In the centennial year of its founder, Ramnath Goenka, the Indian Express Group initiated the India Press Photo Awards 04 to identify, promote and reward Indian press photographers. The Award ceremony was held at Express Lawns, Nariman Point on the 17th of December 2004, with the Governor of Maharashtra as Chief Guest for the evening.

The parameters for the Ramnath Goenka India Press Photo of the year are: a photograph showing outstanding visual qualities and telling a news story with great impact.

The Winning Picture for 2004 was won by Shailendre Pandey of Amar Ujala –
 A young boy helplessly crying on the telephone, as he informs his relatives of the sister’s suicide in their home. The intensity of the grief captured by the photographer preserves that moment, making the viewer feel part of the incident as if it were the loss of someone dear to him or her. The photographer presents the news in its darkest reality.