Speakers

• Ajay Umat Group Editor, NavGujarat Samay and Ahmedabad Mirror
  

  Ajay Umat

  Group Editor, NavGujarat Samay and Ahmedabad Mirror

  Ajay Umat is a veteran Gujarati journalist with nearly three decades of distinguished experience. He currently serves as the Group Editor of NavGujarat Samay and Ahmedabad Mirror, publications under The Times Group and Shayona Times Pvt Ltd. Over his 28‑year career, he has held prominent roles at major media houses, including Senior Political Editor at The Times of India (2010–2013) and State Editor at Divya Bhaskar for eight years. Prior to these, he contributed to Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh, India Today (Gujarati), Jansatta-Loksatta, and Dainik Bhaskar. Known for his meticulous commitment to factual reporting and journalistic integrity, Ajay Umat has covered significant events such as the Nithari serial killings, the Kutch earthquake, the Gujarat communal riots, and the Akshardham temple attack, with his reporting frequently spurring corrective action by authorities. A widely sought-after commentator, he appears on national platforms like BBC, NDTV, Times Now, CNN-IBN, and India TV, offering in-depth political and social analysis. He also regularly delivers keynote addresses at universities (e.g., National Forensic Sciences University), media forums, public debates, and international workshops, including the U.S. State Department’s International Visitors Leadership Program in Investigative Journalism. Beyond reporting, he has written influential weekly columns for over 25 years and has mentored countless journalists. His professional contributions have been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Harindra Dave Smruti Paritoshik (2010), Tushar Bhatt Award for Excellence, DD Girnar Award, Chitralekha Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Journalists Union. Within Gujarat’s media community, Ajay Umat has held leadership roles such as President of the Gujarat Media Club, advocating for higher standards and support systems for journalists.

• Devanshi Joshi Founder, Jamawat
  

  Devanshi Joshi

  Founder, Jamawat

  Devanshi Joshi is a notable Gujarati media figure best known as the founder and face of Jamawat, Gujarat’s pioneering digital news platform in the Gujarati language. She studied journalism at National Institute of Mass Communication and Journalism (NIMCJ), Ahmedabad. Her career began across various television news channels before culminating in the creation of Jamawat in 2022—a bold venture promoting civic awareness, political accountability, and regional identity through digital reporting .

  As an anchor and journalist, Devanshi is active on social media (with over 300K followers on X/Twitter), using her platform to engage viewers on current affairs, grassroots reporting, and regional concerns . Her on-the-ground coverage—like her flood reporting in Vadodara—has sparked discussions on neutrality, authenticity, and local sentiment .

  Before venturing into digital media entrepreneurship, she honed her journalism skills with outlets such as DNA, The Times of India, Divya Bhaskar, and radio broadcaster Vividh Bharati. Her versatile professional background includes stints in PR, radio, and traditional print and broadcast journalism.

• Dixit Soni Editor in Chief, Zee 24 Kalak
  

  Dixit Soni

  Editor in Chief, Zee 24 Kalak

  Dixit Soni is the Editor in Chief of Zee 24 Kalak, which is described as the “Leading Gujarati News Channel Of Zee Media”. He is based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

  He currently serves as Vice President of the Gujarat Media Club and is considered “a key force in advancing journalistic standards and strengthening the media community in the state” .

  Recently, Dixit Soni was honored with the ‘Devarshi Narad Patrakar Sanman’, which is described as “one of the most esteemed recognitions in Indian journalism” . This award was given about a month ago, representing a significant achievement in his journalism career.

  According to his professional background, he has experience from previous roles at Sahara Samay and holds expertise in journalism, online journalism, newspapers, and new media.

  Dixit Soni appears to be a well-respected figure in Gujarat’s media landscape, particularly in Gujarati journalism, with a focus on news reporting and editorial leadership at one of the state’s leading news channels.

• Jumana Shah Senior Associate Editor, India Today
  

  Jumana Shah

  Senior Associate Editor, India Today

  Jumana Shah is a versatile journalist with 18 years of experience across print, television, and digital platforms, known for her “news sense” and deep commitment to impactful storytelling. As Deputy Editor (or Senior Associate Editor) at India Today’s Gujarat bureau, her journalistic repertoire spans breaking news, investigative reports, analytical pieces, and opinion columns. She passionately covers environment, wildlife, politics, and human-interest stories—especially those involving conflict and marginalized communities. Her work, including investigations into child malnutrition and communal tensions in Gujarat, demonstrates her ability to bring critical regional developments to national attention.

  In recent years, Jumana has also ventured into research and narrative for documentaries and true-crime docuseries—projects that are currently in development. Expanding her impact into education, she has designed journalism curricula for Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University and Auro University, Surat, where she continues as an adjunct faculty member.

  Beyond journalism and academia, Jumana is co-director and Programming Head of the Gujarat Literature Festival—a premier annual event celebrating literary culture in Gujarat. She was among the founding team that shaped the festival’s inclusive vision to integrate storytelling across mediums like theatre, music, journalism, and oral tradition.

  Driven by a philosophy of lifelong learning and conversational curiosity, Jumana constantly pushes her own boundaries—whether it’s through field reporting, mentoring students, or curating socially resonant conversations. Her multifaceted career reflects an unwavering pursuit of quality journalism, creative storytelling, and social change.

• Leena Misra Resident Editor, The Indian Express, Gujarat
  

  Leena Misra

  Resident Editor, The Indian Express, Gujarat

  Leena Misra is a seasoned journalist and the Senior Assistant Editor of The Times of India in Ahmedabad. With a rich career spanning coverage of politics, crime, city issues, and the aftermath of the 2002 communal riots, she has consistently produced in-depth and insightful reporting on some of Gujarat’s most pivotal events. An avid music lover, non‑fiction reader, and traveller, Leena brings both professionalism and personal passion to her journalism.

• Shyam Parekh Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s HB Institute of Communication and Management (HBICM)
  

  Shyam Parekh

  Director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s HB Institute of Communication and Management (HBICM)

  Shyam Parekh started his career reporting for The Times of India for over a decade and then worked as a senior editor in DNA Mumbai during its launch. Eventually, he launched DNA in Gujarat and headed it for over a decade. Learning the art of building teams, training people, and designing and redesigning newspapers in the due course, he decided to train finer journalists and communicators to help Indian journalistic and other content sell globally. He also co-founded Gujarat’s largest and most popular litfest – Gujarat Literature Festival (GLF). Shyam currently heads the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Auro University, Surat, which he has set up and advises other universities on their media education syllabi. He also works as Director of Ahmedabad’s oldest journalism and management institute – Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s HB Institute of Communication and Management.