Mission Delhi - Rakhshanda Jalil, Gandhi-King Plaza

Mission Delhi – Rakhshanda Jalil, Gandhi-King Plaza

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] She looks up at the evening sky, stays still for a moment before starting to pace again. The Delhi Walla meets Rakhshanda Jalil, 47,…

Mission Delhi - Noor Bano, Lodhi Road Divider

Mission Delhi – Noor Bano, Lodhi Road Divider

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Turning to her left, she quietly listens to the ear-splitting roar of an incoming Blueline bus. The bus goes away but there is no…

Mission Delhi – Nitin Chanana, Connaught Place

Mission Delhi – Nitin Chanana, Connaught Place

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Lying on the grass, he is looking up at the sky. There are no stars to be seen yet. The evening’s gathering darkness, however,…

Mission Delhi – Irene Banias, Humayun’s Tomb

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] She clicks the camera button, looks at the image on the LCD screen and is disappointed. “I’m better at writing than photography,” she says….

Mission Delhi – Salim Javeri, Nizamuddin Basti

  One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] He walks to the young man and whisper in English, “Sir, I see you are lucky. ” The man stares at him for…

Mission Delhi – Sunita Pandit, Palika Bazaar Park

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Intently looking around, her eyes focus in on the the corner bench. A joda (couple) is sitting there. Sunita Pandit, 56, walks up to…

Mission Delhi - Kareem Khan, Nehru Place

Mission Delhi – Kareem Khan, Nehru Place

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Sitting beside his secondhand books, Karim Khan, 52, lights up a Goldflake. The surrounding office skyscrapers of Nehru Place are looking like sleepy giants…

Mission Delhi – Ram Swaroop Sharma, India Gate Maidan

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] The roti seems to be a few days old. Packed in a mud-stained handkerchief, it is broken into small pieces. With no sabzi or…

Mission Delhi – Surinder, Pataudi House

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Effortlessly stitching the sole of a slipper, he says, “Its side has torn off.” After finishing the job, Surinder, 24, cuts off the thick…

Mission Delhi – Muhammad Waseem, Near Barakhamba

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] The tea is coming to a boil. He lifts the pan off the stove but not his eyes. Muhammad Waseem, a helper at a…