Contents
Jatinder Pannu is a reputed Indian journalist and social activist. He is known for hosting a news show on the Prime Asia TV, a Canada-based Punjabi TV channel.
Wiki/Biography
Jatinder Singh Pannu was born on Tuesday, 19 October 1954 (age 66 years; as of 2020) in a small village Sakhira near Tarn Taran Sahib in Punjab. He did his primary schooling in this village and moved out of the village at the age of 11 years.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Grey
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Not much information is available about his family.
Career
As a Journalist
Jatinder has started his career by writing columns for the Punjabi language newspaper ‘Nawan Zamana,’ published in Jalandhar. According to him, the newspaper taught him the basics of journalism. Soon, he became the editor of the newspaper. During his initial days in journalism, Mr. Pannu also worked on the news show titled “Khas Khabar Ik Nazar,” which aired on every Friday morning on DD Punjabi, telecast from the Doordarshan Kendra Jalandhar.
Jatinder Pannu in a news segment on DD Punjabi
Jatinder was the first journalist to host a news show aired on Prime Asia TV. By 2020, he had become the most viewed reporter on the Prime Asia TV, and his show ‘Prime Discussion With Jatinder Pannu’ had crossed more than 800 episodes. His main viewership comes from the Punjabi people living abroad, and he is often praised for his outspoken views against the government.
Jatinder Pannu hosting his show on Prime Asia TV
As a Writer
As of 2020, Mr. Pannu has written six books, which include a satirical book titled ‘Rang Duniya De,’ a poetry book titled ‘Ajj Nama,’ ‘Dastaan Pachhon De Panchiya Di,’ and ‘Sikh Dharam De Samajik Sarokar.’ According to him, he distributed the first two editions of ‘Sikh Dharam De Samajik Sarokar’ for free to youngsters as the purpose behind writing the book was to preach the youth about the Sikh culture.
Awards
- 1992 (Winner): The National Media Award by the Small and Medium Newspapers Association of India
- 2000 (Winner): Shiromani Patarkar Award by the Language Department of Punjab
- 2019 (Winner): Harbhajan Halwarvi Award for his exemplary journalism
Facts/Trivia
- Mr. Pannu has represented India at the United Nations Human Rights Commission held in Geneva.
- Jatinder has a lifelong membership of Punjabi Sahit Akademi and Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha.
- Earlier, the journalist was also associated with the All India Kisan Sabha, the peasant’s wing of the Communist Party of India.