A photographic tribute to Kargil heroes

Hyderabad’s Oncologist Dr Ravi Kumar and his family's daredevil photographic adventure in Kashmir Valley and photo exhibition of the same is a dedication to
"The Heroes of the Indian Armed Forces, who bravely fought the Kargil War of 1999"

“Our drive began from Srinagar to Sonamarg, Zojilla Pass, Drass, Kargil towards Leh. Our journey from Srinagar was through a treacherous terrain, riddled with frequent landslides and earthquakes, but the views were immensely breathtaking,” recounted Dr Ravi Kumar, a medical oncologist at Global Hospital and Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Centre.

The 55-year-old doctor, along with his wife Nitika, a costume designer; daughters Sanjana Saxena, a medical student and Radhna Saxena, an architect had undertaken a daredevil family photographic adventure on road for eight days from the Valley of Kashmir to the Mountain of Ladakh in May, 2015.

Travelling on the treacherous terrain, almost in zero temperatures, Dr Ravi Kumar clicked upto 3,000 photos with his Nikon DSL R Camera with Nikon and Sigma lenses. “Each mile of the journey reminded us the death several times. From Leh, we went to Changla Pass, Pangyong Lake then to Khardungla Pass, the highest motorable road in the world and Nubra Valley and Siachin Base Camp,” Dr Ravi added.

The self-taught photographer pursues his hobby during weekends and holidays in spite of his busy schedule that is normally filled with surgeries. The doctor has done many group shows in the past. But, this is his first solo show. “I have been shooting from the age of six years. My first Camera was Kodak Ritinette, said to be an expensive camera in those days when my father gifted it to me,” he recalled.

While the aim of the trip was to enjoy the scenic beauty of the valley, the collection of photographs became more than just a “memory”. A handpicked 75 photographs of 36 inches by 24 inches are going to be showcased in a photography exhibition, which he and his family have dedicated to the Indian Army.

“We humbly dedicate this photo exhibition to the heroes of the Indian Armed Forces, who bravely fought the Kargil War of 1999,” said Dr Ravi Kumar. “We have seen how the Indian soldiers posted in those locations fight not only the threat from the militants, but also harsh cold winters. Each day is a new battle for survival.”

The exhibition will be inaugurated at 10.30 am by senior army officers of Headquarters of Telangana and Andhra Sub-Area. It will be held for a day at the State Art Gallery in Madhapur, Hyderabad from 5.30 pm on March 6.