AHSB’s Tanish Wins National Journalism Honour
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Shimla, July 01: Proving that meaningful journalism knows no age, Tanish Sharma, a Class IX student of Auckland House School for Boys, has secured the 8th Best Journalist position in the finals of the 1st Invitational India Investigative Journalism Competition for Young Journalists, organised by the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN).
The achievement assumes greater significance as Tanish competed against more than 25,000 participants from across India, including professional journalists, earning a place among the country’s top performers.
His award-winning investigative article examined the continuing practice of caste-based discrimination, a socially sensitive subject that required extensive fieldwork, interviews and careful documentation. Working on the story exposed him to the realities of investigative reporting, where earning people’s trust and presenting facts objectively proved as important as writing itself. Tanish describes the experience as one of the most valuable learning opportunities of his young career.
Hailing from Rohru in Shimla district, Tanish has steadily established himself as a promising young writer. He is the self-published author of three books—The Trapped Soul, The Stupid and the Annoyed, and Everyday Facade, an essay collection inspired by his observations of everyday life and society. Besides writing, he has also performed open-mic comedy at various cafés in Shimla, reflecting his passion for communication and public engagement.
Tanish credits veteran journalist Ravish Kumar as his biggest inspiration. He says Ravish Kumar’s style of people-centric journalism shaped his understanding of the profession, and his departure from NDTV was a moment that deeply saddened him. Political analyst Yogendra Yadav has also influenced his thinking, particularly his emphasis on grassroots realities and informed public discourse.
While journalism remains an enduring passion, Tanish plans to pursue Law as his undergraduate degree before preparing for the Civil Services. He believes a legal education will provide a strong foundation for public service while complementing his interest in governance and constitutional values.
Despite his future ambitions in administration, Tanish has no intention of leaving journalism behind. He hopes to become a regular newspaper columnist and continue writing on issues affecting society.
“A journalist’s responsibility is not to showcase his own knowledge but to simplify complex issues for ordinary people. When citizens understand issues clearly, they can make informed decisions, and that is how journalism contributes to a better society,” he says.
For Tanish, the national recognition is more than an award—it is an affirmation of his belief that journalism is a powerful instrument for public service. With achievements spanning literature, investigative reporting and public speaking while still in school, the young student is steadily building a profile that reflects intellectual curiosity, social commitment and a determination to create meaningful impact through words.
