After almost two decades of joining NDTV, prominent Indian television journalist and columnist Barkha Dutt has resigned from her post as Group Editor.

As per the reports, Dutt is going to step up her own media company.

Dutt gained prominence for her reportage of the Kargil War. Dutt has won many national and international awards, including the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour.

Her name had also cropped up in the now infamous Niira Radia tapes controversy in 2011 but she had refuted all allegations of being a conduit.

Founders of NDTV Radhika and Prannoy wrote an email announcing Dutt's stepping-down for her post.

Here's what they said:

Dear All

Barkha Dutt was only 23 when she joined NDTV as a young reporter cum producer. NDTV was the first place she ever worked in and for two decades we have seen her evolve into one of our most prolific reporters. She has been a key member of the NDTV family and a big part of our memorable journey from a production house that created a nightly news bulletin for doordarshan to what we are today. She has worn many hats for NDTV: journalist, anchor, editor and NDTV has been both her learning ground and her second home.

Now twenty years later we wish her all the very best as she embarks on yet another role with us. Barkha will be moving to the role of Consulting Editor. She will remain as closely associated with NDTV as she has all these years as the anchor for Buck Stops Here on weeknights and We The People on weekends. She will also be available as always for analysis and inputs on big news events and stories. While her TV relationship with NDTV remains unchanged, in her new role she will be setting up her own multi media content company and policy group. We have literally seen barkha grow from a child to an adult professional and look forward to our close bonds only strengthening further as she embarks on this new venture.

I know you will join us in wishing Barkha the very very best.

Radhika and Prannoy

About Barkha's career:

Barkha graduated from St. Stephen's College, Delhi with a degree in English literature. She received a Master's in Mass Communications from Jamia Millia Islamia Mass Communication Research Center, New Delhi.

She started her journalism career with NDTV and later rose to head the English news wing of the organisation.

She also obtained a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, New York assisted by an Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarship.

Source: Online Media Reports