23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Scars of Survival

In the mangroves of Sunderban, the line between hunter and hunted is thin. I met this fisherman on the muddy banks of the delta, just as the tide was turning. His face tells a story of a terrifying encounter, a moment where life hung in the balance. Yet, here he stands—arms crossed, gaze steady—right back beside the water that sustains him. This isn't just a portrait of a victim; it is a testament to the unyielding human spirit. This is what survival looks like.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2025
Date Uploaded: 12.2025
Photo Location: KUTCH, India
Camera: NIKON Z 6_2
Copyright: © ARPAN BASU CHOWDHURY