In 1993, when the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) bribery scandal hit headlines — 10 MPs belonging from JMM and the Janata Dal solid their votes to defeat a no-confidence movement moved in Lok Sabha in opposition to the minority authorities of P V Narasimha Rao — a photograph by former Chief Photojournalist of the The Indian Express, Raaj Dayal, captured a defining second — the change of briefcases.
This is certainly one of many key moments captured by Dayal, who coated the size and breadth of the political and social panorama in India for over 4 a long time. He died on Monday resulting from cardiac seizure. He was 67 and is survived by his spouse, daughter and two grandsons. Dayal had joined The Indian Express in 1988 and retired in 2012 because the Chief Photojournalist. Before that, he labored on the movie journal Mayapuri and studied photojournalism at Thomson Foundation in Wales, UK.
“Photojournalists cover everything but he was known for capturing that excellent picture that went beyond politics,” mentioned veteran journalist Usha Rai, who has coated various assignments with him.
He is understood to have mentored generations of photojournalists. “He was full of knowledge and was always ready to share it with his students and juniors. He used to teach at various media schools around the country,” mentioned his niece and journalist Karuna John.
Dayal can also be remembered as an ace sportsman whereas he studied at Delhi University’s Ramjas College, and an artist and illustrator, who has exhibited at numerous group reveals in Delhi.
“A lot of people remember him for his laughter. Whether they were covering the budget or a natural disaster, they remember how he cared for people on assignments…,” mentioned John.