GUWAHATI, Feb 17: A photographer in the Indian state of Manipur has earned public praise and some quick money for the novel way he chose to expose corruption rampant among politicians in the state.

The photographer, who preferred to remain anonymous, printed hundreds of calendars for the year 2002 with 24 photographs of sprawling private residences, built by ministers, legislators, parliamentarians and other politicians, during their tenure in public office.

While some of the constructions were in violation of several laws set for building houses in the state, pictures of others had found a place on the calendar for their opulence.

Priced at 30 rupees, the 12-page calendars were selling like “hot cakes,” in Mizoram’s provincial capital Aizawl, local shop owners said.

“The moment the calendar was out in the market, there was a mad scramble with people buying more than one each,” Lal Ruatkima, a member of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), an influential pressure group, said by telephone from Aizawl.

Ruatkima said the photographs on the calendar were a reminder of the “rampant corruption” that was prevalent in Mizoram.

Paul Sailo, a local businessman, lauded the novel method chosen by the photographer.

“The idea is really brilliant as the photographer was able to make money selling the calendars, promoting his business by way of free publicity, and at the same time exposing corruption by making public the huge houses constructed by politicians,” Sailo said.

Politicians, whose houses were featured on the calender, declined to comment.

Local residents of Aizawl said the expose could deter corruption among the political class.

“Definitely this will have some impact and the politicians would be put to shame after the common people came to know about the money and properties they have amassed by being in power,” Sangkunga, a church leader, said.

“Exposure of corruption by members of the public is always welcome”.—AFP