Date:17/11/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/17/stories/2002111704021300.htm

National

Award for journalist

Asha Krishnakumar, Special Correspondent, Frontline, has won the prestigious `2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism: Excellence in Reporting Human Rights, Democracy and Development for Asia and the Pacific category', awarded by the European Commission and administered by the International Federation of Journalists for her cover story "Weavers in distress" and follow-up report "For the weavers" both published in the magazine.

The articles focussed on the large number of starvation and suicide deaths prevalent among Andhra Pradesh's traditional weavers in Karimnagar and Medak districts since 1997. The Andhra Pradesh Government subsequently initiated a series of welfare measures to help the affected.

The Lorenzo Natali Prize, comprising a cash award of 10,000 Euros and a trophy, was presented to Ms. Krishnakumar at a ceremony held in Brussels on November 15.