Renowned lyricist and Prasar Bharati Chairman Prasoon Joshi was honored with the prestigious Hindi Ratna Award 2026 at a ceremony held at Hindi Bhawan in Delhi on 1st August 2026. Senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma attended the event as the chief guest and presented the award. Organized annually on 1st August by Hindi Bhawan to commemorate the birth anniversary of Rajarshi Purushottam Das Tandon, the event brought together prominent figures from literature, journalism, and public broadcasting to celebrate Prasoon Joshi's significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the Hindi language.
Prasoon Joshi Expresses Gratitude as Rajat Sharma Applauds His Legacy
Accepting the award, Prasoon Joshi expressed his gratitude, noting that receiving the recognition from a senior personality like Rajat Sharma was a moment of immense personal pride. Rajat Sharma remarked that presenting the award to Prasoon Joshi was equally a privilege for him, as the lyricist has consistently elevated the global stature and dignity of Hindi. Applauding his creative brilliance, Rajat Sharma shared lines praising his uniqueness and observed that Prasoon Joshi truly deserved the award for preserving the rich essence of Hindi even while operating within predominantly English-speaking corporate and creative spheres.
Rajat Sharma Shares Nostalgic Connection with Hindi Bhawan
Addressing the gathering, Rajat Sharma reflected emotionally on his childhood connection with Hindi Bhawan, describing the venue as a deeply meaningful place in his life journey. He recalled associating with the institution from the age of six or seven, as his grandfather worked there as a librarian. His family relied on his grandfather's salary, and the books brought home from the library helped shape his early reading habits and love for literature. Having received his early education in the Hindi medium, he initially experienced cultural friction upon joining Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), where the academic atmosphere was entirely conducted in English.
The Influence of the JP Movement and Early Career Crossroads
During his college years, the historic JP Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan swept across the nation. Rajat Sharma noted that public movements naturally draw their strength from the language of the masses. His active participation in the movement eliminated any lingering hesitation regarding his native language. After entering journalism, he wrote extensively in Hindi for two years, but faced a lack of recognition. He subsequently transitioned to English journalism, rising to the position of editor. However, when the opportunity arose to produce his first television interview show, he deliberately chose Hindi as the medium.
The Memorable Episode with Lalu Prasad Yadav and Television Success
Sharing a memorable anecdote from the launch of his television career, Rajat Sharma recalled planning to record his inaugural episode with veteran author Khushwant Singh, with politician Lalu Prasad Yadav scheduled third in line. Unexpectedly, Lalu Prasad Yadav called at 10:00 AM, insisting on recording immediately despite his appointment being fixed for 4:00 PM. The team adjusted schedules to record the session, which ultimately became a landmark broadcast. Rajat Sharma emphasized that had the program been produced in English rather than Hindi, it would never have achieved such massive nationwide popularity.
Hindi News Viewership Surpasses English Channels by 140 Percent
Concluding his speech, Rajat Sharma highlighted the robust strength and expanding reach of Hindi in contemporary society. He stated that Hindi is no longer a vulnerable or neglected language, but rather the commanding voice of top government leaders and millions of citizens across the nation. To illustrate this shift, he cited television industry data showing that Hindi news channels currently command 140 percent higher viewership than English news channels. He affirmed that this remarkable metric reflects the enduring resonance and dominance of Hindi in modern Indian broadcasting.
