TRAVEL THE WORLD - JODHPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

This little girl was dancing in a restaurant in Jodhpur where we had lunch. She was very confident and graceful, and just one of the many children in India who are forced by economic circumstances to take employment.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - JODHPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

These photos were taken in 2007 from an auto-rickshaw as we drove in the rain through Jodhpur's Old City. These small merchants with their tiny shops are the mainstay of India's retail sector. They are threatened by the emergence of large western retail chains which so far the government has not allowed in any substantial numbers. Small retailers are a drag on the efficiency of India's economy, so perhaps it's only a matter of time...

TRAVEL THE WORLD - DIU, GUJARAT, INDIA

Children anywhere are fun-loving and happy to engage in conversation, especially in India where many English. These girls and boys at Diu were no exception - friendly and eager to have their picture taken. I loved the poise and self-confidence of the girls in their lovely, colourful clothes.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - DELHI, INDIA

Soon after our arrival in India in late 2007, Paul had his shoes shined in Delhi. It was one of our first encounters with the people of India. My heart went out to this boy. Like many thousands of poor Indian families, his was forced to send their children out to work. When I saw his delightful smile, I wished he could have a life such as any Canadian child would take for granted. I can only hope that, in spite of being poor in material goods, he is relatively well-off when you consider love and the other things in life that really matter.