Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 21: Daily Excelsior Photojournalist Rakesh Bakshi has bagged Ashok Sodhi Memorial Photography Award-2015 as the photograph clicked by him was selected as best in the photography event, organized by the Press Club of Jammu.
The award comprised of Rs 11 thousands cash and a certificate, which were handed over to Mr Bakshi during a well attended impressive functioning, here today.
Second prize of Rs 8000 and third prize of Rs 5000, were bagged by Sanjay Gupta of Amar Ujala and freelancer Amarjeet Singh, respectively.
Three consolation prizes of Rs 2000 each, were awarded to Shilpa Thakur (freelance), Ashwani Kumar (free lance) and Inderjeet Singh (The Tribune).
Senior photojournalists Raju Kerni, Mehraj Din, Channi Anand and Shishupal were among the members of jury, who adjudged the best photographs.
The award to promote upcoming professional photojournalists has been instituted by the Press Club of Jammu in memory of late Ashok Sodhi, former Chief Photographer of Daily Excelsior, who had died while performing his professional duty during a live encounter between security forces and terrorists at Samba in 2008.
Veteran journalist S P Sharma was chief guest during the award presenting ceremony, which was attended by a number of senior journalists, Press Club Members and prominent citizens.
While recalling the contribution of late Ashok Sodhi to the field of photo journalism, senior photo journalist Raju Kerni, former Director Information K B Jandyal, Stage artist Mushtaq Kak and senior journalist Pardeep Dutta appreciated the Management Committee of Press Club Jammu for initiating such award.
PCJ president Ashwani Kumar, while announcing that Ashok Sodhi Memorial Award for Best Photography will be added as annual feature in calendar of Press Club of Jammu said, “The best tribute to Ashok Sodhi will be to make this event an annual feature and I assure you all that Press Club of Jammu will make efforts to not only make this an annual event, but will also try to make this a week long regular feature”.
PCJ Secretary General Zorawar Singh Jamwal and vice-president Abhimanyu Sharma also spoke on the occasion while Treasurer Dinesh Manhotra conducted proceedings of the programme.
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