Who is Nandu you might ask?

Nandu is a little boy, living on the street and selling flowers bundled up by his mom and sister. His world revolves around his home JorBagh red light…. (is that an address? Red light?) It is his address. His home.

He runs between cars dodging as they zoom by, risking his existence for 5 rupees worth of sale.

You want to know more, he is bare feet 24/7; come the Delhi chilly winter or the scorching Delhi heat. A bare shirt and a torn short is what I have seen him wear over the past 2 years that I have interacted with him.

What is so unique about Nandu? He is like any other boy living of the streets of Delhi, whats so new about that?

Well nothing new actually.

There are numerous people on the streets of Delhi. Eating, drinking, making babies on the street, their lives spent by the street.

The lights turn green, red, yellow; cars zoom, halt, honk; people, dogs walk past and they live and earn their livelihood. They smile at you when you stop and bug you to buy flowers/ book/ newspaper.

YOu glare/ buy/ shoo them off… and life it moves on …  

But Nandu I feel is a little wee bit special, One he is adorable! (the picture does not do justice trust me!!)

Two he is always smiling and

Three he is insanely happy with his situation.

All he knows is to sell flowers and he does that with all the zeal that a 6 year old can muster. He is a master at dodging traffic and his tiny feet can bare the chill/ dirt/ heat a Delhi road is capable off.

My salute to little Nandlal. May your grow strong and happy and find a roof that keeps you safe.

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