A professional whose pursuit of photography led to a book in April has donated the proceeds from its sales to two organisations — one that provides relief to the people of the Sunderbans and the other that works to rehabilitate trafficked girls.

India in Celebration, a collection of over 200 photographs, was captured by Sajal Ghosh during his travels across the country to “present India as a colourful, respectful and tolerant country”.

So far, the contribution from the book’s sales has been Rs 50,000.

Photographs from Sajal Ghosh’s India in Celebration. The Telegraph

Ghosh feels if people who can help others step forward to support those without means, the world will be a better place.

“I have always said that I belong to a privileged class, having received the best of education, travelled extensively and worked in a well established company. People in my position must come forward to make a difference to a few more lives,” said Ghosh.

Each photograph in the book is accompanied by text written by Jael Silliman. It has a foreword by MP and author Shashi Tharoor.

The book captures India in its diversity, Ghosh said.

Photographs from Sajal Ghosh’s India in Celebration. The Telegraph

“I could have given a cheque but that the book is able to generate good things for other people is giving me a sense of satisfaction,” he said.

One of the organisations that has benefited is Heal, which works for conservation of the Sunderbans and for the people living there.

“The people in the Sunderbans are fighting poverty as well as adversities of nature. Before they can come out of one calamity, another strikes,” said Ghosh.

“Apart from livelihood that gets impacted because of salinity in water (after a cyclone), sourcing drinking water is a concern for the people living there.”

The other organisation is the Rescue and Relief Foundation, which works for trafficked girls, orphans and the elderly.

“The girls who are trafficked are mostly from economically marginalised families. Their families do not have the means to bring them up. It is important to empower these girls so they are not misled with false promises of a better life,” said Ghosh.

The Rescue and Relief Foundation networks with other NGOs and provides financial and logistical support to run and sustain projects.

“We also support a home where trafficked girls are brought after they are rescued, where they are counselled as well,” said secretary Sidhant Ghosh.