On National Press Day, PARI journalist Jaideep Hardikar received the Ramoji Excellence Award in journalism, an award in its inaugural year and the highest-value journalism prize in India at ₹10 lakh. This recognition was not just deserved; it was long overdue. Hardikar, an unassuming journalist from Nagpur, has spent nearly three decades reporting on “the everyday lives of everyday people.” From the cotton fields of Vidarbha to the drought-hit villages of Marathwada, he has chronicled the stories that mainstream newsrooms often ignore. His work is not loud; it is patient, detailed, and deeply human. And that is exactly why this award feels historic.

A Career Rooted in the Soil

Throughout his career, Hardikar has stayed rooted in Nagpur, choosing to report from the ground rather than rise through the ranks in metropolitan offices. He started with Lokmat Times, then worked with The Hitavada, DNA, and The Telegraph. Wherever he went, one thing remained constant: his commitment to rural reporting. He has spent years walking village roads, sitting in farmers’ homes, and listening to their fears, hopes, and struggles. Those who have travelled with him say he works with extraordinary energy, a notebook always in hand, capturing stories as they unfold patiently and respectfully. 

The Book That Defined an Era: Ramrao

In April 2014, a cotton farmer named Ramrao Panchleniwar from Vidarbha drank two bottles of pesticide. He was one of thousands of farmers pushed to desperation by debts, crop failures, and rising input costs. Miraculously, Ramrao survived. Most stories end there in a brief news report about another suicide attempt. But Hardikar did something rare.  He stayed. For seven years. And that is how Ramrao: The Story of India’s Farm Crisis was born. 

Hardikar followed Ramrao’s life through recovery, struggle, shame, hope, debt, and resilience. He visited his home repeatedly, spoke to his family, walked through his fields, and tried to understand the forces that brought him to the edge. The book is less a biography and more a mirror reflecting India’s deep agrarian distress through the life of a single man. Many consider Ramrao the most powerful contemporary book written on India’s farm crisis because it is not filled with only data and analysis; it is filled with life. Hardikar makes the reader feel the farmer’s fear during unpredictable monsoons, his burden when the crop fails, and his quiet courage in rebuilding his life.

Why His Work Matters

India’s farm crisis has been studied by economists, policymakers, and activists. But very few have brought the human connection with the depth Hardikar brings. His stories remind us that behind every number in a government report is a family, a childhood dream, a life built on hard labor. Hardikar’s journalism challenges us to see farmers not as victims but as individuals brimming with dignity and resilience. 

The Ramoji Award: A Meaningful Tribute

The Ramoji Excellence Award is given by the Eenadu group in memory of its founder, the late Shri Ramoji Rao garu a legendary media visionary. Those who knew Ramoji Rao believe he would have been extremely proud of this choice. Hardikar represents the kind of journalism Ramoji Rao valued: deeply researched, socially committed, and people-centered.

A Symbol of Hope for the Future of Journalism

At a time when the news cycle is fast, breaking alerts dominate screens, and many stories remain untold, Jaideep Hardikar stands as a reminder of what journalism can and should be. His award is not just a personal achievement; it is a recognition of rural reporting itself. Young journalists can learn a powerful lesson from Jaideep Hardikar’s work: real stories live in the field, not in newsrooms. Go out there, meet people where they are, and let their lives guide your reporting. Listen more than you speak, because every silent pause holds a truth waiting to be understood. Give voice to those who remain unheard in mainstream narratives, and stay with a story long enough for it to reveal its deeper layers. This is how journalism becomes meaningful, human, and unforgettable.

The Legacy of a Reporter Who Never Looked Away

The Ramoji Excellence Award celebrates excellence, but in Jaideep Hardikar’s case, it also celebrates endurance. For nearly thirty years, he remained committed to reporting stories that matter not because they bring fame, but because they bring truth. His journey, and the stories he tells, remind us that India’s farm crisis is not just a policy debate; it is a human story. Thanks to journalists like him, the country can see, feel, and understand the lives behind the statistics.