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KT bags three DSF awards

Pratibha Umashankar, Special Feature Writer, Weekend has won the Best Feature in a Magazine Award for her cover story, In the True Spirit of DSF, that appeared in the February 15 issue of the magazine. It was a heart-wrenching story of wheelchair-bound 21-year-old Carol Vaz who, thanks to the writer’s efforts and the generosity of DSF, was able to fulfil her dream of witnessing this year’s Shopping Festival. The story has since then elicited tremendous response from the readers.

Photographer S. Nair won the Best Photographer Award for his unusual picture of a group of Korean dancers and Mohammed Akbar Aroos Mohammed for his attractive layout of cover stories on DSF are other first prizes for KT.

S. Nair, expressing his joy on the win, said, “I have been working for the organisation for 11 years and this prestigious award makes me feel good. My colleagues and superiors have always encouraged me to give my best and it’s thanks to their motivation that I have won this award.”

Nair said the profession does have its share of ups and downs, but one cherishes only the high points.

“I have been disappointed in the past because I did not win, but I kept trying, and my persistence has paid off,” he said.

He thanked DSF for instituting the award for photographers and providing a platform for being recognised. “More than the award money, it’s the recognition that is important. This has motivated me to work even harder,” he said.

M. A. Aroos, whose work had earlier been recognised in the 10^th anniversary of DSF, was in a state of disbelief after hearing the news of the award. “The Islamic Year (1429) Muharram 1 has started off well for me,” he said. “I bought a new car on the day, and within a month my daughter won three gold medals and now this award. What more can I ask for?”

Pratibha Umashankar, who has been associated with Khaleej Times for about 12 years, first as a free-lancer and then as a staff member for eight years, said that it was a triumph for Carol Vaz that her story touched the hearts of so many people.

“Journalism is often dismissed as literature in a hurry and the profession is increasingly becoming market-driven. But it is the endeavour of every writer to make a mark in the world with the power of words so that we positively change the lives of people around, albeit fractionally. I feel blessed that I was able to do this through my cover story. I’m indeed grateful to DSF authorities for answering my plea and making Carol’s dream come true,” she said.

As a gesture from DSF to this special person, Carol Vaz and her mother were special invitees to DSF’s spectacular closing ceremony held in Dubai yesterday. “Like hundreds of DSF fans, I too was moved by this gesture,” said Pratibha.

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