Slum Kids in New Delhi

Innocence is at stake

They want to study. It is simply their right. But nothing is simple there.

An unhygienic environment

Dreaming of Indian cyclist and champion Bikram Singh, but playing with dad’s tricycle

Deserving what others enjoy

Many kids leave school to help their parents

A million dollar smile but a life of uncertainty

Parents try to provide them a good life, but find it hard

No golden spoon but a life of hardship

How long will they rejoice?

Girl child is particularly exposed in these slum ghettos

Childhood is metaphorically called the time of kingship. But not every child is born with silver spoon. Some are deprived and destitute like the kids living in the slums around India. According to the last data collected by the National Sample Survey Organisation, one-eighth of India’s urban population lives in a slum. There are 13.7 million slum households in the country and over one million live in different slums all around New Delhi, the capital. Life in these areas is full of deprivation, exploitation and uncertainty, with improper housing, without sanitation, poor or no access at all to health care and education. The most unprivileged and under the brim of risk are the kids living in these urban ghettos, where the lack of opportunities makes them extremely vulnerable.

Ahmad Mukhtiyar

Ahmad Mukhtiyar is a Multimedia Journalist and is the author of kashmir:Photography and Photographers. He is an enthusiastic traveller. He specialises in Photography and Documentary film making.