“Smells good around me as if winter is here”. There are so many things to explore in Delhi ranging from heritage to culture to food. However, one thing that came into the picture very strongly from the last few years is a beauty of Yamuna Ghats and chirping seagulls around it. The river especially caught my attention when I saw several pictures which showcased the beauty of this place during winters. The excitement of watching the seagulls flying above the Yamuna in the backdrop of magical sunrise made me visit the place frequently. But the excitement soon faded when I realized that there’s another side to it which is leading to its death.
On World Water Day, I asked a local boatman about his story and the reasons behind the dying condition of Yamuna. He bravely said that only 5% of the pollution is by the people visiting the Yamuna whereas the remaining 95% of the pollution is because of the 17 sewage drains pouring into the river and the lack of sufficient sewage treatment plants.This whole incident shook me from inside and made me decide that I will not restrict myself to make only beautiful pictures of the Yamuna but explore and present other truths as well. The story which started due to the excitement of watching the seagulls in the backdrop of magical sunrise ended into questioning myself as a citizen of India and my responsibilities in saving Yamuna’s life.
Despite of dying, Yamuna authorities are neglecting the criticality of the situation. It’s a well-known fact that this sacred river is a lifeline of Delhi, but it is gasping for life now, as the entire river is drained off for human and industrial use, and replenished with toxic chemicals and sewage from several industrial drains. “The other side of the bank”, a story which started with the beauty of the river but ended into questioning myself as a citizen of India and my responsibilities in saving Yamuna’s life. Through my pictures, I want to bring this other side and make my contribution in saving this sacred river.
About Jai Thakur
Jai Thakur, 30, a Business Research Analyst with one of the top rated Wall Street firms started photography out of his passion for traveling and storytelling. Brought up in Bengdubi cantonment of Darjeeling district he is now based in Delhi.His work has been selected and displayed at various platforms like Where the Road Leads… at Lalit Kala Academy 2016, Nicefoto 2014 (An international celebration of Amateur photography), Jeevika: 10th Asian Livelihood Documentary Film Festival 2013 and Nicefoto Jaipur Chapter 2013.
He won Honourable/Jury awards at the repute of International Photography Awards (Harmony)-2018, Monochrome Black and White International Photography Awards – 2017 &2016, International Photography Awards -2017 &2016, Moscow International Foto Awards – 2016,International Photography Awards (Family of Man) – 2016, Tokyo International Foto Awards – 2016, Sahitya Kala Parishad Annual Art Exhibition 2015 (Govt. of Delhi NCT) and Jury Mention at Jeevika: 10th Asian Livelihood Documentary Film Awards. His work has been published in various media platforms be it print, online or Instagram. Other than photography he loves cooking and writing poems.
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Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Jai Thakur. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.
