Kashmiri journalist gets Magnum Foundation fellowship

In a first of sorts, Kashmiri photojournalist Sana Irshad Mattoo has been selected for the renowned Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellowship.

Srinagar: Sana Irshad Mattoo has become the first woman from Kashmir to get the renowned Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellowship.

Sana, 27, a resident of Srinagar, was working on a project for the last two years as a result of which she has bagged this opportunity.

"Journalists in the Valley deliver their professional duties in a very difficult situation and now these things have become a way of life for us. A journalist was beaten yesterday too. We can't do anything right now... They should allow us to work freely," Sana, who works with Reuters as a photojournalist, said.

She further said, "The prevailing situation in the Valley following the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, taught us a lot of things. It was a learning experience. The only thing that was on our mind was to do our job professionally. The thought of quitting the job often came into our mind, but then the next morning we were again on the same path."

Speaking about the Magnum Fellowship, she said, "Under this fellowship, I was supposed to study at a leading photography college in New York. But because of the pandemic, all classes will now be online. In case the situation in the Valley gets worse or the internet gets restricted again, I will have to go."

"The journalists from Kashmir must be dedicated to their work and search for fellowships and awards on the internet in related fields. Nothing is impossible if you work in the right direction," she added.