Hyderabad: Man turns Modi's fitness challenge into photo walk

Hyderabad: City-based freelance photographer Sanjay Borra has taken up Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fitness challenge, and given it a twist. Mr Borra goes out walking every morning, but with his camera. He shoots pictures of footpaths in the city and puts them out on his Twitter handle to show their condition.

Many of the pictures have gone viral, with people retweeting the images and saying that the state government should ensure the safety of pedestrians.
Mr Borra, 44, doesn’t focus only on footpaths that are in a poor condition. He also tweeted an image of a footpath near the railway station that was spacious. He says the difference between the photographs show that “our authorities understand how a footpath should be and yet fail to provide the same.”

The tweet was retweeted by many groups who stated that walkable footpaths without electric switch boards, transformers and others were the need of the hour. 

“Although we have a viral fitness challenge, where is the place for our elders to walk? No 70 or 80-year-old walks on Necklace Road because of how uneven the area is,” he said.

Having worked abroad till 2010 in the IT sector, Mr Borra says switching to photography hasn’t been profitable but is immensely satisfying. “I couldn’t work for money any more. I am a true Hyderabadi and documenting the streets of Hyderabad, the food, culture and people is what gives me happiness. Addressing civic issues is just apart of it. I click photos when I observe something and I let my audience deduce.”

The Johnson Grammar School alumni says, he loves taking photographs which compare different situations. “I have clicked the picture of a state-of-the art bus stop in Gachibowli and a dilapidated one in Khairatabad and put them together so that people can question the same. I always try to leave a little message and humour.”

Mr Borra, who has a masters in tourism, said more people should start posting pictures on civic issues so that officials realise that people face problems. 
“The more the voices, the faster the solution,” he said.

He also stated that the city shouldn’t suffer at the cost of development and that he hoped his photos would also showcase the need to reduce pollution, encroachment and others.

“I tweet out my photos these days that I have clicked in my phone with no regard for the quality or even fear that someone might steal it. What is important is that the message gets across.”

Mr Borra’s favourite photographs are those he clicked for Milaap, a crowdfunding platform. “I had to click photos of two-week-old babies who are battling cancer. These photos have to urge people to donate and it is very challenging and I still don’t think I am cut out for it. I get anxiety attacks at night but I keep going back for the children.”