Mission Delhi – Dr Ubaidul Aleem, Chiniot Basti
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] As the lungi-wearing young man complaining of a sore throat leaves with medicines, Dr Ubaidul Aleem turns to the small TV placed beside his…
Mission Delhi – PM Sahay, Connaught Place
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Standing against a pillar, his head lowered, he slips the pink duck-faced puppets into his hands and waves weakly. The passers-by don’t notice. The…
Mission Delhi – A. Husain, Green Park Market
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] His eyebrows are threaded and his nails are manicured. He is carrying a large brown handbag. “I’m not an Indian,” A. Husain says, dressed in…
Mission Delhi – Ramlal Thakur, Mirza Ghalib Street
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Switching it off, he tucks it inside his white plastic sack. “Radio is my life,” says Ramlal Thakur. In his 40s, Mr Thakur is living…
Mission Delhi – Zubeida Bano, Pahari Bhojla
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Blushing, she covers her smile with the red dupatta and lowers her eyes. Starting to speak, the dupatta falls off her face, which instantly…
Mission Delhi – Nameless Kapoor, Kailash Colony
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] He spreads out his four legs, tries to lift his body but falls flat on the floor. He tries again, and fails. Nameless Kapoor,…
Mission Delhi – Abhay Singh, Connaught Place
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] His shoulders droop and his belt is clasped loosely around his waist. The Delhi Walla meets Abhay Singh, 86, in Outer Circle, Connaught Place,…
Mission Delhi – Mritunjay Kumar Tiwari, Near Moolchand Flyover
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] The buses, cars and autos (auto rickshaws) are whizzing by but he is deep into Osama bin Laden. “This is America’s cunning,” says Mritunjay…
Mission Delhi – Sadia Dehlvi, Hazrat Nizamuddin Chilla
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] “I want to be buried here,” says Sadia Dehlvi, the author of Sufism: The Heart of Islam. The Delhi Walla meets her at Nizamuddin…
Mission Delhi – Editor, Nizamuddin East
One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] He doesn’t talk much. The Delhi Walla is with Editor, a spoilt south Delhi brat with a weakness for Parmesan cheese and chocolate chip…
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