A mother’s unwavering love in the face of adversity & the many moods of Modi — 10 photos of 2023

Lead image: Meitei children play as schools reopen following the ethnic conflict between Manipur’s tribal Kuki-Zo and non-tribal Meiteis. It’s the resilience of childhood, the unwavering human spirit to go on, that makes this a special photo for me. The children had seen and undergone much during the conflict. Some of them were displaced from their homes, lost family and friends, but they have formed new bounds and in their innocent play teach us that life must go on | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

A mother and child at a relief camp in Narayanpur, Chattisgarh, set up for tribal families who were allegedly evicted from their homes from going to church and practicing Christianity. What makes this a special photo for me is the joy that these two derive in each other’s company. It is as if the mother has forgotten all her troubles just by looking at the child in her arms | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bond with most world leaders go beyond mere politics. Here he is seen sharing a light moment with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. For me, the image is representative of his warm friendship with leaders of other countries across the world | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Sadhvi Pragya Shree, a former heiress to her father’s diamond business, has renounced family and wealth, to become a Jain monk. But at just 9 years of age, it is difficult perhaps for her to not miss her mother’s loving touch. Here she seeks comfort in the arms of an older monk. The tender bond between the two makes this one of my most emotional photos this year | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Sadhvi Pararth Rekha (right) with Sadhvi Tatwatri Rekha on the road after collecting food (bhiksha), in Junagadh. I had previously met Pararth Rekha’s family, also rich business owners, and I was mystified as to why a young girl from such an affluent family would give up everything to become a monk. But when I took this photo all I could see was thee quiet happiness on their faces. The two have no regret with their choice, and appear to be completely at peace | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Again a photo that for me is representative of the absolute, and unconditional love a mother has for her child. This was taken at a shelter home in Manipur for some of those displaced in this year’s ethnic conflict between the state’s tribal Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The differently-abled child in this image was unable to even express when he was hungry, but in tending to him, his mother seems to find solace from all the trouble that she had seen in the preceding days | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

A protest in Manipur against the arrest of Meiteis accused in the ethnic clash between the community and the Kuki-Zo tribals in the state. A pure news photo, I like this image for the action and energy in this frame. Most of the young protestors wear masks to protect their identities, but the anger is evident in their eyes | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

It’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bowed head and wide open arms that is the USP of this image for me. He is every bit the humble, common-man leader here as he addresses the masses on Independence Day | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah pay tribute to the victims of the 2001 Parliament Attack. Again, it is Shah’s expression in his photo which made me choose this as one of my best clicks of 2023. There is a quiet power and confidence that is reflected in his eyes here | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Droupadi Murmu and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Usually at such events, the leaders just shake hands, pose for journalists. This is a rare, off-beat moment captured on camera, where Modi was guiding The president and the visiting sultan about where they should stand to interact with the media | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint