Mission Delhi – Bimlesh, Galli Choori Walan
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] It looks like a mandir. Her tiny food stall is decked with sacred portraits of her beloved “devi-devta”—Durga ji, Lakshmi ji, Ganesh ji, Kali Maa,…
Mission Delhi – Shakeel Artist, Old Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] He is the signboard hand-painter of Shahjahanabad. Almost every existing (and fast disappearing) hand-painted shop banner in the Walled City bears his painted signature at…
Mission Delhi – Raghav, Connaught Place
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] At first he was—how to say it—a burger. Then, a “joker.” Now he is being himself. All three versions—call them garbs, or roop in Hindi—are…
Mission Delhi – Ashok, Somewhere in Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is late afternoon. He steps to the side of the busy street holding a glass of chai, sitting down on the low boundary wall…
Mission Delhi – Monu, Somewhere in Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] This sight, so rare. A citizen not holding the customary mobile, but a book. Monu is reading, while awaiting his rickshaw’s next customer. So it…
Mission Delhi – Joginder, Barakhamba
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is Sunday. There is no traffic, the road lined with high-rises is empty. Its gaping emptiness augments the awe of the megapolis. Amid such…
Mission Delhi – Rakesh, Matia Mahal Bazar
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Tomorrow is Dussehra. The day after he will leave our city, and will return a year later, for the next Dussehra. But this moment as…
Mission Delhi – Bhai Wali, Mohalla Qabristan Chowk
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] When does Bhai Wali sleep? The tall, slim, elderly insomniac is always seen sitting fully alert on a battered chair, at all times of the…
Mission Delhi – Manzoor, Abul Khair Street
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] There’s baingan, lauki, aloo, bhindi, turai, tamatar, patta gobhi, neembu, hari mirchi, adrak, kaddu, palak and there is also Manzoor, who is the seller of…
Mission Delhi – Shyamdev, Daryaganj
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] For 40 years, he had been a rickshaw puller. Then at 65, as he was finding it increasingly difficult to bear the strains of the…
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