The Hindu Chief News Photographer K.R. Deepak and photographers K.V.S. Giri, G.N. Rao, and Kommuri Srinivas with their awards, along with A.P. Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Nukasani Balaji, Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad, former MP Gokaraju Gangaraju, GRK Foundation Secretary Golla Narayana Rao, and IIPC Digital Chairman T. Srinivasa Reddy, at the World Photography Day celebrations in Vijayawada on Monday.
“Photography reflects the conditions and lifestyle of people and is vital for the development of tourism,” said A.P. Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Nukasani Balaji.
He was the chief guest at the award presentation ceremony for the winners of the 186th World Photography Day contest, organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Creativity and Culture Commission in collaboration with the India International Photographic Council (IIPC) and the Photography Academy of India (PAI). Awards were also given to the winners of a contest held as part of World Tribal Day celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Balaji said it is through the lens of photographers that the greatness of a tourist destination is revealed. “Tourism develops only when people are drawn to it, and photojournalists and photographers play a crucial role in this,” he observed.
Former MP Gokaraju Gangaraju, MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad and contest organiser T. Sreenivas Reddy congratulated the winners and lauded the efforts of photojournalists in bringing tribal culture into the limelight. Mr. Sreenivas Reddy said that out of 487 entries from 16 States, 40 photographs were selected for the contest.
In the two contests, six photographers from The Hindu bagged awards. In the Photojournalism section, G.N. Rao, Senior News Photographer, received the ‘One Best Image’ award for his photo on ‘NTR Bharosa’. Senior Special News Photographer K.V.S. Giri won the first prize for his work on bird flu, while Senior Special News Photographer from Telangana, Nagara Gopal, received the Special Achievement Award for his photo on ‘Future City’.
In the Photo Travel section, Chief News Photographer K.R. Deepak won the ‘One Best Image’ award for his capture of a Tadoba tiger. The second prize went to The Hindu stringer Kommuri Srinivas for his image of a tricolour procession, while Special News Photographer V. Raju received an award for his work on the Araku tribe.
Published – August 18, 2025 09:53 pm IST
