2021 August 13

“This might be the last video which gets posted on this YouTube channel. May be you will not see my uncovered face again, won’t hear my streaming voice again.. I feel like it all will come to an end soon..”

2009 April 15 : The Butterfly

“Fathima…. Where are you?”

“Maaa… I’m here.. Look at this.. Butterflies! I’m chasing them..!”

She is amazed by their coloured wings. They fly, from flower to flower.

It is the first time these many flowers bloom together in their new garden. They moved to this place recently. There is chapter Fatima’s mom wants to forget. It was before Fatima’s birth. She always prayed, to save her girl from a life like that..

“Maa.. Can I fly like this..?”

“One day, you can, my little girl!”

2015 : The Sprouting Seeds

“What you want to become in life”

“An artist! A film maker! A story teller.. A writer!”

Fatima told her teacher. She is in 9th standard now. But her dreams had grown much beyond. The sky more clear. Her mother had told her stories about how violent was it before the Fatima was born. She lost her youth, her dreams, her womanhood. Not just her, but almost all the women around, all the artists and writers around.
But Fatima is lucky, so far. Schools have opened again. Girls can go there. New universities started. Higher education is now something that can be achieved! The mother felt happy. Sky is becoming even more clear now!

2020 : The Voice that’s Not Silenced

Fatima joined Kabul University. Things looked normal and promising. Good atmosphere. Good teachers. Boys and Girls sitting together in class. Libraries open. Weekdays are fun now. She watched movies in theaters with friends. And the old dreams again bloomed in her.  She’s much closer now. She wrote blogs about life of women in Afghanistan. She made short films. Started a YouTube channel. They got appreciations from all over the world. Her voice was all over there in the air they breath. Like a fire spreading in a dead forest.

Before I Leave

I couldn’t stop myself from chasing her. If I don’t act now, what’s the meaning of my life as a photojournalist?

That’s how I began my journey to Afghanistan with my camera. There was opposition from the press. This is something that they fund to which the outcome is uncertain.. Outcome?! I was not even certain about my own life.
A war ground is where a photojournalist have to put his skills and passion on test.
It’s not my first visit to the country. Had contacts in the Army. They took me along. Streets were mostly deserted. Sky was gloomy like it wants to cry heart out but couldn't.

The army truck moved slowly, vigilantly. It was not like the previous times. There was fear uncovering their faces. Ears were expecting gunshots and blasts.

And it happened. Our vehicle got attacked. I shot with my camera. This is my weapon. Army told me to hide behind the seats. One got seriously injured.
As the vehicle escapes from the guns, I saw those eyes, all pointing towards me.. I’m sketched.

As soon as I reached back in room, made a plan for tomorrow. Have to find Fatima. There are untold stories in her eyes. My days are counted I felt. May be her face will the last photo I take. But I’m sure, that itself will speak a million words to the world.

Things are getting worse here. Much more than anybody expected..

The day started in silence. Outside, streets were abandoned. I’m going out to meet her. I know what I have to face in between. But this a last try. I’ve stories to tell the world. But this is not the time to sit and write them down. I’ve to mine much more lines from her eyes.

This is not the end of the story. I have thousands of words more remaining to be written after this sentence. I’ve photos to show you. I promise, I’ll write them out after I reach back tonight. I have a story to tell you. Dear world, I have a big story to tell you. Will you be still silent, in the comfort of your air conditioned room, after reading that tomorrow? It’s time for me to chase stories which are hidden. Voices which are silenced. Eyes those got covered.
I promise you.. I’ll write them out after I reach back tonight. I have a big story to tell you..