Contrasts- human suffering, western living and old British money

Sleeping under the shelter of an umbrella -A street stall and a home all in one - a very common sight on the streets of Kolkata.

An early morning shave.
A sad photo depicting the life of some.
There are also families huddled up at night maintaining the family unit . Young street children, overlapping limbs seeking a connection as well as warmth , sleeping on sacks on the ground . Sometimes you have to walk over their feet to pass by .

Washing in the main street, Obviously outside a street 'home' .


Mark eating a chocolate Sundae at the food court at Forum ,I ate Subway . The Forum is in the very same street as the previous photos, security at the entrance to stop the beggars from entering.

No excuses - we hadn't seen any luxury comfort or fast food in 6 weeks and it was pure indulgence !

What can you say that doesn't sound like a rationalization based on guilt or that wrongly minimises what you walk past to enter this symbol of western opulence . I don't have the answer.

Kolkata( Calcutta):The second largest city in India was previously the capital and was known and still is for its extremes. Many locals see this as one sided . It is considered the intellectual and cultural capital of India.

Woman dress in traditional Saree to celebrate the Durga Puja festival .


There are remnants everywhere of the British rule prior to Indian independence on the 15th of August 15th 1947- architecture, grand stately homes ( dilapidated , in need for some serious maintenance) and monuments such as the Victoria Memorial Hall conceived by Lord Curzon , the Viceroy of British India 1901. The total area is 64 acres including the garden. There are collections and galleries.

Horse drawn carriages English street names - Park Road and Mayfair. All the street names, even to the name of the city, Calcutta to Kolkata, are slowly being changed to reflect Indian culture . Maps can therefore be a nightmare to read!