Homai Vyarawalla

I am always enchanted by old people who did so many wonderful things in their lives.Two of my dearest friends in Geneva are 94 and 93 respectively and they are the liveliest and most engaging women I have met for a long time. Homai Vyarawalla is 97 in December and while I have not had the pleasure of meeting her I was able today to enjoy her achievements.

She was the first female photojournalist in India, born in 1913, she grew up as a fiercely independent young woman who dealt with the rough group of photojournalists that surrounded her and often managed to capture the more humane side of politicians by just staying that little bit longer and capturing the essential shot.

Her photos are currently being displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Jaipur House and if you have an opportunity to go and see them, it is well worth it. C- Hexagon Near India Gate 110003.Tel 011 2334560.

Fabulous pictures of those significant moments of Indian Independence but also wonderful city scapes - an immaculate Connaught Place and a great black and white of the Janta Manta. Delhi was a swinging cosmoplitan capital and pictures of fancy dress parties,dances and plays in the swinging 60s abound.

Nehru with pet dog, hugging Indira and just being Nehru.

This is a picture of her with her beloved son Farook who sadly died prematurely.