By MANAMA: The Indian Ladies Association (ILA) successfully hosted the grand award ceremony for the IMAGEin Bahrain Women’s Photography Competition on June 20, 2026. Held as a highlight of the association’s historic 70th Anniversary celebrations, the unique all-women contest generated widespread community interest, drawing over 150 participants who submitted more than 200 breathtaking photographs.
The top three winners were announced during an exclusive exhibition of the best entries at the ILA clubhouse, held in the presence of Chief Guest and award-winning Bahraini film director Bassam Al Thawadi.
Kavya Sarin clinched the coveted first prize, walking away with USD 500 and a Canon vlogging camera. Najeeba T was declared the runner-up, securing USD 300 and a Canon photo printer, while Manahil Sohail took home the third prize of USD 200 along with a Canon color printer. In addition to the top awards, several highly commended entries were specially mounted and displayed at the exhibition to recognize their outstanding artistic merit.
The competition invited female residents to showcase their unique perspective on the Kingdom under the central theme, “I Love Bahrain.” The submissions beautifully captured Bahrain’s vibrant culture, natural beauty, and safe environment, with landscapes emerging as the most popular subject. From striking coastal sunsets to iconic modern landmarks and traditional heritage scenes, the photographs vividly reflected the deep emotional connection the participants share with the nation.
The vast pool of entries underwent a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. An initial screening was conducted by ILA’s in-house photography experts, Sithara Thomas and Shikha Verma. The semifinal selections were then evaluated by a distinguished external jury panel comprising cinematographer and director Ajith Nair; Summer Ameen (Founder of Verano Creatives Photography & Film Production); and Fatima R. AlShaikh (Marketing & Corporate Communications Strategist).
“We believe that by celebrating the women’s view of Bahrain’s beauty, the ILA paid a fitting tribute to our beloved Bahrain,” said Smitha Jensen, President of the Indian Ladies Association. “The response was rewarding and most importantly, it showed us how much so many people love this wonderful Kingdom we call home.”
Chief Guest Bassam Al Thawadi, a pioneer of GCC cinema, highly praised the initiative. He commended the ILA for empowering female residents to document their profound appreciation for the peace, harmony, and inclusivity that the Kingdom of Bahrain continually extends to its diverse multicultural community.
As the oldest expatriate women’s association in the GCC, the ILA organized this initiative as a meaningful gesture of gratitude and solidarity toward the Kingdom. Operating under its guiding motto of “Service Before Self,” the milestone event marked another triumphant community gathering during the ILA’s Platinum Jubilee year, which remains dedicated to celebrating unity, sisterhood, and community service.