Villages in India are still virgin territories. Electricity, municipal water, and even proper roads are still a distant dream. The landscape though, is slowly changing. There are often excavation for minerals, roads, and drains. This is one such photographic story of an Indian village in Uttar Pradesh, on the Indo-Nepal border.
Welcome To The Village
This village, Naekaniya, is 250 kilometres from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. There are green fields all across, quite and tranquil.
The People of The Place
There are people willing to talk to you for hours. They look forward to share experiences - to learn about the city and tell about the village. They are proud of their place.
The Country of the Swag
Distant away from the glitzy lights and din of the city-life, Naekaniya has boys who can charm you in their own distinct ways. Their inspiration comes from the rented movies which are often screened in the village with much pomp and show.
Digging Up A Storm
Machines, large and small, are still a novel sight in the village. A few in Naekaniya own tractors and small cars, and kids run after them as they pass by. These cranes are there to dig up earth to create a river drain.
The Village That Was
The elders look perplexed with the huge cranes working around, digging up earth and creating mounds, where the land was flat, once upon a time.
Far From The Madding Crowd
The future of the place keeps a firm watch on the changing landscape, which has effectively changed its course.
Keeping Pets
Cows and Buffaloes are still a source of their milk and milk-derived products.
The Conversation
There's little network coverage here. People actually sit and talk, for hours, puffing on a smoke, or sipping tea.
Balancing The Baby-steps
Naekaniya is slowly seeing migration of its population to urban spaces - to closer towns nearby and bigger cities much beyond. The village still sees kids happily playing on minimal resources. Their happiness is priceless.
To Drift In The Country Song
Slowly and steadily, Naekaniya might lose its green pastures and the chimney smokes coming from food being prepared on earthen ovens. But it shall remain a place, which let me breathe for a moment. Memorable. Naekaniya.