Our Mission
- To encourage the growth of a healthy press by providing awards, scholarships, and other incentives to journalists in and outside J&K
- To encourage the development of young journalistic talent through educational initiatives, skill development workshops, and mentorship
- To be an incubator for early-stage journalism or media start-ups, students and fledgling journalists who want to work on projects aimed at creating an informed and empowered society
- To enable access to resources that inspire and effect the growth of conscientious journalism
Our History
The Jamna Devi Gyan Devi Saraf Trust was established on August 9, 1985 by visionary journalist and social reformer Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, and his eldest son, Shri Om Prakash Saraf, himself an eminent journalist. They named it after two distinguished ladies who were the mothers of the founder trustees. Since its inception, the JDGD Saraf Trust has emerged as a highly prestigious institution in the realm of journalism mainly for two reasons. One, its association with the late Lala Mulk Raj Saraf (1894-1989), who upheld the noblest traditions of the profession for more than 70 years and was popularly called the "Father of Journalism" in the colorful and equally controversial region of Jammu and Kashmir. Two, its crucial role in encouraging the growth of a healthy press by periodically venerating the veterans and decorating the youngsters for their distinctive achievements in the line.
Mrs. Rachna Vinod was nominated as a trustee by the founder trustee Shri Om Prakash Saraf in March 1989 and Dr. Sonali Gupta became a trustee in September 2018. The current trustees continue to be guided by the vision of journalism as set forth by the founding trustees, while at the same time adapting to the technological landscape that has created newer methods of news creation and dissemination. It is notable that the reins of this esteemed trust that is named after two distinguished ladies, have eventually been entrusted to two women by the senior trustees over the years.
Our Programs
JDGD Saraf Trust envisions conscientious and fearless journalists who uphold the prestige of the profession of Journalism. The Trust has been by providing awards, scholarships and other incentives to journalists in and outside J&K. Since 1985, the much-coveted "JDGD Saraf awards for Journalism" have been given to several veterans as well as youngsters who have gone on to bring laurels to the state. Some notable recipients include Maulana Mohd Saeed Masoodi - well-known freedom fighter and parliamentarian, Prof Ram Nath Shastri - father figure of Dogri renaissance, Mr. Onkar Nath Koul - eminent journalist, Shri Balraj Puri - distinguished journalist, Mrs. Padma Sachdev - Dogri poetess and writer, Dr. Jitendra Singh - prominent author, journalist, and parliamentarian, Syed Merajuddin - photojournalist .
The trust has instituted annual awards for those securing the first position in journalism courses in Srinagar and Jammu. It also has been awarding prizes to two best students officially adjudged as the "best all-rounder of the year" at the leading educational institution at Samba, the hometown of founding trustees. In the memory of the "Father of Journalism", the trust has instituted a special memorial award for outstanding performance by a reporter working in J&K for any of the mass media. Past recipients include Mr. Ajeet Singh - All India Radio reporter in Jammu, Mr. Yusuf Jameel - 'Telegraph' reporter in Srinagar, and Mr. George Joseph - 'Indian Express' reporter for J&K.
Trustees
The expertise of the current team lies at the intersection of journalism, media and entrepreneurship
Rachna Vinod
Rachna Vinod is a prominent media professional with over twenty three years of experience in All India Radio. An MA in Political science, she has a stellar career in broadcasting - writing, presenting, and producing various programs for children, youth, and women. An acclaimed writer who writes both poetry and prose, Rachna has authored fourteen books in English, Hindi, Urdu and Dogri and regularly writes for various online and print media. She was the first Indian office bearer in IAWRT.
Dr. Sonali Gupta
A technologist with over 25 years of experience working with reputed corporates, start-ups, public institutes and academia, Dr Sonali is an alumna of BITS Pilani and IIM Bangalore with a doctorate in management from IIM Indore. Her research has been presented in international journals and conferences. She also writes for several online and print publications on varied topics such as entrepreneurship, public policy, communication, gender equality and personal growth.
Past Trustees
The Visionaries who founded the Trust
Lala Mulk Raj Saraf (1894-1989) was a veteran journalist of Jammu and Kashmir with over seventy years of a distinguished career in journalism and social service. With several firsts to his name, he is most renowned for overcoming all odds to lay the foundation of journalism in J&K, setting up the first printing press and publishing the region's first newspaper, Ranbir. A freedom fighter, social reformer and much loved public figure, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976.
Om Prakash Saraf (1922-2017) was a prominent public figure widely regarded as a doyen of journalism in J&K. His journalistic career spans several decades during which he was the news editor of Ranbir, correspondent at Reuters, UNI, Hindustan Times, Tribune and Indian Express. He ran Rattan, one of the most successful children's magazines of pre-independence era with subscribers from India and what is now Pakistan. He held several public positions and was Member of Legislative Council, J&K.