June 21, 2012 | By Bill Gates
Visions of Life among India’s Urban Poor
India is making great progress economically and in many other ways, but among its more than one billion people there are still many millions who are desperately poor. In hopes of a better life, many have flocked to the cities, where they struggle under very harsh conditions.
During my recent trip to India, I visited Ujariaon, a slum in Lucknow. That experience will stay with me for a long time. Despite very tough lives, people there have great strength and determination, and they’re optimistic about the future.
The photographs in this gallery were made by Prashant Panjiar, a photojournalist who has worked extensively on issues of social concern. He has been documenting the work of the foundation since 2004 and has accompanied me on many of my learning trips in India and Africa.
