#inequality: Let's hear their voices

I like to tell stories of people I come across. And inequality is definitely a subject I feel strongly about. Growing-up in a middle-class family in India gave me ample possibilities to observe poverty, exclusion and inequality in society. Sometimes I was angry, and sometimes disturbed by the gaps I saw.

As my understanding grew I witnessed numerous debates, policies, strategies and frame of actions designed to tackle the menace we call "inequality". 

But where does all this take us - what exactly do we want? A simple answer would be" just society".

We want people to become aware of their rights, we want their participation. Ultimately,we want people to hold responsibility for the society they live in and the one their children will inherit so a real change can begin.

With this in mind I have captured few stories of people facing "inequality".

#inequality:"I have never been to school but I watch school buses, children going in school dress."

"Mama says I can't go because we are poor."

"I don't have any dreams for I don't know how to dream." 

#inequality: "first time I saw my daughter she was already six months old. Going to my hometown is expensive."

"This will be her first Diwali and am working hard, saving to go home."

"But am not sure for my father is sick and I have to make a hard choice between sending money home or my travel."

#inequality: "I live alone in the city, my family is in a small village near Etah. We don't own any land."

"I sell colours during festivals and other days I sell flowers outside a temple."

"I wish I could go back and be with my children before I close my eyes."

#inequality: "I was asked to drop school after class four."

"I brought up my little brother while mama was away to work as domestic help."

"I don't want to marry early."

#inequality: "We are not beggars,  we wait outside here. Sometimes rich people give us money or food. Maybe they feel good to give after eating here."

"Never think what we would do when we grow up, nobody asks all these questions from us."