Shiromani Award recipients.
The prize money grew over time, but so did the allegations of favouritism, followed by controversies and disputes. What was once a symbol of quiet honour gradually became burdened with questions—and today, these awards find themselves entangled in legal battles.
Looking back, the medal still shines—not for its metal or money, but for a time when professional integrity alone felt sufficient, and recognition arrived without asking.
February 28, 2026
-
-
Baljit Balli, Editor-In-Chief, Babushahi Network, Tirchhi Nazar Media
tirshinazar@gmail.com
Phone No. : +91-9915177722
Disclaimer : The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the writer/author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media. Babushahi.com or Tirchhi Nazar Media does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.