Images of India

The rains normally arrive on the west coast by June 10 and then progress inland and north. However this year they have been delayed by over three weeks with fears of water shortages and ruined crops that could adversely affect the country's ambitious 9% growth target. India's economy is over 50% agrarian and lack of buying power among farmers adversely affects industry and trade. Report dated 15 Jul, 2009

A day after six people were killed (July 12) when an under-construction bridge of the Delhi Metro collapsed, several persons were injured a day later (July 13) when three cranes, lifting a launcher that was entangled in the crumbled collapsed bridge, toppled. The launcher also came down along with the two cranes when its wires snapped. The Delhi Metro construction is racing against time to be completed before the start of the Commonwealth Games next year. Safety precautions are being ignored and some substandard work has been reported. Report dated 13 Jul, 2009

Passengers use every possible toe-hold on an overcrowded train - a common sight all over the country. India has the world's second largest population (after China) at 1.17 billion which negates every effort by the government to increase and improve the infrastructure in the country, with only 2.4% of the world's land and almost 20% of the world's population. Report dated 12 Jul, 2009

A child worker in a cramped workshop. Officially, India has about 12 million workers under 14, more than any other nation. 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. In 2006, 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 in street food stalls, 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...and a lost childhood. Report dated 09 Jul, 2009

The plan to double import duty on gold may lead to smuggling of bullion to the world's biggest consumer, undermining efforts by the government to raise funds to build infrastructure and ensure food for the nation's poor. Overseas purchases of gold bars will be charged a tax of Rs.200 per 10 grammes, gold jewellery at Rs.500 per 10 grammes, and silver at Rs.1,000 per kilogramme. The levy may worsen the 55 per cent drop in imports in the first five months of this year. India bought 51.8 metric tonnes of gold in the January-to-May period, compared with 115 tonnes a year earlier. Imports were 396 tonnes last year. Report dated 08 Jul, 2009

Farmers celebrate the traditional festival of 'Bendur' in Maharashtra (July 6). On the new moon day of Shravan bullocks are given a rest and fed with sweets. They are decorated and paraded through the village as the farmers express gratitude to the animals that help them in cultivating the land. This is another aspect of India's agrarian culture. Report dated 07 Jul, 2009

A street dentist treats a patient at his roadside dentistry stall in Amritsar. Street dentists, many of whom do not have formal training, learn their skills by working as dental technicians or assistants and earn about Rs.150 (US$ 3) a day. Conditions are very unhygienic and unsanitary. There is no provision whatsoever for running water. A full menu of 'dental care' including fillings and extractions is provided. These dentists also sell recycled dentures (often salvaged from dead persons). Unfortunately this is all the poor can afford. Since basic healthcare for the masses is still a distant goal for the fastest growing economy in the world... Report dated 06 Jul, 2009

An overcrowded passenger train on the Patna-Gaya route in Bihar. First introduced to India in 1853, Indian Railways is one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world with over 9000 trains, transporting over 18 million passengers and more than 2 million tonnes of freight daily. It is the world's largest employer, with more than 1.4 million employees. The railways traverse the country, covering 6,909 stations over a route length of more than 63,327 kilometres with over 200,000 (freight) wagons, 50,000 coaches and 8,000 locomotives. Report dated 05 Jul, 2009

Khari Baoli near Chandni Chowk in Delhi, is the largest wholesale spice market in Asia. It was during the time of Emperor Shah Jahan that Khari Baoli (meaning stepped wall) was built. The wall had a fortified gateway on its western end called Lahori Gate because a road through it led to Lahore, presently in Pakistan. The wall and the gateway do not exist anymore. The market is packed with a plethora of shops dealing in various types of nuts, spices, herbs and other commodities like sugar and grains. Report dated 02 Jul, 2009

It defies imagination, the capital of a growing world power - has no water, not enough electricity. 62 years after independence, successive governments both at the centre and the state level have failed to provide basic amenities to citizens. Here a scramble for water from a tanker as the taps run dry... New Delhi 2009 Report dated 01 Jul, 2009