Step into India’s hidden world of repair and reinvention — where cobblers, tailors, mechanics, and everyday innovators quietly power a sustainable way of life. This photo story is a visual tribute to the spirit of jugaad, capturing the beauty of fixing, mending, and making do in a throwaway world.

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 this one in Badi Chaupar, Jaipur, continue to operate — quietly but consistently. Here, books are still printed and bound by hand, with people working skillfully through each step of the process.

By using manual processes and minimal machinery, these presses leave a smaller carbon footprint, offering a glimpse into slower, more sustainable ways of creating. This approach aligns with eco-friendly printing practices that reduce waste and conserve resources.

It’s a reminder that while the world moves fast, there are still places where traditional methods hold strong.

Captured by: Archit Kushwaha, a cinematographer based in Mumbai, who captures stories through his still photographs, with independent cinema in his veins.

Delhi’s old watchmakers and umbrella repairers

Delhi does not know the word ‘pause’. The traffic, the people, the deadlines — everything moves fast. But tucked into its narrow lanes are people who have stayed rooted in the historical way of doing things. You can spot an old watchmaker near Okhla Head, carefully repairing a wristwatch with a loupe over his eye, or an umbrella repairman in Chandni Chowk, working quietly in his dukaan (shop). 

By choosing to have their items repaired rather than replaced, customers help reduce electronic and plastic waste, contributing to a more sustainable urban environment.

The trades of these artisans may be fading, but for a moment, in the middle of all the chaos, time feels paused.

Captured by: Shafique Hussain, a student at the Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre in Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.

Bengaluru’s tailors keeping the craft alive

Nestled in the bustling heart of Commercial Street, Bengaluru, Silver Plaza is home to small tailoring shops that have stood the test of time for over three decades. Here, skilled tailors weave their passion into every stitch. Though their true love is the delicate artistry of embroidery, their daily lives are run by stitching and repairing old clothes.

Their work embodies the principles of slow fashion, reducing textile waste and promoting sustainable consumption. Amid the constant hum of the market’s hustle and the chatter of loyal customers who have supported them for years, these shops quietly preserve a craft — and a community.

Captured by: Noyonika Prassan, a literature, photography and cinematography enthusiast, based out of Bengaluru.

Lucknow’s cobblers: saving soles, stitch by stitch

Tucked away in the old streets of Lucknow is Raja Bazaar, where a mochi (cobbler) sits on a simple rug, carefully mending worn-out shoes that most people would toss aside. With his trusty hathoda (hammer), sui (needle) and dhaga (thread), he patiently brings life back to forgotten soles. This fading skill is slowly disappearing as fast purchases and mass-produced footwear take over.

By extending the life of shoes, cobblers play a crucial role in reducing landfill waste and conserving resources. With every stitch and nail, he quietly keeps alive a humble craft that the modern world is fast forgetting.

Captured by: Ayan Bose, a seasoned photographer from Lucknow, who captures culture and stories through his lens.

Ahmedabad’s 600-YO Sunday market

Clothes, utensils, books, stationery, antiques, fruits, vegetables, luggage — you name it, you’ll find it at Ravivari, also known as Gujari Bazaar, in Ahmedabad. This iconic Sunday market, running since the 15th century along the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, was started by Sultan Ahmed Shah.

Over the years, it has weathered many storms — including near-closure during the 1941 riots — but has always found its way back, moving from the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque to the old civil court, before finally settling at its current home on the riverfront in 1954. By promoting the reuse and resale of goods, Ravivari supports a circular economy, reducing the demand for new products and minimising environmental impact.

Captured by: Mansi Tiwari, a budding art enthusiast from Ahmedabad.

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