The residents of Dharavi were inquisitive and excited when they noticed four white cars with a police escort dropping off a very important visitor outside the pottery area, known as “Kumbharwada”. Nancy J. Powell, the USA Ambassador for India, came to Dharavi on Monday, 10th September, to meet our photography students.

Powell’s second visit to Mumbai since she arrived in India in April was dedicated to meetings with business groups and other associations. To get a break from the formal meetings, she came with the general consulate Peter Haas to Dharavi to meet the photography students of the art program of Reality Gives and Bombay Underground. The first female ambassador for India and the highest representative of the US foreign services was very happy to explore Dharavi with local slum kids who share her passion for photography. Together they walked from the potter’s area to 90 Feet Road, and eventually they visited the art room- a regular spot on the Dharavi tours run by Reality Tours and Travel where the children’s photography is exhibited.

In July, the US Consulate of Mumbai organised a photography trip with the students to visit some famous sights of Mumbai. For Powell’s visit, Reality Gives exhibited the best photos from this day. The Ambassador was very impressed by the well-taken pics, which will be displayed at the US Consulate in Bandra East in October. “These young photographers are very talented. I’m already looking forward to the photos of today”, said Powell for goodbye.