Bangladesh, Nepal photographers honoured; The Daily Star photographer among 37 recipients

A total of 37 photojournalists have been honoured at the prestigious “Imperial Photojournalist Appreciation Award 2026” yesterday to recognise outstanding contributions to the field of photojournalism.

Among the recipients are two photographers from The Daily Star—Rashed Shumon and Firoz Ahmed.

The Photojournalist Appreciation Award 2026 Celebration Council arranged the programme at the Imperial Hotel International in Dhaka yesterday.

Of the total, 27 received awards at the Imperial Photojournalist Award 2026, while 10 photojournalists from Nepal were honoured with special recognition. Reuters photojournalist Rafiqul Rahman received a special award for his 57 years of contribution to photojournalism.

The event, held yesterday evening, was attended by State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, as the chief guest. Special guests included Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, and Managing Editor of The New Nation and Sports Editor of Kriralok, Arshad Hossain.

Among other distinguished attendees were Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Kader Gani Chowdhury, and President of the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association, AKM Mohsin.

A 10-member delegation from Nepal, led by Pradeep Raj Onta, President of the National Forum of Photojournalists Nepal, also attended the event.

The ceremony was followed by a cultural programme and dinner.

Other photojournalists from various media outlets in Bangladesh who received the honour are: Mohammad Ponir Hossain (Reuters), KM Asad (Independent), Suvra Kanti Das (Prothom Alo), Munir Uz Zaman (AFP), Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman (bdnews24.com), Md Sazid Hossain (Prothom Alo), Sony Ramani (New Age), Rohet Ali Rajib (Bangladesh Pratidin), Moinuddin Ahmed (The New Nation), Dipu Malakar (Prothom Alo), Mamunur Rashid (Daily Samakal), Abdul Goni (Daily Ittefaq), Moshiur Rahman Sumon (Kriralok), Mosaraf Hossain Bhuban (Desh Rupantor), Md Hasan (Ajker Patrika), Habibur Rahman (Sarabangla.net), Jahidul Islam Sajal (Ajker Patrika), Md Saurav (New Age), Shamsul Haq Ripon (Deshkal News), SM Nasir (Channel I), Reaz Ahmed Sumon (Daily Sun), Monirul Islam Shabuj (Daily Naya Diganta), Indrajit Kumer Ghosh (Khaborer Kagoj), Alamin Leon Dainik (Amader Shomoy), Sharif Sarwar (Underwater Photography).

The 10 photographers who received honours from Nepal are: Pradeep Raj Onta, Lekha Bahadur Shrestha (Sagar), Ghanashyam Shrestha, Prabin Kulung Rai, Mukunda Bahadur Kalikote, Harish Singh Nagal, Anup Pradhan, Ram Sharan Maharjan, Prem Bahadur Thapa and Udhav Kumar Shrestha.