The CRAPitalists

It's time Dilli's kabariwallahs got their due. A German photo-artist gets to the task and shows you what you can learn from the garbage gods

It's time Dilli's kabariwallahs got their due. A German photo-artist gets to the task and shows you what you can learn from the garbage gods

They've 'bin' there, done thatu00a0cleaned up all your muck, that is. While you were busy creating that one odd 'best of waste' project, they were sorting tons of thoughtless trash into biodegradable and non-biodegradable segments, so that it could be sent to recycling plants and turned into resourceful stuff. Delhi's rag-pickers deserve a standing ovation, but even taking a look around their lives would do. German shutterbug Enrico Fabian is all set to play guide with his exhibition Tracing Waste -u00a0The Kabari's Contribution To Society. And his shots don't stink.

Holy crap! Move over Kabuliwallah; the kabariwallah is here; (inset) Enrico Fabian, photo-artist

They love scrapping: "The polar bear is eating the sealu00a0we're enjoying 24 X 7, just as this invisible army is struggling to rid us of rubbish," says the photog, who has partnered with NGO Chintan. "They're right there, walking next to you on the same street, but you know nothing about them, and often don't care," he accuses, stressing the need for awareness and involvement in cleaning the planet. Enrico scanned major dumpyards of the city, like those in Ghazipur, Nizammuddin, Seemapuri and Mustafabad, to find suitable, thought-provoking subjects. For three months, he mingled, ate and played with young kabaris and seasoned hands, and struck a chord that was "beautiful and uncomplicated," unlike their own worlds. "You do hope your work makes a difference, but it feels awful that you can't be of much direct help to this community," the artist laments.

'Can' you do it? There's still a way you can ease them of much of their burden. Start with using two different cans for wet and dry waste, and pay a little more when they come asking for that Diwali bakshish. "Better circumstances will stop them from being seen as dangerous thieves. Their status would improve, and so would their attitude," Enrico explains. Weu00a0 bet the conscience-cleansing picture lessons from Delhi's super slumdogs will leave you anything but 'wasted'.