Jimmy Spaceman - The Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela 2019

Street Portrait Mumbai, India 2019 As I was exploring Mumbai I met this man. He was desperately hungry and had tears in his eyes. I immediately gave him 200rupees which I had in my pocket. We hugged for a long time as he refused to let go of me. The tears now where pouring down his face, but now with a sense of relief rather than desperation. I noticed a street food stand close by and took him to have lunch with me. I bought us both Vada Pavs. Still to this day the best I have ever had. We had two each. The language barrier didn’t seem to be a problem and we enjoyed each other’s company for that half an hour. I listened, but didn’t understand much. Sometimes just spending time with someone in need is enough. The homeless are often ignored. He agreed for me to take his portrait. Looking into his eyes even one year later makes me tearful as I wonder if he is ok. One day I will return to Mumbai. #socialdocumentaryphotography #documentaryphotography #photojournalism #streetportrait #socialchange #agameofportraits #streetgrammers #streetlife #homelesslivesmatter #taintedmag #streetphotographyinternational #streetphotographerscommunity #burnmyeye #burndiary #lensculturestreets #lensculture_streets #24hrchurch #n8zine #foammagazine #noicemag #somewheremagazine #spi_portrait #broadmagazine #portrait_shot #portrait_planet #amazingpeople #thezonezine #homelessnessawareness #jimmyspaceman #tendermag (at मुंबई Mumbai) https://www.instagram.com/p/B80-7eznhA0/?igshid=w0b5v8zctnrg

A Rag picker Mumbai, India 2019 There are approximately 300,000 rag pickers or unofficial waste collectors in Mumbai. They can earn as little as 50rupees to 200rupees per day. They will take anything reusable they find to Dharavi slum for recycling. A kilogram of plastic bottles might be worth 15p.  This work is incredibly hazardous, with few units adhering to any form of regulation. Workers will sift through piles of festering rubbish with no safety equipment in extreme heat for little money. “It is estimated that 80 per cent of the Mumbai’s solid waste is recycled into usable materials. The UK’s recycling rate was almost half that, with just under 45 per cent of household waste recycled in 2015.” Politicians are well aware that the slum’s recycling work is essential otherwise Mumbai would drown in waste. [The whole of Mumbai would simply be “one dump yard” if it weren’t for the ragpickers and the recycling units in the slums, says Vinod Shetty from the Acord Foundation, an NGO working in Dharavi.] “Most of the waste pickers in Mumbai are either women or children and they live and work under the most distressing conditions,” “They’ll be harassed by the police for not having a proof of identity. Their contribution is never acknowledged. “There is no clear policy to protect their rights or provide better conditions. The government doesn’t even acknowledge they exist.” #ragpickers #recycling #socialdocumentaryphotography #photojournalism #wastemanagement #streetportrait #streetphotographyinternational #lensculture #streetlife #socialchange #burndairy #eye_shoot_photography #taintedmag #archivecollectivemag #fromstreetswithlove #somewheremagazine #natgeotravel #dreamermagazine #documentaryphotography #humanitarian #dharavi #spicollective #spi_international #spi_portrait #agameofportraits #portraitphotography #mumbaistreetphotography #24hrchurch #street_avengers #street_persons (at Mumbai, Maharashtra) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8pLvCwnE3G/?igshid=cgwygiqszufg

Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, India 2019 ..... .... #kumbh2019 #kumbhmela #kumbhmela2019 #socialdocumentaryphotography #streetphotography #thezonezine #streetizm #streetperformer #photojournalism #spicollective #streetphotographyinternational #streetphotographerscommunity #burndiary #eye_shoot_photography #somewheremagazine #archivecollectivemag #broadmagazine #24hrchurch #prayagrajkumbh #prayagraj #hinduism #reframedmag #tightropewalker #tightropewalking #streetgrammers #streetvisions #explorer #foammagazine #travelphotography #lensculture (at Kumbh Mela 2019 Prayagraj - Allahabad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8m4liDnbYy/?igshid=qdd5c3xn4b49

Dhavari slum the sky walk bridge. Below the bridge is very vibrant and full of market stalls. I went on a tour of Dhavari with @inside_mumbai_tours Mohammad is a wonderful man who will give you an in-depth and interesting tour around Dharavi. What I witnessed was the slums thriving community and the many industries that take place there. I met some of the most inspiring and resourceful people there. I will post more about the industries soon. Also have a look at @reluctantsuperhero he runs Chota library. A community library free for the children. Most of the children lack books or have access to them without this library. It also encourages them to be creative and does exhibitions of their work. You can donate Paytm or googlepay 9773361243 or look at their Instagram for more details. I am currently finishing a photo book of my India and Dhavari travels and will be donating all profits to this create cause. ...... ...... #streetphotography #streetphotographyinternational #spi_collective #lensculturestreets #burndiary #socialdocumentaryphotography #natgeotravel #taintedmag #somewheremagazine #imagination #imaginarymagnitude #ifyouleave #thezonezine #socialchange #inspirational #inspiration #photojournalism #fromstreetswithlove #streetgrammers #streetvision #archivecollectivemag #magnumphotos #fivesixmag #eye_shoot_photography #dreamermagazine #streetlife #24hrchurch #yetmagazine #shadowsandlight #streetphotographyindia (at Dharavi, Maharashtra, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8i6LX2Hqje/?igshid=j7ilr0u06bui

A hard working cycle rickshaw driver working at the Kumbh Mela Street Portrait Prayagraj, India 2019. The life of a cycle rickshaw driver is a tough one. Cycle rickshaw pulling is very hard work, stressful, has no promotion prospects or insurance and comes with many occupational hazards (Indian roads) and accident injuries. Rickshaw Sangh enables Rickshaw drivers to own thier own vehicles by accessing formal credit through collectives, creating a life changing asset and formalizing the profession which provides access to a social benefits and sustainable livelihood for them and thier families. It is the wives, the charity likes to do business with. Staff say the scheme gives the woman a chance to take charge of the finances and are better than thier husbands at repaying debts. "This scheme has enabled thousands of the most vulnerable people in India to have control over thier livelihoods and gain dignity in thier professions." To date the scheme has helped over 78000 drivers throughout India. #socialdocumentaryphotography #photojournalism #archivecollectivemag #cyclerickshaw #streetphotography #streetacademy #ultimate_streets #eye_shoot_photography #aspfeatures #colourofindia #travelindia #discover_india #beautyofindia #indiandiaries #wandersofindia #india_ig #igersindia #incredibleindiaofficial #storiesofindia #streetphotographyinternational #world_bestpeople #world_great #global_hotshotz #igworldclub #worldlocalpeople #globe_portraits #people_infinity #facesofindia #burndiary #spi_portrait (at Prayagraj city) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8VqbN2Hegw/?igshid=1kishgqtbmo48

New Instagram post

Street Photography Varanasi, India 2019. #varanasi #varanasiindia #beautifulindia #varanasiburninghat #hinduism #streetphotography #travelphotography #archivecollectivemag #24hrchurch #somewheremagazine #ifyouleave #spi_collective #spi_travel #yetmagazine #dreamermagazine #burnmyeye #burndairy #noicemag #fromstreetswithlove #broadmag #taintedmag #spi #natgeotravel #lensculturediscovery #lensculture #fivesixmag #streetphotographyinternational #streetphotographyincolors #foammagazine #phroommagazine (at Varanasi U.P India) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8GQ2DRnNK7/?igshid=1l4ga9odv59kd