A veteran of Indian television journalism who shattered one of the industry's most enduring glass ceilings has been honoured with the prestigious Pandit Haridutt Sharma Award — and Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was among the first to mark the occasion publicly, offering warm congratulations on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

The award went to Navika Kumar, one of India's most recognised television anchors and the first woman to serve as Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Now and Navbharat. In his post, Minister Puri described her as among the country's 'most select and prestigious women journalists', crediting her 'fearless journalism and clear thinking' for earning her a place at the very top of the profession.

Breaking the mould at the top of Indian TV news

Puri's tribute singled out Kumar's identity as 'a strong feminist' who has not only carved a distinct place in journalism but has, in his words, 'broken many conventions and the glass ceiling, setting an example for the next generation of women.' The phrase 'glass ceiling' — used verbatim in the Hindi post — carries particular weight here: Kumar's appointment as the first woman to lead two major news channels simultaneously was itself a landmark moment in Indian broadcast media.

The ceremony drew a gathering that reflected the occasion's significance. Union Cabinet Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, whom Puri described as a friend and cabinet colleague, attended alongside BJP Member of Parliament Dr. Mahesh Sharma. Members of the Pandit Haridutt Sharma family and Kumar's own family were also present.

The legacy behind the award's name

The award itself honours the memory of Pandit Haridutt Sharma, remembered, as Puri put it, for his 'significant contributions to journalism, writing, and public awareness.' Puri framed the recognition as a tribute not just to Kumar but to the broader tradition the award represents — 'a commitment to the excellent traditions of journalism and fearless expression.'

For Kumar, the recognition lands as a capstone on a career defined by high-stakes live anchoring and editorial leadership at scale. The minister called the honour 'a proud testament to her dedication to nation-building and her unwavering commitment to fearless journalism.'

When a petroleum minister takes time to publicly celebrate a journalism award, it signals how firmly Kumar's standing has crossed professional boundaries — her achievement is being read not as a media-industry milestone alone, but as a national one.