Mission Delhi – Sharib, Kamra Bangash
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] First, he plotted an escape from his Old Delhi. Then, he plotted a return. Sharib, 29, draws an arch of his eventful round journey. “My…
Mission Delhi – Kabeer, Chitli Qabar Chowk
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Footstep sounds. At once blood rushes up his brains. He jumps off the bed, flees the room, rockets through the tiny sehan, locking himself into…
Mission Delhi – Yaseen Salmani, Fasil Road
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Old Delhi has the word ‘old’ married to it but is constantly being rejuvenated with the new. Three months back, young Vipin Pande arrived from…
Mission Delhi – Kesar Devi, Somewhere in Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] She gave it the finishing touch minutes back. She calls it kundi. This is her protective headgear. “Keeps the head safe from the load I…
Mission Delhi -Leden, Majnu ka Tila
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Namaste ji. Better still, say Tashi delek, for Leden is a bashinda of the Tibetan enclave of Majnu Ka Tila (MT). “Guruji” Leden is the…
Mission Delhi – Insaf, Hazrat Nizamuddin East
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] His hand is on his heart. “People have dreams… I also have dreams.” The young man says this with a friendliness so palpable it seems…
Mission Delhi – Hari Narayan Ojha, Daryaganj
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] He isn’t from Old Delhi, yet an integral part of it. Hari Narayan Ojha, 83, came of age in the Walled City. Today, his sons…
Mission Delhi – Muhammed Zafar, Chitli Qabar
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] You rarely see him talk. His silent face expresses enigma, and thoughts difficult to decipher. He must be an introvert, ill-at-ease with communication. That’s a…
Mission Delhi – Annie Ernaux, Gali Kebabiyan
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Here she is, a few hours after travelling from Paris in an Air India flight, walking in Purani Dilli, between Matia Mahal and Jama Masjid,…
Mission Delhi – Kanhaiya, Shanti Niketan
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] He is from Bhagwan Ram’s birthplace, but is named after Bhagwan Krishna. Kanhaiya shrugs. “My name was given to me by my mata-pita.” An Ayodhya…
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