Mission Delhi - Sakina Mehta, Greater Kailash-II

Mission Delhi – Sakina Mehta, Greater Kailash-II

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Gazing at her husband’s photograph, she says, “He taught me a lot.” A pause follows after which 80-something Sakina Mehta continues in her soft…

Mission Delhi – Faisal Khan, Mehrauli

Mission Delhi – Faisal Khan, Mehrauli

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Taking off his yellow T-shirt and flexing his muscles, he says, “I’m eating too much biryani. I need to tone up my body.” The…

Mission Delhi - Usha Hooda, Hauz Khas Village

Mission Delhi – Usha Hooda, Hauz Khas Village

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] It’s mid-morning but it doesn’t matter to her. “Time doesn’t exist in my life,” says painter Usha Hooda as she dabs her brush in…

Mission Delhi - Vijay Kumar, Paharganj

Mission Delhi – Vijay Kumar, Paharganj

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] For the last 10 minutes, his grey eyes haven’t blinked; his posture on the green plastic chair hasn’t changed. Vijay Kumar, 56, is selling…

Mission Delhi - Raghavendra Vanjre, Hauz Khas Village

Mission Delhi – Raghavendra Vanjre, Hauz Khas Village

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Approaching the table where two new guests have seated, he looks curiously at the book one of them has placed beside the flower vase….

Mission Delhi - Ankit Verma, South Extension-I

Mission Delhi – Ankit Verma, South Extension-I

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Sitting beside the commuters, he suddenly gets up, sits down again and says, “I want to stand out among the normal people. I want…

Mission Delhi – Siddhartha Gigoo, Indian Coffee House

Mission Delhi – Siddhartha Gigoo, Indian Coffee House

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Unzipping the leather bag, he takes out the Lenovo laptop, switches it on and opens an image file. “See, the cover,” says Siddhartha Gigoo,…

Mission Delhi – Muhammad Chand, Connaught Lane

Mission Delhi – Muhammad Chand, Connaught Lane

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] With tiny forceps, he plucks out the steel caseback of the wristwatch. The insides reveal a net of springs, clips and wires. He pores…

Mission Delhi – Naresh Chandra, Lodhi Road

Mission Delhi – Naresh Chandra, Lodhi Road

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] The lamplight is not falling on him, but on the puddle behind him. Looking like his own silhouette, he re-arranges the stuff in his…

Mission Delhi - Ajeet Singh Chauhan, Green Park Market

Mission Delhi – Ajeet Singh Chauhan, Green Park Market

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] He fills the jug with cold milk, checks the temperature on the thermometer (it should be 32 F) and keeps the jug aside. He…