Dear Danish,
I hope you are resting in peace finally. With the endless time that you are endowed with right now will give you the freedom to do what you loved the most. I am sure that you are taking a stroll in the lanes and by-lanes of heaven, looking for photo opportunities. Sorry to bother you.
I had a very short interaction with you while I was in Mumbai. Nothing memorable though. You were just another colleague of mine. When I got the news of you bagging the Pulitzer, frankly speaking I felt really jealous as a photojournalist but I was happy that you had the best shots compared to anyone and more importantly you made us proud and motivated us to keep pushing our boundaries . No wonder you became the chief of Reuters in India. You did your work very well with all your heart . The last time that I spoke to you was over WhatsApp discussing job opportunities .
Though I am detached from photojournalism for a long spell now but I was very much aware that you were covering the situation in Afghanistan. When the news of your demise came to me, I was terribly shocked. Its almost 12 hours since I got this news & yet I am unable to set this aside. I was not your friend ,nor very close to you & yet I am unable to move on.
The social media is flooded with your photos and the news of your demise. Each and everyone is grieving. Your wife lost her beloved husband, the children lost their dear father, the colleagues have lost a dedicated professional and a friend in you.
But one thing I am sure of is that though you have left us too early but somewhere you are very satisfied to have breathed your last with your camera in your hand while you were on duty. That's an honor for any photojournalist for that matter. I too wish to continue working & embrace death with my camera in hand one day.
Have a happy journey to the eternal world and happy clicking.
Thank You !
Text and Photo: ARIJIT SEN
Edited by: RAJASHREE SEN
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