Savewater awards

Debashis Mukherjee from Kolkata has been named the winner of the national 2011 savewater! awards® photographic competition in the open category, which was announced at a Gala Ceremony on the 11th November in Melbourne, Australia.

Debashis has been named one of three overall winners from over 1000 entries into the savewater! awards®. The independent judging process was headed by environmental consultant, Mr Rob Gell, with a panel of experts in photography to determine the top water efficiency images across the globe.

"In Search of Life" by Debashis Mukherjee (India)

Judge Mrs Bronwen Casey, Australian Photographic Society, commented on the struggle to obtain water, in many developing nations. This everyday task of collecting water is a hardship often experienced across generations. Obtaining water is essential to survival.

"This powerful image, hits the viewer with the reality of life in places where water is scarce. It depicts the great lengths some people must go to in order to collect what little water they can find," says Mrs Casey.

The photographer award is designed to recognise creative talent with water conservation imagery as the key focus. There are three awards in this category: Junior Student (up to 12 years old), Senior Student (13 to 17 year olds), and Open.

Now in its ninth year, the globally recognised savewater! awards® have emerged as Australia's leading awards for sustainability and water efficiency. They recognise and reward excellence in water conservation and efficiency by business, government, schools, local communities and individuals.