Ravish Kumar (born Ravish Kumar Pandey on 5 December 1974) is a renowned Indian journalist, author, media personality, and YouTuber. He was Senior Executive Editor at NDTV India, where he hosted popular shows like Prime Time, Hum Log, Ravish Ki Report, and Des Ki Baat. Known for his fearless journalism and critical analysis of socio-political issues, he has won multiple prestigious awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award (2019).
Early Life and Education
- Born in East Champaran, Bihar, on 5 December 1974.
- Completed his schooling at Loyola High School, Patna.
- Moved to Delhi for higher studies and graduated from Deshbandhu College (University of Delhi).
- Pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Hindi Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
Career at NDTV (1994–2022)
- Joined NDTV India in 1994, rising to become Senior Executive Editor.
- Hosted popular news shows, including:
- Prime Time – NDTV’s flagship weekday news analysis show.
- Hum Log – A show focusing on public issues and social concerns.
- Ravish Ki Report – In-depth ground reporting on grassroots problems.
- Des Ki Baat – Covered regional and national news from citizens’ perspectives.
- Known for his investigative journalism and fearless reporting, often facing death threats for his critical stance on government policies and media ethics.
- Resigned from NDTV on 30 November 2022, following the resignation of NDTV’s founders Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy after the Adani Group’s takeover of the network.
YouTube and Independent Journalism
- Launched his own YouTube channel after leaving NDTV, bringing his critical journalism to a digital audience.
- His channel crossed 10 million subscribers on 5 May 2024, proving his massive influence and audience trust.
Awards and Accolades
Ravish Kumar has received numerous awards for his contributions to journalism:
🏆 Ramon Magsaysay Award (2019) – Asia’s highest honor, often regarded as the Asian Nobel Prize.
🏆 Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2013, 2017) – For outstanding work in Hindi broadcast journalism.
🏆 Gauri Lankesh Award for Journalism.
🏆 First Kuldip Nayar Journalism Award (2017).
🏆 Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award for Hindi Journalism (2010, awarded in 2014).
🏆 Named among the 100 Most Influential Indians (2016) by The Indian Express.
🏆 Journalist of the Year by the Mumbai Press Club.
🏆 Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression (2023) – Awarded by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Belgium on World Press Freedom Day.
Legacy and Impact
Ravish Kumar is widely respected for his independent journalism, unbiased reporting, and deep connection with grassroots issues. Despite challenges, he continues to engage audiences through his digital platforms, making him one of India’s most trusted voices in journalism.
