Hyderabad: The CETI Foundation has invited nominations for the second edition of the Naseem Arifi ‘Urdu Media Awards.’ A total of five awards will be presented this year to Urdu journalists across India.

Of the five, two are reserved for journalists from Telangana, while two will be awarded to journalists from other states. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 15,000 along with a citation.

A special award will be conferred on a senior journalist or eminent media personality for lifetime contribution to Urdu journalism.

Awardees will also be provided with to-and-fro airfare and accommodation in Hyderabad to attend the ceremony.

The awards are open to a wide range of contributors to Urdu media, including:

  • Journalists and media professionals shaping public opinion
  • Social media creators working to raise awareness and counter misinformation
  • Practitioners of investigative, data-driven, and feature journalism, as well as audio-visual storytelling
  • Content creators highlighting underreported issues through websites, YouTube and other digital platforms
  • Bloggers and researchers contributing to Urdu journalism outside mainstream media

Candidates should be Indian nationals. They are required to submit the following:

  • A 500–800 word personal statement outlining their vision on diversity in media
  • An updated resume
  • At least three work samples published in 2025

The last date to file submissions is April 25.

Applications can be sent via email to admin@cetigroup.org or cetifoundations@gmail.com.

For queries, applicants may contact 9948008817.

The selection will be carried out by an independent panel comprising senior journalists, journalism educators and experts, who will shortlist awardees based on defined criteria.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is a historic city in southern India, founded in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. It is renowned for landmarks like the Charminar and Golconda Fort, which reflect its rich legacy as the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and later the Nizams of Hyderabad. Today, it is a major technology hub often called “Cyberabad,” blending its regal past with modern innovation.

Telangana

Telangana is a state in southern India, formed in 2014 after a movement to separate from Andhra Pradesh. Its history is deeply rooted in powerful dynasties like the Satavahanas, Kakatiyas, and the Qutb Shahis of Golconda, whose iconic fort in Hyderabad was a global diamond trading center. The region’s distinct cultural identity is celebrated through festivals like Bathukamma and its historic legacy as a hub for Telugu language and arts.

India

India is a vast South Asian country with one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, dating back over 5,000 years to the Indus Valley. Its history is marked by the rise of major religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, a succession of powerful empires, and British colonial rule before gaining independence in 1947. Today, it is a densely populated and diverse republic renowned for its profound cultural heritage, from classical arts and architecture to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites.

CETI Foundation

The CETI Foundation, based in the Netherlands, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field of **Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI)**, a global research project aiming to decode the communication of sperm whales using artificial intelligence and robotics. Founded in the 2020s, it supports the interdisciplinary scientific mission to understand whale “language,” building upon decades of marine biology and bioacoustics research. The foundation represents a significant modern effort to use technology to bridge the communication gap between humans and another intelligent species.

Naseem Arifi ‘Urdu Media Awards’

The Naseem Arifi Urdu Media Awards is an annual event in Pakistan that honors excellence in Urdu-language journalism, broadcasting, and literature. Established in memory of the renowned poet and journalist Naseem Arifi, the awards celebrate and promote the rich tradition of Urdu media by recognizing the contributions of writers, reporters, and artists. They serve as a significant platform to encourage quality content and preserve the cultural importance of the Urdu language in modern communication.

Urdu Media Awards

The Urdu Media Awards is an annual event established to recognize and celebrate excellence in Urdu-language journalism, broadcasting, and creative arts, primarily within Pakistan. Founded to promote and preserve the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Urdu, the awards honor contributions across categories like news reporting, television, and digital media, highlighting the language’s vital role in public discourse and cultural identity.