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In this archive story we are meeting a Sweeping man in the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer. |
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Jaipur, the city of victory, is chaotic and congested, though it still has a habit of tickling travelers pink. Stunning hilltops forts and glorious palaces fit like the footprint from a rich royal past. All things that blaze a trail through brilliant bargain-filled bazaars and fluttering sarees catch the eye like butterflies. In Jaipur the photographer portrayed a man sweeping the ground in Jaipur, India. |
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Sweeping man in Jaipur
The Indian man in the photo is sweeping the pavement in one of the main streets of Jaipur. The city is the capital of the Rajasthan province. Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital, is an enthralling historical city and the gateway to India's most flamboyant state. The city's colorful, chaotic streets ebb and flow with a heady brew of old and new.
What is sweeping?
To sweep is to remove with a broom or brush by sweeping up the dirt and to clean by removing loose dirt or small trash with a broom or brush and to move or gather as if with a broom or brush by sweeping the dirt from the streets. |
Rubbish and dirt in the streets of India
Almost whereever you go in India rubbish can be seen in the streets street sweeper or street cleaner may refer to a person's occupation or to a machine that cleans streets. Street sweepers have been employed in cities as 'Sanitation workers' since sanitation and waste removal became a priority. A street-sweeping person would use a broom and shovel to clean off litter, animal waste and filth that accumulated on streets. Later, water hoses were used to wash the streets. Machines were created in the 19th century to do the job more efficiently. Today, modern street sweepers are mounted on truck bodies and can vacuum debris that accumulates in streets. The need for rubbish to be removed from roads in built-up areas has existed for centuries.
Sometimes a local law in a town or city ordered the owner or occupier of each address to clean the length of that road that passed his address. Sometimes when much traffic was horse-drawn vehicles or ridden horses, there were street cleaners who selectively removed horse droppings because of their value as fertilizer on nearby rural areas.
"Pavement and street sweeping may seem like mundane tasks, but in India they play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the streets. With a rapidly growing population and urbanization, the issue of proper waste management has become a major challenge in India. Pavement and street sweeping are essential in keeping the roads and sidewalks free from litter and waste, thus promoting a healthier and cleaner environment"
In most Indian cities, however pavement and street sweeping is carried out by municipal corporations or local governing bodies. These organizations employ a team of workers who use various tools such as brooms, dustpans and sweepers to collect and dispose of waste and debris from the streets and sidewalks. This is usually done in the early morning or late evening to minimize disruption to daily activities. The main goal of pavement and street sweeping is to remove waste and debris that may accumulate on the streets over time. This includes litter like plastic bags, food wrappers and cigarette butts, as well as larger objects like fallen leaves and branches. If ignored, this waste can clog drains, create unhygienic conditions and even become a breeding ground for disease-carrying pests.
"Aside from keeping the streets clean and tidy, the process of pavement and street sweeping has several other benefits. First and foremost, it helps to prevent waterlogging and flooding during the monsoon season"
Pavement and street sweeping in India
Waste and debris can block storm drains, causing water to accumulate on the roads and sidewalks. Regular sweeping ensures that these drains remain clear, allowing water to flow freely and preventing flooding. Pavement and street sweeping also reduces air and water pollution. When waste is left on the streets, it can be broken down by rain and wind into smaller particles, which can then enter stormwater drains, rivers, and eventually, the ocean. This can harm aquatic life and create an unsightly and unpleasant environment.
In urban areas, street sweeping also plays a role in minimizing the amount of dust and pollutants that are kicked up by passing traffic, making the air we breathe cleaner and safer. Moreover, pavement and street sweeping have an economic impact as well. Clean streets and sidewalks attract more tourists, which can boost the local economy.
In addition, street sweeping creates employment opportunities for many low-skilled workers, providing them with a source of income and improving their livelihoods. Despite its obvious benefits, pavement and street sweeping in India faces several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of infrastructure and resources.
"In many areas, there is a shortage of proper equipment and vehicles needed to effectively carry out street sweeping. This can lead to delayed or inadequate waste collection, which then results in waste accumulation and health hazards. Another challenge faced by pavement and street sweeping workers is the lack of awareness and cooperation from the public"
Street sweeping workers can have a dfficult job
Many people still have the mindset that it is someone else's responsibility to keep the streets clean and therefore do not hesitate to litter. This makes the job of street sweeping workers even more difficult, as they have to constantly contend with people throwing waste onto the streets, undoing their efforts. To combat these challenges, there is a need for better waste management infrastructure, increased public awareness, and stricter enforcement of littering laws. Citizens also need to take responsibility for their own waste and properly dispose of it in designated bins.
In conclusion, pavement and street sweeping may not be the most glamorous job, but it is an essential one for maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of India's streets. By ensuring that our roads and sidewalks are free from litter and waste, we can create a healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone. It is the responsibility of both the government and citizens to work together towards this goal and make India a cleaner and greener country.
Jaipur, the pink city of India
Careering buses dodge dawdling camels, leisurely cycle-rickshaws frustrate swarms of motorbikes and everywhere buzzing autorickshaws watch for easy prey. In the midst of this mayhem, the splendours of Jaipur's majestic past are islands of relative calm evoking a different pace and another world. At the city's heart, the City Palace continues to house the former royal family, the 'Jantar Mantar', the royal observatory, maintains a heavenly aspect and the honeycomb Hawa Mahal gazes on the bazaar below and just out of sight, in the arid hill country surrounding the city, is the fairy-tale grandeur of Amber Fort, Jaipur's star attraction.
"If you take one look at the glorious stucco buildings that line Jaipur's wide streets, one will understand why this is nicknamed the 'Pink City'. Spend your days exploring City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Amber and Jaigarh forts. And if you are looking for a unique souvenir, head to one of the bazaars, where you can pick up a pair of camel-leather slippers"
Walking on the Amer Rd
The photographer was walking on the Amer Rd in Jamna Nagar area of the city, seeing the local food and flower markets where people were so busy bartering and buying that it was easy to take pictures and to take in the ambience, sights, smells and sounds around him. It was amazing to hear the buzz of the markets as people tried to get the best price and then to see the load their goods upon their heads, 'Tuk-tuk' or rickshaw to take home or to sell on in the outlying city.
The oldest market area in Jaipur
Later the same day he reached the Johri Bazar, which is one of Jaipur's most famous street, a straight colonnade screened above by the facades of adjoining houses. Everything is painted orange and terracotta. This is said to be the oldest market area in Jaipur. Here you will find exquisite Jaipuri jewellery made of gold, silver, diamonds and emeralds. The narrow lanes are full of loads of shops that sell jewellery and clothes. An amazing collection of 'Sarees', 'Lehengas' and 'Juttis', which are traditional foot wear. It is worth walking down this street just for the experience. The smell and sounds are unique.
Johri Bazar is a wide cluster of shops in the older part of Jaipur city, shops nestling close together in a row selling anything that human imagination can dream of. From clothes, fabrics, quilts, shoes, to dry fruits and jewellery, the bazar is one of my favourite destinations in Jaipur just to take in the varied colors and wares on display. If shopping is exhausting, one can drop in to 'Lakshmi Mistann Bhandar' for some snacks then walk a few leisurely paces to check out Hawa Mahal just across the road. The traffic is maddening, the din is tremendous but no one can possibly be tired of Johri Bazar. The shopkeepers are savvy but very courteous and it will be hard to resist some of the goods on display and at night the shops are illuminated and that is such a glorious sight. A must visit in the city.
"Johri Bazar is one of the oldest markets in the city and is known for it is traditional and ethnic products. The market is full of shops selling a variety of items such as traditional jewelry, fabrics, costumes, handicrafts, spices and even traditional Rajasthani food. The market is especially known for its traditional jewelry, which is made by the local artisans. One can find a wide variety of jewelry, such as 'Kundan', 'Meenakari' and 'Polki', which are all made with intricate designs and intricate craftsmanship"
There are also shops selling traditional costumes, such as 'Ghagras' and 'Lehengas', which are perfect for weddings and special occasions and the market is also known for its spices and one can find a wide variety of spices such as turmeric, coriander, cumin and cardamom. These spices are sold in bulk and one can get a good deal on them. The market is also famous for its traditional handicrafts, such as pottery, terracotta and wall hangings.
The market is also a great place to find traditional Rajasthani food. One can find a variety of traditional snacks and sweets, such as 'Laddoos' and 'Jalebis', as well as Rajasthani 'Thalis'. The market is also a great place to buy traditional fabrics, such as 'Bandhani' and hand-block prints. Overall, Johri Bazar is a great place to visit for a unique shopping experience. It is a great place to find traditional jewelry, fabrics, costumes, spices, handicrafts and traditional Rajasthani food. It is also an ideal place to find unique souvenirs and to get a taste of traditional Rajasthani culture.
Working conditions in India
As a photographer and traveler in India it is hard to ignore the working conditions in India. Conditions that are not like we see in the west. This man pictured above was literally sitting on the ground to sweep. A majority of labour in India is employed by unorganised sector. These include family owned shops and street vendors and above is a labourer in the unorganised retail sector of India.
"Given its natural rate of population growth and aging characteristics, India is adding about 13 million new workers every year to its labour pool. India's economy has been adding about 8 million new jobs every year predominantly in low paying, unorganised sector. The remaining 5 million youth joining the ranks of poorly paid partial employment, casual labour pool for temporary infrastructure and real estate construction jobs or in many cases, being unemployed"
See this video about Jaipur in India made by Times Of India.
Portrayed near the bazar
The man in this archive story was portrayed near the bazar in the city centre in beginning of the day. An evening visit is a complete assault on the senses, the colors, the sights, the sounds and the smells. There are different specialist zones, whether it is food, flowers, textiles, carved statues or plumbing. While you should always be wary as a traveler be sure not to completely close yourself out to the locals as one of the highlights of Rajasthan is the chance to interact with the friendly people. Jaipur is a brilliant colorful explosion of flowers, elephants, ox carts and wares. The traveler will smell the deep aroma of spices in canvas bags, the fetid smell of animals and open sewers, the sweet waft of tea and the crusty acrid burn of dust and exhaust.
"- The noise is chaotic, the people constantly will stare if you are a Westerner and anybody who has something to sell will try to sell it to you, repeatedly. Watch cobras dance out of their wicker baskets and do not be too surprised if the snake charmer slaps his cobra for having a wayward eye. Be prepared to be asked for money if you plan to take photographs of snake-charmers and beggars", the Photographer says.
Read also: An Indian portrait
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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 a sweeping man in Jaipur. 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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