The International Press Institute (IPI) Award

Presented in 2004 to The Indian Express

The Indian Express received the first International Press Institute (IPI) India Award for Outstanding Work in Journalism, for its fearless and comprehensive reporting of the Gujarat riots and their aftermath, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat presented the award - a trophy worth Rs 2 lakh, with a citation - to The Indian Express at an awards ceremony on February 23, 2004, in New Delhi.

‘‘It’s an honour to accept the IPI India Award on behalf of The Indian Express,’’ said Editor-in-Chief and CEO Shekhar Gupta.

“This award is also a tribute to those who were killed, who couldn’t tell us their stories, to those who took - and are taking - enormous risks to share the truth with us.

“This is a testimony to our unique community of readers who won’t settle for anything less than world-class journalism and to our reporters and editors, who work to deliver. For all of us at Express, it’s a coincidence but an appropriate one. The award comes in the centenary year of our founder, the late Ram Nath Goenka, who defined for us the value that IPI celebrates: Journalism of Courage,’’ he added.