Mission Delhi - Insaf, Hazrat Nizamuddin East

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

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

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

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

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…

Mission Delhi - Syed Iqbal Ali, Mohalla Qabristan

Mission Delhi – Syed Iqbal Ali, Mohalla Qabristan

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The world is in transition, here at Crescent Photo Studio in Old Delhi’s Mohalla Qabristan. “It is to be rebuilt,” says Syed Iqbal Ali. “This…

Mission Delhi - Georgina Lazer, Holy Trinity Church

Mission Delhi – Georgina Lazer, Holy Trinity Church

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] In blue sari and white hair, she at 90 is like a lesser-known but still a notable Walled City monument. This February afternoon, snuggled in…

Mission Delhi - Pritika Sah, Kotla Mubarakpur

Mission Delhi – Pritika Sah, Kotla Mubarakpur

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The mobile phone alarm beeps without fail at 6.30. Though she doesn’t really need that morning alert. She gets up moments before, alerted by her…

Mission Delhi - Mobeen, Matia Mahal

Mission Delhi – Mobeen, Matia Mahal

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] The main street of Old Delhi’s Matia Mahal is a sea of people, this afternoon. One person in the crowd is crouched on the ground….

Mission Delhi - Adam Burakowski, Gujarat Bhawan Restaurant

Mission Delhi – Adam Burakowski, Gujarat Bhawan Restaurant

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Moong dal, arhar dal, vegetable kofta, aloo gobhi matar, farsan, choorma laddu, dhokla, tillar papad and fresh rotis. This picturesque Gujarati thali will soon be…