good morning and thank you for having me here and you know just a few days ago I
here and you know just a few days ago I
here and you know just a few days ago I was talking to a friend or coffee and
was talking to a friend or coffee and
was talking to a friend or coffee and she asked me how long have I been doing
she asked me how long have I been doing
she asked me how long have I been doing photography and I had to scratch my head
photography and I had to scratch my head
photography and I had to scratch my head a bit and kind of go back in time and
a bit and kind of go back in time and
a bit and kind of go back in time and then idea.i I realized it’s been like
then idea.i I realized it’s been like
then idea.i I realized it’s been like about thirty three years it’s a long
about thirty three years it’s a long
about thirty three years it’s a long time and the journey has been pretty
time and the journey has been pretty
time and the journey has been pretty long and that’s one of the first picture
long and that’s one of the first picture
long and that’s one of the first picture that I did maybe about 30 or 31 years
that I did maybe about 30 or 31 years
that I did maybe about 30 or 31 years ago which is still one of my favorite
ago which is still one of my favorite
ago which is still one of my favorite pictures you know when I was introduced
pictures you know when I was introduced
pictures you know when I was introduced to photography the camera and the film I
to photography the camera and the film I
to photography the camera and the film I thought we’re the greatest enablers for
thought we’re the greatest enablers for
thought we’re the greatest enablers for visual expression you know of creativity
visual expression you know of creativity
visual expression you know of creativity it’s because I could draw and I still
it’s because I could draw and I still
it’s because I could draw and I still can’t draw you know that’s why for me
can’t draw you know that’s why for me
can’t draw you know that’s why for me camera was in a great tool and the
camera was in a great tool and the
camera was in a great tool and the darkroom where we made our prints some
darkroom where we made our prints some
darkroom where we made our prints some it seemed like a magical world a magical
it seemed like a magical world a magical
it seemed like a magical world a magical realm where you know I could conjure
realm where you know I could conjure
realm where you know I could conjure these images that were in my head onto
these images that were in my head onto
these images that were in my head onto paper you know and I still feel the
paper you know and I still feel the
paper you know and I still feel the darkroom is a magical world that’s how
darkroom is a magical world that’s how
darkroom is a magical world that’s how photography began for me and that’s
photography began for me and that’s
photography began for me and that’s that’s one of the first picture that
which side is okay that’s these are one
which side is okay that’s these are one of the first pictures that I shot you
of the first pictures that I shot you
of the first pictures that I shot you know in the beginning in the in the
know in the beginning in the in the
know in the beginning in the in the eighties mid 80s and late 80s the great
eighties mid 80s and late 80s the great
eighties mid 80s and late 80s the great photographer rubber I said that you know
photographer rubber I said that you know
photographer rubber I said that you know photography is like a darshan of life
photography is like a darshan of life
photography is like a darshan of life yes it is it is for me it has been a
yes it is it is for me it has been a
yes it is it is for me it has been a darshan of life our subject whoever it
darshan of life our subject whoever it
darshan of life our subject whoever it is whether it’s a person or you know a
is whether it’s a person or you know a
is whether it’s a person or you know a landscape or an object it’s always
landscape or an object it’s always
landscape or an object it’s always always the divinity for us for
always the divinity for us for
always the divinity for us for photographers so as we go out and meet
photographers so as we go out and meet
photographers so as we go out and meet people it’s you know we are looking at
people it’s you know we are looking at
people it’s you know we are looking at our own our own God our deity and that
our own our own God our deity and that
our own our own God our deity and that that’s what photography is all about so
that’s what photography is all about so
that’s what photography is all about so I completely agree with rebus thought
I completely agree with rebus thought
I completely agree with rebus thought processes so few years ago I was
processes so few years ago I was
processes so few years ago I was you know presented I presented myself
you know presented I presented myself
you know presented I presented myself for this a date T and it presented
for this a date T and it presented
for this a date T and it presented herself in front of me in Sri Lanka and
herself in front of me in Sri Lanka and
herself in front of me in Sri Lanka and she her name is Monica and she was a
she her name is Monica and she was a
she her name is Monica and she was a suicide bomber of the LTTE and she was
suicide bomber of the LTTE and she was
suicide bomber of the LTTE and she was in captivity and I was there with the
in captivity and I was there with the
in captivity and I was there with the great conflict area journalist called
great conflict area journalist called
great conflict area journalist called John Goodwin who has reported from
John Goodwin who has reported from
John Goodwin who has reported from various parts of the world on conflicts
various parts of the world on conflicts
various parts of the world on conflicts to do a profile on the suicide bomber of
to do a profile on the suicide bomber of
to do a profile on the suicide bomber of ITT a female suicide bomber it took us
ITT a female suicide bomber it took us
ITT a female suicide bomber it took us about six months to set this interview
about six months to set this interview
about six months to set this interview up and and we were there finally some
up and and we were there finally some
up and and we were there finally some time in 2007 early 2007 as we spoke to
time in 2007 early 2007 as we spoke to
time in 2007 early 2007 as we spoke to her as I photographed her and as I you
her as I photographed her and as I you
her as I photographed her and as I you know understood her life she said one
know understood her life she said one
know understood her life she said one thing – to me and to Jan she said that I
thing – to me and to Jan she said that I
thing – to me and to Jan she said that I have agreed for this interview and for
have agreed for this interview and for
have agreed for this interview and for you to photograph me because I thought
you to photograph me because I thought
you to photograph me because I thought this will help me save my life and that
this will help me save my life and that
this will help me save my life and that they won’t kill me that was a big
they won’t kill me that was a big
they won’t kill me that was a big responsibility trust upon me and on Jan
responsibility trust upon me and on Jan
responsibility trust upon me and on Jan was a writer and in the same that was a
was a writer and in the same that was a
was a writer and in the same that was a main a key in herself in the same trip
main a key in herself in the same trip
main a key in herself in the same trip in the same assignment we went to
in the same assignment we went to
in the same assignment we went to various parts of Sri Lanka where
various parts of Sri Lanka where
various parts of Sri Lanka where conflict so conflict was raging this I
conflict so conflict was raging this I
conflict so conflict was raging this I met this young lady called giant it
met this young lady called giant it
met this young lady called giant it ambivert Onam in a place called water–a
ambivert Onam in a place called water–a
ambivert Onam in a place called water–a where the battle had just ended the
where the battle had just ended the
where the battle had just ended the internally displaced people she was one
internally displaced people she was one
internally displaced people she was one of them had just come back to her house
of them had just come back to her house
of them had just come back to her house and she run away from when the when the
and she run away from when the when the
and she run away from when the when the war had begun and you know we went to
war had begun and you know we went to
war had begun and you know we went to her house to see how things were and
her house to see how things were and
her house to see how things were and this is how it was you know this was a
this is how it was you know this was a
this is how it was you know this was a house you know and and there she was
house you know and and there she was
house you know and and there she was with the sister looking at trying to
with the sister looking at trying to
with the sister looking at trying to salvage things she was quiet all through
salvage things she was quiet all through
salvage things she was quiet all through and I was photographing her you know and
and I was photographing her you know and
and I was photographing her you know and she there was a little photograph or a
she there was a little photograph or a
she there was a little photograph or a negative in her hand of something of a
negative in her hand of something of a
negative in her hand of something of a memory that was left behind by the
memory that was left behind by the
memory that was left behind by the soldiers who had inhibited her house you
soldiers who had inhibited her house you
soldiers who had inhibited her house you know and just imagine you know we are
know and just imagine you know we are
know and just imagine you know we are going back into her house where you know
going back into her house where you know
going back into her house where you know she has lost almost everything
she has lost almost everything
she has lost almost everything then I met some more people you know
then I met some more people you know
then I met some more people you know like the gentleman over here and this
like the gentleman over here and this
like the gentleman over here and this little young dog so this gentleman was
little young dog so this gentleman was
little young dog so this gentleman was looking for his daughter who had gone
looking for his daughter who had gone
looking for his daughter who had gone missing for several years okay
missing for several years okay
missing for several years okay this young girl was looking for her
this young girl was looking for her
this young girl was looking for her father who had gone missing by the time
father who had gone missing by the time
father who had gone missing by the time that she had never seen her she was like
that she had never seen her she was like
that she had never seen her she was like 2 years old and even missing and she
2 years old and even missing and she
2 years old and even missing and she still it’s she was about 19 or so for 17
still it’s she was about 19 or so for 17
still it’s she was about 19 or so for 17 or audiosurf family have been looking
or audiosurf family have been looking
or audiosurf family have been looking for and she’s grown up and now she was
for and she’s grown up and now she was
for and she’s grown up and now she was looking for her and this is one image
looking for her and this is one image
looking for her and this is one image from the from the assignment where the
from the from the assignment where the
from the from the assignment where the kalashnikova take a 47 which I think
kalashnikova take a 47 which I think
kalashnikova take a 47 which I think symbolizes more for us for conflicts
symbolizes more for us for conflicts
symbolizes more for us for conflicts most potent symbol I just photographed
most potent symbol I just photographed
most potent symbol I just photographed it and showed it to you before that this
it and showed it to you before that this
it and showed it to you before that this trip I have been to Sri Lanka again to
trip I have been to Sri Lanka again to
trip I have been to Sri Lanka again to photograph the immediate aftermath of
photograph the immediate aftermath of
photograph the immediate aftermath of tsunami you know and you know it was it
tsunami you know and you know it was it
tsunami you know and you know it was it was a it was a great tragedy and as
was a it was a great tragedy and as
was a it was a great tragedy and as event photographing people’s lives after
event photographing people’s lives after
event photographing people’s lives after the tragedy I met this fisherman in Gaul
the tragedy I met this fisherman in Gaul
the tragedy I met this fisherman in Gaul who had lost everything and this young
who had lost everything and this young
who had lost everything and this young little baby in a free Fiji camp and this
little baby in a free Fiji camp and this
little baby in a free Fiji camp and this lady with the her daughter Nina in the
lady with the her daughter Nina in the
lady with the her daughter Nina in the house which was only this part remain
house which was only this part remain
house which was only this part remain everything had gone washed away and this
everything had gone washed away and this
everything had gone washed away and this was in 31st of December 20 2004 as the
was in 31st of December 20 2004 as the
was in 31st of December 20 2004 as the year was ending I was shooting a picture
year was ending I was shooting a picture
year was ending I was shooting a picture in her house you know and what happens
in her house you know and what happens
in her house you know and what happens what’s what’s what’s all of them keep
what’s what’s what’s all of them keep
what’s what’s what’s all of them keep telling me that you know we the stories
telling me that you know we the stories
telling me that you know we the stories that you do the photographs that you
that you do the photographs that you
that you do the photographs that you take we hope will change our lives will
take we hope will change our lives will
take we hope will change our lives will bring hope to us bring change to us and
bring hope to us bring change to us and
bring hope to us bring change to us and better our lives and that’s a very big
better our lives and that’s a very big
better our lives and that’s a very big responsibility as I keep saying it’s a
responsibility as I keep saying it’s a
responsibility as I keep saying it’s a very big responsibility thrust upon a
very big responsibility thrust upon a
very big responsibility thrust upon a photojournalist we really don’t know I
photojournalist we really don’t know I
photojournalist we really don’t know I really don’t know whether that will
really don’t know whether that will
really don’t know whether that will happen sometimes it may happen sometimes
happen sometimes it may happen sometimes
happen sometimes it may happen sometimes it may not you know but the
it may not you know but the
it may not you know but the responsibility is amazing and sometimes
responsibility is amazing and sometimes
responsibility is amazing and sometimes daunting you know so how does one cope
daunting you know so how does one cope
daunting you know so how does one cope up with that you know knowing that your
up with that you know knowing that your
up with that you know knowing that your work may impact them or may not impact
work may impact them or may not impact
work may impact them or may not impact then most likely in not
then most likely in not
then most likely in not but sometimes you know people like and
but sometimes you know people like and
but sometimes you know people like and again you know this is another story
again you know this is another story
again you know this is another story where I went to Orissa to photograph
where I went to Orissa to photograph
where I went to Orissa to photograph that later aftermath of super cyclone
that later aftermath of super cyclone
that later aftermath of super cyclone that hit them in 90s and you know this
that hit them in 90s and you know this
that hit them in 90s and you know this lady her name is Deepa Mandel she was
lady her name is Deepa Mandel she was
lady her name is Deepa Mandel she was living this was I think sometime in 2000
living this was I think sometime in 2000
living this was I think sometime in 2000 or 2001 and she was living at about 15
or 2001 and she was living at about 15
or 2001 and she was living at about 15 rupees per day that was all the money
rupees per day that was all the money
rupees per day that was all the money that she had and her husband was you
that she had and her husband was you
that she had and her husband was you know killed by the super cyclone and you
know killed by the super cyclone and you
know killed by the super cyclone and you know she was trying to make ends meet
know she was trying to make ends meet
know she was trying to make ends meet she still called me inside and she was
she still called me inside and she was
she still called me inside and she was kind of upset that because she didn’t
kind of upset that because she didn’t
kind of upset that because she didn’t have anything to offer me you know I
have anything to offer me you know I
have anything to offer me you know I said I didn’t want to and I just wanted
said I didn’t want to and I just wanted
said I didn’t want to and I just wanted to know her story and again she too
to know her story and again she too
to know her story and again she too thought the work was going to help her
thought the work was going to help her
thought the work was going to help her like this lady who had helped her
like this lady who had helped her
like this lady who had helped her daughter you know from from people who
daughter you know from from people who
daughter you know from from people who were trying to trying to swindle away
were trying to trying to swindle away
were trying to trying to swindle away the might at the compensation money that
the might at the compensation money that
the might at the compensation money that they got again at this survival super
they got again at this survival super
they got again at this survival super cyclone was also you know happy to pose
cyclone was also you know happy to pose
cyclone was also you know happy to pose for my pictures hoping that change their
for my pictures hoping that change their
for my pictures hoping that change their lives but unfortunately we don’t know
lives but unfortunately we don’t know
lives but unfortunately we don’t know whether that happens or not and
whether that happens or not and
whether that happens or not and sometimes it’s not just the disasters I
sometimes it’s not just the disasters I
sometimes it’s not just the disasters I also get to shoot pictures like these of
also get to shoot pictures like these of
also get to shoot pictures like these of people such as Michael Jackson whom I
people such as Michael Jackson whom I
people such as Michael Jackson whom I had a chance to photograph then he was
had a chance to photograph then he was
had a chance to photograph then he was in India and a very close quarters so a
in India and a very close quarters so a
in India and a very close quarters so a photographer goes through all these
photographer goes through all these
photographer goes through all these assignments all these different kinds of
assignments all these different kinds of
assignments all these different kinds of work and what do you do how do you
work and what do you do how do you
work and what do you do how do you balance yourself and how do you make
balance yourself and how do you make
balance yourself and how do you make sure that you don’t go completely insane
sure that you don’t go completely insane
sure that you don’t go completely insane you know at the end of your photographic
you know at the end of your photographic
you know at the end of your photographic assignments this is the picture that I
assignments this is the picture that I
assignments this is the picture that I photographed during the sunna just after
photographed during the sunna just after
photographed during the sunna just after the tsunami is that I think you have to
the tsunami is that I think you have to
the tsunami is that I think you have to kind of we have to keep telling
kind of we have to keep telling
kind of we have to keep telling ourselves that you know keep telling
ourselves that you know keep telling
ourselves that you know keep telling ourselves that we are bearing witness
ourselves that we are bearing witness
ourselves that we are bearing witness and we are honestly trying to tell our
and we are honestly trying to tell our
and we are honestly trying to tell our stories the world hoping that it may
stories the world hoping that it may
stories the world hoping that it may impact or it may not but we say that we
impact or it may not but we say that we
impact or it may not but we say that we keep doing our job and we
keep doing our job and we
keep doing our job and we witness so we have to develop
witness so we have to develop
witness so we have to develop photojournalists have to develop a bit
photojournalists have to develop a bit
photojournalists have to develop a bit of his then you know we have to become
of his then you know we have to become
of his then you know we have to become develop a little bit of good tying
develop a little bit of good tying
develop a little bit of good tying ourselves to make to keep doing our work
ourselves to make to keep doing our work
ourselves to make to keep doing our work as honestly we can so that is a kind of
as honestly we can so that is a kind of
as honestly we can so that is a kind of a base you know I would like to talk
a base you know I would like to talk
a base you know I would like to talk about a project that has kind of defined
about a project that has kind of defined
about a project that has kind of defined me a kind of a turning point that came
me a kind of a turning point that came
me a kind of a turning point that came in my life sometime in the mid 90s and
in my life sometime in the mid 90s and
in my life sometime in the mid 90s and then actually took place sometime in
then actually took place sometime in
then actually took place sometime in 2000 the seed of that had started many
2000 the seed of that had started many
2000 the seed of that had started many years ago in mid 80s actually when I
years ago in mid 80s actually when I
years ago in mid 80s actually when I took it train to Delhi to meet some
took it train to Delhi to meet some
took it train to Delhi to meet some senior photographers and show them my
senior photographers and show them my
senior photographers and show them my work I met a lady in the train that went
work I met a lady in the train that went
work I met a lady in the train that went from Mangalore to Delhi sometimes over
from Mangalore to Delhi sometimes over
from Mangalore to Delhi sometimes over in output who was going to go Paul to
in output who was going to go Paul to
in output who was going to go Paul to see her father who was ailing her mother
see her father who was ailing her mother
see her father who was ailing her mother had died in the gas tragedy and she was
had died in the gas tragedy and she was
had died in the gas tragedy and she was going to see her father and you know I
going to see her father and you know I
going to see her father and you know I asked I’ve got talking to her and I
asked I’ve got talking to her and I
asked I’ve got talking to her and I asked if they had got any compensation
asked if they had got any compensation
asked if they had got any compensation she said that she did get compensation
she said that she did get compensation
she said that she did get compensation she wasn’t a very poor family of ten
she wasn’t a very poor family of ten
she wasn’t a very poor family of ten thousand rupees and ten thousand was a
thousand rupees and ten thousand was a
thousand rupees and ten thousand was a big money those days and but she said
big money those days and but she said
big money those days and but she said that punch has also wool Okabe the
that punch has also wool Okabe the
that punch has also wool Okabe the people who dispersed the money had taken
people who dispersed the money had taken
people who dispersed the money had taken five thousand rupees as a bribe so it
five thousand rupees as a bribe so it
five thousand rupees as a bribe so it kind of made very deep in impacting me
kind of made very deep in impacting me
kind of made very deep in impacting me even at the very early stage of my life
even at the very early stage of my life
even at the very early stage of my life and you know it kind of it was going on
and you know it kind of it was going on
and you know it kind of it was going on that the churn was going on and I was
that the churn was going on and I was
that the churn was going on and I was wondering what kind of society we had
wondering what kind of society we had
wondering what kind of society we had already become by that time you know so
already become by that time you know so
already become by that time you know so much later this story was you know led
much later this story was you know led
much later this story was you know led to variety of different things in my
to variety of different things in my
to variety of different things in my life one is meeting people who were
life one is meeting people who were
life one is meeting people who were making great contributions to society
making great contributions to society
making great contributions to society against personal Lords you know and they
against personal Lords you know and they
against personal Lords you know and they were I thought should be our role models
were I thought should be our role models
were I thought should be our role models our heroes so a project called unsung
our heroes so a project called unsung
our heroes so a project called unsung began you know that was in the mid 2000
began you know that was in the mid 2000
began you know that was in the mid 2000 2004 is when I started working on this
2004 is when I started working on this
2004 is when I started working on this project for unsung to tell the stories
project for unsung to tell the stories
project for unsung to tell the stories of unsung heroes of India people who
of unsung heroes of India people who
of unsung heroes of India people who have contributed to society against
have contributed to society against
have contributed to society against great personal odds who ought to be our
great personal odds who ought to be our
great personal odds who ought to be our role models the books are there was
role models the books are there was
role models the books are there was published in 2007 which
published in 2007 which
published in 2007 which each of the stories of nine people you
each of the stories of nine people you
each of the stories of nine people you know there are some of them here but
know there are some of them here but
know there are some of them here but it’s mr. Vijay at the Shenoy who
it’s mr. Vijay at the Shenoy who
it’s mr. Vijay at the Shenoy who resurrected the architectural heritage
resurrected the architectural heritage
resurrected the architectural heritage of coastal Karnataka in the heritage
of coastal Karnataka in the heritage
of coastal Karnataka in the heritage village that has built mr. Chauhan or
village that has built mr. Chauhan or
village that has built mr. Chauhan or fell who makes glaciers in the Ladakh
fell who makes glaciers in the Ladakh
fell who makes glaciers in the Ladakh Himalayas I mean at the time of global
Himalayas I mean at the time of global
Himalayas I mean at the time of global warming and melting glaciers he has kind
warming and melting glaciers he has kind
warming and melting glaciers he has kind of worked objected a simple method to
of worked objected a simple method to
of worked objected a simple method to reverse that and provide water for the
reverse that and provide water for the
reverse that and provide water for the people George Polley could tell who is a
people George Polley could tell who is a
people George Polley could tell who is a former priest from a Jesuit priest who
former priest from a Jesuit priest who
former priest from a Jesuit priest who the human rights advocate human rights
the human rights advocate human rights
the human rights advocate human rights lawyer fights for the human rights of
lawyer fights for the human rights of
lawyer fights for the human rights of the poor using judiciary has not monks
the poor using judiciary has not monks
the poor using judiciary has not monks or she has been able to set up an
or she has been able to set up an
or she has been able to set up an organization and teach the fund the
organization and teach the fund the
organization and teach the fund the fundamental Quranic and our
fundamental Quranic and our
fundamental Quranic and our constitutional rights the poor muslim
constitutional rights the poor muslim
constitutional rights the poor muslim women of bangalore and around km Chinna
women of bangalore and around km Chinna
women of bangalore and around km Chinna paws one of the greatest range forest
paws one of the greatest range forest
paws one of the greatest range forest officer the forest officers we have ever
officer the forest officers we have ever
officer the forest officers we have ever seen who kind of transformed now they’re
seen who kind of transformed now they’re
seen who kind of transformed now they’re all in Ashland path from porches heaven
all in Ashland path from porches heaven
all in Ashland path from porches heaven to purchase to you know I held a heaven
to purchase to you know I held a heaven
to purchase to you know I held a heaven to animals and Luckman Singh of la
to animals and Luckman Singh of la
to animals and Luckman Singh of la podía and Rajasthan who transformed his
podía and Rajasthan who transformed his
podía and Rajasthan who transformed his route drought-prone village into a water
route drought-prone village into a water
route drought-prone village into a water rich village you know in this village
rich village you know in this village
rich village you know in this village you can’t sit and talk in the evening
you can’t sit and talk in the evening
you can’t sit and talk in the evening because your voice would be drawn by
because your voice would be drawn by
because your voice would be drawn by birdsong and there about a million trees
birdsong and there about a million trees
birdsong and there about a million trees and Elango Ramaswamy
and Elango Ramaswamy
and Elango Ramaswamy Langer who transformed his village into
Langer who transformed his village into
Langer who transformed his village into a canoe economically independent village
a canoe economically independent village
a canoe economically independent village and realized Gandhi’s vision of rock
and realized Gandhi’s vision of rock
and realized Gandhi’s vision of rock gram Swaraj
gram Swaraj
gram Swaraj and trained seven hundred or a couple of
and trained seven hundred or a couple of
and trained seven hundred or a couple of thousand panchayat leaders in the
thousand panchayat leaders in the
thousand panchayat leaders in the industry several years this is Sebastian
industry several years this is Sebastian
industry several years this is Sebastian in history who was a vegetable seller
in history who was a vegetable seller
in history who was a vegetable seller and you know when her husband died of
and you know when her husband died of
and you know when her husband died of gastroenteritis and shaken effort
gastroenteritis and shaken effort
gastroenteritis and shaken effort because she could afford treatment she
because she could afford treatment she
because she could afford treatment she took him out on his deathbed saying that
took him out on his deathbed saying that
took him out on his deathbed saying that you know that she wouldn’t let anyone
you know that she wouldn’t let anyone
you know that she wouldn’t let anyone else suffer the way she did and it was a
else suffer the way she did and it was a
else suffer the way she did and it was a twenty next twenty years
twenty next twenty years
twenty next twenty years she saved twenty thousand rupees to
she saved twenty thousand rupees to
she saved twenty thousand rupees to build a hut and start a hospital called
build a hut and start a hospital called
build a hut and start a hospital called humanity hospital which so this is now
humanity hospital which so this is now
humanity hospital which so this is now over ten thousand square feet and
over ten thousand square feet and
over ten thousand square feet and has held thousand seven hundred and
has held thousand seven hundred and
has held thousand seven hundred and thousands of people near Kolkata
thousands of people near Kolkata
thousands of people near Kolkata this is tourism under whose set up in a
this is tourism under whose set up in a
this is tourism under whose set up in a school in the in the surrender district
school in the in the surrender district
school in the in the surrender district of ERISA which is a really boondocks
of ERISA which is a really boondocks
of ERISA which is a really boondocks beyond everything it’s mining belt and
beyond everything it’s mining belt and
beyond everything it’s mining belt and she has you know she started school
she has you know she started school
she has you know she started school under a Maha tree and today I think by
under a Maha tree and today I think by
under a Maha tree and today I think by now she would have educated or thirty or
now she would have educated or thirty or
now she would have educated or thirty or forty thousand people at absolutely
forty thousand people at absolutely
forty thousand people at absolutely nominal cost and it’s not free of course
nominal cost and it’s not free of course
nominal cost and it’s not free of course because there’s not free things don’t
because there’s not free things don’t
because there’s not free things don’t have value in our enough so she tells
have value in our enough so she tells
have value in our enough so she tells something very very nominal and you know
something very very nominal and you know
something very very nominal and you know she had given them gift of education so
she had given them gift of education so
she had given them gift of education so the book on unsung the was published in
the book on unsung the was published in
the book on unsung the was published in 2007 it helped raise over 90 lakhs of
2007 it helped raise over 90 lakhs of
2007 it helped raise over 90 lakhs of the causes of this heroes it sold over
the causes of this heroes it sold over
the causes of this heroes it sold over six and a half thousand copies became a
six and a half thousand copies became a
six and a half thousand copies became a case study at I am Bangalore and it also
case study at I am Bangalore and it also
case study at I am Bangalore and it also transformed the lives of people who read
transformed the lives of people who read
transformed the lives of people who read it you know people go to me saying that
it you know people go to me saying that
it you know people go to me saying that it kind of helped them do away with
it kind of helped them do away with
it kind of helped them do away with their cynicism it showed them what real
their cynicism it showed them what real
their cynicism it showed them what real love is
love is
love is you know and that it also helped them
you know and that it also helped them
you know and that it also helped them find meaning in their own lives you know
find meaning in their own lives you know
find meaning in their own lives you know and one thing that I have learned from
and one thing that I have learned from
and one thing that I have learned from this whole project is that you know what
this whole project is that you know what
this whole project is that you know what do everybody what do all these heroes
do everybody what do all these heroes
do everybody what do all these heroes have in common is that they you know
have in common is that they you know
have in common is that they you know speak their mind they think they speak
speak their mind they think they speak
speak their mind they think they speak their mind they say whatever they think
their mind they say whatever they think
their mind they say whatever they think and do whatever they say you know 24/7
and do whatever they say you know 24/7
and do whatever they say you know 24/7 365 it’s a very difficult and it’s a
365 it’s a very difficult and it’s a
365 it’s a very difficult and it’s a very courageous thing to do to say what
very courageous thing to do to say what
very courageous thing to do to say what you believe in you know it’s not say
you believe in you know it’s not say
you believe in you know it’s not say whatever you want to but say speak
whatever you want to but say speak
whatever you want to but say speak constantly say whatever you believe in
constantly say whatever you believe in
constantly say whatever you believe in and do what you say all the time all the
and do what you say all the time all the
and do what you say all the time all the time without any letter you know that’s
time without any letter you know that’s
time without any letter you know that’s I think a a great sign of a role model
I think a a great sign of a role model
I think a a great sign of a role model and all of them have that you know
and all of them have that you know
and all of them have that you know that’s so the first book you know kind
that’s so the first book you know kind
that’s so the first book you know kind of did very well and some people came
of did very well and some people came
of did very well and some people came forward and told me why don’t you do
forward and told me why don’t you do
forward and told me why don’t you do another book you know so I said you know
another book you know so I said you know
another book you know so I said you know it’s very difficult to to
it’s very difficult to to
it’s very difficult to to raise money for all this project and
raise money for all this project and
raise money for all this project and some to you know individuals a
some to you know individuals a
some to you know individuals a philanthropist came forward to find the
philanthropist came forward to find the
philanthropist came forward to find the second book and we came up with another
second book and we came up with another
second book and we came up with another one recently and that too has chronicled
one recently and that too has chronicled
one recently and that too has chronicled the lives of seven more heroes and
the lives of seven more heroes and
the lives of seven more heroes and several writers and photographers have
several writers and photographers have
several writers and photographers have contributed not just my work you know of
contributed not just my work you know of
contributed not just my work you know of several others as well to give you a
several others as well to give you a
several others as well to give you a quick glimpse of it there’s never an
quick glimpse of it there’s never an
quick glimpse of it there’s never an Reddy who is an organic farmer who lived
Reddy who is an organic farmer who lived
Reddy who is an organic farmer who lived in the outskirts of Bangalore who whose
in the outskirts of Bangalore who whose
in the outskirts of Bangalore who whose net worth maybe about 50 100 crores but
net worth maybe about 50 100 crores but
net worth maybe about 50 100 crores but he is on some of the what he wears is
he is on some of the what he wears is
he is on some of the what he wears is always worth about hunt 200 rupees you
always worth about hunt 200 rupees you
always worth about hunt 200 rupees you know and he’s traveled the world in that
know and he’s traveled the world in that
know and he’s traveled the world in that and he lives in the most incredibly
and he lives in the most incredibly
and he lives in the most incredibly simple life and he speaks only about
simple life and he speaks only about
simple life and he speaks only about agriculture but it’s always about also
agriculture but it’s always about also
agriculture but it’s always about also about life you know all the time it’s
about life you know all the time it’s
about life you know all the time it’s him this is Nikita eater Lu whose lives
him this is Nikita eater Lu whose lives
him this is Nikita eater Lu whose lives in Kannamma Nagaland who was bought
in Kannamma Nagaland who was bought
in Kannamma Nagaland who was bought brought about peace in their village
brought about peace in their village
brought about peace in their village after 30 or 40 years of internal strife
after 30 or 40 years of internal strife
after 30 or 40 years of internal strife and insurgency you know with the process
and insurgency you know with the process
and insurgency you know with the process called on his dialogue basically
called on his dialogue basically
called on his dialogue basically listening to each other you know
listening to each other you know
listening to each other you know I’m not speaking without listening
I’m not speaking without listening
I’m not speaking without listening that’s his village java dhamma talk in
that’s his village java dhamma talk in
that’s his village java dhamma talk in an internal district who was this is a
an internal district who was this is a
an internal district who was this is a photograph by photographer i’m a chimera
photograph by photographer i’m a chimera
photograph by photographer i’m a chimera he has he became paraplegic after being
he has he became paraplegic after being
he has he became paraplegic after being hit by a terrorist bullet when he kind
hit by a terrorist bullet when he kind
hit by a terrorist bullet when he kind of recovered and he still richer bound
of recovered and he still richer bound
of recovered and he still richer bound he set up a school to teach life and
he set up a school to teach life and
he set up a school to teach life and computer skills to people and took on
computer skills to people and took on
computer skills to people and took on the children of known terrorists
the children of known terrorists
the children of known terrorists willingly you know the joy of
willingly you know the joy of
willingly you know the joy of forgiveness you know he said you know
forgiveness you know he said you know
forgiveness you know he said you know what dude what have they done anything
what dude what have they done anything
what dude what have they done anything it is their parents or father was done
it is their parents or father was done
it is their parents or father was done it you know that’s him raja triada who’s
it you know that’s him raja triada who’s
it you know that’s him raja triada who’s ran the hindi literary magazine called
ran the hindi literary magazine called
ran the hindi literary magazine called hunts for several years which was set up
hunts for several years which was set up
hunts for several years which was set up by which was founded by moonship
by which was founded by moonship
by which was founded by moonship plainchant and it’s very important to
plainchant and it’s very important to
plainchant and it’s very important to give a voice to
give a voice to
give a voice to vernacular writers to bring vernacular
vernacular writers to bring vernacular
vernacular writers to bring vernacular writing local languages you know into
writing local languages you know into
writing local languages you know into the fore and that he has done
the fore and that he has done
the fore and that he has done for he’s no more now yeah this is a
for he’s no more now yeah this is a
for he’s no more now yeah this is a secure sarangi who’s lived in Bhopal he
secure sarangi who’s lived in Bhopal he
secure sarangi who’s lived in Bhopal he went to Bhopal I’ve only heard about the
went to Bhopal I’ve only heard about the
went to Bhopal I’ve only heard about the tragedy in mid-80s and he was doing his
tragedy in mid-80s and he was doing his
tragedy in mid-80s and he was doing his PhD in metallurgy quit and he has lived
PhD in metallurgy quit and he has lived
PhD in metallurgy quit and he has lived there ever since he has been he set up
there ever since he has been he set up
there ever since he has been he set up something called Sun Oven our trust and
something called Sun Oven our trust and
something called Sun Oven our trust and been working for the rights of the
been working for the rights of the
been working for the rights of the survivors and also giving them medical
survivors and also giving them medical
survivors and also giving them medical care and for the last in 30 plus us
super the Kumari from Kerala who is a
super the Kumari from Kerala who is a poet and an activist she she was
poet and an activist she she was
poet and an activist she she was instrumental in saving the city the
instrumental in saving the city the
instrumental in saving the city the silent valley in the 70s and 80s and she
silent valley in the 70s and 80s and she
silent valley in the 70s and 80s and she has set up apart from being the poet
has set up apart from being the poet
has set up apart from being the poet laureate she’s won several awards it’s
laureate she’s won several awards it’s
laureate she’s won several awards it’s writing she set up this organization
writing she set up this organization
writing she set up this organization called abaya
called abaya
called abaya which looks after destitute women
which looks after destitute women
which looks after destitute women mentally ill women children and gives
mentally ill women children and gives
mentally ill women children and gives them a life regime Lalita George doctor
them a life regime Lalita George doctor
them a life regime Lalita George doctor couple who live in a little village for
couple who live in a little village for
couple who live in a little village for settling ghee in Tamil Nadu not too far
settling ghee in Tamil Nadu not too far
settling ghee in Tamil Nadu not too far from Bangalore and they finished the
from Bangalore and they finished the
from Bangalore and they finished the medicine medical degree and went to
medicine medical degree and went to
medicine medical degree and went to decided willingly decided to go to a
decided willingly decided to go to a
decided willingly decided to go to a village and not work in the city and
village and not work in the city and
village and not work in the city and they have spent the entire life there
they have spent the entire life there
they have spent the entire life there helping the poor with medical facilities
helping the poor with medical facilities
helping the poor with medical facilities and and you know also several other
and and you know also several other
and and you know also several other crafts initiatives you will be surprised
crafts initiatives you will be surprised
crafts initiatives you will be surprised perhaps to know that the are India’s
perhaps to know that the are India’s
perhaps to know that the are India’s health spending on public health is 1.3
health spending on public health is 1.3
health spending on public health is 1.3 percent of a GDP which is one of the
percent of a GDP which is one of the
percent of a GDP which is one of the some of the lowest in the world
some of the lowest in the world
some of the lowest in the world this 1.3 percent also includes
this 1.3 percent also includes
this 1.3 percent also includes expenditure on hygiene you know so the
expenditure on hygiene you know so the
expenditure on hygiene you know so the public health expenditure is very very
public health expenditure is very very
public health expenditure is very very little people really current effort good
little people really current effort good
little people really current effort good health care even today but many most
health care even today but many most
health care even today but many most people can’t afford and this kind of
people can’t afford and this kind of
people can’t afford and this kind of efforts by people like regional data is
efforts by people like regional data is
efforts by people like regional data is quite laudable so this is the story of
quite laudable so this is the story of
quite laudable so this is the story of this is what photography can do the
this is what photography can do the
this is what photography can do the photography can honest photography if
photography can honest photography if
photography can honest photography if you really you know understand your job
you really you know understand your job
you really you know understand your job and your place in the society and do
and your place in the society and do
and your place in the society and do your work as
your work as
your work as as honestly as you can Photography can
as honestly as you can Photography can
as honestly as you can Photography can really change lives it can impact the
really change lives it can impact the
really change lives it can impact the people you photograph it can impact to
people you photograph it can impact to
people you photograph it can impact to what it has done to me over the years
what it has done to me over the years
what it has done to me over the years over 30 33 years it helped me to be a
over 30 33 years it helped me to be a
over 30 33 years it helped me to be a little more humble you know and I’m
little more humble you know and I’m
little more humble you know and I’m trying to be trying to you know also to
trying to be trying to you know also to
trying to be trying to you know also to speak what I think and do what I say all
speak what I think and do what I say all
speak what I think and do what I say all the time I have not succeeded in it
the time I have not succeeded in it
the time I have not succeeded in it perhaps one day I will but it has really
perhaps one day I will but it has really
perhaps one day I will but it has really helped me to be a little more humble
helped me to be a little more humble
helped me to be a little more humble thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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