Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Elected First Woman Press Club President

Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty has been elected as the first woman president of the Press Club of India, marking a historic moment for one of the country’s most prominent media institutions. The election outcome signals a significant shift in leadership representation within the journalist fraternity based in the national capital.

Historic Mandate in Press Club Elections

Pisharoty’s panel registered a clean sweep in the elections, winning all office-bearer and managing committee positions with an emphatic 21–0 score. The elections were held on Saturday, with votes counted on Sunday. The decisive mandate reflects strong support for her leadership and vision at a time when the media industry faces professional, ethical, and institutional challenges.

New Office-Bearers Announced

Alongside Pisharoty’s election as president, Afzal Imam was chosen as secretary general, while Jatin Gandhi was elected vice-president. Aditi Rajput assumed charge as treasurer and P R Sunil as joint secretary, both elected unopposed. The newly elected team is expected to play a key role in addressing issues concerning press freedom, journalist welfare, and institutional reforms within the Club.

Managing Committee Composition

The managing committee comprises 16 members drawn from diverse media backgrounds, including Niraj Kumar, Abhishek Kumar Singh, Jahanvi Sen, Ashok Kaushik, Kallol Bhattacharjee, Praveen Jain, Agraj Pratap Singh, Manoj Sharma, Nyanima Basu, P B Suresh, V P Pandey, Prem Bahukhandi, Sneha Bhura, Javed Akhtar, Rezaul Hasan Laskar, and Sunil Kumar. The composition reflects a broad cross-section of print, digital, and broadcast journalism.

What to Note for Exams?

• The Press Club of India is based in New Delhi and represents journalists across media platforms.
• Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty is the first woman president in the Club’s history.
• The 2025 elections resulted in a complete sweep by one panel.
• The managing committee consists of 16 elected members.

Significance for Indian Journalism

The election of Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty is being viewed as a milestone for gender representation in Indian media institutions. Observers note that her leadership comes at a critical juncture, as journalists navigate evolving newsroom structures, safety concerns, and debates around press autonomy. The new executive is expected to prioritise institutional transparency, member engagement, and advocacy for journalistic rights.