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  • Local villagers listen to the speech of Congress Party President, Sonia Gandhi to arrive at a public rally in Khunti, in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Local villagers and party supporters are seen at a public rally of the Congress Party President, Sonia Gandhi in Khunti, in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Tribal women carry firewood along the unfinished canal of the Subanarekha multi-purpose project in Saharbera village, Chandil in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • 50 year old Jhirga Tana Bhagat, drives home a point during a discussion in class on 11th of April 2009. Bhagat is the a political representative of a landless adivasi community and has been coming to the school to further learn how to deal with politicians. He travels one and a half hours to school by rickshaw twice a month. Netagiri Vidyalaya, founded in 2001, provides classes to students between the ages of 22 to 70 every Saturday, for 2 hours, in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.  Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Jhirga Tana Bhagat, aged 50, reads a booklet on politics  on 11th of April 2009. Bhagat is the a political representative of a landless adivasi community and has been coming to the school to further learn how to deal with politicians. He travels one and a half hours to school by rickshaw twice a month. Netagiri Vidyalaya, founded in 2001, provides classes to students between the ages of 22 to 70 every Saturday, for 2 hours, in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.  Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Raman Balabh, a teacher in Netagiri Vidyalaya (Politics School) explains an important point about politics to his 20 students during class on the 11th of April 2009. Netagiri Vidyalaya, founded in 2001, provides classes to students between the ages of 22 to 70 every Saturday, for 2 hours, in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.  Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Meenu Ranjan (centre) listens carefully in class, while Raj Ranjan (unseen), the founder of Netagiri Vidyalaya (Politics School) teaches his students about the qualities of a leader in life, work and politics on the 11th of April 2009. Ranjan, who grew up in a family of politicians and a politician himself, founded this school in 2001 in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Raj Ranjan, the founder of Netagiri Vidyalaya (Politics School) responds to his students' questions during the 2 hour long class on the 11th of April 2009. Ranjan, who grew up in a family of politicians and a politician himself, founded this school in 2001 in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Students in Netagiri Vidyalaya (Politics School) laugh and discuss politics and leadership while in class with Raj Ranjan, the founder of the school. Ranjan, who grew up in a family of politicians and a politician himself, founded this school in 2001 in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Local tribals are seen amongst the crowd gathered for the public rally of Congress president, Sonia Gandhi in Kunti, Jharkhand, India on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Tribal women carry firewood along the unfinished canal of the Subanarekha multi-purpose project in Saharbera village, Chandil in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Jhirga Tana Bhagat, aged 50, listens attentively in class  on 11th of April 2009. Bhagat is the a political representative of a landless adivasi community and has been coming to the school to further learn how to deal with politicians. He travels one and a half hours to school by rickshaw twice a month. Netagiri Vidyalaya, founded in 2001, provides classes to students between the ages of 22 to 70 every Saturday, for 2 hours, in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand.  Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • Local villagers are seen waiting for the Congress Party President, Sonia Gandhi to arrive at a public rally in Khunti, in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on the 11th of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee
    SLee20090411-Jharkhand-PreElection-0...JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India: A filling and sealing machine is used for the first time since the company started this business, to fill, seal, cap and label the plastic phials. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0045.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Factory workers push a trolley of freshly made indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0172.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Ready for packing, the indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. In each phial contains 10ml of ink, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0140.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  The indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962. The same ink has also been supplied to many other countries, including Turkey, Cambodia, Sierra Leona, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Maldives.  Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0102.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker adjusts the labels as phials of ink get labeled by a machine. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections are being labeled. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0099.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker places phials of ink on the conveyor belt of the labeling machine. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0093.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker adjusts the labels as phials of ink get labeled by a machine. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections are being labeled. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0074.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Factory workers manually check the tightness of the caps after phials of ink pass through a machine to fill, seal, cap and label the plastic phials. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0068.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker manually hammers in the inner seal of the phials of indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0189.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker adjusts the labels as phials of ink get labeled by a machine. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections are being labeled. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0178.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Factory workers push a trolley of freshly made indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0168.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker walks out of the filling unit with at tray of phials of indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0162.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker mans the machine as the phials of ink are sealed. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0125.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Factory workers manually check the tightness of the caps after phials of ink pass through a machine to fill, seal, cap and label the plastic phials. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0111.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Factory workers manually check the tightness of the caps after phials of ink pass through a machine to fill, seal, cap and label the plastic phials. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0109.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker adjusts the labels as phials of ink get labeled by a machine. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections are being labeled. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0097.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India: Factory workers arrange the plastic phials that contain 10ml of indelible ink on trays to be sent to the sealing section. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0044.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India: 15ml capacity phials that contain 10ml of indelible ink move along the conveyor belt after filling, sealing, capping and labeling. .These indelible ink will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial, if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0039.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India: Factory workers arrange the plastic phials that contain 10ml of indelible ink on trays to be sent to the sealing section. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0026.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India: Factory workers arrange the plastic phials that contain 10ml of indelible ink on trays to be sent to the sealing section. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0018.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India: Factory workers arrange the plastic phials that contain 10ml of indelible ink on trays to be sent to the sealing section. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0016.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  The indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962. The same ink has also been supplied to many other countries, including Turkey, Cambodia, Sierra Leona, Mongolia, Bhutan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Maldives.  Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0219.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker manually hammers in the inner seal of the phials of indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0195.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker manually hammers in the inner seal of the phials of indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0184.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Factory workers push a trolley of freshly made indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0165.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker manually hammers in the inner seal of the phials of indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0151.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A factory worker manually hammers in the inner seal of the phials of indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0147.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  After inner sealing, phials of ink pass along the machine to be capped and labeled. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0122.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Factory workers manually check the tightness of the caps after phials of ink pass through a machine to fill, seal, cap and label the plastic phials. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0115.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Ready for packing, the indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0094.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  Phials of ink get labeled by a machine to fill, seal, cap and label the plastic phials. It is the first year that a machine is used as all this used to be done manually since 1962. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0055.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  A filling and sealing machine is used for the first time since the company started this business, to fill, seal, cap and label the plastic phials. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0048.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India: Factory workers arrange the plastic phials that contain 10ml of indelible ink on trays to be sent to the sealing section. .Indelible Ink used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections have been filled into the 15ml capacity phials. In each phial, 10ml of ink is filled, and if properly applied, can be used to mark as many as 700 voters. Only one company, Mysore Paints and Varnish, manufactures the secret formula of indelible ink that is used for all Indian elections since the biggest democratic nation in the world started using ink to mark the fingers of its voters in 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0028.JPG
  • A stone elephant statue built by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kumari Mayawati is seen covered with yellow tarpaulin during the State Elections in Uttar Pradesh (a Bellwether state), India, on 21st January, 2012. The elephant is a symbol of the BSP party and "press the button, decide the elephant" is a slogan chanted during campaigning. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Crowds wave and reach out to touch Rahul Gandhi's hand as he makes a round to greet the masses after his speech at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0201.JPG
  • Rahul Gandhi and the local candidates on stage at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0160.JPG
  • an estimated 20,000 people are packed into the make shift tents as Rahul Gandhi gives his speech at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0155.JPG
  • Supporters cheer as Rahul Gandhi gives his speech at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0134.JPG
  • Crowds listen while Rahul Gandhi gives his speech at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0106.JPG
  • Crowds arrive and await Rahul Gandhi's arrival at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0016.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  The complete product, ready for packing, the indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink, and if properly applied, can be used to mark a line on the finger of as many as 700 voters. This year, more ink will be used, as a line will be marked instead of a dot that has been used since 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0224.JPG
  • Stone elephant statues built by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kumari Mayawati are seen covered with yellow tarpaulin during the State Elections in Uttar Pradesh (a Bellwether state), India, on 21st January, 2012. The elephant is a symbol of the BSP party and "press the button, decide the elephant" is a slogan chanted during campaigning. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • 34 year old housewife, Baijanti Bai, travelled 25km by train to come to the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0301.JPG
  • Rahul Gandhi gives his speech at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0146.JPG
  • A congress supporter walks amongst the crowds at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0100.JPG
  • Crowds arrive and await Rahul Gandhi's arrival at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0042.JPG
  • Crowds arrive and await Rahul Gandhi's arrival at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0006.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  The complete product, ready for packing, the indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink, and if properly applied, can be used to mark a line on the finger of as many as 700 voters. This year, more ink will be used, as a line will be marked instead of a dot that has been used since 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0199.JPG
  • an estimated 20,000 people are packed into the make shift tents as Rahul Gandhi gives his speech at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0159.JPG
  • Crowds listen as Rahul Gandhi gives his speech at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0117.JPG
  • Rahul Gandhi arrives in his helicopter at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0078.JPG
  • Crowds arrive and await Rahul Gandhi's arrival at the congress party rally for the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 in Pripariya town of Hoshangabad, in Madhya Pradesh state, India on 21st of April 2009.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0022.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  The indelible ink and a plastic wand that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink, and if properly applied, can be used to mark a line on the finger of as many as 700 voters. This year, more ink will be used, as a line will be marked instead of a dot that has been used since 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0221.JPG
  • 30th March 2009, Mysore, Karnataka, India:  The complete product, ready for packing, the indelible ink that will be used for the upcoming 2009 India Lok Sabha Elections. Each phial contains 10ml of ink, and if properly applied, can be used to mark a line on the finger of as many as 700 voters. This year, more ink will be used, as a line will be marked instead of a dot that has been used since 1962.   Photo by Suzanne Lee/The National
    SLee20090330-Ink-Elections-0207.JPG
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in a Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) village with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in a Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) village with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in a Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) village with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in a Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) village with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in rural villages with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in rural villages with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, is greeted by a crowd of supporters on motorbikes chanting "long live Ritesh Pandey" as he drives through rural roads in Jalalpur constituency in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, unwinds as he spends some time in his father's cowshed at home after campaigning late into the night in Jalalpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, speaks to the sports teacher in Takshila Academy, a primary school he founded mid last year in Akbarpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, unwinds as he sits around a fire in his father's cowshed at home after campaigning late into the night in Jalalpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, unwinds as he pets a cow in his father's cowshed at home after campaigning late into the night in Jalalpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, speaks with a party worker as he signs cheques at home after campaigning late into the night in Jalalpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, unwinds as he sits around a fire in his father's cowshed at home after campaigning late into the night in Jalalpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, signs cheques at home after campaigning late into the night in Jalalpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • "This car is worth between 100,000 and 2,000,000 rupees" scrawled in the day-old dust on the rear windscreen of Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey's, 30, car as he campaigns in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, waits in his car at a train crossing after campaigning late into the night in Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, drives away from a crowd meeting in his constituency as he campaigns late into the night in Suhururpur Village, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, meets with a crowd in his constituency as he campaigns late into the night in Suhururpur Village, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 20th January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) voters. Party leader, Mayawati herself is a Dalit but has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India, February 2009 : Mayawati, U.P.'s Chief Minister for the 4th time in a row, is an icon for millions of India's Dalits, or "Untouchables" who provide an important base for her after centuries of oppression by the Hindu upper castes. But more than that, she is known nation wide as an extremely corrupt, extortionist, untrustworthy, politician who governs with an iron fist and strikes fear in all under her rule. Seen here are massive construction works ordered by Mayawati, but what they are building are hundreds of statues of herself (some even with a clearly marked Versace handbag) and her mentor besides a few other Dalit leaders. There are hundreds of these structures under construction in U.P., which could end up costing $250 million dollars of public money.
    SLee20090228-Lucknow-0029.JPG
  • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India, February 2009 : Mayawati, U.P.'s Chief Minister for the 4th time in a row, is an icon for millions of India's Dalits, or "Untouchables" who provide an important base for her after centuries of oppression by the Hindu upper castes. But more than that, she is known nation wide as an extremely corrupt, extortionist, untrustworthy, politician who governs with an iron fist and strikes fear in all under her rule. Seen here are massive construction works ordered by Mayawati, but what they are building are hundreds of statues of herself (some even with a clearly marked Versace handbag) and her mentor besides a few other Dalit leaders. There are hundreds of these structures under construction in U.P., which could end up costing $250 million dollars of public money.
    SLee20090227-Lucknow-0120.JPG
  • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India, February 2009 : Mayawati, U.P.'s Chief Minister for the 4th time in a row, is an icon for millions of India's Dalits, or "Untouchables" who provide an important base for her after centuries of oppression by the Hindu upper castes. But more than that, she is known nation wide as an extremely corrupt, extortionist, untrustworthy, politician who governs with an iron fist and strikes fear in all under her rule. Seen here are massive construction works ordered by Mayawati, but what they are building are hundreds of statues of herself (some even with a clearly marked Versace handbag) and her mentor besides a few other Dalit leaders. There are hundreds of these structures under construction in U.P., which could end up costing $250 million dollars of public money.
    SLee20090227-Lucknow-0110.JPG
  • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India, February 2009 : Mayawati, U.P.'s Chief Minister for the 4th time in a row, is an icon for millions of India's Dalits, or "Untouchables" who provide an important base for her after centuries of oppression by the Hindu upper castes. But more than that, she is known nation wide as an extremely corrupt, extortionist, untrustworthy, politician who governs with an iron fist and strikes fear in all under her rule. Seen here are massive construction works ordered by Mayawati, but what they are building are hundreds of statues of herself (some even with a clearly marked Versace handbag) and her mentor besides a few other Dalit leaders. There are hundreds of these structures under construction in U.P., which could end up costing $250 million dollars of public money.
    SLee20090227-Lucknow-0094.JPG
  • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India, February 2009 : Mayawati, U.P.'s Chief Minister for the 4th time in a row, is an icon for millions of India's Dalits, or "Untouchables" who provide an important base for her after centuries of oppression by the Hindu upper castes. But more than that, she is known nation wide as an extremely corrupt, extortionist, untrustworthy, politician who governs with an iron fist and strikes fear in all under her rule. Seen here are massive construction works ordered by Mayawati, but what they are building are hundreds of statues of herself (some even with a clearly marked Versace handbag) and her mentor besides a few other Dalit leaders. There are hundreds of these structures under construction in U.P., which could end up costing $250 million dollars of public money.
    SLee20090227-Lucknow-0085.JPG
  • Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India, February 2009 : Mayawati, U.P.'s Chief Minister for the 4th time in a row, is an icon for millions of India's Dalits, or "Untouchables" who provide an important base for her after centuries of oppression by the Hindu upper castes. But more than that, she is known nation wide as an extremely corrupt, extortionist, untrustworthy, politician who governs with an iron fist and strikes fear in all under her rule. Seen here are massive construction works ordered by Mayawati, but what they are building are hundreds of statues of herself (some even with a clearly marked Versace handbag) and her mentor besides a few other Dalit leaders. There are hundreds of these structures under construction in U.P., which could end up costing $250 million dollars of public money.
    SLee20090227-Lucknow-0063.JPG
  • The father of Aman Kirar, a 40 year old farmer who recently committed suicide by drinking pesticide in his home on April 3rd, 2009 due to pressure of repaying debts. 3 farmers have so far killed themselves in this farmers' village in Bankhedi area of Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh, India.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0433.JPG
  • The mother and daughter of Aman Kirar, a 40 year old farmer who recently committed suicide by drinking pesticide in his home on April 3rd, 2009 due to pressure of repaying debts. 3 farmers have so far killed themselves in this farmers' village in Bankhedi area of Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh, India.   Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National.
    SLee20090421-Bhopal-RahulG-0340.JPG
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, enjoys the poetry of a local as he has lunch with villagers after campaigning door-to-door in a Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) village in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in a Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) village with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, campaigns door-to-door in a Dalit (the lowest Hindu caste) village with a crowd of supporters chanting slogans such as "long live Ritesh Pandey" and "press the button, decide the elephant (symbol)" in Ajanpara, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
  • A party calendar of BSP Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, is seen hung on the wall in Ajanpara village, Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 21st January, 2012. Returning 1.5 years ago after almost 10 years abroad, Pandey is contesting on behalf of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), a party that is based on its appeal to Dalit voters. Party leader Mayawati, herself a Dalit, has recently been giving out more tickets to muslims and high caste candidates in an attempt to woo a larger spectrum of voters in Uttar Pradesh, a Bellwether state. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National (online byline: Photo by Szu for The National)
    Suzanne20120120-Ritesh-Pandey-UP-Ele...jpg
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