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Roop's Life

By Kali
This is four year old Roop Rhani, she lives in the little desert town of Pushkar, in Rajasthan, India.

Roop is now the main breadwinner for her family. Her Dad died of TB last year at the age of 37. Her Mum is heavily pregnant. Roop has twin baby sisters of a year old and a handicapped brother of 10.

Roop is an astonishing acrobat. She risks her life daily to walk high above the busy street on her makeshift tightrope. People throw down a few coins now and then in recognition of her efforts, and these few coins keep Roop and her family alive.

As well as being an exceptional acrobat, Roop is bright.She speaks almost fluent english and is developing other language skills.(pushkar is a popular backpaker destination) Her mother is so greif stricken from the death of Roops dad that she can hardly manage the skills of daily living. When Roop is not performing she carries her baby sisters, one on each hip. She knows how to cook, and taught me to cook chapatti's.
Her intelligence is simply staggering, if she could only afford to go to school (her dream) there is no telling what she could acheive.

A fiercely bright little spirit.

Tags: Photo journalism Poverty India Acrobats Child street performers Hardship

Voters: forestrich, Pete, Dave_Collier and 8 more


Uploaded:
8 May 2007 10:39PM
Camera:
Canon EOS 20D
Lens:
24-135
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Comments


forestrich 15 2 United Kingdom
8 May 2007 10:53PM
Great image Kali.
Very moving account of this young girls life. I have been to Pushkar and although the village does have a wonderfully spiritual feeling, this does highlight the everyday life of the majority of the locals.

Rich.
peg 15 1 1 United Kingdom
8 May 2007 11:41PM
You know, these are the sorts of shots that can break your heart. You've caught everything in her face: almost didn't need the commentary. Edmund
scouseterrier 15 2 England
9 May 2007 12:05AM
what a sad sad story..........
I'm stuck for words!!

Dee
christabella 18 133 1 England
9 May 2007 6:20AM
great image - we think we have it hard!
tenter 15 1 1 United Kingdom
22 Jun 2007 1:01PM
Kali

I hope you go on from Uni to tell the world the stories of peoples lives.

tenter
helenlinda Plus
14 374 22 United Kingdom
17 Oct 2007 5:54PM
Amazing story of a brave spirit
A very determined looking girl.
Would be lovely if you moved on to developing your documentary skills as you are obviously drawn by such issues
Helen
Last modified by helenlinda on 17 Oct 2007 5:56PM

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