It was a Sunday morning in May when I set out on a photo walk with my best friend through the old lanes of Lucknow. Having recently relocated, this was my first time back in the old city and just the thought of seeing its rustic monuments, crumbling bricks, and fading paint brought back memories of a slower time — a time when people valued what they had and chose to repair, not replace.

At six in the morning, the shops in Lucknow’s Chowk Bazaar were still shuttered as we set off on our little adventure, joined by a bunch of like-minded folks, all curious and eager to freeze time through our lenses. As we walked, our organiser shared stories about the streets, including one about Chor Bazaar (Thieves’ Market) near Victoria Street. He told us it was once called Shahi Bazaar (Royal Market), a place where people still buy old clothes, second-hand watches, and even get their transistors repaired.

That moment reminded me of how deeply ingrained jugaad — India’s way of making do with what’s available — is in our culture. My mind drifted to memories of my mother taking my worn-out shoes to the mochi (cobbler) for stitching, or the bartan wala (utensil seller ot trader) who would roam our neighbourhood, trading old utensils for money. All signs of a quiet culture of repair, reuse, and sustainability.

This World Environment Day, we celebrate that spirit — seen through the eyes and told in the words of talented photographers from across India.

Jaipur’s handcrafted printing presses

Even as digital media takes over, small printing presses like........

© The Better India