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…

Mission Delhi – Rachana Rao Umashankar, Shahpur Jat

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] Coming out of the kitchen, she stops at the centre of the room and looks around. Rachana Rao Umashankar’s apartment is bustling with life….

Mission Delhi – Aarti, GB Road

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] A moment ago, she was smiling. Now, she is crying. “Why these tears, Aarti?” asks The Delhi Walla. The eight-year-old girl shakes her head….

Mission Delhi – Sarah Rose, Cathedral Church of the Redemption

Mission Delhi – Sarah Rose, Cathedral Church of the Redemption

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] This is her first visit to a Church, but she is sleeping through it. On the warm morning of February 27, 2010, Sarah Rose…

Mission Delhi – Syed Haider Raza, Hauz Khas Enclave

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] On February 22nd, 2009, a few hours before his 88th birthday celebration, to be held in The Lalit hotel, Syed Haider Raza is struggling…

The Independent View – On Mission Delhi

Praise for the project. [Text by The Independent‘s Andrew Buncomb; picture by Mayank Austen Soofi] The UK-based Independent‘s Asia Correspondent Andrew Buncombe wrote about the Mission Delhi project of The Delhi Walla on the newspaper’s website. Go where it was…

Mission Delhi – Muhammad Aslam, Nizamuddin Basti

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] “When I was a child, my parents took care of me. Now it’s my turn for they are old and need care,” says Muhamamd…

Mission Delhi – Deen Dayal, Safdarjung Enclave

One of the one per cent in 13 million. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] A firecracker goes up into the cold night sky and burst into a shower of sparkles. “That must be from a wedding celebration,” garbage…