Sunday People by Saleena Subaiya on Exposure

Ananthaparum

“Development done right” just about summarizes our experience here. These brightly clad women (PHOTO 1) are the beneficiaries of Rural Development Trust, an incredible NGO, that has worked in this region for the last 45 years. These women initially only had one meal a day, and were unable to keep any savings. Now, they are able to provide 3 meals a day for themselves and their families. Out of their belief in the concept of empowerment, they have independently organized a donation system whereby they collect small change over the course of a year- On the birthday of the founder of the NGO, they shatter these piggy-banks, known as “Hundi’s.” Last year, 3000 villages participated and raised over 200,000 euros that they generously gave to an orphanage within their community.
Below is one of their daughters (PHOTO 2), who is raised with the prospect of leaving the village and attending college because of their hard work.

I can’t think of anything more sustainable than that.

Shots from the town of Ananthaparum: Man (PHOTO 3), girls chatting (PHOTO 4), and boys spying while we filmed (PHOTO 5).

This man was a landowner from the time of land partition in the 1970’s under Indira Gandhi. He was unable to grow anything in the rock desert of Ananthaparum until 3 months ago, when he asked Rural Development Trust for assistance with irrigation canals.
It is amazing what a bit of water can do.

Man (PHOTO 6), Okra field (PHOTO 7).

Bihar

We went to visit Bihar, the poorest state in India, home to 100 million inhabitants. The literacy rate is roughly 40% here, and 60 million individuals do not have access to a toilet. We showcased an NGO that is working to build toilets that generate fuel to power generators, which then filter water— a feasible miracle, so to speak. These photos are of a woman from the village sifting grain (PHOTO 8), and Tuk-tuk (PHOTO 9), the adorable daughter of the man who was kind enough to house and feed us during our time there.

With our cameras and sweatshirts, we were a sight in this small town. However, this kind guru helped us feel a bit less like outsiders by insisting on buying our first cup of chai (PHOTO 10). Soon thereafter, everyone was flashing us smiles and asking if we would snap their photo- like this badass guy on his motorcycle (PHOTO 11). The final photo (PHOTO 12) in this set was taken from an auto rickshaw on the 20-minute bumpy ride from NGO’s worksite, where men are washing themselves after a long day of work at dusk.

Hampi

We were excited to explore our surroundings, and just a few hours away from Ananthaparum was the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi. It is constructed between 1336 - 1570, however time has not damaged its stone walls.

It was and is absolutely breathtaking.

Panorama (PHOTO 13)