Why photographs

The images I captured all along my journey is to allow what I saw be a mirror that I could reflect upon. I am a reflection of the community that I met in this journey. The images make sense of my past, bring peace for today and create a vision for tomorrow. I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. My role in society as an artist is to try and capture and express what I feel. Not to tell people how to feel, but as a reflection of self. I felt a string of excited when the picture of one's life is captured.  And now, no matter what I thought I had capture and done or why I did it but its complete because the beginning of like is to let those I like be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit my own image. Otherwise I like only the reflection of myself I find in them.

Sharing stories of change - Mumbai

Reading quotes and shared stories of change to Poonam, my colleague who is blind.  

She listened to what I read or shared,  later she documented what she heard using Braille.

With her help and support I was able to reach out to children who are blind in Mumbai and Pune.

With Balram once a street child in Vijayawada - Andhra Pradesh

In the year 1999, I facilitated many sessions to the street children in Vijayawada 

and one among them was Balram who was 12 years old then. 

Seven years after i.e., in 2006, while facilitating sessions in the workshop to 78 platform workers in Bhopal, 

I met Balram once a street child and now a street educator in Vijayawada who participated in the workshop. 

I was surprised and shocked.

&

I realize that I am still around. 

This was the most happiest and memorable day in my life since i understood clearly that the work had so much transformed and changed the life of a street child.

With the oldest & youngest Platform Workers in India

The youngest Platform Worker in India who work in West Bengal

Asha Ben - The Oldest Platform Worker in India who work in Itarsi.

 Platform Worker: A person who work for children in the railway platform in India.

 While facilitating sessions to 78 platform workers in India during the workshop that was held in Bhopal - Madhya Pradesh I met the oldest and youngest platform workers in India.

the youngest

session with youth after the Tsunami - Campbell Bay - Andaman & Nicobar Island

Session with the youth from Campbell Bay 

These youth were affected by the 2004 Tsunami, 

Therefore they were the best resources to reach out to all the children in the community.

Session with Youth Venturers – Mumbai

Session with youth from Mumbai.

The youth in Mumbai from all sphere of life took part in the Idea Development Workshop 

held at Mahim Nature Park.

With children of the Sea Shells Collectors - Nagarcoil - Tamil Nadu

Photo session after the conversation with the children in onne of the villages in Nagarcoil - Tamil Nad.

These are the children of the Sea Shells collectors.

With Community Facilitators - Ennore - Chennai

Photo session with the community facilitators who participated in the workshop on building new sessions and exercises for the children. 

These community facilitators work for the children who are affected by the Tsunami in Pulicat Lake, Mahabalipuram, Pudukottai and Nangapatinam in Tamil Nadu.

The willingness, commitment and responsibility towards children are few of the things required so as to allow the creativity within to be born.

Session with street children - Shillong

Children who are selling "KWAI - BIRI - SIKRET - JINGPRIUD" "Magazines" "Bookmarks" etc., participated in the session in understanding their behaviour and how it affects their peers while they are on the street.

These children dare to brave the cold winter and summer rain due to their life situations. 

One needs to keep walking the journey of life no matter how difficult it is so as to make one's dream a reality.

Problems and challenges are part of life and one has to face it. 

Solutions need to be created in order to overcome any difficulties and hardship