FTCCI Telangana Tourism Photography Contest: Mucharla Srinivas, Putla Ashokudu Yadav,  Shalini Jain won top positions

Hyderabad: The Tourism Committee of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) has presented the prizes to the winners of the FTCCI Telangana Tourism Photography Contest 2025, conducted on the occasion of World Photography Day.

In a brief meeting held on Monday evening at FTCCI, Red Hills, Hyderabad, Chief Guest Ms. N. Manvi Jagan, General Manager, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation) TGTDC and Guest of Honour Mfr. Mahesh Kumar Bendaka, Deputy General Manager, TDTDC)

Prizes were given away in the presence of Mr. R. Ravi Kumar, President, FTCCI, Mr. KK. Maheshwari, Sr VP, and declared the contest results in the presence of Mr. Prakash Ammanabolu, Chairman; Mr. D. Ramchandram, Co-Chairman of the Tourism Committee; Jury members Mr. Satyaprasad and Mr. Staish; Ms. P. Sangeetha, Director, FTCCI, and Ms. Vishala, Senior Officer, FTCCI.

The Prize Winners given to First Prize: Mucharla Srinivas, Photojournalist, Hans India, Nalgonda – for his evocative image of the Sri Eleshwara Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Nagarjuna Sagar’s Hill Colony, known as Dakshina Kashi. The shrine opens to devotees only once a year on Maha Shivaratri. Second Prize: Putla Ashokudu Yadav, Photojournalist, Andhra Jyothi – for his picturesque shot of Durgam Cheruvu Lake, Hyderabad’s hidden gem. The Third Prize: Shalini Jain, member of the Telangana Photographic Society and passionate wildlife and travel photographer, for her dramatic capture of Bogatha Waterfall, dubbed the Niagara of Telangana

The three top winners were given away certificates and cash awards of ₹10,000/-, ₹7,500/-, and ₹5,000/- respectively.

Consolation prizes of ₹1,000/- each were given away to Gokarapu Shyam Kumar – Thousand Pillar Temple with Nandi, Hanmakonda; G. Balaswami – Telangana Secretariat with Buddha Statue; Peeranayakam Saidulu – Bathukamma Festival; N. Rajesh Reddy – Bird’s-eye View of Mozam Jahi Market; N. Pradeep Kumar – Chowmahalla Palace; Firdaus F. Mistri – Qutb Shahi Tombs, and Ms. M. Sandhya Shalivahana – Golconda Fort

All the above winners were given away cash prizes, certificates and Backpacks.  Supasac Company sponsored backpacks.

Ms. N. Manvi Jagan said that the State of Telangana has many hidden treasures.  The government is also committed to promoting tourism, as it is a very important sector.  Since the formation of the state of Telangana, the ecosystem for tourism infrastructure development has not been in tune with the abundant tourism potential available.  Moreover, the state has not had a dedicated tourism policy since 2014. Now the policy is in place.  The tourism policy aims to attract Rs 15,000 crore of new investments to tourism in the next five years.  It also aimed to create additional employment opportunities for “Three Lakh People. Also, it commits to making Telangana in the top 5 states in domestic and international tourist arrivals.     Mr. Mahesh also spoke on the occasion.

R. Ravi Kumar, President of FTCCI, said the vision that was mandated to the Tourism Committee of FTCCI was to promote the top ten Tourism Destinations of Telangana.  Mr. KK Maheshwari said the committee was asked to work on showcasing the tourism potential of the Telangana state.

A two-member expert jury comprising veteran photojournalist Mr. H. Satish and landscape photographer Mr. Satyaprasad evaluated over 700 photographs submitted by more than 100 participants. The selection was based on the contest theme:

“Explore, Experience, and Exhibit the Spirit of Telangana Tourism”, with judging criteria including creativity, composition, theme relevance, and visual impact.