Aurangabad— Meena Kotwal, a trailblazer in the realm of journalism and human rights activism, was bestowed with the illustrious 103rd Mooknayak award on Monday. The prestigious accolade was presented to her during a ceremony organized by the Mahatma Phule Samajik Samta Pratishthan in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Ms. Kotwal is the founder of the esteemed news portal, The Mooknayak, which serves as a beacon of hope for marginalized sections of society. Her unwavering commitment to fearless journalism and advocacy for the rights of the marginalized communities has earned her numerous accolades and recognition.

Prior to founding The Mooknayak, Meena served as a broadcast journalist at the Hindi division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in New Delhi. Her insightful commentary and thought-provoking articles have been published in several reputed publications such as The Wire, The Print, The Shudra, Youth Ki Awaz, and Feminism in India. In addition, Meena has made substantial contributions to National Dastak, an online platform that sheds light on the stories of marginalized identities.

Meena's contributions to journalism and human rights activism have been widely acknowledged and appreciated. In 2020, she received the Indian Institute of Mass Communication Alumni Association (IIMCAA) Award for Investigative and Developmental Reporting, and in 2022, she was honored with the Laadli Media Award.

The Mooknayak award serves as a testament to Meena's unwavering spirit and her relentless pursuit of justice for the marginalized communities. Her achievements serve as a source of inspiration for future generations of journalists and human rights activists, who will continue to work towards creating a more equitable and just society.