Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria has announced his department's support for education and training of five slum children out of a group of 40 budding child photographers, whose photo exhibition is underway at the Mumbai Press Club.
The city police chief was speaking at the inauguration of the exhibition of images clicked by over 40 children - aged between 10 and 16 - being trained by eight of the city's best photo-journalists.
The initiative 'Kaun Banega Press Photographer' by the club was part of Daan Utsav or joy-of-giving-week programme.
"The police department fears reporters and photographers the most for what they threaten to reveal," Maria said in a lighter vein during the event last evening where he was the chief guest.
"The photographs clicked by you are great and you have much potential. Do not give up," he advised the children, who are from various slums and rehabilitation colonies in Mumbai.
"In my personal capacity, if any of you need any help to go to a professional photography course, I am here to help you," the IPS officer said.
"My department is ready to adopt five of you for your education and future photography career," he announced.
Mingling with the budding photographers, actress Juhi Chawla, who was the guest of honour, congratulated the children on completing the crash course in photography.
Juhi said acquisition of a new skill is always helpful in the long run. She also encouraged the children to develop their understanding of photography further, so that they could make it a future career option.
A selection of the best images shot by these children is presently put up during the week-long exhibition.
The initiative is supported by YES FOUNDATION, a social development arm of YES Bank, which has committed to support meritorious children in training of photography.
