Sharma 2nd best at UNESCO photo contest

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR’S amateur photographer Ashutosh Sharma has done it again!

Though he could not repeat his numero uno feat, Sharma finished on the podium on second successive occasion after his ‘From the slums to smiles’ photo was declared as second best at UNESCO 3rd ‘TRUST, Sport as it Should Be’, photo 

competition.

Sharma had sent his entry for the competition online.

The online awards ceremony took place on 31 March at the Third International Conference SPORT4IMPACT in Milan. Sharma will be receiving a certificate from UNESCO Chair MTU.

A total of 79 entries from 19 countries were selected by the judges panel which included Stephen McCarthy, double World Press Photo award-winning photographer and filmmaker at Sportsfile Dublin; MTU team – UNESCO Chair team & Department of Sport, Leisure, and Childhood Studies; Olga Maryntseva, Petro Mohyla Black Sea University in Mikolaiv, Ukraine and Daithi Kerin, GameOn Golf. Sharma’s photo was declared second best in ameteur category.

Glenn Tondo of Philippines won the first place.

“I am delighted to win the award once again. Last year I was the winner but this year I finished second best. Still, I am happy, Sharma told ‘The Hitavada’. Sharma clicked the picture with kids playing football in a muddy field, in Nagpur. “These slum kids may come from impoverished backgrounds, but they are full of life and passion on the football field. Playing football brings these kids together, allowing them to forget about their struggles and just enjoy the game. They prove that a love for something can transcend any obstacle, and that the power of play can bring joy and happiness to even the most challenging of circumstances,” read the caption of the photo.

Sharma regularly participates in such photo competitions. His photos were selected for UN Exhibition for #IDSDP2017, Pearsons Global Learning Centre in 2015 and 2016. 

Sharma has also won photography award of UNESCO Power of Sports Award (7th Globally) in 2015.

Sharma’s photo has also been featured in Power of Sports Book Globally.