Well, it's official. The 2005 SAJA PHOTOFORUM is on. They are looking for the very best in photojournalism from South Asia; from those who work in South Asia or who have focussed on the South Asian diaspora.

Only digital entries will be accepted and they will be due on April 18, 2005. For the entry form and how to submit yourr entry, please click the Adobe Acrobat icon you see here to the right. You will need Acrobat Reader to view the file.

They are doing things a bit differently this year. For the first time, they are combining entries for the SAJA Photo Awards and the SAJA PHOTOFORUM. So, your entries will be judged for the photo awards and may also be exhibited in front of 600 journalists at the SAJA annual convention, held at Columbia University.

Please let your friends and colleagues know about this opportunity. Forward the downloaded PDF or email them the following link.

SAJA‘s mission. President-elect Deepti Hajela explains what SAJA is all about:

“I think it's important for journalists to understand the differences even within South Asia, not just between South Asia and East Asia. If the reporting is going to be truly accurate, then people in media need to be aware that being Indian is NOT the same as being Pakistani, which is NOT the same as being Bangladeshi, which is NOT the same as being Sri Lankan, etc. People from different countries have different cultural backgrounds, different immigrant histories and experiences, are concerned with different aspects of public policy. Are there issues in common? Of course. But Asia is not one big monolith. It's made up of numerous cultures, and crafting the most thorough coverage requires media to recognize that.”

I coughed up enough cash to become a lifetime member. Why? Because it makes sense; SAJA is a hard-working organization interested in the things that I am interested in. Until recently I was on the board and I continue to work with them when it comes to topics directly or remotely connected to photojournalism.

If you work as a journalist, interested in South Asia, join up. Tell 'em Tiffinbox sent ya.

Via Jonathan Dube

Doing the right thing as a journalist have you up all night? Help is near.

The New York Public Library is exhibiting James Gillray‘s political cartoons.

“One of the most popular cartoonists of his day, Gillray produced lively, hand-colored etchings that lampooned major political figures, including the king, the queen, the prime minister and Napoleon, and many minor ones, too. With fearless, exuberant contentiousness, he tackled the French Revolution, England's war with France, high taxes, domestic unrest, fear of foreign invasion, Irish rebels and conflict between the Whigs and the Tories.”

If you are in the city, it might be worth a visit.

S. Mitra Kalita and Sreenath Sreenivasan wish to alert you to a continuously updated site with experts and journalists in South Asia, news & opinion links and ways you can help.