Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Sept, 21
Press Club of Jammu today announced results of Fourth Ashok Sodhi Memorial Awards for Best Photography 2018 by the four member jury at a function organised here.
The participation of photojournalists increased manifold this year as compared to 2015, 2016 and 2017 awards.
The winners of the fourth edition included Basit Zargar (first place) from Srinagar, Raman Raina (second place) from Daily Shadow newspaper and Pradeep Bakshi (Third Place) of national Hindi Daily Dainik Jagran. They were awarded a cash prize of Rs 11,000, Rs 8,000 and Rs 5000 respectively.
Meanwhile the consolation prize winners included Abhinav Behl (IMSA Student), Umair Asif Zargar (photojournalist from Kashmir), Ankur Sethi (The News Now), Rakesh Bakshi (Daily Excelsior) and Surjeet Singh (Ajit Samachar) and they were awarded a cash prize of Rs 2000 each.
Students pursuing Diploma /Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication also participated actively in the competition.
The photo competition was judged by the four member jury comprising Channi Anand (AP), K B Jandyal (Former Director Information), Shishupal (Photojournalist) and Yaseen Dar (AP).
The awards were presented by president of Press Club, Ashwani Kumar, and Secretary General Zorawar Singh Jamwal along with Jury members.
Speaking on the occasion, president Press Club of Jammu, Ashwani Kumar motivated budding photo journalists to improve their photography skills.
He however, said that the event was introduced in the memory of Late Ashok Sodhi who died while performing his professional duties during an encounter at Kaili Mandi in Samba on May 11, 2008.
The PCJ President said the participations has increased manifold and more photojournalists must come forward and avail an opportunity to take part in the competitions.
He however, said that participation is more important than winning or losing because it makes us to learn in many ways.
Secretary General Zorawar Singh Jamwal announced that Press Club of Jammu has made this event an annual feature in memory of Late Ashok Sodhi while in the coming years, entries will also be invited from Ladakh region.
Treasurer Press Club of Jammu, Dinesh Manhotra conducted the proceedings while Vice President Abhimanyu Sharma presented vote of thanks.
Former PCJ President Manu Srivatsa and Bharat Sharma, a childhood friend of Ashok Sodhi, were also present on the occasion.
Executive Committee Members Deepak Khajuria and Vishal Bharti were also present on the occasion.
