Virginia Senate commends the Washington Bureau Chief of News India Times

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The Washington Bureau Chief of News India Times, T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman was honored by the Virginia State Senate, which also approved a formal resolution, on March 8, 2024, commending his “dedication to journalism and foreign policy.”

The resolution which passed a voice vote was introduced by Indian-American Virginia State Senator, Suhas Subramanyam, who is also a Democratic candidate for US Congress from Virginia’s 10^th Congressional district.

Jayaraman is the “recipient of the prestigious Ashoka Award for social change,” and has “dedicated his professional life to journalism and foreign policy” Senator Subramanyam noted while introducing him in the Senate gallery, on March 4^th.

He further said, Jayaraman “received a Distinguished Service Award ‘for advancing media coverage for the Indian diaspora and fostering US-India relations’ from the Indian Ambassador to United States Taranjit Sandhu and of course, you Madam President,” referring to Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and President of the Senate, Winsome Sears.

Recognizing Jayaraman, Lieutenant Governor Sears noted, “Part of a democracy and I think probably the very first part is that the media be free. And we are so glad that you are there to help remind us of that. Hence, all the accolades that you’ve received, we can congratulate you. And thank you for coming. Senators, let us give him the warm welcome of our Senate.”

On February 28^th, the first Indian-American immigrant elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, Kannan Srinivasan, also presented a commendation to Jayaraman on the House Floor for having received the Distinguished Service Award on January 27^th. The event was hosted by the National Council of Asian Indian Associations to commemorate India’s 75^th Republic Day Celebrations in McLean, Virginia, where leaders in other fields were also honored.

On December 17, 2023, Jayaraman received the Ashoka Award from the former Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and 22^nd Chief of Army Staff of Indian Army, General J. J. Singh, and India’s former Minister of Home Affairs and Tourism, Subodh Kant Sahay, in New Delhi. The event was organized by The Charles Walters Council/Society for Innovation & Research, India.

On February 26^th, Defense Minister of India, Rajnath Singh in a letter to the Council extended his congratulations for hosting “Honor of Ashoka Award” annually “in the memory of King Ashoka, the great emperor of Bharat in his time.”

“The selfless contribution of this organization in the field of creativity, innovation, developing scientific temper to every young child, organizing self-defense camps, and recognizing the extraordinary talents with ‘Ashoka Award’ is appreciated,” Singh said in the letter. “I am sanguine that this organization will move from strength to strength and continue to do the nation proud.”

Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Jayaraman previously worked with Hindustan Times, The Tribune, and The Sunday Observer in New Delhi. He also worked at the Department of Public Information at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and contributed to publications including UN Yearbook and UN Chronicle.

Jayaraman has an undergraduate degree from Loyola College, Chennai. He earned a Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, and a PhD in “International Administration and the United Nations” from the University of Madras. He also holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University, New Jersey.