Malaysian photographer Tinesh Sritharan has received crucial financial support from the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) to fulfill his dream assignment with National Geographic Society. The 32-year-old photographer was selected to document the Great Migration at Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, but faced the challenge of funding the unpaid assignment on his own.
The support came after Senator C Sivaraj discovered an article about Sritharan's fundraising efforts and brought it to the attention of MIC president SA Vigneswaran. During a special ceremony, Vigneswaran presented Sritharan with a check for RM15,000 (approximately $3,600) to help cover his expedition costs, which include flight tickets, accommodation, food, local guide services, and ground transportation.
"This is a proud moment. Tinesh's journey reflects the resilience of our youth and MIC is honored to help him carry the Malaysian spirit internationally," Vigneswaran stated during the check presentation ceremony. The political party shared news of their contribution through a Facebook post, highlighting their commitment to supporting young Malaysian talent on the international stage.
Sritharan expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the unexpected support. "I am sincerely thankful to MIC and Tan Sri Vigneswaran, and to Datuk Sivaraj for connecting me with Tan Sri," he told reporters. "It feels truly humbling and overwhelming to know that I've raised the required funds and can now fully focus on my assignment at Masai Mara. This has been a lifelong dream, and I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way."
The photographer departed for Kenya on August 10 and was scheduled to return to Malaysia by August 20. His selection by National Geographic Society has made him part of the prestigious National Geographic Explorer community, providing him access to an extensive network of collaborators and mentors in the field of wildlife photography and conservation.
Sritharan's photography project, titled "Echoes of the Savannah," aims to capture the Great Migration at its peak intensity. This extraordinary natural phenomenon involves more than 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other wildlife species making their annual journey from Tanzania's Serengeti to the greener pastures of Masai Mara. Wildlife experts and photographers worldwide consider this migration one of the most awe-inspiring sights on Earth, making it a coveted assignment for any nature photographer.
