Nationwide strike against new farm law, in Navi Mumbai

epa08869647 An Indian man takes bath inside a truck terminal during a nationwide strike called by farmers to protest against new farm laws at Vashi in Navi Mumbai, India, 08 December 2020. Farmers all over India have called for a one-day nationwide strike, to demand the rollback in three Agri-bills of the Central Government and new Electricity Bill 2020, stating that these bills are against the interest of the farmers. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai

epaselect epa09467672 A man carries a statue of the elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesh to be submerged into an artificial pond as part of the Ganesha Chaturthi ritual, in Mumbai, India, 14 September 2021. Ganesha Chaturthi celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesh and it is one of the biggest Hindu festivals. The ten-day long event is celebrated all over India. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Mass Vaccination drive in Mumbai

epa09442484 Indian people hold the grill of a gate as they stand in a queue to receive a shot of the vaccine against COVID-19 during a mass vaccination drive, in Mumbai, India, 02 September 2021. According to Union health ministry, India crossed administering 660 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. More than 50 percent of the population has received the first dose in India. India recorded 47,092 new Covid-19 cases and 509 deaths in the 24 hours. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Curfew in Ahmedabad over Covid19 pandemic

epa08832908 Indian policemen look at the monkeys roaming around in an empty street during the curfew in Ahmedabad, India, 21 November 2020. Gujarat government imposed 60 hours of curfew in Ahmedabad starting from 9pm on 20 November till 6am 23 November in an attempt to counter the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. India has the second highest total of confirmed COVID-19 cases in world, as Indian tally cross nine million cases, only behind the United States. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Navy Day in Mumbai

epa08044161 Indian Navy marine cadets performs during Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai, India, 04 December 2019. The Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day 04 December to commemorate the Indian Navy attack on Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Navy Day in Mumbai

epa08044147 Indian Navy marine commandos demonstrate their rescue operation skills during Navy Day celebrations in Mumbai, India, 04 December 2019. The Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day 04 December to commemorate the Indian Navy attack on Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Heavy rain in Mumbai

epa09258271 Indian people wade through a flooded street during heavy rain in Mumbai, India, 09 June 2021. Vehicular movements were affected and local trains were delayed due to heavy rains in the city. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Huge traffic jam near Mumbai

epa09241457 A general view of huge traffic jam on the Western Express Highway as the police strictly checking motorists, near Mumbai, India, 01 June 2021. The state government of Maharashtra, has extended the lockdown-like curbs till 15 June 2021 with some relaxations. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

At least 10 dead as building collapses in the outskirts of Mumbai

epa08686048 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel rescue a survivor in the aftermath of a residential building's collapse in Bhiwandi, outskirts of Mumbai, India, 21 September 2020. According to reports, at least 10 people died and several are feared to be trapped under the rubble of the three-storey residential building. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Covid-19 cases rises in India

epa09191388 People look at their relative's dead body who died with Covid-19 coronavirus, at the Covid-19 hospital in Ahmedabad, India, 11 May 2021. Calls for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enforce a nationwide lockdown have been growing as India struggles in the grip of an unprecedented health crisis amid COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine shortages. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Cremations for COVID-19 victims in Mumbai

epa09154512 A municipal worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is seen through funeral pyres for COVID-19 victims at a cremation ground in Virar West, on the outskirts of Mumbai, India, 23 April 2021. India recorded a massive surge of 332,730 fresh Covid-19 cases and 2,263 deaths, the highest single-day spike amid a second wave of the pandemic that is stressing health sector in the country as well as burial and cremation facilities. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET

Ganesh Festival in Mumbai

epa07837472 Indian devotees carry idols of elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha for immersion into the Arabian Sea, as part of a ritual of the Ganpati festival in Mumbai, India, 12 September 2019. The Ganesh festival comes to an end on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. During the Ganpati festival, that is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, idols of the Hindu deity are worshipped at hundreds of pandals or makeshift tents before they are immersed into water. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

COVID-19 pandemic in India

epa08538587 Indian health workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) arrive to carry a medical checkup to the residents of a 'containment zones' in Ambujwadi area, a COVID-19 hotspot, in Mumbai, India, 10 July 2020. India is now the third worst hit country by coronavirus. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Health checkup during heavy rains in Mumbai

epaselect epa08529067 Indian health workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) arrive to carry medical checkup of the residents of a 'containment zones' during heavy rains in Mumbai, India, 05 July 2020. According to media reports, the state government of Maharashtra extended the lockdown till 31 July, with some relaxation in the ongoing lockdown. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Janmashtami Festival in Mumbai

epaselect epa07789621 Indian devotees pray before forming a human pyramid in an attempt to reach and break a 'dahi-handi' (curd-pot), during the Janmashtami Festival in Mumbai, India, 24 August 2019. Hindu devotees take part in the celebration in which an earthen pot is suspended high above the ground and young men and children form a human pyramid to reach the pot and break it. The festival celebrates the birth of the Hindu god Lord Krishna, one of the most popular gods in Hinduism. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Janmashtami Festival in Mumbai

epa07789621 Indian devotees pray before forming a human pyramid in an attempt to reach and break a 'dahi-handi' (curd-pot), during the Janmashtami Festival in Mumbai, India, 24 August 2019. Hindu devotees take part in the celebration in which an earthen pot is suspended high above the ground and young men and children form a human pyramid to reach the pot and break it. The festival celebrates the birth of the Hindu god Lord Krishna, one of the most popular gods in Hinduism. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Coronavirus pandemic in India

epaselect epa08490260 Indian healthcare workers and volunteers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) check the temperature, blood oxygen and heart rate of a residents during a check-up campaign for Covid19 at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, in Mumbai, India, 17 June 2020. According to media reports, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in India rose to more than 354,000 and more than 11,000 people deaths. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Coronavirus pandemic in India

epa08490347 Indian healthcare workers and volunteers of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) arrive to conduct medical check-up on residents at Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, in Mumbai, India, 17 June 2020. According to media reports, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in India rose to more than 354,000 and more than 11,000 people deaths. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Heavy rains in Mumbai

epa07737539 An Indian man drives through a flooded street during heavy rain in Mira road, on the outskirts of Mumbai, India, 24 July 2019. According to reports, vehicular movements were affected and trains were delayed due to heavy rains in the city. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Quarantine Center in Mumbai

epaselect epa08458294 Indian workers prepare beds at the Nesco Center Hall, one of the biggest exhibition center in Mumbai, converted into the quarantine center for pandemic covid019 disease, in Mumbai, India, 01 June 2020. The hall will accommodate more than 1,200 beds. According to local media reports, Mumbai has recorded more than 41,000 Covid-19 positive cases. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Lockdown in Mumbai

epaselect epa08452605 An aerial view of a residential area near the slums in Devipada area, one of the COVID-19 hotspots in Mumbai, India, 29 May 2020. According to media reports, the Maharashtra state government extended a lockdown implemented to stem the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease until 31 May 2020, with new guidelines. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Farmers protest in Mumbai

epa08964144 A close-up view of the feet of a woman farmer during farmers protest against the new agriculture law and to support ongoing sit-in protest on the Delhi borders, at Azad Maidan, in Mumbai, India, 25 January 2021. The eleventh round of talks between farmers and government ended as thousands of farmers have been protesting for over a month against the government's new agricultural laws and to demand for repealing the laws blocking the roads at the borders of Indian capital. The top court said that the expert panel which was created by India's top court to resolve the farmers and Indian Government disagreement on new agriculture laws, has no power to decide on the legislations, after farmer leaders said that the members of the panel are already in support of the Government's new agriculture laws. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Coronavirus in India

epaselect epa08395066 An Indian Muslim girl looks out from the window of her home in a residential building during the coronavirus emergency lockdown in Mumbai, India, 01 May 2020. India's initial 21-day lockdown extended until 03 May 2020 in an attempt to curb the spread of of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Coronavirus in India: Lockdown until 03 May

epa08388134 People are seen in their windows and balconies of a residential building in Mumbai, India, 27 April 2020. India's initial 21-day lockdown is extended until 03 May 2020 in an attempt to curb the spread of of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Self-curfew in Mumbai

epaselect epa08313355 Indian people bang utensils and clap from the balconies of a residential building in Mumbai, India, 22 March 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks citizens to impose self-curfew to fight Coronavirus COVID-19 and also ask them to clap, bang the bells and utensils at 5pm Indian time to mark of respect and to thank the medical staff and others working 24 hours, during Covid-19 outbreak to keeping the Indians safe. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Amit Aggarwal - Runway - Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2020

epa08222561 Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan presents a creation by Indian designer Amit Aggarwal during the grand finale of the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2020 in Mumbai, India, 16 February 2020. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Protest against CAA in Mumbai

epa08172918 Indian Muslims protesters shout slogans during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), in Mumbai, India, 28 January 2020. The bill will give Indian citizenship rights to refugees from Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikhs, Parsi or Christian communities coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. EPA-EFE/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Mumbai bans selfies in 16 zones after deaths

epa05180520 People take selfies at the Bandra Fort Band Stand, a famous tourist spot near the Arabian sea, in Mumbai, India, 25 February 2016. According to reports, around 19 people have died taking selfies in India since 2014. Mumbai has now banned selfies in 16 areas due to safety risks. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Electricity in India

epa05082827 An Indian employee of a private contractor is silhouetted against the sky as he works on power lines in Mumbai, India, 29 December 2015. Electricity infrastructure in India varies greatly with location. India's energy consumption has been increasing at one of the fastest rates in the world due to its population growth and economic development. India has insufficient domestic supplies of energy and is forced to import a great deal of its energy needs. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Mahalaya prayers

epa03895437 A Hindu devotee takes a holy dip as he performs the 'Tarpan' ritual during Mahalaya prayers, also known as Pitru Paksha, at Banganga, in Mumbai, India, 04 October 2013. Mahalaya is observed seven days before the Hindu festival Durga Puja, with devotees offering prayers to pay obesience to their deceased forefathers. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Indian police escorts defendants

epa04931734 Indian police transports the accused involved in a series of train blasts in 2006 in a police van to the Arthur Road Jail, in Mumbai, India, 15 September 2015. An Indian court found 12 men guilty for their roles in the 2006 bombings on Mumbai's commuter train network that killed 189 people. The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court adjourned the sentencing until 16 September 2015. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan celebrates his 50th birthday

epa05007760 Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan dances as he celebrates his 50th birthday with media during press conference in Mumbai, India, 02 November 2015. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Fire in Mumbai

epa03959517 A firefighter works on extinguishing a fire in Ambedkar Nagar slum in Mumbai, India, 21 November 2013. According to reports, a fire broke out in the area on 21 November, gutting shanties, but no casualties have been reported. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Two killed in major fire in Mumbai slum

epa05058211 A general view of the area after a fire broke out in the slums of Damu Nagar in the Kandiwali area in Mumbai, India, 07 December 2015. A massive fire broke out in a slum in India's commercial capital of Mumbai on 07 December killing two slum-dwellers and gutting some 1,000 shanties after some 30 cooking gas cylinders kept inside homes exploded in the slum in the suburb of Kandivali, area police said. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Pushkar Fair, also called Pushkar ka Mela, one of the world's largest cattle fair

epa03946249 A Rajasthani boy dressed up like the Hindu God Shiva, waits for alms during the Pushkar Fair, also called Pushkar ka Mela, one of the world's largest cattle fair, in Pushkar, Rajasthan state, India, 12 November 2013. The festival hosts around 50,000 camels which are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. Every year thousands of devotees throng the lake of Puskar around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima, during October-November to take a holy dip. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Railway Budget to be presented to Parliament

epa05397745 recropped version of epa05178028 Commuters travel on a local train in Mumbai, India, 24 February 2016. The Indian Union Minister of Railway, Suresh Prabhu, is set to present the rail budget for the year 2015-16, to the Indian Parliament on 25 February 2016. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Bombay stock exchange drops 200 points

epa04908991 An Indian labourer arranges iron rods at an industrial area in Mumbai, India, 02 September 2015. The Bombay Sensex Stock Exchange opened 25,891.95 points, trading at 25,476.95 points during the day, dropping by 219.49 points from the previous day's close. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Fire in Mumbai

epa03959579 An Indian woman cries while her baby is missing after a fire in Ambedkar Nagar slum in Mumbai, India, 21 November 2013. According to reports, a fire broke out in the area on 21 November, gutting shanties, but no casualties have been reported. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Indian bodybuilders prepare back stage as they participate in a local bodybuilding compitition in Mumbai.

epa03967597 An Indian bodybuilder prepares backstage as he participates in a local bodybuilding compitition in Mumbai, India, 27 November 2013. Bodybuilding involves the act of showing off the muscles in body, which are grown and developed through various exercises. There are many restrictions and hardships through which the bodybuilders have to pass. Different types of bodybuilding are meant for separate age groups like, Professional Bodybuilding, Natural Bodybuilding, Female Bodybuilding and Teenage Bodybuilding. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Indian resident rescued alive from the rubble after four-storey residential building collapsed in Mumbai.

epa03885926 A survivor is rescued from the rubble after four-storey residential building collapsed in Mumbai, India, 27 September 2013. According to news reports, at least four people were killed and over 100 are feared trapped under the debris after the building collapsed near the Babugenu Market on Dockyard Road in Mumbai. Ambulances and fire engines were rushed to the spot for search, rescue and relief operations. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

High tide in Mumbai

epa04833737 A local man, stripped to the waist, stands rigidly as waves from the Arabian Sea crash over a sea wall during a high tide in the monsoon season in Mumbai, India 6 July 2015. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Indians gather around a water tanker

epaselect epa05271982 People collect water from a water tanker, in Bhiwandi, some 60 kilometer on the outskirts of Mumbai, India, 22 April 2016. According to reports, 21 districts in Maharashtra are drought-affected. The drought, which has been ongoing for the past five months, prompted 11 states to declare a drought in 2015 and has now choked the growth of kharif (monsoon) crops, including sesame, millet and rice, for the second monsoon season in a row. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

An Indian man jumps into the Arabian sea near the Gateway of India during high tide in Mumbai.

epa04253446 An Indian man jumps into the Arabian sea near the Gateway of India during high tide in Mumbai, India, 13 June 2014. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted below average rains for the monsoon season which runs from June to September and that accounts for about 80 percent of India's annual rainfall. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Drought in Maharashtra, India

epa05270445 Villagers collects water from an almost dried up well at Mhaismal village in Surgana Taluka, around 95 kilometer from Nasik, India, 21 April 2016. According to reports, 21 districts in Maharashtra are drought-affected. The drought, which has been ongoing for the past five months, prompted 11 states to declare a drought in 2015 and has now choked the growth of kharif (monsoon) crops, including sesame, millet and rice, for the second monsoon season in a row. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Enjoying the refreshing waterfalls

epaselect epa04330881 Indian men enjoy a bath at the Tungareshwar waterfall in Vasai on the outskirts of Mumbai, India, 25 July 2014. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Indian people sleep on roof of subway on western express highway in Mumbai

epa04749022 Indian people sleep on the roof of a subway on the western express highway in Mumbai, India, early 15 May 2015. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Homeless children in Mumbai

epa05113431 Indian homeless children watch movie in a cell phone on the roadside, in Mumbai, India, 20 January 2016. According to a recent report, the first-ever census of street children conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and the voluntary organization Action Aid India suggest that more than 37,000 children live on the streets of the Indian metropole. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station lit up in pink colour as part of Navratri festival celebration in Mumbai

epa04985576 A general view of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station lit up in pink color as part of Navratri festival celebrations in Mumbai, India, 20 October 2015. Pink is one of the colors of Navratri festivals. Navratri is a festival of worship, dance and music celebrated over a period of nine nights; the tenth day is commonly referred as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. Navaratri runs from 13 to 21 October with Vijayadashami celebrated on 22 October. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Photo Essay - Kushti, traditional Indian Wrestling in Mumbai

epaselect epa05224670 Wrestlers apply mud to prevent slipping during an Indian traditional wrestling competition also known as Kushti at a wrestling arena popularly known as Akhara during a local competition event in Mumbai, India, 20 March 2016 (issued 21 March). Kushti is a traditional Indian form of wrestling which usually takes place in a clay or dirt pit also known as Akhara. These traditional and ancient form of sport is slowly losing its shine to modern wrestling but a few dedicated people try to continue to train themselves and keep this culture alive. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Kumbh Mela Festival in Trimbakeshwar near Nasik

epa04948190 Indian holy men prepare to take a holy dip in the Godavari River on third Shahi Snan (Royal bathing), during Kumbh Mela festival, in Trimbakeshwar near Nasik, India, 25 September 2015. Kumbh Mela, or the Kumbh Festival, is one of the biggest festivals in India, celebrated after twelve years in Nasik, during which Sadhus perform several rituals. Thousands of devotees and holymen expected to take the royal bath. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Hindu married women perform rituals on the occasion of the Vat Savitri festival

epa04779997 Hindu married women perform rituals around a Banyan tree on the holy occasion of the Vat Savitri festival in Mumbai, India, 02 June 2015. This day is observed by Hindu married women for the long live of their husbands by having a day long fast and worship of the Banyan Tree. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Radio Cab Services powered by the LGBT community in Mumbai

epa05113361 Indian transgender drivers Sanjeevani Chavan (R) and Sarika Pawar (L) pose for photographs with the Wings travels taxi outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, in Mumbai, India, 20 January 2016. According to reports, Wings Travels Management announced the launch of India's first ever Radio Cab Services powered by the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community, a unique enpowerment intiative in association with the Humsafar Trust. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Dawoodi Bohra community spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin's funeral procession

epa04028270 Indian Dawoodi Bohra community people participate in the funeral procession of their spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, in Mumbai, India, 18 January 2014. At least 18 people were killed and 20 injured in a stampede ahead of the funeral for the religious leader, officials said. Syedna died at the age of 98 years following a cardiac arrest in Mumbai on 17 January. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Navy Day celebration in Mumbai

epa04534618 YEARENDER 2014 DECEMBER Indian Navy marine commandos demonstrate their skills in rescue operations during a pre-Navy Day celebration in Mumbai, India, 02 December 2014. The Indian Navy was celebrated Navy Day on 04 December to commemorate the Indian Navy attack on Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Bharatiya Janata Party's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi takes blessings from his mother Heeraben

epa04208812 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (L), takes blessings from his mother Heeraben (R) at his brothers residence in Gandhinagar, India, 16 may 2014. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has won an absolute majority in India's parliamentary polls. According to the news reports, BJP is leading on 277 of 534 seats where counting was under way. A party needs to secure a majority of 272 seats in the 543-strong parliament to form the government. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Dashavatar epic play in Mumbai

epa04507795 A picture made available on 29 November 2014 shows Indian artist Rakesh Sail from Sai Leela Dashavatar Natya Mandal (SLDNM) a theatrical group, is seen reflected in a mirror as he prepares backstage to play the role of Lord Shiva, during the Dashavatar Play, a traditional performance of the Vishnu epic stories, in Mumbai, India, 28 November 2014. SLDNM is a small group of people who enacting the Dashavtar or Ten Avatars of Hindu Lord Vishnu. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Indian farmers plant paddy seedlings in a field at Dongri village in Thane near Mumbai

epa04322811 An Indian woman carries paddy seedlings for planting in a field at Dongri village in Thane near Mumbai, India, 19 July 2014. Paddy is the main summer-sown crop in India, the world's second biggest producer of rice. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Anti malaria fumigation in India

epa03589180 A Indian youngster plays cricket during an anti-malaria fumigation in Mumbai, India, 18 February 2013. Municipal authorities have identified areas of the city where accumulated water offers a breeding ground for mosquitoes, encouraging a wider spread of malaria and dengue. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

A mass marriage in Vadia village

epa03141418 A young Indian woman, soon to be bride looks on during a mass marriage and engagement ceremony in Vadia village, around 250 km of Ahmedabad, India, 11 March 2012. Vadia village in the northern district of Banaskantha has a notorious reputation where girls as young as 12 are forced into the flesh trade by their own families. The Saranias were once singers and dancers at the residences of local rulers, but the women went on the game after India's independence in 1947. Prostitution has thrived ever since in the village because the sex workers' daughters have been considered unsuitable for marriage but 21 women and girls are to be married or engaged in ceremonies that could well end the social oppression, with the help of NGO's and local government who has also backed the move and promised rehabilitation programmes to improve the women's and girls' lives. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

A mass marriage in Vadia village

epa03141370 Young Indian women, prepare for their mass marriage and engagement ceremony in Vadia village, around 250 km of Ahmedabad, India, 11 March 2012. Vadia village in the northern district of Banaskantha has a notorious reputation where girls as young as 12 are forced into the flesh trade by their own families. The Saranias were once singers and dancers at the residences of local rulers, but the women went on the game after India's independence in 1947. Prostitution has thrived ever since in the village because the sex workers' daughters have been considered unsuitable for marriage but 21 women and girls are to be married or engaged in ceremonies that could well end the social oppression, with the help of NGO's and local government who has also backed the move and promised rehabilitation programmes to improve the women's and girls' lives. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

A shadow of resident of Geetanagar slum is reflected on a coastal wall covered with oil from the damaged MSC Chitra ship.

epa02281018 The shadow of a resident of the Geetanagar slum is reflected on a coastal wall covered with oil from the damaged MSC Chitra ship, in Mumbai, India, 10 August, 2010. Panamanian cargo carrier MSC Chitra and a St. Kitts ship MV Khalijia-III collided outside Mumbai harbour, barely five kilometres from south Mumbai. An estimated 2,000 litres of oil has spilled from the grounded ship during the three days since the collision. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Indian children enjoy playing at the Juhu beach in Mumbai

epa02164343 Indian children enjoy playing at the Juhu beach in Mumbai, India, 19 May, 2010. Several parts of India have sizzled in a heatwave this year, with temperatures often in excess of 40 degrees Celcius. A searing heat wave across India has claimed more than 160 lives, with temperatures across many cities reaching between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius, officials and news reports said. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

Iternational Kite Festival in Ahmedabad

epa02522651 Birds fly around a bird-shaped paper kite on the second day of the Iternational Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, 10 January 2011. Around 96 kite enthusiasts from 36 countries are participating in the festival along with 150 Indian participants from ten Indian states. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI