
Mission Delhi – Suresh, Sector 14, Gurgaon
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] He walks to the black dog here on a pavement in Gurgaon’s sector 14. The dog turns his head towards him, and wags his tail….

Mission Delhi – Om Prakash, Opposite Civil Hospital
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] No customers are coming to Pandit Om Prakash. The astrologer’s pavement stall is very modest, but a longtime landmark in the area, here in Gurgaon,…

Mission Delhi – Bharati, Central Delhi
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] Bharati is 24. She lives in Delhi with husband, Ravi, who is 27, and their son, Bhupen, who is 3. Her other son lives with…

Mission Delhi – Ram Bran, Hazrat Nizamuddin West
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photo by Mayank Austen Soofi] It is almost midnight. The neighbourhood groceries have closed for the day. The area’s sole eatery too has downed its shutters. The three attendants at…

Mission Delhi – Anand, Sultanpuri & Elsewhere
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Isn’t he a Hemingway lookalike? But he only looks like the great American writer from a distance, perhaps because of his beard, or because of…

Mission Delhi – Hari Om, On the Road
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The white hair are standing spindly upon his head, ably covering the bald patch at the center. When the auto rickshaw stops at the Purana…

Mission Delhi – Reham Ilahi, Ballimaran
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Seasoned machines clog up the space of the small room. Their owner is sitting in between. Dressed in a blue pathan suit and a mustard…

Mission Delhi – Dhanam, Pragati Maidan
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] The most endearing aspect about the picturesque foot-over bridges that fan out from Pragati Maidan metro station are not those bridges. But a cheery snack…

Mission Delhi – Ram Kumar, Civil Lines, Gurgaon
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Anyone can be sighted with them. Once even the World Bank chief (Paul Wolfowitz) was sighted with torn socks. Auto rickshaw driver Ram Kumar is…

Mission Delhi – Muhammed Afzal, Pahari Bhojla
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Old Delhi alleys are full of uncommon sights. People are often spotted with things not usually seen in other localities—a parrot in the hand, a…
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