Images of India

Inspired by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who threw his shoe at former President George W. Bush during his visit to Baghdad. Jarnail Singh, an angry Sikh journalist threw his shoe at India's top security official during a press conference after a confrontational exchange over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that left over 3000 dead. The carnage had erupted across India after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards shot her to death. The shoe missed Home Minister Chidambaram, who continued taking questions as officials escorted the journalist away. Singh is a veteran reporter with one of India's largest newspapers, the Hindi daily Dainik Jagran. Report dated 08 Apr, 2009

India has made great strides in several areas - from planting the tri-colour on the moon to developing the world's most economically priced car to turning the country into a Knowledge Economy. But the 9% per annum Economic Quantum Leap has yet to trickle down to the world's largest population of poor - over 400 million still manage on less than US$1 per day... Report dated 07 Apr, 2009

Father and five kids on a Mumbai street. Scenes such as this are common in most parts of India, though use of helmets is compulsory under law and not more than one pillion rider is allowed. This is one factor that spells success for the Rs.100,000 (US$2500) Nano car which was launched last month and will go on sale in July. Report dated 06 Apr, 2009

The bull symbol statue looks almost mockingly at a labourer outside the Bombay Stock Exchange building. Millions change hands daily inside the building but outside the stark reality of poverty looms. India has over 400 million living below the poverty line in spite of a 9% rate of economic growth. Report dated 05 Apr, 2009

Crisp currency notes are raining everywhere as the polls are nearing. Police keep stumbling upon wads of currency notes during search operations. In less than a week, authorities seized unaccounted cash of more than Rs.50 million (US$ 1m) in Andhra Pradesh alone. Police raids are yielding not only money but also explosives. Bribing voters, threatening opposition candidates with violence, booth capturing, using fake voter id cards, etc are some of the unsavoury facts of life in the world's largest democratic elections. Report dated 02 Apr, 2009

An eight year old bride with her 22 year old husband after their marriage ceremony. A survey estimated that 50 percent of Indian women aged 20-24 were married as children. 44.5 percent of the women had been wed by the time they were 18, set as the legal age for marriage since 1978. Of these, 22.6 percent had been married before the age of 16 and 2.6 per cent before the age of 13. Neither progress in economic and women's development, nor existing policy or programmatic efforts to prevent child marriages and promote maternal and child health have been sufficient to reduce the prevalence of child marriages in the country. Report dated 01 Apr, 2009

Mounds of flowers at the market in Bangalore. Ugadi, one of the biggest days on the festival calendar of Karnataka was celebrated on March 28. Ugadi marks the beginning of the new year, celebrates life in all its forms and spreads the message of accepting joys and sorrows with equal grace. The day is celebrated in Maharashtra as Gudi Padwa. Report dated 30 Mar, 2009

It is estimated mustard production will be up 31% this year, to 7 million tonnes. Mustard oil accounts for almost 40% of the total edible oil production in the country. Mustard is produced all over northern India and agriscientists estimate that with the adoption of newer high yielding mustard varieties and conducive climate conditions, mustard production could be doubled from current levels. Report dated 29 Mar, 2009

Masks of various political parties' leaders on sale ahead of the Parliamentary Elections. The world's largest democracy will elect a new 543 seat Parliament when India goes to the polls (April 16 - May 13). There are 714 million eligible voters in the country. Report dated 26 Mar, 2009

The year will be one of its best ever on account of the slowdown in global trade and lower freight rates - ships are being scrapped faster. In Alang, home to the world's largest ship-breaking facility in Gujarat, along the 11km coastline, beached oil tankers and cargo carriers lie in various stages of disembowelment. Peculiar tide patterns bring high tide in only twice a month enabling the beaching of ships right up to the yards. About 150-200 workers can break down a 10,000-tonne ship in three months, salvaging nearly every part. Activists fret the booming business will encourage a disregard for safety and environment guidelines, which are already being flouted. Report dated 25 Mar, 2009