New Delhi : Lifetime-achievement awards were given to four legendary photo-journalists from across the country by vice-president M Hamid Ansari at Vigyan Bhawan on Aug 19 to commemorate the golden jubilee celebrations of Photo Division, a media unit of the ministry of information and broadcasting.

"Photography is a skill cultivated by few. Despite it being such a creative and imaginative art from, it was never given its due recognition. I am glad Ambika Soni, the minister of information and broadcasting, came up with something like this," said Ansari.

The awards were given to Homai Vyarawalla from Vadodara, S Paul from Delhi, Benu Singh from Kolkata and K G Maheswari from Mumbai. "Photographs and photography are part of our daily existence. They are taken for granted and the only question ever asked is about technology and technique. Both are important, both evolved and made an impact on the human mind," said Ansari.

Soni said to keep pace with new formats it is necessary to innovate. "Digitalization is the road to future. Photography enables us to preserve our rich heritage. Photo Division has taken the initiative to convert conventional images into digital format. Currently, it has converted approximately 7.5 lakh images from its conventional library," she said.

The ministry also proposes to hold an exhibition during the Commonwealth Games and a SAARC-level photo competition. It will also compile photographs of the Queen's baton relay and call it "A Passage to India''. The ministry also proposed to institute a national photo award for professional and amateur categories.

The winners encouraged youngsters to take up this art from. S Paul, 79, said: "We used to work hard as compared to the young generation today. They should appreciate the good work and stop copying. They should not be lazy and visualise the pictures in their own way."