Images of India

Danseuse Mallika Sarabhai, 55, who is taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial candidate, L.K.Advani in Gandhinagar, Gujarat as an independent candidate feels she has it in her hand to win the election. Mallika has taken on the Gujarat political establishment on several occasions. Apart from criminal cases that were booked against her, BJP workers allegedly also beat her up. She was subsequently acquitted by the Gujarat High Court. “Advani may have been representing this constituency since 1991, but I want to know how many times he has raised Gandhinagar’s problems in parliament. Not once. Isn’t that a shame?” she said. Report dated 07 May, 2009

Paramekkavu Bhagavati Temple is one of the two major participants of Thrissur Pooram, the famed festival of Kerala. The temples of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi are friendly rivals in the pooram with both sides vying with each other to present the best, whether it be illumination of Kudamattam or the competitive display of colourful parasols atop caparisoned elephants. The ceremonial procession of fifteen elephants from Paramekkavu temple to the Vadakkumnathan temple is a captivating sight. Report dated 06 May, 2009

Hip hop and pop songs, magic shows, online games, opportunities to form your own cabinet, political cartoons, e-books, candidates’ blogs, surveys and opinion polls websites – all fighting for voter’s eyeballs. The elections have seen hugely increased online activity, not just from the contesting political parties, but also from voters and corporate groups. Websites like engagevoter.com, Indiagoes2vote.com also have NRI participation. A website like Indiavoting.com even has games and songs and magic shows, and an e-book about Indian politics. And then ofcourse there Is YouTube. Report dated 05 May, 2009

From the back alleys of small towns to sophisticated stadiums, from village squares to city streets, Cricket is played and followed by all segments of society - the rich and the poor, educated and illiterate - with dedication that is only second to religious fervour. And with the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches currently on – April 18 / May 25 – the interest in the game has grown several fold, even among women. Report dated 03 May, 2009

The country is currently in poll fever and cricket fever. The national elections for the 543 members of Parliament is currently on (April 16 –May 13) while the Indian Premier League cricket tournament is on (April 18 – May 25). Politics, Cricket and Cinema are revered and ‘practiced’ with the same fervour as one’s religion by Indians – both resident and non-resident. Report dated 01 May, 2009

Villagers solemnize a frog marriage as they pray for rain near Agartala in Tripura. Frog marriages are observed according to Vedic rites and rituals to appease the Rain Gods. A prolonged dry spell in northeast India, which has not witnessed a shower for several months, has made life difficult, especially for the farmers. Report dated 30 Apr, 2009

62 years of Independence. Elections every 5 years. And in every election promises of eradication of poverty. Parties of all hues and ideologies – Communists, Socialists, Capitalists, etc, etc. But for this manual worker and 400 million like him who live below the poverty line, nothing much has changed. India is currently in the process (April 16 - May 13) of electing 543 members of Parliament. More rhetoric, more promises. Report dated 29 Apr, 2009

If all the 714 million eligible voters in India were to stand in line, the elections could be held on the moon! The world’s largest democracy (population : 1.1billion) is currently in the process (Apr 16 – May 13) of electing 543 members of Parliament. Report dated 28 Apr, 2009

With pride writ on their faces, tribal women show their forefingers with the indelible ink-mark, proof of having cast their ballots. 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 27 Apr, 2009

Guru Bharatdas Darshanda who lives in a temple with no electricity, tv or phone, in the lion infested Gir forest in Gujarat, is to be the only voter from the constituency. He arrived 12 years ago, and is now basking in his newfound fame. He knows the contest is between the BJP and Congress, but believes his vote is significant. He is contented and honoured that authorities are coming to collect his vote. He says it proves India values its democracy. On April 30, five polling officials and two policemen will travel to his forest home to enable him to exercise his vote. Report dated 25 Apr, 2009