Danish Siddiqui was more than a photojournalist; he was a storyteller who captured the raw essence of human experiences. His images went beyond documentation, bearing witness to history and exposing the truth in its most unfiltered and unembellished form.
A self-taught photographer, Danish left his television correspondent role to pursue his passion for photography. Starting out as a young freelancer, he soon got an opportunity to work with the global news agency Reuters as a stringer.
There was no looking back from there. His talent and dedication moved him quickly through the ranks, ultimately leading him to become Reuters' Chief Photographer and head of its multimedia team in India. However, despite reaching the height of his profession, he remained deeply committed to being on the ground, persevering through some of the world's most challenging environments to document the agony and resilience of the oppressed.
A Fearless Photojournalist
Recognised as one of the most prolific photojournalists of his era, Danish's work carried profound meaning, covering a broad spectrum of society and leaving a lasting impact. His lens captured stories that words often failed to convey. Each photograph was a work of art. As former Chief Justice of India NV Ramanna said, Danish was a man with a magical eye and was rightly regarded as one of the foremost photojournalists of this era. If a picture can tell a thousand words, his photos were novels.
A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Danish Siddiqui received his first Pulitzer in 2018 for his striking image of exhausted Rohingya women reaching the shore after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border — a defining moment in his powerful series on the refugee crisis.
This achievement made him the first Indian photojournalist to receive the honor in a century.
In 2021, he was posthumously awarded his second Pulitzer with the Reuters team for his deeply impactful coverage of COVID-19 in India.
His images captured the pandemic's devastating toll — from deserted cities and migrant workers' arduous journeys back home to the resilience of frontline healthcare workers — offering a stark and unflinching portrayal of a global crisis.
On the Frontlines
From the battlegrounds of Afghanistan to the streets of India during the pandemic, the Nepal earthquake, the ISIS takeover of Mosul in Iraq, the Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings, Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests, farmers protest against the farm bills or the communal violence in Delhi — Danish was always at the frontlines.
His eloquent photographs were more than documentation; they were a call to action, a stark reminder of the human cost of global events.
His work resonated far beyond newsrooms, shaping global conversations on war, displacement, and human resilience.
Danish's fearless pursuit of truth led to his tragic killing in July 2021 while covering the conflict in Kandahar, Afghanistan. His death was not only a loss for the global fraternity, but it also highlighted the grave risks journalists face while reporting from the frontlines.
Upholding His Legacy
Danish once said what he enjoys the most is capturing the human face of a breaking story.
He saw it as both a privilege and a responsibility to witness history from the frontlines, acting as the eyes and ears for those who could not be there. For him, a powerful photograph evoked empathy that made viewers see their loved ones in the faces of those captured in his frame.
He considered himself a bridge between his subjects and the audience. He hoped his work would inspire people to stand up and drive meaningful change.
To uphold his legacy of fearless journalism and inspire journalists who believe in the power of storytelling, the Danish Siddiqui Foundation has established the Danish Siddiqui Journalism Award, honoring journalists whose impactful work embodies the core journalistic values of integrity, courage, empathy, and truth.