Ravish Kumar, a prominent Indian journalist, author, and TV anchor, left an indelible mark on Hindi journalism. Known for his insightful monologues on NDTV India’s Prime Time, his career and personal life are equally fascinating.
Wiki/Biography
Born on December 5, 1974, in Jitvarpur Village, Motihari, Bihar, Ravish Kumar’s journey is remarkable. He completed his schooling at a Patna convent school before moving to Delhi in 1990 to attend Deshbandhu College. There, mentors like Anil Sethi and Rana Bahal significantly influenced him, teaching him far more than just academics. He recounted, “They taught me English, table manners, how to interact with women, and even how to wear a tie.”
After graduating with a History degree, he initially prepared for the Civil Services Examination, but later pursued a Master’s and an M.Phil. in History from Delhi University. He further enhanced his skills with a postgraduate diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
His Delhi University days brought him in contact with the late Parthasarathi Gupta, a history professor whose lectures on urbanization shaped his perspective.
Physical Appearance
- Height: 6′
- Eye Color: Black
- Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Family, Caste & Girlfriend
Ravish Kumar hails from a modest Bhumihar Brahmin family. His father, Baliram, resides in Jitvarpur Village, East Champaran. Information about his mother remains limited. His brother, Brajesh Kumar Pandey, a former Indian National Congress politician, faced controversy due to a sex scandal.
During his M.Phil., he met Nayana Dasgupta at Indraprastha College. Their seven-year courtship culminated in marriage, despite family objections. The couple has two daughters.
Career
Joining NDTV India in 1996, Ravish Kumar quickly rose through the ranks to become a Senior Executive Editor. His shows, including Ravish Ki Report, Hum Log, and Prime Time, gained immense popularity for addressing socio-political issues. His first “Ravish Ki Report” focused on Paharganj. He left NDTV on November 30, 2022.
Controversies
- Criticism arose from his brother’s involvement in a sex racket case in 2017.
- He faced controversy for implicitly criticizing Arnab Goswami.
- He received death threats and abusive calls following the formation of the Narendra Modi government.
- He left Twitter in August 2015 due to persistent trolling.
Awards & Honours
Ravish Kumar has received numerous prestigious awards, including:
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award |
| 2013 | Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (Journalist of the Year) |
| 2014 | Indian News Television Award (Best News Anchor in Hindi) |
| 2016 | Featured in The Indian Express’s 100 Most Influential Indians list; Mumbai Press Club’s Best Journalist of the Year |
| 2017 | First Kuldip Nayar Journalism Award |
| 2019 | Ramon Magsaysay Award |
| 2019 | Gauri Lankesh National Journalism Award |
Signature/Autograph
[Description of his signature would go here]
Favourites
- Teacher: Late Parthasarathi Gupta
- Actor: Amitabh Bachchan
- Singers: Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Mohammed Aziz
Facts
Ravish Kumar is known for his love of old Hindi songs and his initial apprehension about English-speaking people in Delhi. His marriage to Nayana Dasgupta was a love match against his family’s wishes. He’s often quoted as advising against excessive TV news consumption.
He frequently mentions the challenges of social media trolling and interference in his personal life. He has written two books: “Ishq Mein Sheher Hona” and “The Free Voice – On Democracy, Culture, and The Nation,” and maintains a personal blog.
A documentary about him, “While We Watched,” won an award at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, and a popular YouTube channel features a comedic portrayal of him.
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