CHANDIGARH: The Second Tri-City Press Photographers Awards and Exhibition, organized by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi in collaboration with the Chandigarh Press Club, opened on March 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Underpass Gallery connecting Sector 17 to Rose Garden, Chandigarh. This 10-day exhibition will run until March 28, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.
The grand opening was graced by Chief Guest Shri Mandip Singh Brar, IAS, Home Secretary cum Secretary Culture, Chandigarh Administration. The event was organized under the leadership of Bheem Malhotra, Chairman of CLKA, and Nalin Acharya, President of CPC.
This prestigious exhibition features the works of 23 talented photojournalists from Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali, presenting 94 powerful frames that capture significant events, emotions, and societal changes over the last decade. A special category was introduced for non-press journalists, with four contributors showcasing 12 compelling works. The jury selected 46 of the most impactful photographs for display across multiple categories, including Best Photograph of the Decade, Outstanding Human Interest Photograph, Best News Photography, and Special Jury Mention. The selection process was meticulously conducted by esteemed judges Renuka Puri, Photo Editor of Indian Express, and Gurdeep Dhiman, an eminent city photo artist from Chandigarh, ensuring that the final collection represents the finest in visual storytelling.
The awards recognized outstanding contributions in press photography, with top honors awarded to Jasbir Malhi, Nitin Mittal, and Ravi Kumar (HT), who each received Rs. 25, 000 in the Press Photographer category. Keshav Singh, Paramjeet Singh Karwal, Sanjay Ghildiyal, Shubham Kaushal, and Upendra Sen Gupta were honored with Rs. 10, 000 each in the same category. In addition, Ajesh Kumar Dharwal received an award of Rs. 5, 000 in the Journalist category.