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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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…
Mission Delhi – Abid Husain, Turkman Gate
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] Perhaps he’s not special, this thought does cross his mind. After all, many, many, young men across this big wide world must have faced life’s…
Mission Delhi – Naushe Bhai, Chitli Qabar Chowk
One of the one percent in 13 million. [Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi] A wine-brown mongoose dashes off as a bow from an arrow, followed by a man with a bundle half his size, followed by a boy…
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