Oeuvre
PHOTO FEATURE FOR HUMANS OF BOMBAY
One of the most important lessons my mother taught me was when she said, “be nice to everybody, you never know what battle they are fighting on the inside.” The power of this one sentence has been such that it has tremendously changed the way I look at people and for good. Humans of Bombay bring together stories of such ordinary people with extraordinary stories. We have collaborated stories of people across different age groups, religions, colour, caste and creed to bring together the diversity that persists in this city of dreams. We hope you have a good time reading our little shared stories with these wonderful people.
- Gauri Awasthi
A STREET SMART SELLER.
“What is your message for young adults?”
“I am 62 years old and this fruit shop is our family business, from the time when the British ruled. I have seen a lot of changes but I think the most significant change has happened with the coming of the internet. My daughter always tells me what all can be done using internet. I think it is very essential for this generation to keep up with the trends as it will help them prosper. I don’t know much but this I know for sure that learning something new will always help.”
A UNICORN TALE
“What do you want to become when you grow up?”
“A unicorn”, she said and made an imaginary horn on her head with her hand.
“Who told you about Unicorns?”
“I saw one. Will you click a picture of me?”
“Yes, why not.”
“Wait!”, she exclaimed and posed against the wall, held her frock and said, “Now I’m ready.”
ACROSS THE GLOBE
“Are you a tourist?”
“No, It’s been an year I’ve been working here in India as the brand manager of a company. My hometown is Cape town, South Africa.”
“What according to you stands out about India?”
“Yesterday was my first celebration of Indian Republic day and though it has been said many times but what stands out is the unity of the people of so many different religions. I saw children both holding flags and some selling them at signals.”
THE MUSICIAN'S CACOPHONY
(the one on the left) “She is from Jammu and I’m from Kanpur, we met at the A.R. Rahman school of music in Chennai. We are both singers and have come to try our luck in the industry. I have already gone through a lot in life. The biggest problem in my life is money, my dad has cancer and it’s last stage. The treatment is expensive and so are my studies. I can’t afford pursuing music in an expensive school anymore. The other sad part is even after paying so much there is no guarantee that I will become a renowned singer but my mother keeps me going, my faith in music keeps me going. It’s a very big risk, I know, but so is life, isn’t it?”
“What has been your greatest struggle?”
“I am 70 years old and have been driving a taxi all my life to earn money so I can take care of my family. I have four daughters and one son. Two of them have not got married yet. I’m really worried about their marriage but I know in the end God will help me and my taxi will. I really love driving my taxi and I keep washing it every time it gathers a little dust. My wife thinks I am paranoid but what she doesn’t understand is that this vehicle has given me everything and will solve all our problems.
The other struggle is simply because I am a Muslim, I don’t think I need to elaborate on that.”
THE STORY OF THE CHARIOTEER
“What is the happiest moment of your life?”
“Happiness and sadness are all alike to me. I am a taxi driver. I came all the way from Allahabad, leaving behind my family and children but I try to keep smiling so everybody who sits in taxi can smile too. I think happiness is when my taxi runs well and sadness is when it does not. Bombay is a big city, people come with dreams I just want my taxi to run well so I’ll have money to send to my family. Happiness and sadness are all alike, the only way I can define it is by my taxi.”
“Is that your pet dog?” “No, he is my friend though. I come with my ‘Didi ji’ to see the ocean everyday. She comes here to jog. I like to see the ocean, it makes me feel peaceful. Sometimes I get really bored sitting alone, watching the ocean so he is always around or his other friends are. I pat him and he wags his tail. I think he likes me too. He is really cute.” “Who is ‘didi ji’?” “I work at her place. I am from Nepal and my family sent me here to work. Although ‘didi ji’ is really nice I don’t have any friends here so I play with him.”.
“I got married one and a half years ago and opened my own business. It was a mobile dealing business and was running successfully and we decided to have kids. Last month, I discovered my partner has been cheating on me and has taken various loans in my name so we shut the business. Now I have a lot of money to pay and my wife is expecting a baby. I am going to be a father soon but I already have a feeling of not being good enough. Currently, I’ve joined wraps and rolls, as you can see, I hate this job though. I always wanted to do my own thing but you never know what can happen. I just hope I become a good father and a husband.”
“What is the saddest thing about life?”
“I think the saddest thing is that people hurt each other, especially boys hurt girls. I have seen girls cry in my auto because boys have left them. It is painful. I think people don’t understand what love is. If you love somebody you never hurt them and if you make a promise of love, you should stick to it, marry that person. Today boys tell more than one girl that they love her and all of them are broken. It is sad. You make sure you don’t hurt anybody. I haven’t got married yet but the day I will, I won’t hurt her ever. ”
“Can I take a picture of you?”
“Sure, but don’t report it. My meter works fine.” Laughs it off.
“What has been the life-changing event in your life?”
“When my mother died. I did not have the money to treat her but that has taught me important lessons of life. I also decided to not marry then because I don’t think my income is good enough to keep a woman happy and educate a child in a good school. I’m really disappointed with the government of our country. Prime-Minister’s come and go but the poor remain poor and the rich remain rich. I always try doing something for the children born on streets with no money to educate themselves. It sometimes hurts to know that my family name, “Fernandes” will be forgotten after this but it is a more like a choice and I’ll stand by it.”