On a sunny day in New Delhi, my friend and I, both into street photography, decided to explore a 500-year-old fort – The Old Fort. Delhi’s lively streets always offer a great backdrop for our pictures and we needed no second invitation and set off right away. The fort was a huge structure, with three gates and a number of watch towers. We passed through the first gate and entered the narrow lanes. The fort was crowded, filled with locals, going about their daily lives, and tourists, trying to soak in the ancient architecture. The walls were standing tall and proud, and the architecture commanded a certain respect. We were taken aback by the magnificence, but what moved us even more was the realization that these walls had witnessed centuries of history.
Despite the majesty of the fort, we were confronted with a group of kids playing in the dirt. We immediately noticed that their clothes were worn and their faces tinged with sadness. What broke our hearts was the realization that these kids had limited options for their future. We understood then that these children were being denied the same opportunities as their ancestors. Many families in their situation, with five or six children, relied on each pair of little hands to bring in more income. The cycle of not getting an education and doing the same work as their parents seemed inevitable for them.
The heat was oppressive, yet the children were working hard. We approached one of the boys, and he seemed hesitant to talk. After a while, we were able to engage him in conversation. He told us that he wanted to be like his parents and be a leader of the workers. He also confessed that he and the other children lacked basic knowledge, such as how to tell time and count money. This stirred a deep sadness in us. We felt powerless and were filled with questions. How could such young children be working in such hot conditions? Why did they not have access to education? We could not shake the image of the tiny 3-year-old girl, and the sadness in the eyes of the young boys.
Our pictures were more than just snapshots; they were a plea for change and urging the world to pay attention to the hidden corners where dreams were fading away. A reminder of the need to create a better world for these kids. Our commitment deepened—to share these stories, to ignite conversations, and to ensure that the dreams of these children aren’t lost in the shadows. For in their dreams lies the hope for a brighter tomorrow, a tomorrow where no child’s laughter is silenced by the clinks of construction tools, and every child can dream freely under the open sky.
