Friday, March 21, 2008

Protests in Bangaluru

This picture was taken in Bangaluru during a street protest/demonstration. Most of the participants were Tibetan monks and students who have taken refugee in India. The situation in Tibet has been put on the International stage with the Beijing Olympics around the corner. The Dalai Lama has accused the Chinese government of cultural genocide and is urging the United Nations to investigate China's actions in Lhassa. I am hopiung that the conflict will end peacefully, but for now the tensions remain high.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Bangaluru


Alarmingly the price of food around the globe has gone up 40% in the past year. This has left a large percentage of the world unable to afford basic food such as rice, bread, and grains. By examining the global markets i am hoping to create a dialogue which will inspire change. Our systems are obviously flawed when a large percentage of the world can not afford rice and bread!

Asia's largest slum

Flying into Bombay offered this view of Asia's largest slum. According to Lonely Planet the annual economic turnover in the slum is $650 million. Many of the products manufactured in the slums are exported. Flying in from above all i could think about was "organized confusion." India is a land of dichotomies so the fact that Asia's largest slum exists in one Indias richest cities did not surprise me.

Jodhpur


Jodhpur is in the Northwest state of Rajasthan. This Ancient city was built along one of the far east's most used trading routes. The city was built off profits from opium and dates. If you were not interested in buying opium or dates then you would have to pay a tax for passing through. it makes sense that they were able to flourish!