The other side of the story

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The search for truth goes on....and I must thank my Sony Erickson P1i for turning out to be an able ally in this process. The following pictures tell their own story.....

• Fig 1. Street kids of Delhi sorting out empty mineral water bottles on platform no.12, New Delhi Station. On inquiry they told me that these sell for Rs 18 per kg at the end of each day. The money earned helps them feed themselves. Some said they give it to a bhaiyya (an elder) who collects it on their behalf.
  

• Fig 2. On the same platform this old destitute lady....sleeping as if in conversation with 'death.' The ubiquitous mineral water bottle is half full. She could not have possibly bought it. The water she drinks perhaps comes from an unknown unhygienic source. The platform is her bed. Is there anything still unsaid......?

• Fig 3. The cobblers on platform no. 1, Mumbai VT Railway Station. Catching a nap as they earn their bread. The PET bottle remains a constant! They sleep in the most uncomfortable position even as life moves around them at breath-taking pace. No one steals their wares.....there seems to be a silent 'faith' pervading.

• Fig 4. The amazing photographer at Gateway of India, Mumbai. He simply refused to accept the fury of the rains...........here he takes a print-out of our snap right in the middle of a thunderstorm. All for a living. Not a drop of rain fell on the portable Epson printer.....the positioning of his umbrella was so deft that it just took my breath away. Mine flew off my hand.....had to run after it while his remained stuck between the shoulder and the neck!!

The indomitable human spirit to survive comes across vividly through these images. Those better off......... materially, emotionally etc......perhaps need to see how fortunate they are. Can they use their resources for 'reaching out and making a difference' in their own way....?

Also, common to all these is the presence of water....the elixir of life. Perhaps, a better and more organised management of this resource by all of us could lighten the burden of survival from some of these shoulders.

Cheers!

Nikhil