Raipur has gifted the nation and the state many eminent journalists, and the name of senior journalist the late Pankaj Sharma is prominent among them. To perpetuate his memory, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma unveiled his statue at Pankaj Garden in Kho-Kho Para. The ceremony was attended by MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, MLAs Shri Sunil Soni, Shri Motilal Sahu, and Shri Anuj Sharma, senior journalist Shri Himanshu Dwivedi, Raipur Press Club President Shri Mohan Tiwari, and Shri Gyanesh Sharma of the Akhand Brahmin Samaj, alongside numerous dignitaries from the fields of journalism, social work, and politics.
During the event, a special one-hour documentary chronicling the life and journalistic journey of the late Pankaj Sharma was screened. The documentary highlighted his career in journalism, his work both domestically and internationally, his writing style, his communication skills, and his dedication to the profession. It fostered an emotional connection between the audience and the personality and achievements of Pankaj Sharma.
- Pankaj Sharma: A Source of Inspiration for a Whole Generation of Journalists – Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Shri Vijay Sharma stated that the late Pankaj Sharma lived journalism not merely as a profession, but as a responsibility and a mission. Within his relatively short lifespan, he carved out a distinct identity through his talent and writing—a legacy that continues to inspire the world of journalism today. Shri Sharma remarked that honoring the memory of Pankaj Sharma is not just a tribute to an individual, but an acknowledgment of Raipur’s rich journalistic tradition. Pankaj Sharma Gave Raipur’s Journalism National Recognition: MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal
Presiding over the event, MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal stated that Pankaj Sharma was a representative of the journalistic tradition of Raipur that earned national recognition through sheer talent and the power of the pen. He remarked that the heights Pankaj Sharma attained in journalism serve as an inspiration for future generations. The unveiling of a statue in his memory will serve as a significant medium to acquaint the coming generation with his contributions.
MLAs Sunil Soni and Motilal Sahu also paid tribute to the late Pankaj Sharma, highlighting his contributions to the field of journalism. Senior journalist Himanshu Dwivedi elaborated on Pankaj Sharma’s journalistic style, his writing, and the impact he had on the journalism of that era.
- Proposal to Name Institutions and Awards After Pankaj Sharma
On this occasion, MLA Anuj Sharma put forward several significant proposals to honor the memory of the late Pankaj Sharma on a broader scale. He proposed renaming ‘Pankaj Udyan’ (Pankaj Park) to “Patrakar Pankaj Sharma Udyan” (Journalist Pankaj Sharma Park), naming the school in Kho-Kho Para after “Patrakar Pankaj Sharma,” and instituting a state-level award for young journalists in his name.
He also suggested naming a prominent building at the Journalism University after Pankaj Sharma. All the guests present on the dais supported these proposals and agreed on the need to institutionally preserve Pankaj Sharma’s legacy.
Speakers at the event noted that the late Pankaj Sharma made extraordinary contributions to the field of journalism during his short life. He gave a new direction to Hindi journalism and enhanced the prestige of Indian journalism both at home and abroad through his talent. The ceremony held in his memory is not merely about unveiling a statue; it is also a pledge to uphold journalistic values and traditions and to inspire the new generation. The event was organized under the joint auspices of the Raipur Press Club, Akhand Brahmin Samaj Chhattisgarh, and the Vipra Sanskritik Bhavan Management Committee.