Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Soledad O'Brien Will Be Our Keynote Speaker For The 2013 SAJA Annual Awards Gala!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2013 SUMMER INTERNSHIP FUND RECIPIENTS!

Thank you to all the applicants for this summer's Internship Fund scholarship program. We received a number of talented applications.

The winners for the SAJA 2013 Summer Internship Fund are: Naveena Sadasivam, Tanay Warerkar and Sameea Kamal.

The SAJA Internship Fund is a need-based grant that is awarded to three student journalists who secured partially-paid or unpaid internships this summer. Students are awarded these funds based on a solid interest in journalism, clear writing skills, and an enthusiasm for participating in and fulfilling SAJA's mission.

We would like to give a special thanks to our judges for this summer's Internship Fund:

SAJA's Annual Awards Dinner On Saturday Oct. 5th

Join us for our annual awards dinner and gala at The Yale Club in New York City!

We will honor and recognize excellence in journalism coverage of South Asia as well as outstanding reporting by South Asian journalists.

This is a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow SAJA members, other reporters, editors and producers from reputable media outlets.

Please stay tuned for updates on the evening's events and program schedule.

EARLY BIRD TICKET SPECIALS HAPPENING NOW!:

Register by September 8th to get these discounted prices!

Student Members (the first 20 members) : $100
SAJA Members: $200
Non-members: $250

Regular Ticket Prices (After September 8th):
Student Members: $125
SAJA Members: $250
Non-Members: $300

Corporate Tables: $2,500/table (10 tickets) Companies interested in paying for their corporate table by check can make their check payable to:
SAJA Group Inc. And please mail their check to:

John Laxmi
SAJA Treasurer
17 Costwood Road, Greenwich, C.T. 06830

Tickets are only available until September 30, 2013!

There will be no onsite registration, so secure your seats today!

Please note: Tickets are non-refundable.

Buy Tickets Here: http://saja.org/events?eventId=711262&EventViewMode=EventDetails

This is a banquet-style dinner. Please dress in formal attire. Many attending will be wearing South Asian-style, in tune with the organization's region of focus, but all styles are welcome.

SAJA Job Fair @ AAJA National Convention

This year, SAJA will be hosting its job fair in conjunction with the AAJA National Convention this summer at the Hilton New York Midtown Manhattan.

SAJA members will have a special one day rate on Friday, August 23, 2013 with complete access to the job fair as well as workshops, panel discussions, and AAJA's silent auction later that night.

Those interested in attending the full AAJA National Convention from Wednesday, August 21st - Saturday August 24th can get a SAJA discount rate as well.

**SAJA will be hosting a happy hour networking mixer on Friday August 23rd, 2013. This will be an opportunity for SAJA members to mingle with fellow SAJA and AAJA members from across the country. You don't have to be registered for the AAJA Convention to attend this mixer. This mixer will be open to everyone. Details coming soon!**

You will need to register through the AAJA Convention site.
To register, please follow the guidelines on this link:
Career Fair & Expo/Convention Registration

The discount code for SAJA members is SAJA2013, to be entered at the check-out page.

Registration Dates Below:
Day rate for Friday, August 23rd - $175

Full convention: Regular Registration/All registrations through 8/24 - $375

Any questions, please direct them to AAJA office at 415.346.2051, ext. 105, or email at support@aaja.org

2013 Knowledge@Wharton Scholarship for Business Journalism: Applications Now Open!

The Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists is pleased to present its flagship program: The Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists.

This is a unique opportunity to attend the Wharton Seminars for Business Journalists on a scholarship, exclusively set aside for a SAJA member. Scholarships are also set aside for members of AAJA, NAHJ, NAJA and NLGJA. This year's seminars will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2013 - Wednesday, October 16, 2013.

Each scholarship (which covers the cost of tuition, course materials and most meals) is worth approximately $1,995 and is furnished by The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Who Can Apply?

Any member of SAJA, AAJA, NAHJ, NAJA and NLGJA who is a reporter, editor or producer (including freelancers) currently living in the United States or Canada and working in a business journalism or a field that overlaps, such as healthcare or technology.
Applicants must be available to attend the Wharton program this year.
Individuals between two to seven years of experience as a business reporter or those news to business reporting, but with 5 - 10 years of experience as a reporter in another field are encouraged to apply.
Freelancers are welcome to apply

For more information, including last year's scholarship winners, click here: http://saja.org/wharton

APPLICATION: http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/journalists/pl-session-2011.cfm


DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, September 6, 2013

Winners will be informed by September 13, 2013

Questions? Contact SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni - secretary@saja.org


This Summer: SAJA Comes To Your City

SAJA is looking to come to a city near you this summer! In the past we've hosted events in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, Las Vegas, Boston, Bay Area and Toronto. And we would love to host a happy hour, mixer, panel, informational session, or any other event that will help benefit our North American members. We love hearing from our members and want to collaborate with all of you.

If you are interested in hosting an event in your city please feel free to contact SAJA President Sovy Azhath at president@saja.org or SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni at secretary@saja.org.

Save the Date! 2013 SAJA Gala We are pleased to announce our annual Gala and Awards Dinner will be held in the fall for the first time in SAJA's nearly 20-year history! Please save the date: Saturday, October 5th, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. in New York City We will be hosting cocktails and banquet-style dinner at the Yale Club in Midtown Manhattan. We will honor and recognize excellence in journalism coverage in South Asia as well as outstanding reporting by South Asian journalists. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow SAJA members, and other reporters, editors, producers from reputable media outlets. Registration and ticket information coming soon! Please save the date.

SAJA Summer Job Fair @ AAJA National Convention This year, SAJA will be hosting its job fair in conjunction with the AAJA National Convention this summer at the Hilton New York Midtown Manhattan. SAJA members will have a special one day rate on Friday, August 23, 2013 with complete access to the job fair as well as workshops, panel discussions, and AAJA's silent auction later that night. Additionally, SAJA will be hosting a special networking mixer near the convention headquarters on Friday, August 23rd after the day's activities. Get the chance to interact and mingle with the national SAJA board, fellow SAJA members and AAJA members from across the country. More details coming soon! Those interested in attending the full AAJA National Convention from Wednesday, August 21st - Saturday August 24th can get a SAJA discount rate as well. You will need to register through the AAJA Convention site.  To register, please follow the guidelines on this link: Career Fair & Expo/Convention Registration The discount code for SAJA members is SAJA2013, to be entered at the check-out page. Registration Dates Below: Day rate for Friday, August 23rd - $175 Full convention: Pre-Registration Payment received by Friday, 6/14 - $300 Full convention: Regular Registration/All registrations through 8/24 - $375 Any questions, please direct them to AAJA office at 415.346.2051, ext. 105, or email at support@aaja.org

This Summer: SAJA Comes To Your City SAJA is looking to come to a city near you this summer! In the past we've hosted events in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, Las Vegas, Boston, Bay Area and Toronto. And we would love to host a happy hour, mixer, panel, informational session, or any other event that will help benefit our North American members. We love hearing from our members and want to collaborate with all of you. If you are interested in hosting an event in your city please feel free to contact SAJA President Sovy Azhath at president@saja.org or SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni at secretary@saja.org.

SAJA Awards Due Today! Today is the LAST DAY to submit your applications for our annual awards! Hurry and take a look at the 11 categories we have and apply today! This award recognizes excellence in coverage of South Asia, as well as outstanding reporting by South Asian journalists and students in the U.S. and Canada. The 2013  Awards, which are open to journalists, media companies and freelancers headquartered in the U.S. and Canada, consist of the following categories: For journalists (including freelancers) working for media outlets based in North America: Category 1: The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia: All media Category 2: Outstanding enterprise reporting about South Asia or the worldwide South Asian diaspora: All media Category 3: Outstanding reporting on the shooting at Oak Creek Sikh Temple in Wisconsin: All media Category 4: Outstanding business story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 5: Outstanding arts and culture reporting about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 6: Outstanding feature story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 7: Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 8: Outstanding visual storytelling about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (includes audio slide shows, photo essays and video stories) For journalists of South Asian origin working in North America for any media outlet: Category 9: Outstanding story on any subject: All media Category 10: Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media Students of South Asian origin in North America:(1st, 2nd, 3rd place-cash award)  Category 11: Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the US or Canada: All media Submissions can include print articles, editorials, photographs and new media pieces published, and broadcasts aired, in 2012. DEADLINES: The final deadline is Today. ENTRY FEE (entries without payment will NOT be processed): $50 We have eliminated the entry fee for students, but will accept only one submission per student. You can submit by clicking on the categories above or going to  saja.submittable.com --- Direct all questions to Anup Kaphle, awards@saja.org (subject line = "SAJA Awards 2013")  If you'd like to volunteer to help us judge, please contact Anup Kaphle: awards@saja.org (subject line = "SAJA judge")

SAJA Internship Fund Now Taking Applications Students & Recent Grads: Got an internship lined up for the summer? We are offering funding for those of you who have acquired a low-paying or unpaid internship for this summer. Shrinking newsroom budgets mean fewer fully paid internships. If an enterprising student can secure an unpaid or partially paid internship at a media organization, a little financial help from SAJA to meet basic expenses will help the student gain valuable experience and clips. This year, SAJA will grant up to $4,500 distributed among three students who have already secured internships, but may find it difficult to accept because they are partially paid or unpaid. This is a need-based grant. Up to three students will receive between $500 and $1,500 each for the summer. Students from all mediums (newspaper, magazine, radio, TV and new media) will be considered. For more information visit: www.saja.org/internshipfund Selection Criteria: Must have already secured internship at a recognized media organization. Please include internship offer letter, terms of remuneration, length of internship, and point of contact as part of application package. Applicants with financial need will be given special consideration. We will determine financial need based on whether they have a fully paid, partially paid or unpaid internship. Interest in journalism based on work samples: 3 to 5 clips. A "give back to SAJA" plan. Recipients are expected to give back to SAJA by volunteering at the annual convention or in other ways approved by the SAJA board of directors. Eligibility: Current students who are juniors, or graduating seniors in an accredited college or university (two-year or four-year) in North America; or a student enrolled or about to enter a graduate-level program in North America. Of South Asian descent (includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; Indo-Caribbeans are also eligible) OR demonstrate a clear interest in South Asia or the diaspora. Must have an internship offer from a recognized media organization. Note: College or graduate students graduating in May/June 2013 are eligible. Immediate relatives of SAJA board members and judges are INELIGIBLE to apply. Evaluation Procedure: A committee of judges appointed by SAJA board of directors will review the applications and evaluate them on a number of subjective and objective criteria, including interest in journalism, writing skills, reasons for entering journalism, financial need and participation and enthusiasm about SAJA. Applicants may be interviewed by phone or in person by a member of the judges' committee. Winners will be notified in mid-June. Award Process: The student will be paid in two installments, one at the start, and one at the completion of the internship. Payment of second installment will be dependent on the student coming up with a plan to contribute/give back to SAJA. Each student will be required to complete a report/survey to SAJA on the program, to help board decide on the program's viability. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. EST, Saturday, June 1st, 2013 Please contact SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni secretary@saja.org with questions or to send supporting application materials.

SAJA Career Expo at the AAJA National Convention This year, SAJA will be having its job fair in conjunction with the AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association) National Convention this summer at the Hilton New York in Midtown Manhattan. SAJA members will have a special one day rate on Friday August 23, 2013 with complete access to the job fair as well as workshops, panel discussions, and AAJA's silent auction later that night. Those interested in attending the full AAJA National Convention from Wednesday Aug 21st- Saturday Aug 24th can get a SAJA discount rate as well. You will need to register through the AAJA Convention site.  To register, please follow the guidelines on this link: Career Fair & Expo/Convention Registration The discount code for SAJA members is SAJA2013, to be entered at the check-out page. Registration Dates Below: Day rate for Friday, August 23rd - $175 Full-Pre-Convention rate - $300 Any questions, please direct them to AAJA office at 415.346.2051, ext. 105, or email at support@aaja.org

This Summer: SAJA Comes To Your City SAJA is looking to come to a city near you this summer! In the past we've hosted events in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, Las Vegas, Boston, Bay Area and Toronto. And we would love to host a happy hour, mixer, panel, informational session, or any other event that will help benefit our North American members. We love hearing from our members and want to collaborate with all of you.   If you are interested in hosting an event in your city please feel free to contact SAJA President Sovy Azhath at president@saja.org or SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni at secretary@saja.org.

SAJA Reporting Fellowship Winners Announced

Deadline Extension! Annual SAJA Awards Deadline Moved to May 7th!

Good News Journalists! The deadline for this years' SAJA Awards has been pushed back to Tuesday, May 7th, 2013.

We invite individual journalists, and news organizations in North America to submit entries for this year's SAJA Journalism Awards.

Applicants do not have to be South Asian to enter.

This award recognizes excellence in coverage of South Asia, as well as outstanding reporting by South Asian journalists and students in the U.S. and Canada.

For journalists (including freelancers) working for media outlets based in North America:
Category 1: The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia: All media
Category 2: Outstanding enterprise reporting about South Asia or the worldwide South Asian diaspora: All media
Category 3: Outstanding reporting on the shooting at Oak Creek Sikh Temple in Wisconsin: All media
Category 4: Outstanding business story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media
Category 5: Outstanding arts and culture reporting about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media
Category 6: Outstanding feature story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media
Category 7: Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media
Category 8: Outstanding visual storytelling about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (includes audio slide shows, photo essays and video stories)
For journalists of South Asian origin working in North America for any media outlet:
Category 9: Outstanding story on any subject: All media
Category 10: Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media
Students of South Asian origin in North America:(1st, 2nd, 3rd place-cash award)
Category 11: Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the US or Canada: All media
Submissions can include print articles, editorials, photographs and new media pieces published, and broadcasts aired, in 2012.

ENTRY FEE (entries without payment will NOT be processed): $50

We have eliminated the entry fee for students, but will accept only one submission per student.

You can submit by clicking on the categories above or going to saja.submittable.com

Any questions or if you are interested in volunteering to judge this years' awards please email SAJA Board Member Anup Kaphle at awards@saja.org

(Please address your email with "SAJA Awards 2013" or "SAJA Judge" in the subject line)



SAJA Announces It's Scholarship Winners!

SAJA Career Expo at the AAJA National Convention: Early Bird Special Deadline Is April 12th Hurry members! The deadline to get our Early Bird discount for the AAJA National Convention Career Expo is April 12th! SAJA members will have a special one day rate ($150) on Friday August 23, 2013 with complete access to the job fair as well as workshops, panel discussions, and AAJA's silent auction later that night. Those interested in attending the full AAJA National Convention from Wednesday Aug 21st - Saturday Aug 24th can get a SAJA discount rate as well. You will need to register through the AAJA Convention site.  To register, please follow the guidelines on this link: Career Fair & Expo/Convention Registration The discount code for SAJA members is SAJA2013, to be entered at the check-out page. Registration Dates & Prices Below: Day rate for Friday, August 23rd before April 12th - $150 Day rate for Friday, August 23rd after April 12th - $175 Full-Early Bird Convention rate before April 12th - $225 Full-Pre-Convention rate after April 12th - $300 Full Onsite rate after June 14th - $375 Any questions, please direct them to AAJA office at 415.346.2051, ext. 105, or email at support@aaja.org.

Send In Your Submissions: Deadline For SAJA Awards Is April 21st We need your submissions! The deadline for this years' SAJA Awards is Sunday, April 21st. We invite individual journalists and news organizations in North America to submit entries for this year's SAJA Journalism Awards. This award recognizes excellence in coverage of South Asia, as well as outstanding reporting by South Asian journalists and students in the U.S. and Canada. SAJA Board Member presents a SAJA Award to Habiba Nosheen and Hilke Schellmann The 2013 Awards, which are open to journalists, media companies and freelancers headquartered in the U.S. and Canada, consist of the following categories: For journalists (including freelancers) working for media outlets based in North America: Category 1: The Daniel Pearl Award for outstanding reporting about South Asia: All media Category 2: Outstanding enterprise reporting about South Asia or the worldwide South Asian diaspora: All media Category 3: Outstanding reporting on the shooting at Oak Creek Sikh Temple in Wisconsin: All media Category 4: Outstanding business story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 5: Outstanding arts and culture reporting about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 6: Outstanding feature story about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 7: Outstanding editorial/commentary on South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora: All media Category 8: Outstanding visual storytelling about South Asia, or the worldwide South Asians diaspora (includes audio slide shows, photo essays and video stories) For journalists of South Asian origin working in North America for any media outlet: Category 9: Outstanding story on any subject: All media Category 10: Outstanding editorial/op-ed/commentary on any subject: All media Students of South Asian origin in North America:(1st, 2nd, 3rd place-cash award)  Category 11: Outstanding story on any subject by a South Asian student in the US or Canada: All media Submissions can include print articles, editorials, photographs and new media pieces published, and broadcasts aired, in 2012. ENTRY FEE (entries without payment will NOT be processed): $50 We have eliminated the entry fee for students, but will accept only one submission per student. You can submit by clicking on the categories above or going to  saja.submittable.com Any questions or if you are interested in volunteering to judge this years' awards please email SAJA Board Member Anup Kaphle at awards@saja.org (Please address your email with "SAJA Awards 2013" or "SAJA Judge" in the subject line)

NEW: SAJA Internship Fund Is Now Taking Applications Calling all students! Got an unpaid or partially paid internship lined up this summer? A little financial help from SAJA's Internship Fund, to meet basic expenses, will help you gain valuable experience and clips. This year,  SAJA will grant up to $4,500 distributed among three students who have already secured internships, but may find it difficult to accept because they are partially paid or unpaid. This is a need-based grant. Up to three students will receive a minimum of $1,500 each for the summer. Students from all mediums (newspaper, magazine, radio, TV and new media) will be considered. To apply, first register here: http://saja.org/events?eventId=667605&EventViewMode=EventDetails To complete your application, email secretary@saja.org with the following supporting materials: 1. A copy of your offer letter. 2. A copy of your resume. 3. Attachments or links to 3-5 clips. 4. Answers to the following questions (300 words or less each): a. What has driven your interest in SAJA, South Asia or the diaspora? b. How have you been involved with SAJA thus far? c. Detail the expenses you will incur to pursue this internship. d. Detail your financial need for this grant. e. Detail any other sources of funding you are receiving for this internship. Applications are due at 11:59 P.M. Saturday, June 1st, 2013. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Visit  saja.org/internshipfund for complete details on the program.    Please contact SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni at secretary@saja.org with questions or to send supporting application materials.

SAJA Comes To Your City! SAJA is looking to come to a city near you! In the past we've hosted events in New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Seattle, Las Vegas, Boston, Bay Area and Toronto. And we would love to host a happy hour, mixer, panel, informational session, or any other event that will help benefit our North American members. We love hearing from our members and want to collaborate with all of you. If you are interested in hosting an event in your city please feel free to contact SAJA President Sovy Azhath at president@saja.org or SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni at secretary@saja.org.

Dear SAJA friends,

Thank you to all who donated for our Broadcast Challenge fundraiser. We are pleased to officially announce that we surpassed our goal of reaching the $10,000 mark and this wouldn't be possible without the support and help from you!

Because we reached our goal of raising $10K, this will be matched dollar-to-dollar by some of the top South Asian broadcast journalists from around the country. All the funds we receive go directly back to SAJA, as it will help us fund more for scholarships, internships, reporting fellowship grants, workshops for mid-career reporters and a variety of other events for our members across the U.S. and Canada.

In 2010, SAJA gave away a total of $17,000 in scholarships; in 2011, we hit $36,000; in 2012, we hit $50,000. We kept the momentum going this year by now giving away a total of $60,000 in scholarship and internship funds. These funds will help young South Asian journalists and students advance their media careers.

Last year, we completed an Editors' Challenge and now we've accomplished our goal in the Broadcast Challenge. This shows how much SAJA has grown and expanded to other forms of media in the United States and Canada.

Personally, the Broadcast Challenge was a special fundraiser to organize because as South Asians in the broadcast field, both Vice President Sharaf Mowjood of NBC News and I, Sovy Azhath, of CNN/HLN felt that this helped represent the South Asian community’s role in television and radio media.

Thank you for all the help and support you have given us throughout the years. And we are always looking to hear your feedback and ideas. Please feel free to email us at:

Sovy Azhath: president@saja.org

Sharaf Mowjood: vp@saja.org
 

We are excited to plan even more notable career-focused events in the near future. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Sovy Azhath

President, South Asian Journalists Association

CNN Headline News Producer/Writer

Sharaf Mowjood

Vice President, South Asian Journalists Association

Associate Producer for NBC's Rock Center w/ Brian Williams