Mission Delhi - Shubh Sethi, Sector 31, Gurgaon

Mission Delhi – Shubh Sethi, Sector 31, Gurgaon

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] There are people whose idea of a great holiday is hanging about the destination they have flown to. Visiting, hiking, eating local food — this…

Mission Delhi - Julmi Nath, Surat Nagar

Mission Delhi – Julmi Nath, Surat Nagar

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Who among us isn’t affected by the coronavirus pandemic? Aren’t we all fearing for our salary cuts, our jobs, our health, and especially for the…

Mission Delhi - Som Nath, Nehru Place

Mission Delhi – Som Nath, Nehru Place

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Parked on the side of the road, an auto rickshaw driver and his green-and-yellow rickshaw are waiting for customers. This used to be one of…

Mission Delhi - Rajinder Kumar, Rithoj Village

Mission Delhi – Rajinder Kumar, Rithoj Village

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Dust was everywhere—across the bed, on the small TV, around the flower vase, upon the plastic chairs, and over the many gods and goddesses too….

Mission Delhi - Sunny Kumar, South Delhi

Mission Delhi – Sunny Kumar, South Delhi

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A great many of our fellow citizens, who came to this city years ago to make a living, are now rushing back to their impoverished…

Mission Delhi - Santosh Bhardwaj, Ghata Village

Mission Delhi – Santosh Bhardwaj, Ghata Village

One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] The Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place is closed. So is the St James Church in Kashmere Gate. Ditto with Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya’s Sufi Shrine in Nizamuddin Basti. Who…

Mission Delhi - Muhammed Shekha Ul Hoque, Palam Vihar

Mission Delhi – Muhammed Shekha Ul Hoque, Palam Vihar

One of the one percent in 13 million. [By Mayank Austen Soofi] He is 40 and looks younger. But he’s already a grandfather. “Yes, I got married very early…. at 14,” confesses Muhammed Shekha Ul Hoque (aka MDS). He became…

Mission Delhi - Anil Kumar Shah, Indira Colony, Gurgaon

Mission Delhi – Anil Kumar Shah, Indira Colony, Gurgaon

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] He had never imagined he would see such a day. “Calling Papa and Mummy in the village to send me urgent money filled me with…

Mission Delhi - Ajay, South Delhi

Mission Delhi – Ajay, South Delhi

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] At first sight, he looks like a case study: How to sip a cooling drink in this summer of coronavirus pandemic? After all, one is…

Mission Delhi - Manoj Naali Walla, South Delhi

Mission Delhi – Manoj Naali Walla, South Delhi

One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Nobody is to be seen on the leaf-strewn lane. In the grounds of an adjacent play school, the swings look haunting in their emptiness, as…