66. Photographers: in Action

It is hard to catch photographers in action. Generally they are the ones who are actively capturing action. 

I was arranging photo folders today and smiled at these photographs. 

Of course, these are not Professional Photographs. 
They are Civil Society members, participating in a session on "Capacity Building in Photography" - meaning "How better to take photographs!"

After the resource person gave an instruction, everybody tried to do something.

The intensity for learning was visible. 

This was in Delhi. Sometime in May 2012.

I too participated in that session. 
I don't know how much the learning reflects in my photographs! 

Yes, and I have captured some action of Professional Photographers as well, maybe some other time! 

57. Two Years Ago

Dreams. Hopes.
Debates.
Enthusiasm. Eagerness.
Queues.

Crowds.
Slogans.
Speeches.

It was just two years ago.
We have lost the opportunity to bring in change.
Once again!!
Because we did not act in the right manner?
History will have a story to tell....

49. Hunger Feast

15 February 2013.
Delhi IIT. 

Panel discussion on: HUNGER AND NUTRITION: TIME TO ACT

The key speaker was:

Yes, Dr. Amartya Sen.

The IIT Conference Hall was overflowing with crowds.

It was interesting to listen to his ideas - about inequality, about development, about food security, about democracy ...

For me itt was a Feast on Hunger!!

48. Ki Noo?

The fruit looked like orange.
But it looked different as well.
The board on the tray said 'Ki Noo' in Devngari script.

I was wondering what this 'Ki Noo' could be.
Is it a Hindi name for orange?

I brought two.
They were glowing and fresh.

Smell?
Very much like orange.

I opened it.
It's skin is more thick within.

Tests almost like an orange.

After consuming it, I 'googled' the word.

And here it is "Kinnow"

Liked it.
Plan to have more of Kinnow now. 

47. Protest at Janatar Mantar

I went and joined the protest at Jantar Mantar on 31st December evening.

The wall of Rapid Action Force personnel was not looking aggressive at that time.

There were many groups and many people around. The media was eager to cover the happening.

The message is loud and clear. Are we (not only government, but all of us) listening?

34. Roots Intact

"What takes us away from the earth?" is another question that I tend to ask.
The question no doubt is ridiculous, but it somehow often comes to my mind.
And the answers differ - depending on the place; time; situation....

I was at a spot on Ashoka Road  in Lutyens' Delhi - a place clearly taking me away from the reality to create another reality for me.

After a day long deliberations inside one of those buildings, I come out  in the evening and look around.

First what impresses me is the clear sky, cool breeze and the dancing trees.
Then I see some huge structures.
First is this - occupying the horizon.

Then I turn around and have another one blocking my view.

I feel a bit nervous with its size and just want to see what is at my left side.

It is not the height  that takes me away from earth - it is the attitude that separates me from others in a good way and in a bad way - both.

If I am aware of it, I can still keep the roots intact. 

30. Confluence

Like all Mega cities, new and old, modern and ancient live together in Delhi too.
The confluence of two distant ages is amazing to watch.
Though I was watching it constantly, last December when I was at Purana Qila in Delhi, I saw the sea of cars just from corner in Purana Qila. During that moment I realized that the city of cities has been holding these two eras in a nice way together.

The point was again emphasized when last Dunday I was at Feroz Shah Kotla.  From a 14th Century Jami Masjid, I could see flyovers and cars running smoothly.

It is not that the ancient and the modern has nothing to do with each other. They have learnt to co-exist peacefully.

The confluence apparently is peaceful, but who knows what price has been paid by people - in the past and in the present!! 

29. Media Madness

One of the salient features of 'India Against Corruption' movement is Media Coverage.  It seems that media is paying more attention to the cause of Anti- Corruption. 

At Jantar Mantar (Delhi), IAC conducted one day symbolic fast in which thousands joined.

The cameras looming over head were monstrous indeed. 

And just outside Jantar Mantar, the OB Vans and the spread of cables made things looks more mechanical than full of life.

Why is Media so much interested in this event? I don't know. I mean it is good, but there are thousands of people doing good work in the country and Media never takes notice of them.

Why now? 

28. Shelter

Like every other city, Delhi too has multiple faces. 

On one side, you see huge malls, luxury cars, clean roads - a sign of affluence.

In the same city, you have open drainage, potholes, people living on the road,.. 

Tilak Bridge is one of the Railway Stations in Delhi. It is near to New Delhi Railway station and is surrounded by RICH Delhi.

A glance at this station clearly shows that rich people are not using this mode of transport. 

At 10.00 in the morning I see the following.

According to Census 2001,  there are 1,943,476 houseless people in India. I am sure, there are many more.  I am still searching for Census 2011 figures.

At least Railway stations can work as Shelter for few!
Or does it for MANY?

27. World Book Fair Delhi

The 20th World Book Fair happened in Delhi from 25th February to 4th March.
I visited on 1st March. The venue Pragati Maidan was just a walking distance from the place I had been that day. Last year I had visited another event there. So finding the venue was not at all troublesome.

I found this board little funny. 

If both children and school children will have to pay Rs. 10/ entrance fee, then what is the point in differentiating them?

There are eco-friendly and free vehicles available in Pragati Maidan.

Many people who get tired after walking in the fair use it getting dropped at the exit gate. However, there were some experienced ones who used it while coming in the campus itself.

There were hundreds of books stalls. Almost every Indian language had its books displayed along with many foreign languages. I found Jnanapeeth stall most attractive.

Because it displayed photographs of all award winners.

People enjoyed purchase of books.

I too purchased 15 books - so that I know what I am going to read in 2012. 

7. T 3

"During your one year stay in Delhi, which place (spot) have you visited most?" one of my friends asked.

Well, home was the place I visited most and then office - but I know this was not he was asking.

Then suddenly I remembered: T 3

Well, I know, this was also not the right answer.
However during last one year, I have been a frequent visitor to T 3 - and what is important is I like to be at T 3.

It is beautiful. Is it clean. It is well maintained. It has good services. It is specious. It is comfortable.

It is artistic too!! Though I confess I do not understand and do not appreciate the art they exhibit there.

There are many shops. But I hardly see people purchasing anything except for food items. The obvious reason is: the cost. Even a cup of coffee costs more than one hundred rupees. I do not know how the cost of the product is calculated here!!

There are two runways. Still the following scene is indeed very frequent. On that evening, our captain announced that the earlier captain had noticed some pieces of tire on the runway and it was being cleaned. So, this queue!!

Overall T 3 is an experience worth having!!