Launches Our World One World' photo exhibition on creativity through children at its image Lounge at Atria Mall , Worli, Mumbai; Announces exciting contest for press photographers of Mumbai and for Canon Edge members nationally.
Canon India Pvt. Limited, India’s No 1. Complete Digital Imaging Company today announced the launch of the ‘Our World, One World’ photo exhibition of pictures taken by underprivileged children and three new contests in the photography segment at the Canon Image Lounge. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Kensaku Konishi, President and CEO, Canon India and Mr. Alok Bharadwaj, Senior Vice President, Canon India. Some of the children whose photographs have been exhibited were part of the launch event and were also taken on a city tour of Mumbai by Canon. These kids were felicitated by Canon India to encourage the spirit of creativity with technology.
The photographic exhibition titled ‘Our World One World’ was organized by Ship for World Youth Alumni Association-India (SWYAA-India) with children living in the slum clusters in Delhi. This one month long workshop was held with forty underprivileged children in the age group of 10-14 years in January 2009, who live and work in slum clusters of Kanchan basti, Khazan basti, Rewari line slum and Dhobi basti from Mayapuri, Delhi Cantonment and Nangal Raya area in West Delhi. Md. Sayyad, Guddu, Saraswati, Kiran, Arti, Bharti, Ravi, Rani, Madhu, Priyanka, Manisha, Preeti, Meena, Nagina, Neha and twenty five other underprivileged children from the slums of West Delhi were trained in this workshop and had taken these photographs inspired by the Oscar winning film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and captured the stark reality of their life, surrounding, habitation , friends and family to share it with the rest of the world. They have clicked photographs using Canon PowerShot digital camera. This photographic workshop and exhibition is sponsored by Canon India. A total of 124 photographs were taken and most of them are on display covering the photographic expressions of slum children.
The major activities during the photographic workshop included introduction to photography, type of cameras, and training in handling the digital camera, in door and out door shooting, discussion about the camera angles, perspective and treatment of different subjects. During the outdoor shooting children clicked photographs using PowerShot digital camera in and around their slums taking photographs of their friends, family, elders, animals, nature, water, life on the railway line and work the parents are engaged.
The photo exhibition is meant to raise awareness about the less privileged classes and reiterates Canon’s message that photography is for everyone.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kensaku Konishi, President & CEO, Canon India said, “We at Canon make constant efforts for community as part of our social responsibility by empowering children with cameras. We are delighted to see the result of creativity and are happy to put a smile on many faces. We want to be a part of every household and every celebration.”
Canon announced two contests for SLR customers at the Canon Image Lounge, one for press photographers and the other for Canon Edge members.
Contest for Press Photographers
The contest for press photographers is based on the theme of the ‘Streets of Mumbai’. Contestants can register and upload their photographs on the Canon Edge micro site for a period of 30 days starting from April 10th till May 10th 2009. This contest is open for the press photographers of Mumbai only. The photographs be judged by the Canon Edge panel of photographers. The first prize is an EOS 5D – Mark II D-SLR camera, the second and third prizes are EOS 500D D-SLR cameras. The awards ceremony will be held at the Mumbai Press Club on 21st May. All the photos will be exhibited at the Canon Image Lounge in Mumbai in the month of May 2009.
Contest for Consumers
The second contest is for consumers where Canon is bringing its Summer travel bonanza offer called ‘Get Set Go’. Towards this, Canon is offering a Backpack cum strolley bag worth 3499/ from Bennetton on purchases of Canon digital camera products also consumer can avail free 100 photo prints under ‘Get Set Go’ offer. There is no better time than now to own a Canon.
Contest for Canon Edge Members
A third contest was announced for Canon Edge Members. The Canon Edge Members contest is open to 6000 members for participation. It will run from the 1st April - 30th April. The topic is “Staying Alive” to celebrate the World Health Day which was on the 7th April. The photographers can upload their pictures based on the topic on the Canon edge website. A panel of eminent photographers like Akash Das, Tarun Khiwal, Hardesh Dhingra, Dinesh Khanna and Hemant Khandelwal will adjudge the entries. Winners will receive EF lenses.
Mr. Alok Bharadwaj, Senior Vice President, Canon India said, “Photography is the art, science and practice of taking photographs either professionally or as a hobby. In fact, we believe that it is a combination of art and science which becomes a practice. The science portion is in the technology and the product which we unveiled through our launch of 23 new products today and the creative use of this technology is the art part which we are celebrating through this photo exhibition where we see the world through the eyes of these children.”
Canon today, along with contests, had also launched 23 state of the art SMART products. The launch saw the unveiling of path breaking technologies in sync with the youth trends and lifestyle of today.
Mr. Bharadwaj also said “Press photographers are an integral part of our life. We see and read about the world everyday in the morning through the lenses of media. ‘Streets of Mumbai’ is a lively theme that we wanted to capture through this community of press photographers. I am sure when we exhibit the results, we will travel through the ‘Streets of Mumbai’ through their lenses.” He added “There is so much creativity, life and excitement on the streets of Mumbai that we can only appreciate if someone captures the action which can tell us a story.”
About SWYAA-India
SWYAA-India has been working since the last two years for education of street and working children who live in the slums adjacent to the Industrial area of Mayapuri, Naraina and Kirti Nagar in Delhi. For this project, as part of their educational inputs, SWYAA-India's endeavor is to bring out their creativity and latent talent and by exhibiting their work we want to make people aware of their plight, so that they can contribute for education of slum children for achieving the aspirations and hopes of a brighter and safer future.
Mr. Ravi Chopra, General Secretary and Ms. Shobhana Radhakrishna, Chief Executive and other team members of SWYAA-India conceptualized, designed and executed ‘Our World One World’ photographic workshop and exhibition.
About Canon Inc
Canon Inc. is a global leader with total revenue of about US$ 45 billion in 2008, in photographic and digital imaging solutions. Its global network now includes 239 companies, employing some more than 131,352 people. Five Technology ‘imaging’ engines of Optical, Electrophotography, Bubble Jet, Semiconductor and Display drive Canon’s cutting-edge technology products. Canon is the world leader in office automation and digital imaging technologies. The company is dedicated to the advancement in technology and innovation and commits 10% of its total revenue each year to R&D. Canon is ranked 36th on the Best Global Brands for the second consecutive year in Business Week's 100 Best Global Brands 2008 and 189th on the Fortune Global 500 in year 2008. Canon has consistently remained as one of the top 3 global companies to have earned the most number of patents over the last decade. Guided by its kyosei philosophy, which focuses on "living and working together for the common good”, Canon delivers high performance and user-friendly products and solutions to improve efficiency both in the office and home environment. More information is available on www.canon.co.in
Canon in India
Canon’s product portfolio extends over a vast variety of photocopiers, multi-functional peripherals, fax-machines, inkjet and laser printers, scanners, All-in-ones, digital cameras, camcorders , dye sub photo printers and multi media projectors, cable ID printers, semi conductors and card printers.
Canon India Pvt. Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd., a world leader in imaging technologies. Set up in 1997, Canon India markets over 140 comprehensive range of sophisticated contemporary digital imaging. The company today has offices in 7 cities, warehouses in 11 cities across India and employs over 700 people. Canon has over 300 primary channel partners 13 National Retail Chain partners, over 3000 secondary retail points including 270 National Retail Chain store partners & 33 Canon Care Centers. The sales staff saw a 16 % increase over 2008. Canon products are available in over 300 towns in India. Overall Canon’s presence is expected to increase to 4000 outlets by December 2009.
Canon India closed 2008 with revenues of Rs. 665 crores, which marked 31% growth over 2007. Overall, Canon expects to touch revenue of 840 crores in 2009.
Canon India has a Software Development Centre located in Noida as well as a design center at Bangalore. Canon India received the CII-EXIM Business Excellence Award for Strong commitment to excel.
