Astro Mohan Honored with Prestigious Honorary Fellowship from ICS International, USA
Udupi: On World Photography Day, renowned photojournalist Astro Mohan has been awarded the title of Honorary Fellow of Image Colleague Society International (Hon.FICS), one of the highest honorary distinctions conferred by the Image Colleague Society International, USA (ICS).
This global recognition, bestowed under the leadership of Mr. Tony Le Kim Thuan APSA, Hon.EFIAP, Ms. Sarah Tai Mei Lin ARPS, and the ICS Honor Committee, acknowledges Mohan’s outstanding contributions to photography and his role in advancing photographic art within India and abroad.
A Senior News Photographer at Udayavani, Astro Mohan has been active in the field since 1994 and is widely known for his experimental and innovative approach to photojournalism. Over the years, he has won more than 500 national and international photography awards, including:
• Gold Medal – GRAN PRIX ZAFFIRI at the Jewels Circuit 2025 International Photo Contest
• FIAP Ribbon and jury honors in multiple international salons
• Awards from the AP Photojournalists Association and the Summer Photo Awards 2025
In 2021, he received the Associateship of the Photographic Society of America (APSA) and currently serves as the Assistant Country Membership Director for India, PSA. He is also a Canon EOS Maestro, mentoring young talents through workshops across India for over two decades.
Beyond news photography, Mohan has made a mark as an author and cultural documentarian. His published works include A Day with the Saint, Chitramaya Udupi, Pictorial Journey to Udupi, Udupi-Manipal Then and Now, and most recently, Udupi Then and Now, released in February 2025.
Deeply connected to Udupi’s cultural roots, he has used his photography to preserve heritage, promote traditions, and bring recognition to Coastal Karnataka on global platforms.