Smithsonian.com

I love this photo. Thh rite it shows is so powerful. The entire tribe welcomes this new life into it's midst.

Babies are just so good at breaking down the disparate Human experience into the universal and the basic. We have all been here. All of us have felt cold, panic, loneliness, vulnerability. If only we could see the scene from the perspective in this photo - all the while we were feeling this we were surrounded by safety, care and love.

All the photos are excellent, but for representing universal human drama, this one should get the prize. It shows a village raising a child, and that's what it takes. Cool composition as well.

This image says volumes. With whom does this baby's destiny lie? The start of life places so many paths before us. In a country such as India, the possibilities are endless. Where will this child be in 20 years? Computer engineer, sadhu, farmer.....? Congrats, My vote for winner.

This is your winner. Life at its most basic. And what could be more perfect than a baby? The promise is awesome.

excellent photograph,go ahed avijit.

Not the prettiest or most colorful, but the most wonderful. All the hands reach out in a kind of holy circle supporting a protesting newcomer to out world.

Just when you think there's nothing worth trying for...You can almost feel how much that mama felt when the baby first cried. What a unifiying photograph.

This picture is beautiful - may the hands that welcomed him pick him up when he falls, caress him when he cries and guide him as he grows. The picture evokes thoughts of human potential, kindness, and unity to mention a few.

This is truly an eternal image. The power of the hands holding the baby (life itself) is astonishing. If only all of us could feel that kind of support.

I was immediately struck by this photo. The composition, the power...the picture effortlessly touches an emotional cord and is the obvious winner.

This photo wins my vote because it beautifully celebrates new life and the power of community. It takes a village to raise a child. All the hands holding this new born baby will play a role in who this human being will become.

This photo is the winner! The photographic composition is good,and the photo says volumes about the importance of children and our future. It is the dream of every parent to have their child welcomed into the world this way. How will these hands influence this child's life? The thoughts are immense!

Oh yes, this is the one. Powerful, visceral, thought provoking and full of hope and promise. If only we all could be welcomed to life in this way! BRAVO Abhijit!

This is your grand prize winner

of course, a compelling picture, strong and beautifully meaningful; unnoticed, perhaps by some is the partial image of a mother and another baby, in the upper left, out of the loop. Is there symbolism, just as telling, in this?

The picture is so heart touching.I think the amazing thing is to see all the hands supporting this infant, but as life generally is, the hands will eventually disappear until the child will probably be on his own. Very cynical statement but in all reality true.

I agree with all those who suggest this as the grand prize winner for all the reasons stated. What a celebration of new human life.

I wonder who selected the Grand Prize. It is the worst of the lot in subject and composition. Even in black and white tgere was better ones. A political/religious approach? How disappointing! This should be ART.

What a beautiful , heart gripping image . Every child in the world , should be welcomed , with such love and concern . If not by their family , but we as a community.

Great shot! It has a lot of impact and tells a story. For this picture to have been done in black and white made it more dramatic. A beautiful photograph!

simple shot but very powerful photo. congratch Abhijit.

Hey is this photo displaying something connected to the infants genitals? It's hard to tell in the photo I saw.

This is a very profound picture, but I can't help but feel sorry for the little guy-hangin out in midair, no clothes or diaper-nothing to make him feel safe. Poor little thing!

This picture is most obviously the grand prize winner. The way it looks ordinary as well as cultural, simple AND complex in meaning and significance is amazing. Well done photographer- you completely deserve it!!

Of course this is a very profound picture, but in reference to Denise Mathews comment, i would imagine this little guy might think that he's back in his mother womb what a flash back! no diaper, no clothes, just hangin out very safe, poor little you Denise.

It's proof that it truely takes a village to raise a child.