Jaipur, 19 November 2025: To continue its mission of inspiring and nurturing the next generation of visual storytellers, the Imagine Photojournalist Society hosted the 11th edition of the Jaipur Photojournalism Seminar at the Rajasthan International Centre. The one-day event brought together a distinguished panel of experts from the fields of photojournalism, media, government, cinema, and community leadership, who shared their knowledge and perspectives with an audience comprising media students and photography enthusiasts from across Jaipur.
The seminar featured renowned speakers, including Gurinder Osan, Photo Editor at PTI; Purushottam Diwaker, International Photojournalist and documentary photgrapher; Ritu Shukla, Additional Director General, PIB & CBC, Jaipur; Anshuman Shastri, Director, Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Banasthali Vidyapith ; Shekhar Ghosh, Filmaker, Photo Editor & Visual Storytelling Consultant; Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch, Lambi Ahir Village; Ravi Yadav, Actor, Writer, and Producer; and Hemjit Maloo, Director, Veena Music. These eminent personalities enriched the event with their unique experiences in journalism, governance, technology, film, and cultural preservation.
The seminar commenced with an address by Shekhar Ghosh, who emphasized the evolving responsibility of visual journalists in an era shaped by fast-paced information cycles and digital media by stating “In over twenty-five years of photojournalism, I’ve learned that our work is not just about capturing moments, it’s about carrying responsibility. Whether it is motivating young storytellers, fighting misinformation, or documenting the harsh realities faced by colleagues during COVID, our duty remains the same: to pursue truth with courage and compassion. You, the next generation, must carry this forward, because journalism survives only when integrity leads every frame and every story.” His insights highlighted the power of truthful and timely images in shaping public understanding.
Additionally, International photojournalist Purushottam Diwaker further expanded on the significance of documenting real stories on the ground. Drawing from his vast experience, he spoke about the ethics of conflict coverage, rural reportage, and the irreplaceable value of authenticity in photography something that artificial intelligence cannot emulate.
Offering an inspiring grassroots narrative, Neeru Yadav, popularly known as the “Hockey Wali Sarpanch,” spoke about her work in empowering rural communities, promoting sports among girls, and using leadership to drive social change. Her session motivated students to pursue socially conscious storytelling.
The event also witnessed engaging sessions from Anshuman Shastri, and Ravi Yadav, who shared creative insights into filmmaking, writing, and the role of cinema in capturing human emotions and culture. In addition, Hemjit Maloo spoke about narrative-building, folk culture, and the growing influence of visual media in preserving heritage.
The 11th Jaipur Photojournalism Seminar proved to be an enriching and inspiring platform for young media learners. By bringing together experts from diverse domains, the seminar reinforced the importance of ethical storytelling and highlighted the continuing role of photojournalists in influencing public dialogue, preserving culture, and creating lasting societal impact.
