Speech by Ambassador Y. K. Sailas Thangal at Jagran Achiever’s Award – International 2026 Event
(Almaty, 17 August 2026)

Dainik Jagran Annual Achievers Awards, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Distinguished guests, esteemed award recipients, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen,

Namaskar & Good evening.

It is both an honour and a privilege to join you at the Annual Achievers Awards ceremony organized by Dainik Jagran, one of India's most respected and widely read Hindi newspapers. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Dainik Jagran family for bringing together this distinguished gathering to the beautiful city of Almaty.

This evening is not merely about celebrating individual excellence. It is about recognizing the power of determination, innovation, integrity, and public service. Every award conferred today tells a story of perseverance and inspires many others to dream bigger and contribute more meaningfully to society.

Friends,

A vibrant, responsible, and independent media is one of the strongest pillars of any democratic society. Media does far more than reporting events. It informs citizens, encourages informed public discourse, gives voice to the voiceless, provide voice to diverse opinions, promotes transparency, and strengthens accountability. In doing so, it contributes significantly to the nation-building process.

A well-informed citizenry is the foundation of a healthy democracy. Journalism, when guided by truth, responsibility, and ethical standards, builds trust between institutions and the people. It fosters social harmony by encouraging dialogue, understanding, and respect for diversity. At a time when information travels instantly across borders, the responsibility of credible journalism has become even greater. Media is a double-edged tool: when used responsibly, it can educate, unite, and drive nation-building, but when misused, it can spread misinformation, divide society, and undermine the nation’s future.

Over the decades, Dainik Jagran has emerged as one of the world's largest-read newspapers, reaching millions of readers every day. Its remarkable journey reflects not only editorial excellence but also a deep commitment to connecting with ordinary citizens in their own language. By making quality journalism accessible in Hindi, Dainik Jagran has played a significant role in democratizing information and empowering readers across urban and rural India alike.

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is particularly meaningful that this celebration is taking place in Kazakhstan—a country that has emerged as a bridge between Europe and Asia and has become an important partner of India in Central Asia.

India and Kazakhstan enjoy warm and friendly relations founded on mutual respect, shared interests, and growing cooperation across trade, energy, education, culture, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. As our bilateral partnership continues to deepen, there is tremendous untapped potential for cooperation in the media and communications sector. The choice of Almaty as the venue for this event carries a special significance. As one of Central Asia's leading cultural and commercial centres, Almaty represents openness, diversity, and international engagement.

To the achievers being honoured today, I offer my warmest congratulations. Your accomplishments remind us that excellence knows no boundaries. Whether in business, education, science, technology, healthcare, arts, public service, entrepreneurship, or community leadership, your success serves as an inspiration for future generations.

I also congratulate Dainik Jagran for continuing this admirable tradition of recognizing excellence. By celebrating achievers, the organization is also encouraging aspiration, rewarding merit, and inspiring society to strive for higher standards.

As India advances towards its vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat, and as Kazakhstan pursues its own ambitious path of modernization and sustainable growth, the role of responsible media will become even more significant. Together, media organizations can help build informed societies, encourage innovation, promote dialogue, and strengthen our partnerships.

In closing, I commend Dainik Jagran for its outstanding contribution to journalism and public discourse. May it continue to uphold the highest standards of credible journalism while embracing innovation and strengthening the democratic values that bind societies together.

I wish the Annual Achievers Awards every success and extend my best wishes to all the award recipients and their families. May your achievements continue to inspire countless others.

Thank you.

Dhanyavaad. Rahmet. Thank you.

*****