In pictures: Indian postman

His arrival is a cause of much excitement in villages - as he rings the bell of his bicycle, hordes of children come running out and adults look up in expectation.

Almost every house has relatives living elsewhere and a letter bearing news of loved ones is a matter of joy.

Prasad lives in Rajasthan's Barna village, about 90km (55 miles) from the city of Jodhpur.

He has been a postman for the past 22 years.