From Bike Enthusiast To Capturing Story One Click At A Time

I'm someone who's always loved riding bikes since I was a kid. Back then, I had this senior photojournalist Neeraj Mishra in my neighborhood. We'd hang out every week, with me riding the bike and him taking pictures. One rainy day, he asked me to snap a few photos, and I surprisingly enjoyed it. That's when I realised I had a knack for photography too.

Leaving the cosy familiarity of Kanpur, I embarked on a thrilling journey to capture the diverse beauty,  where every moment became a canvas for my boundless creativity as a photographer. So, I decided to move to Delhi. But let me tell you, it wasn't easy. I couldn't afford a fancy media institute, so I had to learn everything on my own by talking to people and watching videos online.

After trying a short course that didn't teach me much, I jumped into practical work. I started off at a local newspaper and magazine and eventually landed jobs at bigger newspapers like Amar Ujala and Hindustan Times. Now, I'm working at PTI.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I encountered many stories, but Chand Mohammad's stood out. He's a young student from Delhi who dreamed of becoming a medical professional. However, when the lockdown took away his brother's job and closed schools, Chand had to find a way to help his family. He started working at Delhi's LNJP Hospital, where his job was to transport the bodies of COVID-19 victims and help with their cremations. His story is a powerful reminder of bravery and sacrifice during tough times.

Chand's story touched hearts far and wide, earning recognition both in India and around the globe. What's truly remarkable, though, is the wave of support that followed. After his story was shared, people from all walks of life came together to offer help. It's a beautiful example of how, even in the darkest times, humanity can shine brightly, coming together to lift one of its own.

A few of my photos of prominent political figures became popular. One picture received applause from the PMO.

Even though I wasn't really into politics, most of my work revolves around political events. I do love the ups and downs between the political parties. It’s exciting to notice the human ground, the challenges to understand and capture the crowd, and the thrill of making your way in politics.

I've had some awesome assignments, like a story I did on ten women MPs when the old parliament was moving to a new building. I spent a whole year working on it, taking their photos and getting them to write about their thoughts and experiences. When I finally shared it, it became a big hit.

In the end, I would like to share a personal thought. You know, in the pursuit of a good career, a lot of us leave our hometown and move to a new city or a different country. Everything seems perfect – your career is soaring, and life feels like a whirlwind of excitement. But amid this hustle, have you ever stopped to think about your roots? Your hometown, your family – the very foundation that shaped you?

Just like a tree needs its roots for stability, you need your roots for grounding. They give you a sense of belonging and strength, even when you're far away. So, as you chase your dreams, don't forget to water those roots. Stay connected to where you came from, cherish your hometown, and appreciate your family who've supported you.

As for photography, it's a work of a huge responsibility because every picture tells a story. So, I'm always careful about the stories I'm telling through my photos.

Delhi Stories is an emerging platform to feature inspirational, motivational, relatable and beautiful stories. Do you also have an interesting story like Arun Sharma?