New Delhi, September 25 2009: A photo exhibition on the lives of people affected by arms proliferation in the conflict-prone areas of the country, with a special focus on the northeastern States, was held in the national capital recently.

Organised by Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) in collaboration with Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, the photo exhibition titled Farewell to arms attracted many visitors.

My favourite photo is the one where Meira Paibis are holding torches in late hour of the day.

It portrays the upsurge of women in the state.

They are coming out of the wombs of the family affairs and fighting for their rights, said Shristi, a student.

Held at India Habitat Center between Sep.20 and 23, the exhibition displayed works of 14 noted photographers from across the country including the first time display of images taken in Manipur in 2008 by well-known photographer Raghu Rai.

Each of the 48 displayed photographs was self-explanatory and narrated a different story.

They were about armed violence in different parts of the country such as the Naxal-affected areas of the country including of the northeast and militancy affected areas of Jammu & Kashmir.

It is pertinent to mention that millions of people in these regions have been affected by armed conflicts.

The cost of human lives is very well depicted.

It really makes you feel emotional.

So, many photographs are truly touching, said Ninglun, a correspondent of Sangai Express, Manipur.

Besides, the exhibition offered an opportunity for the visitors at the India Habitat Centre to interact with photographers who shared their experiences.

My Photographs relate to the present day situation in Manipur and the situation that the Manipuris are facing.

But that is a small part of contribution that I have contributed.

The idea is to share all those intense and strong norms that the people go through and all such kind of experiences.

They lost their lives for nothing, said noted photographer Raghu Rai.

The objective of the exhibition was to spread awareness among the people and end violence in conflict-prone areas of northeast and other parts of the country that is fuelled by surplus availability of arms and ammunition through unregulated arms trade.

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