Carnage: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria. Catwalk: Armani, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent. War is ugly. Fashion is beautiful. War projects the worst of humanity. Fashion displays sartorial splendor in its highest. War is fraught with danger, even for journalists and especially for photographers who must get up close to their subjects to frame an image. Fashion is far less perilous, though photographers must also get intimate with … Continue reading WAR & Fashion
When I was home in Kolkata several years ago, I climbed aboard a crowded public bus to go across town. The experience was far from pleasant. It was hot and crowded. The bus was filled with the stench of body odor. I could feel the sweat of others on my bare arms as I clawed my way to the front door to get out at … Continue reading A brutal rape, then outrage. What next for women?
“All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone.” That’s what Pakistan’s constitution says. But the plight of women in Pakistan today is grim. Last year almost a thousand women were murdered in honor killings, according to the Pakistan Human Rights Commission. The real number is feared to be much … Continue reading Killed in the name of honor
In the world’s largest democracy, men are still very much in control. Even though we’ve had a woman as prime minister (Indira Gandhi) and the current president is also a woman (Pratibha Patil), women still lag way behind men in many ways. India has only 21 women in the 233-member Rajya Sabha or upper house of parliament. In the Lok Sabha or lower house, women … Continue reading A long journey
Thousands of deities are on their way to the banks of the Ganges in West Bengal today. The immersions have to be finished by Wednesday in the capital, Kolkata. Ma Durga, the goddess of strength, returns to Ma Ganga, the holiest of rivers. In the next few hours, murtis or images made from clay, wood, paper mache, bamboo, straw, shell and sand will begin dissolving … Continue reading Goddess of strength
