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In this archive story we are photographing Urban poverty in India through a man resting in Delhi.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer. |
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Urban poverty in India is a visible and deeply rooted reality in many of the country's major cities. Low wages, insecure employment, migration from rural areas and generational deprivation have for decades shaped life conditions for millions of people living on the margins of urban society. In many Indian families, economic vulnerability has persisted across generations, leaving little opportunity to escape poverty. |
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Urban poverty in India
In this photograph from Arakashan Road in Delhi, a man is resting on a stairway in the heart of the city. The image reflects a common urban scene, where public spaces become temporary places of rest for people with limited access to stable housing, privacy and security. It is a quiet moment within the constant movement of the city, highlighting the contrast between stillness and urban intensity.
How many people are affected by urban poverty in Delhi?
In Delhi alone, it is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 people live under extreme economic hardship. This includes women, elderly people, migrants and individuals with disabilities, all facing daily challenges to secure basic needs such as housing, food and healthcare. |
Poverty in the urban landscape
Urban poverty manifests in many forms. It is present in overcrowded neighborhoods, informal settlements, deteriorating infrastructure and in the daily struggle for food, healthcare and income. Many individuals living in urban poverty rely on informal labour, daily wages or temporary work, making their living conditions highly unstable and vulnerable to economic shocks.
In large metropolitan areas such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, Poverty is often hidden in plain sight. People sleep, work and survive in public spaces, not by choice, but as a consequence of structural inequality, lack of affordable housing and limited access to social support systems.
Delhi and urban poverty
In Delhi alone, hundreds of thousands of people live in extreme economic hardship. Among them are women, elderly people, migrants and individuals with disabilities, all trying to get by in a city that often does not make it easy. Many of them spend their days in public spaces – on streets, in markets or at railway stations – because they have no other options. Their presence is often taken for granted or misunderstood, but it shows the bigger problem – the city is not built to include everyone.
Everyday life in Delhi can be unkind to those already struggling. People affected by poverty are often judged, labeled or looked down upon, which makes their situation even harder. Calling someone lazy or a burden ignores the real reasons they are in this position, like lack of affordable housing, insecure jobs or moving to the city in search of a better life. Understanding these challenges is important. Seeing people as human beings with dignity – not just numbers or stereotypes – helps society find better ways to support them and give them a chance to live with some security and respect.
Individuals with rights
People living in urban poverty are not just numbers or burdens on society – they are real individuals with hopes, dreams and fundamental rights. Everyone deserves access to basic things like education, healthcare, safe housing and job opportunities. Without these, it is almost impossible to escape the cycle of poverty, no matter how hard someone works. Recognizing the dignity of each person is the first and most important step toward making a real difference in their lives.
Cities and communities have the power to change this. By investing in affordable housing, social support services and jobs that offer stability, local authorities can help people gain control over their own lives. Programs that provide training, financial assistance or pathways to steady work can make a huge difference, giving people the tools to improve their living conditions. Supporting vulnerable populations is not just charity – it is about building stronger, fairer cities where everyone has a chance to live with security, respect and hope for the future.
"Raising awareness about urban poverty is vital to fostering empathy and driving systemic change"
Ensuring voices are heard
Public awareness campaigns, responsible media coverage and community engagement play a crucial role in shifting attitudes toward poverty. Governments, NGOs and local communities must collaborate to include marginalized voices in urban planning, social policy and economic decision-making.
Comprehensive support systems are needed to address root causes such as unemployment, lack of affordable housing, mental health challenges and displacement due to economic or environmental factors. Rehabilitation programs, vocational training and financial assistance can help individuals transition toward more stable living conditions. Addressing urban poverty in India, as documented through Kristian Bertel | Photography, is not an act of charity, but a necessary step toward a more just and inclusive society.
Life on the margins of the city
Living in extreme urban poverty means facing constant stress, insecurity and physical exhaustion. People deal with noise, pollution, crowded streets, harsh weather and limited access to safe, clean spaces. Even simple needs like rest and personal space are hard to come by. Over time, these conditions take a serious toll on both physical and mental health, making daily life a continuous struggle.
Sleep, a basic human need, is often broken and insufficient. People may have to rest in public areas, on stairs or benches, with interruptions from crowds, traffic or other disturbances. The quality of rest in busy urban areas is constantly challenged. Objectively, falling asleep can be difficult and people wake up frequently during the night. Subjectively, even when they manage to rest, they often feel tired and unrested the next day. Living in such high-density, noisy environments makes it extremely hard to recover physically or mentally and over time, the lack of proper rest adds another layer of difficulty to already challenging daily lives.
Paharganj – a complex urban reality
The portrait was taken in the Paharganj area of Delhi, which has long been known as a hub for backpackers and budget travelers since the 1970s. Today, the area reflects many of the contradictions of urban India – tourism alongside poverty, opportunity alongside crime and vibrancy alongside vulnerability.
While still popular for its affordable hostels and restaurants, Paharganj faces serious social challenges, including crime, drug abuse and safety concerns. Many visitors now choose other parts of Delhi, yet the area remains a powerful symbol of the city's layered social realities.
"Amidst the bustling chaos of Delhi, the photographer found a moment of stillness – a man asleep on the stairway, his peaceful repose a quiet contrast to the relentless energy of the city"
See this video about urban poverty in Delhi made by The Indian Express.
A photographer's perspective on urban poverty
"- As a photographer, I felt a strong need to document urban poverty in India in a way that was both respectful and meaningful. Walking through some of the most deprived areas of New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata was a deeply humbling experience and at the same time, it could feel overwhelming. Every street, alley and neighborhood told a story of struggle, resilience and survival. I encountered adults trying to make a living with daily wages, children navigating streets without proper care or schooling, migrant labourers far from home and people with disabilities facing extra challenges in already difficult circumstances. Every person I met was trying to get by with very limited resources and yet, in the midst of hardship, I often saw moments of strength, courage and even small joys. These experiences made me aware of the human stories behind statistics and headlines and they reinforced the importance of capturing life as it really is – with honesty, empathy and dignity", the Photographer says.
"- My camera became my voice. Through it, I could tell stories that might otherwise go unnoticed, giving visibility to the people and places often hidden in the shadows of the city. I wanted to challenge the invisibility that so often surrounds poverty in India, showing not just hardship, but also the strength and dignity of those living through it. By staying close, observing patiently and remaining neutral, I tried to capture moments that revealed both struggle and resilience. I aimed to show the humanity in every face, the determination in every gesture and the quiet courage in everyday life. Each photograph was an attempt to document real experiences – the small victories, the efforts to survive and the simple expressions of hope – so that viewers could see beyond the statistics and understand the people behind the stories", the Photographer says again.
"- Among the images, I also captured smiles – small but powerful expressions of hope, determination and resilience. These fleeting moments reminded me that even in the harshest conditions, people strive to maintain their dignity, courage and sense of self. A smile could appear in the middle of a long day of struggle, a brief connection between individuals or a small victory in an otherwise difficult life. Through these images, I wanted to show that life continues despite hardship and that strength and humanity can shine through even in extreme urban poverty. Each photograph became a way to honor the resilience of the people I met, giving viewers a chance to see their courage and perseverance. By sharing these stories, I hope to deepen understanding of the realities of urban poverty in India and encourage empathy, awareness and action that can help create better opportunities for those living on the margins of society", the Photographer says again.
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 man 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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