From Kolkata to France: meet the only Indian female photojournalist to cover EURO 2016

Meet Neha Ganeriwal, the only Indian female photo journalist to cover the EURO 2016.

An Inter Milan supporter and Ronaldo fan, born and brought up in Kolkata, Neha Ganeriwal’s passion for football began at a very young age. But, the photo journalist is the jack of many trades. Neha has been a designer in the fashion industry for about 10 years in Milan and is now a photo journalist in France.

Around four years ago, Neha happened to capture some thrilling moments from the sport, while she was going about taking photos in the city.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Neha spoke about what it means to be a woman in a male-dominated profession and how impossible is nothing.

“Being a girl has helped in covering the Euro 2016, everyone here were very nice and receptive,” said Neha. “It’s been one month of extensive travelling and lot of physical activity, so everyone being helpful worked, also the players were very nice themselves.”

She had some advice to share for budding photo journalists, especially women who are trying to break barriers in this field.

“Never discourage yourself, always just follow your passion and find you way,” Neha said.

Neha who supported France throughout the tournament, admitted the adrenaline rush she experienced as a fan sometimes distracted her from the task at hand. “Sometimes, I forget to take photos, I have goosebumps the entire match!”

Neha jokes about being petite and how she just had to follow her fellow photographers to snap photos with the who’s who of the tournament.

While she has been in France for four years now, she intends to attend the upcoming U-17 world cup in India.

“I would love to cover the World Cup, but there are issues relating to that since no women are covering it,” she said, expressing concern over other limitations. “It is more difficult in India, than over here as it is not still safe enough.”

Neha shares her fan girl moments here:

See the interview here:

http://av.firstpost.com/2016/07/140826_euro2016-video.mp4