A single photograph can speak a thousand words

A single photograph can speak a thousand words  

A single photograph can speak a thousand words 
  Rashi Sharma

Jammu, October :A good photograph is one that communicates a story, touches the heart and leaves the viewer astonished and a changed person with the explicit expression of emotions. Journalists under the banner of the Press Club of Jammu on the 21st of September remembered senior journalist Ashok Sodhi on his 11th death anniversary.Sodhi sacrificed his life while performing his duty in an encounter in Samba district of Jammu in 2008.He was a photo-journalist and chief camera-man for the Daily Excelsior, a local English newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir.
His demise has undoubtedly left a void in the lives of those who had known him closely. Seven years after his demise, an yearly award ‘Ashok Sodhi Memorial Award’ in his honour and memory was announced by The Press Club of Jammu. Every year, journalists and electronic and print media persons assemble at the Press Club of Jammu to pay their heartiest tribute to the senior journalist. He is remembered not just for his professionalism, but also for his active participation in social activities, besides being ever-ready to help the needy.”He was a very hard-working person,dedicated to his duty, perpetually working round the clock. Being a sociable and jovial person,he was ever-entertaining to his colleagues.He even worked as a drama artist and acted in many TV serials airing in Jammu and Kashmir. He was a guiding light for young aspiring photo-journalists who looked up to him as a mentor”, said Sanjit Khajuria, a close associate of Ashok Sodhi.
This year, The Press Club of Jammu commemorated the 5th anniversary of the Ashok Sodhi Memorial Awards that began its journey in 2015.The four member jury comprising of KB Jandial, former bureaucrat; Sanjit Khajuria, former Deputy Director, Doordarshan News; Pradeep Dutta, Senior Editor, Times Now and Mukesh Gupta, photojournalist of Reuters judged the competition. The awards were presented by the President of Press Club, Ashwani Kumar and Secretary General Zorawar Singh Jamwal  along with jury and management committee members. The first prize was grabbed by Ishtiyaq Rasool Magray, a student of Gandhi Memorial College. The theme of his entry was ‘Hope even in conflict’ that zoomed in to capture the facial expressions of three young boys with gleaming bright smiles filled with innocence. The second prize was bagged by Deepika Sathoo, a student of Mass Communication Department from Gandhi Memorial College with the theme ‘Human Tragedy’ depicting the plight and grief of the family of a defense personnel. The third prize was recorded  by Sanjay Kumar, senior photo-journalist from national hindi daily Amar Ujala with the theme ‘Raahat ka intezaar’ depicting two young kids hiding inside a cement furnace in an attempt to be relieved from the scorching heat.
Even though the contribution of Ashok Sodhi in the fraternity is treasured, it is advisable to be safe than sorry in imparting one’s duties in the conflict-ridden zone of Jammu and Kashmir. 












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