Standing in the ashes of what was once home to thousands of them, the residents of Damu Nagar found a reason to smile as they celebrated the wedding of 18-year-old Amrapali Pakhre — the first happy event to take place there after the December 7 inferno that had rendered 2,000 families homeless. Many of those who turned up to bless the bride and groom, had lost everything but the clothes on their backs, including Amrapali’s family, but relatives ensured that the wedding was held as planned.

Many of Amrapali’s neighbours joined her in the celebrations that took place in the ashes of their burned-down homes. Pics/Shadab Khan