Ahmedabad, Gujarat – In a groundbreaking academic achievement, Brahma Kumari Nandini Behn, from Sukh Shanti Bhavan (Regional Office), Ahmedabad, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Journalism by Gujarat Vidyapith. Her research, titled “Value Promotion in Society through Spiritual and Religious Journalism: A Study,” is being hailed as a pioneering contribution in a largely unexplored domain of media studies.
Conducted under the guidance of Dr. Vinod Kumar Pandey in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, the thesis scored 71.5% and stands out not only for its depth and scientific methodology but also for its originality—boasting a mere 3% similarity index.
Nandini Behn is the first female researcher in India to delve into the subject of Spiritual and Religious Journalism with such depth, precision, and academic rigor, especially in the national language. She is also recognized as Gujarat’s first research scholar to explore this emerging field, making her thesis the first of its kind in the country.
Her thesis is now accessible to scholars nationwide through the UGC’s INFLIBNET (Shodhganga) portal, maintained by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, at: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/627371
This achievement marks a significant milestone for both journalism and spiritual studies. Brahma Kumari Nandini is also the first dedicated Brahma Kumari sister to carry out academic research in this niche, underlining the growing relevance of value-based journalism in today’s world.
The research was enriched by the support and blessings of Dr. Harshadbhai Patel, Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, with academic cooperation from Dr. Ashwin Kumar, Head and Dean of the department, and Dr. Prof. Punita Harne.
With a deep passion for value-based journalism, Nandini Behn has contributed various articles—both online and offline—that focus on ethics, spirituality, and societal upliftment. She is also particularly drawn to photojournalism, combining visuals and values in impactful storytelling.
Her accomplishment is a reflection of her family’s rich academic and professional legacy:
- Her father, Harshadbhai Dwivedi (Harshdev Bhai), is an award-winning architect.
- Her mother, Hemlataben, was a top-ranked postgraduate in M.Ed. from Gujarat Vidyapith.
- Her sister, Dr. Payal Dwivedi, has also earned a doctorate through spiritual research.
As the saying goes, “Peacock eggs don’t need painting—beauty is innate.” The legacy and achievements of Brahma Kumari Nandini Behn stand as a living testament to this.