Page 20 - The Indian EYE 103026

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 30, 2026 | The Indian Eye 20

Journalists, Public Servants, and

Trailblazers Convene in Ohio for IAPC’s

11th International Media Conference

OUR BUREAU • Roy Ratnavel (Corporate Execu-
tive and Bestselling Author) for ex-
CINCINNATI, OH
emplary leadership and resilience.
he Indo-American Press Club • Dr. Subash Razdan (Community
(IAPC) hosted its premier an- Leader) for decades of steadfast
Tnual convention, the 11th In- civil rights advocacy.
ternational Media Conference 2026, Special Category Awards:
bringing together prominent journal-
ists, media executives, authors, and • Most Impactful Book for the South
civic leaders at the Cincinnati Marri- Asian Community: Dr. Mubin
ott. Centered on the themes of press Syed, recognized for his influential
freedom, digital transformation, and writings on preventive health edu-
community empowerment, the con- cation.
ference served as a vital forum for eval- • Karmashreshta Award: Sajan Var-
uating the modern media landscape Panelists discuss the ethical and al committee. ghese, honored for business excel-
while honoring exceptional leader- practical impacts of artificial intelli- Taking the podium as Chief lence and community mentorship.
ship across the South Asian diaspora. gence on modern journalism during Guest, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab • Community Service Awards: Dr.
The Saturday program opened the morning media conclave, moder- Pureval commended the IAPC for Sunitha Polepalle, for medical out-
with an in-depth morning media con- ated by Meera Shankar. fostering transparency, civic engage- reach to underserved populations,
clave addressing the practical and eth- The conference culminated in the ment, and cross-cultural dialogue. and Jay Bedi, for impactful non-
ical challenges facing contemporary evening with the Grand Gala Awards U.S. Congressman Greg Lands- profit civic initiatives.
journalism. Moderated by television Night, emceed by Meena Chittilappil- man unveils the 11th International • Excellence in Leadership Award:
producer and host Meera Shankar, ly, Milly Philip, and Meera Shankar. Media Conference 2026 Commem- Dr. Sujeeth Reddy Punnam, for
the session—titled “The AI Revolu- Proceedings commenced with a wel- orative Souvenir alongside investiga- his stewardship in cardiology and
tion: Empowering Storytellers, Trans- come address from IAPC Founding tive journalist Mathew Samuel and clinical governance.
forming Newsrooms”—examined the President Ajay Ghosh, followed by IAPC leadership. The evening concluded with fe-
integration of artificial intelligence, formal remarks from Chairman Dr. A centerpiece of the gala was licitations from distinguished commu-
the maintenance of public trust, and Satheesh Kathula and President Mee- the conferral of major awards rec- nity leaders and artists, including Dr.
the preservation of human ethics in na Chittilappilly. ognizing trailblazers whose work has Sam Chacko, Dr. Kala Shahi, James
reporting. Panelists contributing to U.S. Representative Greg Lands- significantly impacted public health, Chacko, Sam T. Samuel, and actors
the lively discussion included Roy man (OH-01) attended as Special enterprise, literature, civil rights, and Dr. Niharica Raizada and Meera Nair.
Ratnavel, Vinod Tharakan, Dr. Sath- Guest, delivering a keynote address community welfare: Additionally, special recognition
eesh Kathula, Ajay Ghosh, Parveen that underscored the necessity of an Lifetime Achievement Awards: plaques were presented to Mathew
Chopra, and Muthu Mudaliar. independent press in safeguarding Samuel for excellence in investiga-
The dialogue continued into the democratic governance. Rep. Lands- • Dr. V.K. Raju (Pediatric Ophthal- tive reporting, Shan Justus for stra-
afternoon with a policy conclave con- man also presided over the official mologist) for his global humanitar- tegic and operational leadership, and
ducted in Malayalam and moderated unveiling of the 11th International ian efforts to eradicate preventable Founding Chairman Ginsmon Zach-
by Azad Jayan. The session explored Media Conference 2026 Commemo- childhood blindness through the aria for his enduring organizational
the intersections of democracy, press rative Souvenir, presenting the inau- Eye Foundation of America. stewardship. Following an official vote
freedom, and the indispensable role gural copy, compiled by Dr. Mathew • Dr. Meher Medavaram (Health- of thanks, guests gathered for the gala
of regional-language journalism in Joys and editorial board, to veteran care Visionary) for her dedicated banquet, bringing a memorable close
informing and connecting overseas investigative journalist Mathew Sam- advocacy and service in patient to a summit celebrating journalistic
communities. uel alongside members of the editori- welfare. integrity and diaspora achievement.

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