Loudoun County Treasurer Henry C. Eickelberg recognized T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, Editor-in-Chief of the South Asian Herald, for his excellence in “community journalism” during India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations at Dulles Town Center on August 16, 2025.

The event was hosted by Dulles Town Center with support from Anna Sudha Community Kitchens.

Treasurer Eickelberg noted, “It is an honor to recognize South Asian Herald with the Award for Outstanding Community Journalism. Under the leadership of Jayaraman, the Herald provides Loudoun’s vital South Asian community not with the information it wants to hear, but with the essential information it needs to hear.”

Highlighting the importance of integrity in news reporting, the Treasurer added that in an era where “unbiased reporting” is “increasingly rare,” the Herald remains a testament to journalism in its truest sense. “We are honored to recognize South Asian Herald’s unwavering commitment to the highest journalistic standards,” he said.

The award ceremony was attended by Chief Michael Banks of US Border Patrol, VA Delegate Geary Higgins, Lt. Colonel Robert Mosier of Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Jigar Raval from the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, Patti Menders, Community Liaison Officer for Attorney General Jason Miyares, Deana Griffiths of Ashburn School Board, Chief Deputy Commonwealth Attorney, Nicole Wittmann, Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of the International Leadership Summit, and Nilima Mehra of Global Television Networks.

VA State Senator Kannan Srinivasan, and VA State Delegate Atoosa Reaser, along with Dulles Town Center Owner, Srinivas Chavali, Mansoor Qureshi of VA Asian Advisory Board, and Simon Lobo of Anna Sudha Community Kitchens, were also present among others.

Senator Srinivasan praised the publication’s impact since its launch earlier this year. “Since its launch earlier this year, the South Asian Herald has become an essential source of news and information for the South Asian community here in Virginia — a place where our stories are told and our achievements celebrated,” he noted.

He emphasized the importance of “trust” in journalism, congratulating Jayaraman for his leadership and dedication to providing the community with a reliable platform.

Community leaders also echoed this recognition. Aparna Madireddi, Governor Glenn Youngkin’s appointee to the Virginia Humanities Board of Directors and co-founder of the South Asian Business Council of Virginia (SABCVA), said, “It was such a joy to watch Vishnudatta Jayaraman of South Asian Herald receive the Outstanding Award for Community Journalism from Henry Eickelberg.”

Madireddi highlighted the broader significance of the honor, linking it to SABCVA’s mission. 

“This special recognition highlights the vital role of community journalism in sharing impactful stories that drive economic and social progress,” she added. “It celebrates the power of storytelling in amplifying diverse voices and fostering meaningful connections within the South Asian community. I congratulate Vishnudatta for his exceptional contributions and look forward to continued collaboration to uplift and inspire our communities.”

Samy, of the International Leadership Summit, also underscored the importance of the recognition. He described the award as a reflection of the responsibility local media holds in ensuring accuracy and reliability. “The award speaks highly of Jayaraman’s commitment to upholding these virtues which benefit a free society based on the foundational rule of law,” Samy said.

Referencing America’s founding values, Samy noted that the First Amendment enshrines “the significance of protecting religious liberty, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” He added that Jayaraman’s work stands as a “testament” to these guiding principles by promoting a free press that informs citizens with truth rather than filtered or biased information.

Citing President Ronald Reagan, Samy reiterated the indispensable role of the press. “Since the founding of this nation, freedom of the press has been a fundamental tenet of American life. The economic freedom that has earned us such great bounty and the precious freedoms of speech and assembly would have little meaning or be totally nullified should freedom of the press ever be ended…”

Adding to the recognition, Jayaraman also received a special citation from Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos on August 10, in Boston, Massachusetts. 

The citation, presented by Bollywood actor and author Jugal Hansraj during Independence Day celebrations organized by the Foundation of Indian Americans, New England, read: “I offer sincere gratitude and appreciation for your commitment to ethical journalism and strengthening community dialogue…”

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