Raju, 45, Delhi, India. “My wrist and arm get so sore, the only way I can sleep is if I hold my arm above my head”. I met Raju on my first visit to Delhi in 2014 and surprisingly he remembered me a year later. Nothing seemed to have changed. His shop hadn’t moved and he was still using his incredibly heavy coal-filled iron, just like he’d done for the last 25 years. He told me his shop has been here the longest but now there is much more competition than before. “I have good children”. When I bumped into Raju on my return visit, he had one of his grandchildren in his arms and was looking very happy and relaxed. I then realised that his reserved and stern demeanour quickly vanishes once you get to know him. Raju told me he had 3 grandchildren and 3 children and appeared most proud when he explained that his kids all worked in IT. “There was an Australian here shooting money everywhere … it was crazy!!!” When I told him I was from Australia his eyes lit up. He told me that one time a rich Australian came here and shot money out of a gun. People were scampering in all directions trying to cash in. It sounded to me like a scene from a movie and seemed a far cry from the 7 cents Raju is paid for each item he irons. On a side note, Raju is the brother-in-law of Pappan (who also features on my website). Both were adorable people and I’m very grateful for the time we spent together. 2015.
A local bookseller near the Red Fort, Delhi, India. 2014.
A rickshaw driver gives way to my speedy auto-rickshaw - Delhi, India. 2014.
