Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: Print and Electronic Media Association, Press Club of Jammu and others today remembered Ashok Sodhi, senior photojournalist and former Chief Photographer of the Daily Excelsior, who had sacrificed his life while performing professional duties during a gunfight between terrorists and security forces at Samba in 2008.
On his 12th death anniversary, Print & Electronic Media Association, J&K, organized a tribute paying function at Exhibition Ground Jammu while maintaining social distancing norms.
Remembering contribution of Ashok Sodhi towards the field of journalism, President of the Association, Afzal Shah said that by sacrificing his life in the line of duty, the former had inspired juniors to never compromise with their work. Afzal Shah also demanded a financial package for the working and accredited journalists similar to that had been provided to the Advocates by the J&K Government in view of the Coronavirus lockdown in J&K.
Those who paid their tributes on the occasion, included Sudhir Kumar, Vishal Sharma, Atul Gupta, Surjeet Singh, Raman Raina, Shilpa Thakur, Jagjit Kumar , Rakesh Bakshi, Mir Imran, Sham Sunder, Ashok Baru, Sonu Karlupia, Pardeep Bakshi, Tilak Mehra, Sahil Sanjay Gupta, Ravinder Singh , Richa, Naresh Bhagat Inderjit Singh, Ashok Anand, Danish Iqbal , Lekh Raj, Zaffar Suje and others.
Press Club of Jammu also remembered Ashok Sodhi on his 12th death anniversary today even as a function for paying tributes could not be organized because of COVID-19 lockdown.
The management committee of PCJ and the journalists representing different media houses, remembered their colleague and paid tributes to the departed soul, a handout issued here said. Advising the working journalists to be careful and alert while performing their professional duties, the Press Club statement said: “Not only while covering law and order problem or gun battles but in the prevailing COVID19 situation also, we have to remain alert and stay safe when working in field while performing professional duties.”
Working journalists of Akhnoor also paid floral tributes to Ashok Sodi on his death anniversary. Maintaining social distance norms, they organised a tribute ceremony and remembered Ashok Sodhi. On the occasion, speakers threw light on life and work of Ashok Sodhi and prayed for peace to the departed soul. Those who spoke on the occasion, included Shamsher Singh, Kunwar Shakti Singh, Shiv Beragi, Avinash Bassan, Ashwain Bhardwaj, Atul Sudan, Vikrant Bral, Rabia Khajuria, Vishal Gadgotra, Rajan Beragi, Rakesh Kumar Sharma and Ankush Dubey.
The management and staff of Daily Excelsior also paid tributes to its ex-Chief Photographer and remembered his services to the organization as well as the journalistic fraternity. On the occasion, a two- minute silence was observed for peace to the departed soul.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee also paid rich tributes to Ashok Sodhi on his death anniversary. JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said that martyrdom of Ashok Sodhi has laid at least twin standards; the supreme example of dedication and devotion to the professional duty as a journalist and as the great spirit of patriotism and bravery in the midst of exchange of fire.
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