Approaching Mumbai airport
Note the crowded shacks on the steep hillsides
Modern shops in Pune
Residents get around on two wheelers
Economical transportation
Bicycles, motor cycles, and motorized three-wheel rickshaws are common
More economical transportation
Horses are also common
One cow-power under the yoke
Don\'t blame them for the air pollution.
The rickshaw: Your best transportation value
A whole new way to ride to work.
Several of us enjoyed riding the rickshaws, which have three wheels, handle bars, a back seat for three passengers, and a puny gas engine. They are incredibly cheap and put you right in the thick of traffic, including the air pollution. Local gas stations have pumps labeled '2T mix' for the two cycle engines.
Delivery truck
These colorful trucks intermingle with all other forms of traffic
On the way to work
A typical morning in Pune.
Morning rush hour.
Pace accelerates along with technology.
Shantytown near the Mumbai airport
This is how many of India's urban poor live
Inequity portrayed by the face of a child
Beggar girl in Pune shopping district.
Serendipitous element: Man in car behind girl eating ice cream cone.
I'd been warned not to give to beggars since it would lead to being overwhelmed by a legion of their cohorts. But I was taken aback when this little girl with a younger boy latched onto my hand as I left a shop and began crossing the busy street. My immediate reaction, 'get these children out of the street,' did not fit in this culture, so we weaved through the traffic to our car on the other side. I had to pull my hand away from hers and close the car door. She stood staring at me, so I snapped this picture. I then reached for some rupees to give her but wasn't quick enough. My heart aches every time I look at her face and that damned ice cream cone.
Sidewalk vendor
Near the Pune railway station.
This time I was prepared. With my walking companion, Venu Kadari, as translator, I bought a pack of combs from this sidewalk vendor and then asked for permission to take a photo. I gave a coin to each of the girls, who smiled gratefully.
Rapid change, striking contrasts
A common site in Pune.
Preeminent practicality
Life goes on, whether it looks good or not.
Rolling refreshment
Across from SAS offices.
Working women of Pune
Fit for the job.
Women do all kinds of work, from digging by hand on highway construction projects to managing software development teams. Dress is governed more by social origin than by the type of job.
This is a collage of four images.
Hardware store in Pune
India's answer to Home Depot
Pune railway station
A family waits for the morning train
Pune railway station (2)
A woman has morning devotions while waiting for the train
Pune railway station (3)
Families arrive at the train station
Business flourishes on a narrow street
Famous cricket player featured on cell phone bill board
Modern high-rise housing
This is where many professional people live
SAS offices, Pune
SAS employees outside on a warm December day
