India Currents writers garnered five prestigious awards at the 2025 San Francisco Press Club Journalism Awards, showcasing their commitment to storytelling and reporting excellence.
India Currents writers achieved notable recognition at the 2025 San Francisco Press Club Journalism Awards, winning five top awards in the Print/Digital Small Newsroom category. The awards ceremony took place during the 48th Annual San Francisco Press Club Gala on December 9 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, located in the Merchants Exchange Building in downtown San Francisco.
This year’s competition featured an impressive 910 submissions, highlighting exceptional storytelling and rigorous reporting. The entries were evaluated by a panel of independent judges, including journalists from cities such as New Orleans, Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Little Rock.
The sold-out event was hosted by Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer from KQED, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the evening.
Among the winners from India Currents were:
COLUMNS – SPORTS
First Place – Meera Kymal and Tanay Gokhale
Meera Kymal’s personal narrative, “A Desi Girl Goes to Paris,” reflects on her experiences living in Paris during the millennium compared to her visit to the City of Lights ahead of the July 2024 Olympics. Tanay Gokhale’s piece, “Mansher Khera’s ‘New Era’ is Dawning,” tells the unique story of a talented desi prospect in the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) roster. Additionally, Gokhale’s article, “Mahantesh GK’s Dream Is To Grow Blind Cricket In The United States,” highlights the advocacy efforts of a blind cricketer in the U.S.
SPORTS FEATURE
Second Place – Tanay Gokhale
Gokhale’s story “Mansher Khera’s New Era Is Dawning” earned recognition once again for its compelling portrayal of the promising UFC fighter from Queens.
PROFILE
Second Place – Tanay Gokhale, Nandita Bose, and Kani Illangovan
The “Peoplewatch” series featured inspiring profiles of individuals breaking barriers. Gokhale’s piece, “I Will Be Like The Cosmic Dancer,” focuses on queer recording artist and performer Miraaj. Nandita Bose’s profile, “I Watched Her Run War Games,” highlights Captain Shanti Sethi (Retd.), the first American of Indian origin to command a guided missile destroyer in the U.S. Navy. Kani Illangovan’s article, “At Desi Rainbow, Aruna Rao Creates Safe Spaces,” showcases a trailblazing LGBTQ+ advocate.
FEATURE STORY/LIGHT SUBJECT
Third Place – Ashwini Gangal
Ashwini Gangal’s humorous trilogy, “This Immigrant Life,” explores the challenges faced by newly arrived immigrants in the U.S. The trilogy includes “Are You An Expat Or An Immigrant?,” “Brown Gaze: The Silent Language Of Indian Strangers In An Adopted Country,” and “A Desi Immigrant Lost English Words & Found Them In Transition.”
HEADLINE
Third Place – Meera Kymal
Kymal’s evocative headline, “Breakfast in Lahore, lunch in Amritsar and dinner in Bangalore❤️,” introduces a poignant narrative about an Indian writer’s nostalgic visit to her father’s ancestral home in Pakistan.
These accolades reflect the dedication and talent of the writers at India Currents, reinforcing the publication’s commitment to quality journalism and storytelling. The recognition at the San Francisco Press Club Gala serves as a testament to their hard work and passion for the craft.
For more details, refer to India Currents.