SUNITHA RAO R
BENGALURU
Summary
A dynamic journalist, energetic, experienced, and ambitious candidate, I am keen on moving on to the developmental sector. I have worked on several social and developmental aspects like public health, civic and education which have impacted policy changes. As a resourceful researcher and writer who ensures meeting deadlines, I aspire for suitable position in high growth companies, organizations that are dealing directly on policy matters with broader objectives, which offers me an opportunity to use 16 years experience in media, writing and networking.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Editor
Happiest Health
Bengaluru
05.2022 - Current
Part of the knowledge vertical at Happiest Health for the last three years, I lead a team of four writers and curate content for multiple categories related to personal health at the Happiest Health website and magazine, besides curating summits. As a content strategist, my work offers a clear-eyed view of national and international research on health, and enables a better understanding of the global health scenario.
Assistant Editor
The Times of India
BENGALURU
05.2010 - 04.2022
In a 12-year-long stint, I wrote thousands of articles focusing on public health concerns, civic governance issues, investigative journalism, and human-interest stories, with some leading to needed policy changes. Chronicled Bengaluru’s evolution as a metropolis, its urban infrastructure, garbage crisis and the emergence of citizens’ movement, besides spearheading several reader friendly campaigns for TOI.
My extensive work during the pandemic highlighted the disruptions & challenges that ambushed the healthcare sector and the society at large. Data-driven stories were tempered with human-interest elements stories contributing to the publication's reputation for high-quality journalism.
Reporter
DNA
Bengaluru
07.2008 - 04.2010
- Started my career with DNA newspaper, Bengaluru, for the launch edition, through campus placement,
- Covered Bengaluru's civic, urban infrastructure development, citizens' participations, civic movement, public health and was in charge of a daily health column, 'Ask your Doctor'.
Education
Master of Arts - English
Bangalore University
05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration, Journalism, English
Kuvempu University
05.2006
Skills
- Networking
- Team management
- Project management
- News writing
- Researching
- Fact checking, Editing
- Communication
- Research skills
- Analysis
- Listening
- Analysis
- Listening
Languages
- English
- Kannada
- Hindi
References
- Dr U S Vishal Rao, Group director, Head & Neck Oncology, HCG cancer centre, 9739774949, drvishalrao@yahoo.com
- S Seethalakshmi, Former Metro Editor, The Times Of India, co-founder, Anatardhwani, 9740091629, sseethalakshmi2006@gmail.com
- KR Balasubramanyam, Senior Editor, The Economic Times, 9341253320, balookr@gmail.com
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 11/25/85
- Gender: Female
Accomplishments
- Honoured with ‘Excellence in Health Communication’ by Paul’s National Media Academy Award 2025 in association with Karnataka Media Academy in March 2025.
- Interviewed by Centre for Management Communication, IIM Bangalore, on ‘health communication’ for SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) an online certificate course of IIM-B for healthcare professionals. The interview is being used as a teaching module for the IIM-B course.
- Presented with ‘Covid Warrior’ award by NGO ‘Bellanduru Jotege’ and Department of Health and Family Welfare Department in September 2021.
- Chosen for the Impact Journalism Grant-Final round in 2018, by N/Core Omidyar Network for writing on the area of housing and land rights. The indepth article was on ‘Housing remains mirage for lives uprooted from EWS quarters (Bangalore) since 2013'
- Recipient of “Vocational Excellence in Journalism award” 2013, by Rotary Bangalore East.
Certification
- Online Certificate Course in Media and Mental Health, by Department of Mental Health Education, NIMHANS in 2021.
Timeline
Senior Editor
Happiest Health
05.2022 - Current
Assistant Editor
The Times of India
05.2010 - 04.2022
Reporter
DNA
07.2008 - 04.2010
Master of Arts - English
Bangalore University
Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration, Journalism, English
Kuvempu University