Kevin Carter, Sangolli Sangvva are metaphors of photojournalism, says K.V. Prabhakar
Bengaluru, August 19: “When looks touch the heart, a great photojournalist is born. The picture captured in that moment becomes history,” said K.V. Prabhakar, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
He was speaking at the inauguration of World Photography Day celebrations organised by the Bangalore Photojournalists’ Association on Monday.
Prabhakar highlighted that vision and insight form the foundation of good photojournalism. “A child understands the world through looks even before he learns to speak. Looks do not require words, sentences, or language. That is why we say ‘Love at first sight’. For photojournalists, this power of vision is crucial,” he said.
Citing examples, Prabhakar described South African photographer Kevin Carter and Karnataka’s Sangolli Sangvva as “two visual texts of photojournalism.”
He recalled Carter’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph from famine-hit Sudan in 1993, which depicted a starving child collapsing on the ground while a vulture waited nearby. “That single frame became an indelible text in journalism. It raised questions across the world, but also haunted Carter, who ended his life three months later. His photo proved that a look is itself a universal language, capable of sparking global debates,” he said.
Similarly, he pointed to the story of Sangvva from Belagavi, whose photograph bowing to the steps of a government bus under the Shakti Yojana scheme went viral last year. “When the scheme was announced, there was criticism and mockery. But Sangvva’s single act of gratitude, captured in a photo, erased all jokes and touched millions. Within 24 hours, she became a symbol of dignity and emotion,” Prabhakar noted.
According to him, reports and words may sometimes distort facts, but photographs never lie. “Pictures are the seal of truth in journalism. They carry authenticity and permanence in a way text cannot,” he said.
On the role of technology, Prabhakar said photography today is easier than it was two decades ago, but creativity remains the deciding factor. “Artificial intelligence is both a challenge and an opportunity. Technology cannot replace human imagination. As long as photographers remain creative and compassionate, no machine can replace them,” he observed.
He also underlined the growing importance of photojournalists at grassroots levels. “Even today, photographers are in greater demand than reporters in rural and taluk areas. Politicians wait for photographs of their inauguration programmes. Photos speak across languages, even to the illiterate. That is the power of photography,” he said.
Prabhakar urged editors to recognise this importance. “A report may be removed, but no one discards a good photograph. Newspapers must make efficient use of photo space,” he added.
The event was attended by Deccan Herald Chairman K.N. Shanthakumar, Madhyamika Academy President Ayesha Khanum, senior photojournalist Bhagyaprakash, Bangalore Photojournalist Association President Mohan, and senior journalist Sadashiva Shenoy.
Photographers as historians
Prabhakar also stressed that photographers play the role of historians. “From freedom struggles to wars, it is photographs that have preserved the faces and moments of the past for future generations. This dual role makes photojournalists not just storytellers of today, but historians of tomorrow,” he said.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
