Images of India

A proud young first time voter shows off the indelible ink mark on her fore-finger - the mark you get after you cast your vote. The indelible spot was introduced to avoid double/fraudulent voting but has now become the symbol of the democratic right to vote. India is currently holding its national elections (Apr 16 - May 13) to elect 543 members of Parliament. There are 714 eligible voters in the country of 1.1 billion people. Report dated 22 Apr, 2009

A child works in an earthenware workshop in the searing afternoon heat. India has about 12 million workers under 14, more than any other nation, many in dangerous jobs. Voluntary groups put the number at a whopping 60 million. The law does little to address the reasons that compel the family to put children to work: poverty, debt and marginalisation. Kids have no option but to work, parents have no option but to put them to work. A 1986 ban on child labour was extended to the domestic and hospitality sectors but for those who work 15-hour days in the confines of urban homes or slave on street corners, the law hasn't held much hope. Life for them is still meagre wages, leftover food, cast-offs to wear, a space on the floor to sleep...and a lost childhood. Report dated 21 Apr, 2009

Flags, posters and billboards are a few of the outdoor promotion tools used for election campaigning. An enthusiastic campaign is the No Criminals in Politics movement, Lead India 2009. It calls on voters not to vote for candidates with criminal charges. Voters are being shaken out of their complacency to get out and vote, more importantly for the right candidate. Citizen’s groups are coaxing voters, especially the youth and first timers to vote. The campaigns on radio, television and newspapers, as well as in colleges and public meetings are gradually having some effect in motivating the young to register their names at election centers. Report dated 20 Apr, 2009

Campaigning for elections may be less colourful these days, due to the restrictions imposed by the Election Commission, but there is no dearth of enthusiasm across all segments of society. 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 19 Apr, 2009

Women construction labourers earn Rs. 70 ($1.35) a day for eight hours of hard work in soaring temperatures. Several are in advanced stages of pregnancy. Several are nursing mothers. There are no on-site facilities. No drinking water. No toilets. India has the largest number of people living below the poverty line – over 400 million. Every election, politicians make promises which they are invariably unable to keep. Report dated 17 Apr, 2009

A young artist in Bihar has been busy collecting politicians’ old linen to make his own statement. Kunal Mitra has been collecting discarded all-white kurtas and pyjamas worn by politicians and painting them with party symbols. His message? Politicians who wear the same coloured clothing are also of the same colour in character – “corrupt, thick skinned and insensitive. After winning the elections, they show their real colours. Report dated 16 Apr, 2009

More women turn out to vote than men in many states. If women were to follow their men in their voting preference, we would not find any difference in the level of support for different parties among the genders. Research shows that fewer than 50% of women go by the advice of their husband or any men in their family. Report dated 15 Apr, 2009

Dancers perform at the baisakhi harvest festival (April 13). Baisakhi is big in North India, particularly in Punab, when the rabi crop is ready for harvesting. This tough agricultural operation is rendered into a lighter occupation by the Bhangra dance performed by men and the Gidda dance performed by women, both with fervour and rhythmic precision. Report dated 14 Apr, 2009

Kites with party symbols are distributed en masse and form an inexpensive medium for electioneering. 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 12 Apr, 2009

Miss India World Pooja Chopra (C), Miss India Earth Shriya Kishore(R) and Miss India Universe Ekta Chaudhary (L). The 3 Miss Indias who will compete in the 3 international beauty pageants during 2009. Indian women have won several times in the face of stiff competition internationally and are always the ‘favourites’ with book makers. Report dated 09 Apr, 2009