In India, an effort to preserve

As India’s economic transition reshapes landscapes and lives, social historians are trying to collect and archive stories about what is being lost. Here are some images of a changing India.

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Nov. 13. 2011

Tourists look at the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Agra, India. With the aim of boosting tourism, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh formed an inter-ministerial committee comprising senior officials from 14 ministries to put tourism projects on the fast track.

/ AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 4, 2012

Pedestrians walk past New Delhi’s landmark “Red Fort.” The 17th-century complex is an example of Mughal architecture and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Prakash Singh / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 11, 2012

A Bangalore Metro Rail Corp. train moves along an elevated track in Bangalore, India. The Center for Public History at the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology is recording the oral histories of Bangalore residents who live and work along the city’s new Metro route.

Namas Bhojani / Bloomberg

July 1, 2007

Tourists visit the 16th-century Mughal-built Humayun's Tomb, a World Heritage Site, in New Delhi.

Christophe Archambault / AFP/Getty Images

January 2006

Construction workers build a replica of New York's Empire State Building in Bangalore, India. As a result of growth, Bangalore, like many cities, is largely defined by images of dug-up roads, inadequate public transport, pollution, traffic jams, landmark buildings being torn down and endless construction zones.

Carsten Snejbjerg / Getty Images

July 1, 2007

Tourists take a walk at the 16th-century Mughal-built Humayun's Tomb, a World Heritage Site, in New Delhi.

Christophe Archambault / AFP/Getty Images

Nov. 1, 2011

Workers fix a street lamp outside the headquarters of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corp., a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Mumbai.

Indranil Mukherjee / AFP/Getty Images

Sept. 21, 2006

An Indian shepherd covered in a plastic sheet stands guard over his flock of sheep near a group of high-rises during a heavy monsoon downpour in Kolkata.

Deshakalyan Chowdhury / AFP/Getty Images

Oct. 9, 2009

People walk through the headquarters of Infosys Technologies Ltd. in Bangalore, India. Just over a decade ago, Bangalore was the model of India’s success story – a center for outsourcing jobs and a launch pad for IT entrepreneurs, with a young, educated workforce. Its promise drew hundreds of international high-tech companies. Bangalore soon also became a microcosm of India’s challenges. The population nearly doubled in the past decade to more than 9.5 million people. Poor infrastructure, inefficient governance coupled with higher incomes and rising expectations created chaos like never before.

Namas Bhojani / Bloomberg

April 11, 2008

An Indian laborer takes a nap inside the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, near the southern Indian city of Hospet. Hampi is located within the ruins of the city of Vijayanagar, the former capital of the Vijayangar empire. The village of Hampi, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains several other monuments belonging to the old city.

Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 9, 2006

A worker cleans one of the stone lion structures at the entrance of the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in Mumbai. The CST, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, was included on the World Heritage Site list by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.

Indranil Mukherjee / AFP/Getty Images

July 19, 2011

Indian laborers fit loud-speakers on a pole at the Brigade Parade grounds, with the Victoria Memorial seen in the background, ahead of a mass rally organized by the ruling Indian political party Trinamool Congress to celebrate their historic win in a state election in Kolkata. In cities such as Kolkata, in eastern India, neighbors are getting together to record their memories and preserve photographs of their changing neighborhoods.

Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP/Getty Images

Jan. 19, 2006

A security person stands guard at his post outside the Karnataka state legislative building Vidhan Soudha in Bangalore, India. In May, historians from across India gathered in Bangalore to form India’s first oral history association, which aims to promote initiatives across India that record people’s experiences in contemporary India. Next year, they plan to showcase all the oral history projects at national conference in the northern city of Lucknow.

Gautam Singh / AP

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Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

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Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

India Independence Day, Syrian air strikes, Western wildfires, plastination and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

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Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

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