India’s cities are often polluted. Engines are not to blame. Auto traffic is relatively light. India suffers instead from air laden with the smoke of a million fires and from dust that lies heavily upon the land. These women are suffering from its effects – they cover their mouths so they won’t have to breathe in smoke and dust. I can see resignation on their faces – there is little they can do about it except cover their mouths. Both suffering and resignation are human values, and they are at the core of this image.