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  • 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-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.
    SLee20090228-Lucknow-0058.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-0047.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-0149.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-0070.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-0062.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-0019.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-0171.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-0162.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-0130.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-0099.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-0065.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
  • 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.
    Mayawati-Pano-3.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.
    Mayawati-Pano-2.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-0012.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-0181.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.
    Mayawati-Pano-1s.JPG
  • Journalist Suryatapa Bhattacharya reports in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012.  Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...jpg
  • Mamta (standing, in pink), age unknown, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers. They go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Chandrawati (center, in black), age unknown, sits on the floor amongst other rag-picker's children as they learn basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers. They go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Vicky Nath, 11, sits amongst other snake charmer's children in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Vicky dropped out of school for 2 years to work as a domestic help daily-wage labourer but was re-enrolled last year as part of the Nai Duniya program and is in Class 4 now. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sanjay Kumar, 22, a former snake charmer, holds his snake charming musical instruments, that he now uses in cultural performances (without the snakes), at his home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "Only during elections does the government pay attention to us," he says. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Kusum Devi (center, in red), 10, sits amongst other snake charmer's children in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012.  Kusum walks to and from her school daily, one kilometer away from her village. When she is not schooling, she takes care of her family and their livestock. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • An overview of the Nai Duniya Children's Activity Center in the rag-picker's colony Lodha Basti, in Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of the children living here are rag-pickers like the rest of their families. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Activity center teacher Shiksha Sharma has been teaching the rag-picker's children for 3 months in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children are rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sajna (center, in black), age unknown, sits amongst other rag-picker's children as they learn basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Activity center teacher Shiksha Sharma (standing, center) has been teaching the rag-picker's children for 3 months in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children are rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sundar (center, in black), 8-9 years, sits amongst other rag-picker's children as they learn basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Sundar walks 1.5km to and from her rag-picking work each day. Most of these children are rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Rag-picker Sundar (center, in black), 8-9 years, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Sundar walks 1.5km to and from her rag-picking work each day. She goes to school from 8-12 in the morning, and studies again at the activity center after her work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • A group of travelling Rajasthani snake charmers sit in their temporary camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath (extreme right), a snake charmer. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and  are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Snake charmer Baba Prakash Nath (center, in red & white), 35, sits in a temporary camp of travelling snake charmers from Rajasthan who have pitched camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and  are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sanjay Kumar, 22, a former snake charmer, holds his snake charming musical instruments, that he now uses in cultural performances (without the snakes), at his home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "Only during elections does the government pay attention to us," he says. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Kusum Devi (center, in red), 10, sits amongst other snake charmer's children in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012.  Kusum walks to and from her school daily, one kilometer away from her village. When she is not schooling, she takes care of her family and their livestock. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • An overview of the rag-picker's colony Lodha Basti, in Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of the children living here are rag-pickers like the rest of their families. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sundar (center, in black), 8-9 years, sits amongst other rag-picker's children in class in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Sundar walks 1.5km to and from her rag-picking work each day. Most of these children are rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Rinka (center, in green), age unknown, squats amongst other rag-picker's children as they learn basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Mamta (standing, in pink), age unknown, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers. They go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sundar (center, in black), 8-9 years, sits amongst other rag-picker's children as they learn basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Sundar walks 1.5km to and from her rag-picking work each day. Most of these children are rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Chandrawati (standing, in black), age unknown, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers. They go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Rag-picker Sundar (center, in black), 8-9 years, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Sundar walks 1.5km to and from her rag-picking work each day. She goes to school from 8-12 in the morning, and studies again at the activity center after her work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Chandrawati (center, in black), age unknown, sits on the floor amongst other rag-picker's children as they learn basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers. They go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Snake charmer Baba Prakash Nath (center, in red & white), 35, poses for a portrait in a temporary camp of travelling snake charmers from Rajasthan who have pitched camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and hence their children are not learning the traditional trade. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Snake charmer Baba Prakash Nath (center, in red & white), 35, sits in a temporary camp of travelling snake charmers from Rajasthan who have pitched camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and  are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Snake charmer Baba Prakash Nath (center, in red & white), 35, sits in a temporary camp of travelling snake charmers from Rajasthan who have pitched camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and  are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Snake charmer Baba Prakash Nath (center, in red & white), 35, sits in a temporary camp of travelling snake charmers from Rajasthan who have pitched camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and  are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Manju Devi, 15, sits in the compounds of her home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Her late father was a snake charmer and her mother has gone through multiple operations to remove a tumor, so she had to drop out of school to look after her siblings and to contribute to the household income by working as a brick carrier from 8am to 5pm in construction sites for INR 25 (USD 0.45)per day. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Vicky Nath, 11, sits amongst other snake charmer's children in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Vicky dropped out of school for 2 years to work as a domestic help daily-wage labourer but was re-enrolled last year as part of the Nai Duniya program and is in Class 4 now. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sanjay Kumar, 22, a former snake charmer, holds his snake charming musical instruments, that he now uses in cultural performances (without the snakes), at his home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "Only during elections does the government pay attention to us," he says. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Kusum Devi, 10, sits amongst other snake charmer's children in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Kusum walks to and from her school daily, one kilometer away from her village. When she is not schooling, she takes care of her family and their livestock. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sanjay Kumar, 22, a former snake charmer, talks of being a cultural musician at his home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "Only during elections does the government pay attention to us," he says. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sundar (center, in black), 8-9 years, kneels amongst other rag-picker's children in class in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Sundar walks 1.5km to and from her rag-picking work each day. Most of these children are rag-pickers themselves. They are now able to go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Mamta (standing, in pink), age unknown, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers. They go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Mamta (standing, in pink), age unknown, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Most of these children work as rag-pickers. They go to school from 8-12 in the morning, and study again at the activity center after work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Rag-picker Sundar (center, in black), 8-9 years, leads the class in learning basic numerics in the Nai Duniya activity center in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Sundar walks 1.5km to and from her rag-picking work each day. She goes to school from 8-12 in the morning, and studies again at the activity center after her work at 4pm. A new program to encourage the rag-picker's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming the next generation of rag-pickers in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Snake charmer Baba Prakash Nath (center, in red & white), 35, poses for a portrait in a temporary camp of travelling snake charmers from Rajasthan who have pitched camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and  are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Snake charmer Baba Prakash Nath (center, in red & white), 35, sits in a temporary camp of travelling snake charmers from Rajasthan who have pitched camp in remote Lodha Basti, Manana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "The government banned our trade but didn't give us any alternative options of livelihood," says Baba Prakash Nath. India's traditional snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and  are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Kusum Devi (center, in red), 10, sits amongst other snake charmer's children in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. Kusum walks to and from her school daily, one kilometer away from her village. When she is not schooling, she takes care of her family and their livestock. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • Sanjay Kumar, 22, a former snake charmer, talks of being a cultural musician at his home in Naraina gaon, Titana village, Samalkha town, Haryana, India on 15th June 2012. "Only during elections does the government pay attention to us," he says. India's snake charmer communities suffer from a loss of livelihood because of stringent wildlife laws and are forced to resort to begging or working as daily wage labourers. A new program to encourage the snake charmer's children to attend school is underway, to keep them from becoming daily-wage child labourers or joining their parents in scavenging and begging in cities. Photo by Suzanne Lee for The National
    suzanne20120615-nat-snake-charmers-0...JPG
  • An upper caste woman (left) serves tea to a Dalit midwife in a saucer meant for people of the Dalit caste, in a house where Video Volunteer videojournalist Niru J. Rathod, 24, is doing an interview on topics of caste discrimination in a remote village in Surendranagar, Gujarat, India on 14 December 2012. The last time Niru had come to their home, she was discriminated against and served tea in a saucer meant for lower castes. Now, after seeing the effects of her video activism, the family no longer discriminates against her. Niru, the 8th child in a family of 11 girls born to a Dalit construction worker, has been using videography for social change since 2006. She shoots and produces her own short documentaries and is a committed video activist, having conducted hundreds of village video screenings where she also speaks to thousands of men, shattering their ideas about what a woman and a Dalit can do while bringing massive changes to the communities she documents. Photo by Suzanne Lee / Marie Claire France
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  • 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, 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 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, unwinds 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
  • 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
  • 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, has a bowl of peas and turmeric milk for breakfast after his daily exercise before campaigning in Jalalpur constituency in 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 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, 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, drives through rural roads 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
  • "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, 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
  • Minister of Legislative Assembly, Ritesh Pandey, 30, walks through mustard fields as he 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, accepts refreshments from villagers after inaugurating a cricket tournament for 20-25 year olds in Saharanpur Umran, 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, 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, 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
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