In this photo essay by Kristian Bertel, we are learning about the Child beggars in in New Delhi India.
Read the background story of these essay photos by the photographer.

In New Delhi, public spaces become a harsh hunting ground for child beggars like her. Similar to girls in many parts of the world, she lives in poverty with limited access to education. In numerous places like this, children work to help support their families rather than attend school. In some cases, entire families are involved in begging. As the family grows through marriage and childbirth, more members join the streets and temples to beg. Children from such families often never attend school and spend their days begging instead.

Child beggars of New Delhi

In the city of New Delhi, there are nearly 60,000 child beggars. In the heart of modern India's capital, these homeless and vulnerable children roam the streets, constantly searching for food and sympathy. Photographer Kristian Bertel has captured some of their lives in this striking photo essay. Begging remains one of the most pressing social issues in India. Despite the country's rapid economic growth, poverty continues to affect millions, fueling the rise of begging across the nation. Many children beg because their families lack sufficient income to provide basic daily needs. While poverty is a major cause of this crisis, begging is not a sustainable solution.

Discrimination among poor children in India
Discrimination between different groups of poor children is common in India. In fact, these groups often come from distinct regions – some from villages near Delhi, while others come from more distant provinces where Bengali is the primary language. This reflects a broader pattern of social division within poverty, where the poorest communities tend to cluster together to compete for limited resources and the best available jobs.

Even by the harsh standards of urban poverty in India, the living conditions of waste pickers are often appalling. This is despite their crucial role in supporting the environment and contributing significantly to the city's waste management.

"Urban poverty in India is not just about economic hardship – it is shaped by deep social divides, where even among the poorest, discrimination, fragmentation and competition for survival persist. Without ground-level insight, public policies risk missing those most in need"

In the slums, the situation is even more dire. The poorest of the poor are frequently disconnected from organized community structures, leaving them vulnerable to shocks such as rising food prices or temporary unemployment. Without a social safety net or reliable support networks, these individuals face heightened risks.

Because of this fragmentation, public policies need to carefully consider the so-called 'Poor organizations', which may represent only specific interests within the broader impoverished population. What local governments most lack to effectively address urban poverty in India is thorough, ground-level research that captures these complex social dynamics.

As a photographer, he captured scenes outside Palika Bazar, a place where child beggars are often seen. This underground market is situated between the inner and outer circles of Connaught Place in New Delhi, India. Home to 380 numbered shops, Palika Bazar offers a wide variety of goods, with electronics and clothing being the most prominent." title="As a photographer, he captured scenes outside Palika Bazar, a place where child beggars are often seen. This underground market is situated between the inner and outer circles of Connaught Place in New Delhi, India. Home to 380 numbered shops, Palika Bazar offers a wide variety of goods, with electronics and clothing being the most prominent.

Children begging at Palika Bazar
Palika Bazar was established in the late 1970s but has experienced a decline in customers since the 1980s, partly due to the rise of modern shopping malls across Delhi. Despite this, the market still attracts around 15,000 people at any given time, including many foreign tourists. It is known for offering goods at very reasonable prices.

Addressing the needs of the poor requires understanding who they are, what they need and ensuring that all voices are heard – not just those with the means to influence or promote their own interests. Effective poverty alleviation depends on involving the poor directly through methods such as public consultations, cooperative efforts and household surveys rather than relying solely on top-down targets and statistics.

Incorporating the perspectives of the poor brings essential nuance and increases the efficiency of policies aimed at tackling their most urgent problems. This kind of ground-level research is especially crucial because the government currently lacks detailed information about urban poverty in India. Without accurate data and direct insights, efforts to help vulnerable populations risk missing their mark.

Begging remains one of the most pressing social challenges in India. Despite the country's rapid economic growth, widespread poverty continues to fuel the rise in the number of beggars. While many come from within India, a significant number also arrive from neighboring Bangladesh in search of survival. Among those who beg, only a few do so out of genuine necessity – due to disability, old age, blindness or an inability to work. However, countless others live far below the poverty line and turn to begging as a last resort to meet their basic needs and support their families. This complex reality highlights the urgent need for more inclusive and targeted social welfare solutions.

Chaotic urban growth in Delhi, India's capital
Urban poverty in India is a striking example of how unregulated and poorly managed urbanization can deepen social issues. An estimated half a million people in India live as beggars and cities like Delhi have become hubs where poverty and destitution thrive on an unprecedented scale.

While rural poverty presents its own challenges, urban poverty brings additional layers of hardship – such as the spread of disease, increased violence compared to rural areas and the breakdown of community and social structures. The rapid expansion of cities demands massive investment and during critical periods, India lacked the financial resources to support this growth adequately. As a result, the government significantly cut back on public services and infrastructure development. Some might argue that 'They were simply out of funds'. But this is precisely where strong political leadership matters. Other nations facing similar constraints have managed their urban transitions more effectively – despite controversy – by prioritizing long-term planning and public welfare.

"Delhi's chaotic urban growth reveals how poverty is not just born of scarcity, but of neglect – when rapid expansion outpaces planning and leadership fails to protect the most vulnerable. Urban poverty in India shows that unplanned growth does not just build cities – it builds inequality. Without vision and investment, urbanization becomes a crisis, not progress"

Children begging alongside their families
The persistence of child labour in India is driven by weak law enforcement, systemic administrative failures and the economic advantages it offers to employers, who can suppress overall wage levels. The legal distinction between hazardous and non-hazardous work often undermines efforts to eliminate child labour altogether. Multiple socio-economic pressures force children out of school and into work. These include displacement due to development projects, economic downturns leading to parental job loss, farmers' suicides, armed conflict and the rising cost of healthcare. Girls are particularly vulnerable, often confined to domestic labour within their own homes.

A lack of political will continues to hinder the full eradication of child labour. One of the most hidden and severe forms is bonded child labour, where children are forced to work to repay family debts or fulfill social obligations – amounting to modern-day slavery. These children are commonly found in agriculture, brick kilns and stone quarries, working alongside their families. Increasingly, children are also individually pledged into labour, a practice that fuels trafficking into urban areas where they work in small-scale production units and unregulated workshops. Most bonded labourers are migrant workers from marginalized communities such as 'Dalits' or indigenous tribal groups, making them even more vulnerable to exploitation.

Bonded child labourers are at high risk of physical and sexual abuse, neglect and sometimes even death. Many suffer from severe psychological trauma and lack the basic social or survival skills needed to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation.

Although international estimates suggest that 5.5 million children are engaged in forced labour across Asia – with around 10 million bonded child labourers in India alone – the Indian government has significantly downplayed the issue in recent years, officially recognizing only about 3,000 cases.

Child bonded labour in India
Child bonded labour in India has traditionally been concentrated in the agricultural sector, but in recent years it has spread to a variety of industries. These include 'Beedi-rolling', brick kilns, carpet weaving, commercial sexual exploitation, construction, fireworks and matchstick production, hotel work, hybrid cottonseed farming, leather processing, mining, quarrying, silk production and synthetic gem manufacturing. While all children are inherently at risk of exploitation, abuse, violence and neglect due to their age, vulnerability cannot be defined by age alone. Age is just one factor. A child's vulnerability is also determined by their capacity for self-protection – the ability to recognize, avoid or respond to danger and to meet their own basic needs.

"A child's vulnerability is not defined by age alone, but by their capacity to recognize danger, seek help and meet their most basic needs. In India, where bonded child labour stretches across industries from brick kilns to carpet weaving, the issue is not simply about exploitation – it is about the absence of protection. True self-protection is not independence, but the presence of strong, supportive systems and caring adults who refuse to let children face danger alone. Without these safeguards, poverty, displacement and neglect deepen their risk, turning childhood into a battleground for survival"

Vulnerability beyond age
Important questions arise: Can children realistically protect themselves? Can they recognize a threatening situation before it escalates? Can they seek help when needed? These concerns highlight the need to redefine the idea of self-protection – not as independence, but as the ability of a child to survive and thrive within a broader child protection system. True self-protection means having access to people and structures that ensure safety, support and guidance. The concept of vulnerable children typically refers to a specific age group considered to be at heightened risk. However, their vulnerability is often deepened by additional factors such as poverty, displacement, disability, lack of education, social marginalization or absence of adult care and support.

New Delhi is a truly cosmopolitan city, shaped by its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural population, largely influenced by the vast Indian bureaucracy and political system. As the nation's capital, it reflects the sharp contrasts of Indian society – home to both the affluent middle class and some of the country's most vulnerable populations. At a traffic signal, it is not uncommon to see a weary woman cradling a child approach your car, a young boy with a runny nose tapping on your window or an elderly man with a disability asking for alms. These encounters are part of everyday life in the city. Beggars are frequently seen at railway stations, metro entrances, tourist landmarks, temples and other crowded public spaces – anywhere there is the possibility of human generosity.

Child labourers in India: A persistent crisis
At times, out of pity, irritation or even fear of divine retribution, people hand coins to child beggars and send them on their way. Yet behind these fleeting encounters lies a much deeper issue – India is home to the largest population of child labourers in the world.

According to census data, the number of child labourers rose from 11.28 million in 1991 to 12.59 million in 2001. In urban areas, many children are employed in the 'Sari' and embroidery industries, often under exploitative conditions. The root causes are deeply embedded in poverty, lack of social safety nets and growing inequality. Privatization of essential services, combined with neoliberal economic policies, has left large sections of the population without stable employment or access to basic needs – disproportionately affecting children.

The arrival of multinational corporations, often without accountability mechanisms in place, has further fueled child labour. The lack of accessible, quality education has also led many children to drop out of school and enter the workforce prematurely.

"Behind every child begging on the street is a larger, hidden crisis – a nation where millions of children are forced to work instead of learn, exploited by poverty, inequality and the failures of policy. Child labour in India is not just a statistic – it is a silent emergency unfolding in homes, factories and markets across the country"

The unseen side of child labour
Worryingly, official numbers likely underestimate the real scale of child labour, as many cases go unreported. Laws meant to protect children from hazardous work are frequently ineffective or poorly enforced. A rising and particularly hidden form of exploitation is child domestic labour in urban households, where children often work without food, receive meager or no wages and are vulnerable to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. While some argue that families place children in domestic work for care and income, the reality is often far from nurturing.

At first glance, refusing to give money to a begging child may seem cold-hearted. However, this small act of restraint can be a meaningful step toward addressing the larger issue of begging. If more people collectively resolve not to give money to beggars – regardless of their circumstances – it could help reduce the incentive to beg and gradually discourage the practice. Of course, this alone is not enough. It must go hand in hand with robust poverty alleviation efforts by the government, focused on education, rehabilitation and social welfare. Only then can India move toward a future where every citizen has the opportunity for a life of dignity and self-reliance.

Causes of child begging in India
As India's cities have expanded, so have its slums – absorbing large numbers of rural migrants and intensifying the problem of urban poverty. Despite continuous migration from the countryside, the government has failed to provide sufficient housing to meet the growing demand, let alone affordable options for the poorest. While it is true that poverty levels have decreased proportionally over the past decade and that employment generation schemes and microfinance initiatives have helped many start small businesses, these gains have benefited only those hovering just below the poverty line. The poorest of the poor remain largely untouched.

Efforts to reach these marginalized groups are hampered by several challenges. Social discrimination means some organizations provide aid only to those from specific castes or communities. Additionally, the most destitute often live transient lives, moving across cities in search of temporary work, making them difficult to track and assist effectively.

"Poverty in India's expanding cities is a multifaceted challenge, fueled by inadequate housing, social discrimination and outdated poverty metrics that overlook the struggles of the poorest. Without comprehensive research and clear definitions, the widespread issue of child begging remains largely invisible and neglected"

Urban poverty in India is further complicated by structural flaws in how it is measured. The poverty line is uniform across both rural and urban areas, ignoring the significantly higher cost of living in cities. As a result, many urban poor earn just enough to technically fall above the poverty line but still struggle to meet their basic needs, spending nearly all their income on food and survival. This narrow definition of poverty fails to consider key indicators such as homelessness, Slum conditions, access to clean water, electricity, transportation and secure employment. Despite the urgent need, social housing continues to be a low national priority.

Worryingly, there is no standard definition of what constitutes a slum and a significant lack of research means there is no clear understanding of how deeply Poverty is embedded in urban India. Without this knowledge, the scale of the issue – and the extent of child begging as a symptom of this systemic failure – remains underestimated and largely unaddressed.

Poverty presents itself in different ways across cultures and its visibility can vary greatly depending on the country. In many popular travel destinations, particularly in parts of Asia, tourists may encounter only limited signs of poverty along the usual routes. Beggars are few and visits to impoverished neighborhoods – especially with children – are typically uncommon or avoided altogether. India, however, stands out as a stark contrast, especially in its northern regions. Poverty here is not hidden – it is highly visible and often unavoidable. City streets are filled with small vendors and child labourers, some as young as four or five years old. In the most extreme cases, tourists may find themselves persistently approached by beggars, including women carrying infants, sometimes in an aggressive manner.

Child begging across Delhi
In Delhi, the presence of child beggars is a daily and often confronting reality. At traffic signals like those near Connaught Place, children tap on car windows or tug at the shirts of pedestrians, hoping for a few rupees. It is not uncommon to see elderly individuals in tattered clothes, people suffering from illness or disability and children sleeping on sidewalks – all of which can leave a lasting impression. Such scenes can be deeply distressing, not only for young children but also for adults unfamiliar with this level of visible poverty. Encounters with amputees using makeshift roller boards to move or children with visible injuries crawling through crowded streets can be especially shocking to visitors from Western countries. Ultimately, each parent must decide for themselves whether their child is ready to witness such realities and how they wish to approach it.

Should you give money to child beggars?
When photographing in India, the photographer often reflected deeply before approaching his subjects.

"- I've heard many stories about street children being exploited by others – forced to hand over much of what they beg for. On occasion, I've given money to Children on the street, only to realize that my donation may end up benefiting someone else entirely. I started questioning whether giving even a small amount, like ₹30, would truly help the child or simply fuel a harmful system. At first, I struggled with the decision. Where do you begin, where do you stop, and how do you decide which child to help? I quickly realized I couldn't help everyone. Yet, I occasionally wondered if easing the hardship of even one child might be worth it. Still, I doubted whether even that made a meaningful difference", the Photographer reflects.

"- Many people suggest giving food instead of money. It is considered the better option, but even that is not always a selfless act. Sometimes giving makes the giver feel better, creating the comforting illusion of having made a difference. In those moments, the deeper question – why this child is living on the street – fades into the background. I try to stick to my principle and avoid giving alms, especially in areas like Sansad Marg and Connaught Circus. Most of the time, I manage. But I remember one moment when I gave in. That memory has stayed with me – along with the lingering feelings of doubt and helplessness", the Photographer reflects again.

Helping children understand poverty through giving
Perhaps your own children would like to share some of their toys with local children they meet during your travels. For some, this gesture can meet a genuine need. While such gifts do not solve the problem of poverty, they can foster a sense of international friendship and carry far less risk than giving money.

Thoughtful, practical gifts – such as wooden pencils, picture books, dolls or soft toys – are often well received. Simple clothing items may also be appreciated. When given in the context of a friendly exchange or a shared game, rather than as a handout, gifting becomes a respectful and meaningful interaction. In this way, children can learn the value of empathy – not as something offered from a place of superiority, but as an act of equal respect and human connection.

In heavily touristed areas, however, the situation may be more challenging. There, gifts are sometimes requested in a demanding or aggressive manner. In India, it is not uncommon to be surrounded by groups of children asking for items, making it impossible to give to everyone. Even small, practical gifts like pens can be snatched out of your hand.

"Helping children share thoughtful gifts during travel can teach empathy as a genuine act of human connection – fostering respect and friendship rather than charity. While such gestures do not solve poverty, they open hearts and minds, encouraging deeper understanding and lasting commitment to making a difference"

Despite these complications, such encounters can leave a lasting impression. Witnessing poverty firsthand often sparks a desire to help in a more sustained way. Supporting a specific project or initiative – perhaps even one you learned about during your trip – can be a meaningful step. For children, connecting their experience to a real place and real people makes the act of helping more tangible and heartfelt. Still, it is important to remember that the reality of poverty can be emotionally overwhelming for young minds. Parents should be prepared to guide their children through those moments with compassion and open conversations.

New Delhi is especially famous for its beautifully landscaped gardens, which become truly breathtaking in the spring. Among the largest and most popular are Buddha Jayanti Park and the historic Lodi Gardens. The city also boasts stunning green spaces within the Presidential Estate, along the iconic Rajpath and India Gate and lining Shanti Path. Other notable gardens include the Rose Garden, Nehru Park and the Railway Garden in Chanakyapuri. Additionally, the garden next to Jangpura Metro Station near the Defence Colony Flyover is worth a visit, as are the many charming roundabout and neighborhood gardens scattered throughout the city.

How do children perceive poverty
Traveling with family in developing countries often reveals that younger children are less shocked by poverty than adults might expect. This is partly because, especially in parts of Asia, poverty often hides behind a well-maintained exterior and an infectious joy of life. Young children tend to see torn clothes, dirt or simple homes less tragically than adults do – they remain as innocent and naive as their peers back home. Even child labour can seem more like play to a small child – for instance, a four-year-old selling sweaters on the street might appear to them as just an interesting game.

The younger your children are, the more you may want to protect this innocent worldview. However, once children reach school age, their awareness grows and it becomes harder to shield them from harsh realities. This is especially true in places where begging is widespread, such as India. Children of all ages notice and ask questions, which will sooner or later require explanations and discussions. If your destination involves frequent encounters with begging, it is important to prepare a thoughtful strategy beforehand and talk it over with your children. Younger kids may struggle to understand why you cannot give money to every person asking for help. Many children have a natural empathy and an instinctive desire to help, especially when they see other children in need. This often makes parents feel compelled to give, driven by their own conscience.

Unfortunately, giving money directly is rarely the best solution. Children who beg or work often must hand over their earnings to exploiters and in some cases, they may even be rented out or kidnapped. The more money a child makes through begging or labour, the less likely they are to attend school. In this way, giving alms can unintentionally prolong a child's hardship rather than improve their future. These complex realities can be gently explained to children as young as four or five, ideally before the trip, to prevent difficult conversations on the street and help them understand why sometimes the best way to help is not to give money directly.

"Young children often view poverty with innocence, unaware of its harsh realities. As their awareness grows, thoughtful guidance can help them understand that true compassion means showing respect and kindness – not simply giving money – and that supporting sustainable solutions is the best way to make a difference"

Encourage your children to treat beggars with kindness and respect, especially those who have not chosen their difficult circumstances. As always, your own behavior serves as the strongest example. If you speak the local language, engaging in a gentle conversation with a person who is begging can offer valuable insights into their situation.

For most families, simply ignoring those in need is not a satisfying option. Even though travel may contribute economically to the local community, many parents feel a deep desire to provide direct and visible help to those less fortunate. After all, we are our children's most important moral role models. By thoughtfully addressing poverty during your travels, you can help lay a meaningful foundation for their social and moral growth.

Parents should inform themselves well before traveling about the types of poverty they might encounter in their destination country. Often, the experiences shared by other traveling families are more insightful than traditional travel guides, which tend to highlight only the country's beautiful aspects. The younger your children are, the more important it is to choose destinations where they will not be exposed to overwhelming or distressing situations. With thoughtful travel planning, you can also introduce your children to the topic of poverty in a gentle and age-appropriate way.

Begging in India as a scam
While poverty in India is undeniable, begging does not always reflect genuine need. In fact, begging has become a large and organized racket in many parts of the country. For some, begging is treated like a profession – a way to earn money not through traditional work, but by soliciting donations on the streets. Many of these beggars are so entrenched in this way of life that they have little interest in seeking other forms of employment. Surprisingly, some beggars earn thousands or even 'Lakhs', which are equal to 100,000 of rupees, far more than the average middle-class worker. It is often difficult to distinguish between those who are truly destitute and those who are part of this system, as appearances can be very deceiving. Even children with dirty faces and pleading expressions are frequently coached to appear genuine.

A common tactic involves women begging with babies in their arms, tugging at the heartstrings of passersby. However, investigations have revealed that in many cases, these babies are rented or even drugged to enhance the beggars' credibility and mobility throughout the city. The children often appear to be sleeping or unwell, making it easier for the women to move them around. Beggars are also trained to be persistent and aggressive in their approach, which can be overwhelming – especially for foreigners who are unsure how to respond. As a result, many end up giving money, unintentionally supporting a deceptive system rather than genuine poverty.

"Begging in India is often more than a plea for help – it can be a well-organized racket where appearances deceive and even children are exploited. What seems like genuine need may mask a system that profits from manipulation, challenging us to look deeper before offering support"

The darker pathways of street life in India
Some Indian street youth and young beggars unfortunately drift into anti-social behavior. In many cases, they fall into drug addiction and to sustain their habit, they often begin by begging. Over time, some progress to pickpocketing and, eventually, more serious crimes such as theft and organized scams. Begging has grown significantly in India, with an estimated half a million people relying on it for survival. While the government, along with various organizations and activists, claims to have implemented initiatives to curb the issue – with some degree of success – begging remains a persistent and visible problem in many urban areas.

Children's rights in India
Legally, children are considered minors and do not possess full autonomy or the right to make decisions independently. Instead, that responsibility falls to adults – such as parents, teachers, social workers and other caregivers – depending on the context. However, many critics argue that this legal framework leaves children with limited control over their own lives and increases their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.

Some scholars have described the legal and institutional systems governing children as 'Repressive state apparatuses'–mechanisms that, under the guise of protection, can actually contribute to the marginalization of children. Government policies may sometimes conceal systemic neglect, such as child poverty, limited access to education and child labour. From this perspective, children are seen as a minority group whose treatment by society deserves serious reconsideration. Researchers increasingly advocate for recognizing children as active participants in society, whose rights and responsibilities should be acknowledged at all stages of life. These include:

Economic, social and cultural rights
These rights are the right to food, shelter, education, healthcare and the highest attainable standard of health, along with access to employment and fair working conditions.

Environmental, cultural and developmental rights
These rights are often referred to as 'Third-generation rights' and include the right to live in a safe and healthy environment and for communities to pursue cultural, political and economic development.

Balancing parenting and children's rights
Parents play a unique and influential role in shaping their children's lives and this relationship must be considered carefully in discussions around children's rights. Key concerns include child neglect, abuse, the right to freedom of choice, corporal punishment, and custody issues. Recognizing children not only as dependents but as individuals with rights is essential for ensuring their well-being and dignity in Indian society and beyond. The tension between traditional "commonsense parenting" and children's rights has led to the development of rights-based approaches that support parents in navigating this balance. These approaches are particularly relevant in legal contexts, such as cases involving the emancipation of minors or instances where children bring legal action against their parents.

In recent years, a child's right to maintain a meaningful relationship with both parents has gained recognition as a crucial element in determining the child's best interests, especially in divorce and custody proceedings. Reflecting this shift, some governments have introduced laws establishing a rebuttable presumption that shared parenting serves the best interests of the child. This legal presumption acknowledges the importance of maintaining parental bonds as a fundamental component of children's rights.

How we can help child beggars in India
Over the past two decades, India has introduced various public policies aimed at addressing the issue of child begging. However, many of these initiatives have had limited impact, largely because they lack input from essential fields such as sociology, anthropology and geography. As a result, they often fail to accurately assess and respond to the complex realities these children face.

Organizations like Save the Children India also known as 'Bal Raksha Bharat' are working actively to protect children's rights, including promoting access to education and safeguarding children from exploitation and abuse. If you find yourself frequently giving small amounts of money to child beggars, consider instead donating to a reputable charity that is working to address the root causes of child begging. A small, regular donation can make a more meaningful and lasting difference in helping children escape a life on the streets and move toward a better future.

"Something can be done to help child beggars – by addressing the root causes of poverty, improving access to education and creating strong community support systems that protect and empower vulnerable children rather than enabling exploitation"

Photography from across India – online and in focus
Danish photographer Kristian Bertel is widely recognized for his evocative photography, much of which is available online across various platforms. His powerful series of images from India captures the stories of people living in diverse communities – stories vividly reflected in both his photo essays and his work on child beggars.

India is a land of striking contrasts – where joy and suffering, pride and struggle often exist side by side. Through his lens, the photographer has documented these contradictions with empathy and depth. His journey began in 2008, when he first visited India and was deeply moved by the experience. The country left such a lasting impression that he returned several years later to continue capturing its spirit through photography.

The unique photo collection that speaks through images alone. With minimal text and no page numbers or commentary, the series invites viewers to immerse themselves fully – from the intensity of street scenes and the raw reality of urban poverty to the quiet beauty of rural landscapes and poignant portraits of everyday people. Whether it is the gaze of a grandmother, the innocence of a child or the quiet dignity of life lived on the margins, his photos tell stories that transcend words.

From smoldering piles of waste to the stark reality of public toilets – often accompanied by overpowering smells – these are scenes almost impossible to capture in a photograph. And yet, the photographer has come remarkably close. While a camera cannot record odors, his images evoke a sensory depth that makes viewers feel as though they are truly there. Contrast is the defining thread of this photo series. Few visual collections from India have managed to balance such raw intensity with striking beauty. The photos are both confronting and captivating – unflinchingly direct, yet always respectful. The individuals portrayed are never exploited – instead, they are shown with dignity and compassion.

For more information or inquiries, please Contact the photographer

"Humanity lies at the core of the photographer's work. Throughout his journeys across India, the photographer has maintained a consistently humanitarian lens – always considering the lives and contexts behind the frame. Every photo is preceded and followed by thoughtful reflection, making the series not just visually powerful, but emotionally resonant as well"

Short Story Award
The photographer is participating in the 'Short Story Award' category at the Festival della Fotografia Etica with this striking series of photographs. Over the past decade, this international competition has grown into a vital platform for visual storytelling, enriched by the perspectives of dozens of judges from around the world. Its ten-year legacy represents not only a rich heritage but also an ongoing challenge to push boundaries and elevate the art of photography.

Thousands of photographers from across the globe have contributed to the contest, each one telling meaningful stories through images that inform, move and connect us. These photographs speak to the human experience – capturing moments that have become part of our collective memory and shared history. The 'Short Story Award' embraces photography as a powerful tool for social engagement. Open to both professional and amateur photographers worldwide, it celebrates stories that center on people and their cultural or social realities – whether personal or public, profound or everyday, tragic or hopeful, transformative or enduring.

At the heart of the evaluation lies the strength of the narrative told through the images. The award seeks to spotlight visual reportages that convey impactful stories and to provide financial support to photographers committed to this meaningful field of work.

More photographs from India
A broader collection of Kristian Bertel's humanitarian photography, including work highlighting child rights, can be found on Kristian Bertel | Photography - Facebook. These powerful visual stories from India offer deeper insight into the lives of those he has encountered. In the slideshow below – also featured on the photographer's website – you will find a curated gallery of images that vividly capture the essence and diversity of India.

See the slideshow | press here