The Letter Writer

The digital divide?

Digital divide

الفقر الجائر

شعب يستحق الحياة

التكنولوجيا ليس لها حدود

very gooood

اذا الشعب يوما اراد الحياة فلا بد ان يتجيب القدر

God save you

يارب رحماك الطف بعبادك الظعفاء

About 50% of India's women are illiterate. What that means is that for everyday tasks like filling forms, operating bank accounts, and even communicating with loved ones through letters they need to take help from someone. The traditional letter-writer hence continues to be a fixture on the Indian landscape. Almost all letter-writers are men, and they generally sit with their type-writers and letter pads in front of post-offices and type forms or write the personal correspondence for people who are illiterate. Here a woman is explaining what she wants written in her letter which the letter-writer writes out by hand.

This photo is a part of the 50 Million Missing Campaign A CAMPAIGN AGAINST FEMALE GENOCIDE IN INDIA. MORE THAN 50 MILLION WOMEN HAVE BEEN KILLED IN INDIA IN LESS THAN A CENTURY. PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION AT www.50millionmissing.in

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Comments

Gps1. says:

Still a long way to "Literate India" !
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Sanyuktaa says:

Oh this is so heart touching... I remember stories my grandpa told me about these letter writers ... rita thanks for bringing those old stories true
great candid shot... :)
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Claude Renault says:

very nice framing you have here..
I am always amazed at how people in India can stay sitting like this for hours and hours..
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

miiah says:

there's a lovely story in the picture itself, in the way their hands are set, in the way their heads are inclined, in the poor whitewashed street ...

it just occurred to me,the letter writer must be quite enriched at the end of the day, having heard every one of his customer's tales/messages, and nourished having fed on the diverse slices of their lives ...
and it must be such a talent/challenge to paraphrase their tales into his short(?) precise letters
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

JimReeves says:

And in Kerala they achieved 100% literacy.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Leithwalker says:

Nice informative street shot. Good to see the big old typewriter still in use.

--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

rita banerji says:

@JimReeves -- and West Bengal is a communist state too like Kerala. Obviously not of the same brand!!
@Miiah -- True -- the 'letter writer' could write fantastic fiction for sure!!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

photoram says:

Lovely snap of the reality - Excellent capture of the day-to-day life of these people. I have seen so many of them on platforms of Calcutta city.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Princess Tat of Tinkle Shed says:

and then what happens Rita ?
Do they bring the reply back to him to read and again if necessary to respond ?
How much would this service cost ?
Is he always there , in the same spot ?
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

rita banerji says:

@ good-Amanda, Yes, the Letter writer is also the letter reader sometimes. though often I've seen people asking the postman to read out their letters or telegrams to them. The Letter-writer though is pretty much fixed to this spot year after year. And you will find this pattern for most of the self-employed people on the streets of India -- the rickshaw pullers and vendors -- they operate from the same spot every day.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Eduardo Amorim says:

Amazing capture ... you bring us another world, thank you for share it !
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

elisabatiz says:

Some years before I have been in India and I was fastinated! Yes, it is another world but this also in our Earth. Thank you for your pictures from India!!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Princess Tat of Tinkle Shed says:

Thank you Rita. That 's fascinating.
Would the woman above,for example, sign the letter herself once it was written ?.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Ben SJ says:

i love this picture... pardon the cliche but this one"paints a thousand words. great job!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

HappyHorizons says:

I think this is a great shot.
I love the story telling potential that the shot has...
this is truly nice!
thanks for sharing!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

vishwasm says:

Beautiful composition. The picture says it all! Thanks for giving us this shot
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

jaroslavd says:

thanks for sharing - both the picture and the info. nice piece of photo journalism. miiah's right. and i wonder if the letter writer is ever tempted to become a storyteller, writing about the stories he has heard
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Nicole Raisin Stern ॐ says:

i love this photo for the subject matter and for the way you framed it.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

chaminaw says:

i wonder what she is dictating to that letter guy - impossible to tell from the expression of her gaze!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

magga mold says:

wonderful image

Please join us!!

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...your AMAZING pic
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INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Sirensongs says:

I really like this, because it shows a bit of everyday reality that does not exist in my home country - also, something I always forget to describe to people. Also, something we totally take for granted (literacy).
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

shubhangi athalye says:

This is a vanishing scene now in Mumbai !!! great capture !!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

... Arjun says:

Great documentary like shot.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

rita banerji says:

@ Chaminaw. I wasn't listening in, so I can't tell. But she was very intense. It is a muslim neighborhood, so the older women tend to keep atleast a portion of the face veiled -- even though it was 35C that day.@Sirensongs -- yes and we do take literacy for granted. When I first arrived in Calcutta it was so frustrating when I couldn't read the buses, or certain signs that were not in English. And till I taught myself how to read Bengali -- I felt like a blind bat fumbling around. It is a terribly helpless feeling. I've often asked these women -- how do you know which bus to get on to. And they would smile and say -- We recognize it! And how do you know he's writing what you are telling him to? They smile and say: Because we know him and our aunts or mothers etc also got letters written from him. It's the unending cycle!!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

rita banerji says:

@ Amanda. NO the women don't sign. But if it is an official letter or form they will use an inkpad and put a thumb print where the signature is required. Angutha chaap -- means the 'thumb printer', and its an extremely demeaning phrase used for illiterates.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

glynn's musings says:

this picture paints reality.

At this time, in India, a haven for computer intellectuals, manufacturers, software writers, www -hackers alike, it would be hard to visualize illiteracy.

Doesn't the government have programs to alleviate it? The economy of India is among the strongest in Asia.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

rita banerji says:

@ glynn. Unfortunately the government has had programs for 50 years. But most of the parents prefer to make their children work and get money for the house -- instead of sending them to school. Education is not enforced. And schools are ill-equipped, teachers have little pay -- we are putting all our money into the nuclear program instead - the bomb we hope we will never use!!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

LindsayStark says:

INDEPENDENT
...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .

Rita, thanks for your wonderful-as-always comments. I must say that the same is true of your photos of India. I simply adore your photo stream... this image and the text that goes with it is wonderful!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

goldsardine says:

INDEPENDENT
...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

abro says:

Excellent!
A Big Fave
You are invited to add this image to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Please tag this photo with ABigFave when you add it to the pool.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

jayesh joshi says:

good capture..........
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Lifetime. says:

nice capture, nice subject,thnks for sharing ur pictures!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Elishams says:

Love the way she listens to him, so concentrated. Reading the debat, I cant't avoid thinking about what I just red a few days ago, in an enquiry about selective abortion : most of them are done in well-educated familly, wether in Punjab, Kerala, Haryana…… The wild side of education may be.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

INDEPENDENT
...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

sethuarun says:

You have captured an excellent moment Rita! I love this snap...
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

VirtualSanity says:

#5

INDEPENDENT
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You have achieved 5-7 INDEPENDENT AWARDS!!!

Please post your wonderful photo on the following thread and you may receive even more INDEPENDENT AWARDS!!!

flickr.com/groups/independent/discuss/7215760 0167606119/

Vote for the other pictures on the thread you think also deserve an INDEPENDENT AWARD. (You can use the code from the group’s front page).
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

rita banerji says:

@Elisham -- It's true that selection abortion of female fetus is higher among the educated and wealthy -- that's because they can afford the ultrasound and doctor's costs etc. However, because the gender ratio is just as skewed among the rural communities -- it is believed that one of two things is happening: despite their poverty are "investing" in going to town to detect and abort girl fetuses. And the second more ghastly option -- there is an increase in female infanticide. In fact there is now plenty of research done to support the latter. People are burying their new borns in their own backyards. So either way -- literacy or illiteracy is not helping with the female genocide issue in India. But to function in the modern world I think literacy is very important.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Superpepelu says:

Marvelous journalism and street shot, like this very much

Please join us!!

INDEPENDENT
...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

This photo has been selected for
Golden Photographer Award

Add this one to http://www.flickr.com/groups/goldenphotograph er/
(Please tag as GoldenPhotographer and read the rules before post).
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

andie.smith says:

this is fantastic...it tells such a fantastic story!

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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Memo Vasquez says:

Great capture!
You are my Golden Photographer as well!

Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

man_drake says:

INDEPENDENT
...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

I proudly present you in our HALL OF FAME at www.flickr.com/groups/independent/discuss/721 57600263533224/
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called cultural-boxes (invitation only), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

64% of women are illiterate? dear rita, while INDIA is trying to get a better image as one of the fastest developing business-places (TIME-MAGAZINE), while we can read in our german newsmagazine DER SPIEGEL, that boeings filled up with female Indian computer specialists are carried to the USA for working there - you are showing consequently the backside, the ugly backyard of the polished house-fronts...
www.flickr.com/groups/cultural-boxes/
+
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Lars-Gunnar Svärd says:

INDEPENDENT
...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

rita banerji says:

@FrizzText. WE continue to be a feudal society -- anyone who visits India can see it. But I often say -- that only a feudal society can provide the dirt cheap labour and at the same time large markets for the Global FREE MARKET. That is the international interest in India. It's imperialism once again!! Our feudal lords comply with the European and American MNCs. Ultimatley most people glorify only what serves their convenience.
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

iclapers says:

Excellent shot!!! Excellent moment!!! I like this

INDEPENDENT
...your AMAZING pic
makes me feel
INDEPENDENT,
and deserves an AWARD!!! .
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

I proudly present you as one of the members
of our group CULTURAL BOXES at
www.flickr.com/groups/cultural-boxes/discuss/ 721576003127...
+
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

+
also featured at
www.flickr.com/groups/cultural-boxes/discuss/ 721576003296...
+
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

HAKANU says:

Thanks for this unpayable information. I´m fascinated. Does the letter writers have priviliged position in the society?
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

+
thanks for your contribution
...and I am honored to present your work in our gallery
"STREET PHOTOGRAPHY" (35) at
www.flickr.com/groups/cultural-boxes/discuss/ 721576006404...
+
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

Please post this image in the RAW Street Photography group
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

tenbon says:

I saw this in A Big Fave
very nice shot : Kolkata as i know it as well
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Manasmohan says:

Nice one ... Keep it up, my best wishes to you.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

16_sparrows says:

Amazing. I'm an admin for a group called Letter Writers Alliance, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Projer says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Mechanical Age, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

alberto bari says:

This is a masterpiece!
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Projer says:

Thanks a 1000 times, for adding it to The Mechanical Age !
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

fabio pietrantonio says:

Stop Breathe Respect

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Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

noprayer4dying says:

We Like to See this Picture in:
Through The Lens: Bangladesh

Please Add to Pool.

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Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called restaurant-murals, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

~ foqiazafar ~ (ON / OFF) says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Female Photographers =), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

FrizzText says:

I've presented your artwork in the FLICKR gallery
www.flickr.com/photos/frizztext/galleries/721 57622443050783/
"INDIA"
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

carlylutzmann says:

I saw this image being used without attribution or linkback at www.roadjunky.com/authorbio . I hope you're part of their team or they paid you for your beautiful photo!
Posted 2 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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The Letter Writer

Comments

Gps1. says:

Sanyuktaa says:

Claude Renault says:

miiah says:

JimReeves says:

Leithwalker says:

rita banerji says:

photoram says:

Princess Tat of Tinkle Shed says:

rita banerji says:

Eduardo Amorim says:

elisabatiz says:

Princess Tat of Tinkle Shed says:

Ben SJ says:

HappyHorizons says:

vishwasm says:

jaroslavd says:

Nicole Raisin Stern ॐ says:

chaminaw says:

magga mold says:

Sirensongs says:

shubhangi athalye says:

... Arjun says:

rita banerji says:

rita banerji says:

glynn's musings says:

rita banerji says:

LindsayStark says:

goldsardine says:

*abro* says:

jayesh joshi says:

Lifetime. says:

Elishams says:

FrizzText says:

sethuarun says:

VirtualSanity says:

rita banerji says:

Superpepelu says:

FrizzText says:

andie.smith says:

Memo Vasquez says:

man_drake says:

FrizzText says:

FrizzText says:

FrizzText says:

Lars-Gunnar Svärd says:

rita banerji says:

iclapers says:

FrizzText says:

FrizzText says:

HAKANU says:

FrizzText says:

FrizzText says:

tenbon says:

Manasmohan says:

16_sparrows says:

Projer says:

alberto bari says:

Projer says:

fabio pietrantonio says:

noprayer4dying says:

FrizzText says:

~ foqiazafar ~ (ON / OFF) says:

FrizzText says:

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abro says: