A picture is going viral on social media in which children living inside large sewage pipes can be seen. The photo is claimed to be of a slum in India

A Facebook user name Rema Devi shared the picture with a caption, “Image shows the condition of children in Indian slums. This is the same nation where a grand temple for Rama is being built.” {Translated from Malayalam}

The viral post received 294 likes and 6100 shares at the time of writing this article.

Fact Check

In our investigation, we found that the viral claim is false. This is an award-winning image from Bangladesh which was captured in the year 2013 by Bangladeshi photographer Faisal Azim.

After doing the reverse image search on Google, we found this picture on a news website published on 10 July 2014. The news was about the best environmental photographs. This picture can also be seen in the news. The caption of the image reads, "Pictured is a winning entry into the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2014 awards. Photographer Faisal Azim, Bangladesh, was awarded Winner of the Atkins CityScape Award 2014 for this photograph of beggars in Bangladesh.".

We also find this image published on The Guardian with the title "Winner of the Atkins CityScape award 2014: Faisal Azim, Life in the circle, 2013". The description of the image reads "According to a government report, the total number of beggars, or vagabonds, across Bangladesh is now more than 900,000. The literal meaning of 'vagabond' indicates a person who has the capacity to work but is choosing not to do so. It also refers to a person who has no specific place of residence. A vagabond appears to contradict the right to life and freedom of movement, which are guaranteed as fundamental rights by the Bangladeshi constitution. There are allegations of physical, mental, and even sexual torture against people in shelter centers."

In conclusion, the viral image of children living inside large sewage pipes showing the poor condition of children is from Bangladesh. It was captured in the year 2013 by Bangladeshi photographer Faisal Azim. The picture has nothing to do with India.