October/November Newsletter | | Pictured left to right: Indira Somani, Shalina Chatlani, Pia Sarkar, Mihir Zaveri, Esha Ray, Rekha Shanmugam, Safia Samee Ali, Sree Sreenivasan, Sonali Gupta. | More than 150 journalists, media professionals and supporters came together for a sold-out celebration at SAJA’s 32nd Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Maison Projects in New York City.
The evening was filled with inspiring conversations, well-deserved honors and a celebration of South Asian journalism and community.
A special thank you to our keynote speaker Daisy Veerasingham for her powerful message on protecting journalists and press freedom.
Thank you to everyone who made the night unforgettable! Scroll down to reliive the evening through photos and reflections.
| | | Announcements
Upcoming Event: SAJA x AMEJA | |
The 2026 midterm elections featured a massive blue wave of candidates from Arab, South Asian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu backgrounds — Aber Kawas in New York, Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Pia Dandiya in Florida, Nabeela Syed in Illinois, and many more!
On Thursday, Nov. 12, the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) and the Arab Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA) are teaming up to host a panel on covering our communities at a time when they are not only experiencing more representation in American politics and society, but also more pushback.
We are inviting community members and leaders, journalists and writers, and artists to gather for a discussion on how we report in a changing America and represent our communities with truth and integrity.
Join SAJA and AMEJA on Thursday, November 12
Time: 6:30–9 p.m.
Location: Nepali Bhanchha Ghar, 74-15 Roosevelt Ave., Jackson Heights (downstairs). | | Remembering Melanie Greer Huff | | SAJA is devastated by the loss of Melanie Huff, Dean of Students at Columbia Journalism School, who died of cancer at 62 this year. Melanie was integral to SAJA, as she worked closely with former Columbia faculty member, Sree Sreenivasan, to organize SAJA’s conferences and gala dinners.
Melanie was especially attentive to international students, including the large contingent of students from South Asia. She steered them (and US-born South Asians) to SAJA and all it had to offer.
For so many SAJA members, she was the “calm before the storm” bringing her organizational expertise to a group of journalists typically operating in chaos to launch events.
Many of us cannot imagine SAJA without Melanie.
We send our love and deepest condolences to Melanie’s family, friends and everyone whose lives she touched. Thank you, Melanie, for everything you’ve done for SAJA. Link to Facebook Post and Instagram Post. | | | | “Had a wonderful time at the SAJA Awards Dinner! Great to connect with veteran media friends in person plus also meet newer folks to the journalist world who are doing exciting things. Such a well executed event and so happy that SAJA has been rocking it for decades!”
-Gitesh Pandya, Editor, BoxOfficeGuru.com “While there’s so much doom and gloom about journalism, the SAJA awards offer a shot of optimism seeing a new generation of award winning reporters excited about the profession.” -Hari Sreenivasan | | | “I made it a point to attend the SAJA Awards Gala because I knew I would be inspired and welcomed by those in attendance, and I was not disappointed. Learning about the incredible work South Asians in journalism are contributing to the field and meeting attendees who constantly support the community made the evening one I’ll always treasure.”
-Riddhi Bora, 2026 Scholarship Recipient |
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“The intimate networking with old friends and new made the event invaluable for an old-timer like me. It was infectious to see the enthusiasm of the next generation.”
-Pradnya Joshi | |
“What I appreciated the most about the event was how it brought together the best of SAJA’s history and its future. It is always a place to reconnect and to recharge. It was wonderful to see colleagues and friends and be reminded of all the work we’ve done, and to be inspired by the next generation of South Asian journalists as they carry it forward.” -Sulemin Din
“It was inspiring to see how SAJA has grown and changed over the years yet remained true to its mission and values. Seeing and talking to students and young journalists who were awarded scholarships and awards at this year's awards gala was a great reminder of that.”
-Vikas Bajaj (former SAJA VP, 2005-2007; board member 2004-2007) | |
“I'm thrilled to see how much SAJA matters to new generations of journalists, and very much looking forward to seeing what they do!”
-Deepti Hajela (former SAJA President, 2005- 2007) | | | Run for the SAJA Board!
Five seats on SAJA’s Board are up for election this year! Interested in helping shape the organization’s future? Run for a seat. Stay tuned for more details.
Renew your membership
and maximize your support for SAJA!
For those of you who are members, thank you for being part of the SAJA community. Your support helps us create quality programming, grant scholarships and awards, champion our members’ work and advocate for South Asian journalists across the industry.
| | | ABOUT US
Founded in March 1994 with just 18 members, the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA) now represents more than 1,000 journalists of South Asian origin across the U.S. and Canada. SAJA serves as a network for training, inspiration, and support—not only for South Asian journalists but for anyone covering South Asia and its diaspora. SAJA also aims to improve the coverage of the Subcontinent and its diaspora.
Follow us on social media
SAJA.org· X:@sajaHQ· IG:@theofficialsaja·
LinkedIn:South Asian Journalists Association |
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