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In this archive story we are meeting an Indian woman on the street in Delhi, India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer. |
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Delhi has a diversity of its own and there are people from various cultures and religion inhabiting together. A city of many moods and identities, this city has evolved countless personalities over its long, fraught history. Due to better employment and lifestyle people over the years have sifted their base to Delhi, but discrimination can unfortunately also be seen in many ways. |
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Diversity of India
The diversity of India is a source of strength and unity. It is this diversity that binds the people of India together and it is through this diversity that India has been able to achieve great successes. India has a long history of peaceful coexistence between different communities and this is a testament to the strength of its diversity.
What is diversity?
Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and various lifestyles, experience and interests.
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Diversity and discrimination
As a photographer and traveler in India it is hard to ignore that its people come from various backgrounds and have various reasons for being on the streets. Some are homeless, having been forced to leave their homes due to poverty, lack of education or other factors. Others are street children, who have been abandoned by their parents or have been orphaned. There are also disabled persons, who are often unable to work and may have been abandoned by their families or even their caregivers. Finally, some street people may be migrant workers, who have come to India in search of a better life and are struggling to make ends meet.
Despite their diversity, the street people in India often face a lot of prejudice and discrimination. This is due to a lack of understanding of their plight and a tendency to view them as a burden on society. Street people often face difficulty in accessing basic services such as healthcare, education and employment due to their status as 'Outsiders'. They are often at risk of exploitation and abuse, due to their lack of protection and the lack of proper legal mechanisms to address their grievances.
Discrimination in India is an age-old problem that affects millions of people on a daily basis Kristian Bertel | Photography learned, while traveling in the country and because its a country of many different cultures, religions and races, but despite this diversity, discrimination still exists. Discrimination can take many forms, such as unequal access to education, employment and health care and it can be based on race, gender, caste, religion or any other factor.
Healthcare, education and employment in India
In order to address the issues faced by street people in India, it is important to create awareness and understanding of their plight. This can be done through education, advocacy and social campaigns. It is also important to ensure that street people have access to basic services, such as healthcare, education and employment and it is essential to create legal mechanisms to ensure that their rights are respected and their grievances addressed.
"The street people in India are a diverse group of individuals, who face a lot of stigma and discrimination due to the lack of understanding of their plight. In order to ensure that these people are treated with dignity and respect and it is important to create awareness and understanding of their plight and to ensure that they have access to basic services and legal protection. Discrimination based on physical characteristics or physical disabilities can be found in every corner of the world. India is no exception. Despite laws and initiatives to promote equality and inclusivity, physical discrimination is still a major problem in India"
Unequal treatment of people in India
Physical discrimination is the unequal treatment of people based on physical characteristics or disabilities. It can take many forms, such as physical harassment, unequal access to resources and exclusion from social activities. In India, physical discrimination is often linked to the caste system, which has been in place for centuries. People from lower castes, who often have physical characteristics or disabilities, are often discriminated against and excluded from certain activities or resources.
Discrimination in many ways
Physical discrimination is also linked to gender in India and women, especially those with physical disabilities, are often subjected to additional discrimination. They are denied access to education, employment, healthcare and other services and this can be especially prevalent in rural areas, where women are often viewed as second-class citizens. Other forms of physical discrimination in India include facial discrimination, which is based on facial features. People with dark skin, facial scars and other physical characteristics are often discriminated against and excluded from certain activities and this can be especially true in the workplace, where people with physical disabilities may have difficulty finding jobs or may be denied promotions.
Physical discrimination can also be based on age. Elderly people, especially those with physical disabilities, are often denied access to basic services and are excluded from certain activities due to their age and this kind of discrimination is a major problem in India. It is linked to the caste system, gender and other factors. This discrimination can have a serious impact on people's lives, preventing them from accessing resources and opportunities, so it is important to recognize the problem and take steps to address it, in order to promote a more inclusive and equal society.
Discrimination in India is often based on caste
The caste system is an ancient system of social stratification based on an individual's birth. It is a rigid hierarchical structure that assigns certain rights and responsibilities to each caste. Those belonging to the lowest caste, known as the 'Dalits' or 'Untouchables', suffer from extreme discrimination and are often denied basic rights, such as access to education, employment and health care. Discrimination against women is also common in India and women are often seen as second-class citizens and are denied access to education, employment opportunities and healthcare. Women are also often subjected to domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence.
Discrimination against religious minorities is also a major problem in India and Hindus make up the majority of India's population and many minority religions, such as Muslims, Christians and Sikhs, are often discriminated against. Reports of violence against minority religious groups have increased in recent years, with Muslims being the most commonly targeted. So it is a complex and deeply entrenched problem. The government has taken steps to combat discrimination, such as introducing programs to improve access to education, employment, and healthcare for all citizens. However, much more needs to be done to ensure that all citizens are treated equally and with respect. Until this is achieved, discrimination will continue to be a major issue in India.
"India is a country with a rich and diverse culture, with many people leading vastly different lifestyles. For the majority of the population, life in India can be quite a challenge, with many people living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet. Despite the hardships faced by many, life in India is full of joy and vibrance, with a unique daily rhythm"
Mental and emotional struggles
In addition to the physical hardships, those living in the streets of India also have to cope with mental and emotional struggles. Many people are victims of discrimination and social exclusion and are often ostracized by their communities. This can lead to feelings of worthlessness and despair, making it difficult for them to find hope and motivation. Moreover, the lack of access to basic necessities such as education and healthcare can further complicate the lives of those living in the streets. Without a stable source of income and financial security, many of these individuals struggle to meet their basic needs and are forced to resort to begging and other forms of desperate measures to survive.
Initiatives in the right direction
Despite the difficulties, there are a few organizations that are working to improve the lives of these individuals. Charities and NGOs provide aid and support to those in need, providing them with food, shelter and medical assistance. Additionally, the government has also taken steps to address the issue, such as introducing the 'National Urban Livelihood Mission', which provides skills training and job opportunities to those living in the streets.
While these initiatives are a step in the right direction, much more needs to be done to ensure that all citizens of India have access to basic necessities and a life of dignity. Until that happens, the plight of those living in the streets of India will continue to be a reality for far too many.
A diversity of its own
An overview of Delhi people and population would reveal the city dynamics and other interesting details. Delhi people and population also reflect the cultural diversity and due to migration there has been an increase in population in Delhi. So the population is now a mix of immigrants and the Delhi borns and there have been people from the nearby places of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have shifted to Delhi owing to better living standards and lifestyle.
See this video about the diversity in India made by Pritam Das.
The photographer's own experience with the diversity in India
"- As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the bustling streets of Delhi, I stood there, awestruck. India – the land of vibrant colors, rich history and a tapestry of cultures had already woven its magic around me. India is a diverse multiethnic country, a melting pot where thousands of small ethnic and tribal groups coexist. This complexity didn't emerge overnight – it's the result of a lengthy and intricate process of migration and intermarriage. From the great urban culture of the ancient Indus civilization to the Aryan civilization that swept across north-central and northwestern India, each wave of people left its mark on this vast canvas", the Photographer says.
"- But India's diversity isn't limited to ethnicity alone. It's a symphony of languages, each note resonating across the subcontinent. Hundreds of major and minor languages, along with countless dialects, weave a linguistic tapestry. From the Devanagari script used for Sanskrit texts to the lyrical cadence of Dravidian languages, India's linguistic richness is unparallelled", the Photographer says again.
"- In India, street people are a diverse group of individuals that come from a variety of backgrounds. They can be homeless, beggars, street children, disabled persons or just individuals, who are struggling to make ends meet. They are often viewed as a burden on society and are a common sight in Indian cities and towns. Despite their diversity, these people often face a lot of stigma and discrimination, largely due to the lack of understanding and awareness of their plight. It may not be the most beautiful city in India, but in many ways it is the grandest. As a photographer in this highly populated city, the small and silent moments strugged me as well. So, when you step onto Indian soil, prepare for a sensory overload. Let the colors, flavours and rhythms sweep you away. For India isn't just a destination – it's an experience – a vibrant, chaotic and utterly unforgettable one", the Photographer says again.
Read also: Boy in a village portraiture
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India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of an Indian woman in Delhi. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.
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