The Imperial Photojournalists Appreciation Awards 2026 honoured outstanding photojournalists from Bangladesh and Nepal at a ceremony held last night at Imperial Hotel International.
State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin attended the event as chief guest, while Ambassador of Nepal to Dhaka Ghanshyam Bhandari and Managing Editor of The New Nation Arshad Hosein were special guests, according to a press release.
Twenty-seven Bangladeshi photojournalists, including New Age’s Md Sourav and Sony Ramani, received awards, while 10 Nepali photojournalists were also honoured.
Veteran Reuters photojournalist Rafiqur Rahman received special recognition for his 57 years of contribution to photojournalism.
In her remarks, Farzana Sharmin thanked organising committee chairman Moshiur Rahman and described the initiative as unprecedented in Bangladesh. She encouraged future international-level competitions and assured full government support.
Speaking as a special guest, Arshad Hosein extended thanks to Imperial Hotel International on behalf of The New Nation and Kriya Lok.
“Photojournalism is not merely a profession; it is a responsibility. Every frame they capture carries stories of hope, struggle, pain, and resilience,” he said. “Our photojournalists have consistently shown extraordinary commitment, often risking their own safety to bring these stories to the world.”
The event concluded with a cultural programme and dinner.
