Pink Twins

Pink Twins
Gangtok

Yellow Villa

Yellow Villa
Gangtok

Sparkling Rai Saag

Sparkling Rai Saag
Gangtok

Lovely Poppy Flowers

Lovely Poppy Flowers
Gangtok

A Different type of Seasonal Flower

A Different type of Seasonal Flower
Gangtok

Blue Flavour

Blue Flavour
Gangtok

Pink & White Combination

Pink & White Combination

Dark Pink Flavour

Dark Pink Flavour
Gangtok 6th March 16

Purple Charm

Purple Charm
CS Quarter Gangtok

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip

Magnificent Yellow and Red Tulip
Conservatory Near Selep Tank

Charm of Red Tulips

Charm of Red Tulips
Conservatory near Selep Tank

Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha
1-D Terminal New Delhi

Attraction of Red Panda

Attraction of Red Panda
Saramsa Garden

Lord Ganesh made of oranges

Lord Ganesh made of oranges
Saramsa Garden

Charm of Seasonal Flower

Charm of Seasonal Flower
Gaurds Ground Gangtok

Unmatched beauty

Unmatched beauty
Sikkim Organic Festival

Green is always soothing

Green is always soothing
Sikkim Organic Festival 2016

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Somewhere in Gangtok

White Orchid

White Orchid
Manan Kendra

Purple Orchid

Purple Orchid
Manan Kendra, 31-10-2015

Gift of Nature

Gift of Nature
Near Cherry Building

Majestic View of Sea

Majestic View of Sea
Marina, Chennai, 19-10-15

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting

Typical Sikkim Pillar Carving and painting
Hotel Nork Hill

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle

Mirror Reflection, Changed Angle
Nork Hill, 24-11-2015

Mirror Trick

Mirror Trick
Hotel Nork Hill, Gtok, 24-11-2015

Yes we have the power

Yes we have the power
Qtr at Devt Area, 25-11-2015

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA

Majestic View of K.jenga from SLA
Gangtok dt 20-11-2015

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK

MIRROR IMAGE OR COMPUTER TRICK
NEW DELHI 22-10-15

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE

BRILLIANT KATHAK PERFORMANCE
MRS MALI SMU 13-10-2015

SAROD RECITAL

SAROD RECITAL
SMU CONVOCATION 13-10-15

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE

SHOWCASING SIKKIM CULTURE
ITM GANGTOK 14-10-15

RED BEAUTY

RED BEAUTY
GANGTOK

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL
MAYFAIR GANGTOK

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

OM NAMAH SHIVAY
MAYFAIR GANGTOK 02-11-15

Smile and Joy

Smile and Joy
24th September Delhi

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed

Beautiful Chinaware Lampshed
Gangtok

Catelia Orchid

Catelia Orchid
Gangtok on 7-10-15

Morning Glow

Morning Glow
Denzong Regency- Gangtok on 7-10-15

Pink Orchid

Pink Orchid
Pakyong Area

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
Bojeytar Pakyong 26 Feb 15

Tabla or Log Piece

Tabla or Log Piece
HMI Darjeeling Nov 2014

Hand can do anything

Hand can do anything
Birla Science Museum Kolkata

Legacy and Heritage

Legacy and Heritage
Indian Museum Kolkata

Queen Nephretus of Egypt

Queen Nephretus of Egypt
India Museum Kolkata 4th Mar 15

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece

A Buddhist Stone Art Piece
Tashi Delek June 2014

Foot Print of Bason

Foot Print of Bason
Satpura Forest

Foot Print of Tiger

Foot Print of Tiger
Satpura Forest (MP) March 14

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Unique Piece of Pine Wood

Lovely Twins

Lovely Twins

Pink,Pink,Pink

Pink,Pink,Pink
Orchid,not only Spl ,It lasts longer Also

Clean Water has a Different Impact

Clean Water has a Different Impact
Rangeet at Jorethang ,24-11-14

What a Ravishing Beauty ?

What a Ravishing Beauty ?
Teesta near Kalijhora, 19-12-14

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty

Pre Dawn Captivating Beauty
K.JUNGA, 6:20 AM 18 -12-14

Another Dawn View -Different Angle

Another Dawn View -Different Angle
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

View at Dawn in Biting Cold

View at Dawn in Biting Cold
K.JUNGA 18-12

Dawn Scene-2

Dawn Scene-2
V Awas 18 -12-14

Dawn Scenario

Dawn Scenario
K.JUNGA

Morning Means End of Night

Morning Means End of Night
K. JUNGA,

View at Dawn

View at Dawn
K.JUNGA 2 ,18-12-14

Early Morning Freshness

Early Morning Freshness
K.JUNGA, 18-12-14

What an eye opener early in the day?

What an eye opener early in the day?
View of 17-12-2014 from Terrace of V. Awas

Another view of full snow around Mt Kanchendzonga

Another view of full snow around  Mt Kanchendzonga
17-12-2014

Magnificent view after bone chilling night

Magnificent view after bone chilling night
17-12-2014

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night

Beauty of Kachendzonga after a cold night
Vidhayak Awas Gangtok

Amazing charm of Green Orchid

Amazing charm of Green Orchid
HMI Darjeeling

Green Orchid

Green Orchid
HMI DARJEELING (13-11-14)

Bell Flower in full bloom

Bell Flower in full bloom

Yellow Orchid

Yellow Orchid
Dec 14 Circuit House

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires

View of Kanchendzonga always inspires
Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom
November 14 Ganesh Tok Gangtok

What a view after getting up ?

What a view after getting up ?
B-1 Vidhayak Aawas Gangtok

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga

Chanda Mama looking at Kanchendzonga
11-11-2014 VIP COLONY

Red Rose

Red Rose
Gangtok

Cranes having Gala Time

Cranes having Gala Time
Tigaon, Faridabad (2nd Oct 14)

Yes I am from Faridabad

Yes I am from Faridabad
Tiny, Beautiful Bird at NTPC, Ballabgarh (29.9.14)

Water Vital for Life

Water Vital for Life
Awesome view of Teesta near Kalijhora

Yes I had a Bath

Yes I had a Bath
Gladiola at 6200 ft.

Soothing Morning View

Soothing Morning View
Mt. Khangchendzonga from C.House (April, 14)

Natural Yellow Fascinates

Natural Yellow Fascinates
Gangtok (April, 2014)

Flowery Bell ?

Flowery Bell ?
Circuit House (May 14)

Riot of Colour in Monsoon

Riot of Colour in Monsoon
Circuit House, Gangtok(May 14)

Blushing orange

Blushing orange
Circuit House Gangtok (May 14)

Magnificent Taj

Magnificent Taj
Sept 2013

I can lift Taj Mahal

I can lift Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal,Sept end 2013

Natural fan to beat the heat

Natural fan to beat the heat
India Gate (24.08.14)

Engineering Marvel

Engineering Marvel
Coronation Bridge (22.08.2014)

Cascading water, soothing to eyes

Cascading water, soothing to eyes
Scene near Teesta Baazar (22.8.14)

Teesta attracts at every bend

Teesta attracts at every bend
16.7.2014

Monkey jump

Monkey jump
Teesta River, Birik(22.8.14)

Onset of Night

Onset of Night
Qutub,Sept.13

Qutub,Dusk Scene

Qutub,Dusk Scene
Sept.13

Together we take a Plunge

Together we take a Plunge
Clean Calicut Beach, Feb-2013

Setting Sun, always soothing

Setting Sun, always soothing
Dusk at a Gaya village(15.5.13)

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle

Green Paradise in Concrete Jungle
Lake surrounding Purana Quila(20.10.13)

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Monday, June 27, 2016

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Wednesday, March 30, 2016












BRUSSELS


After a lapse of seventeen years, one is reminded of Brussels, the attractive capital of Belgium. In this centre of tradition and modernity, around 35 innocent people were recently killed and more than 200 were injured .Series of explosions ripped through the busy Zaventeem airport and the Maalbeek Metro station. The P.M of Belgium rightly termed them “blind, violent and cowardly”. Significance of the attack can be possibly assessed from the fact that those handling NATO and European Union headquarters over here were supposedly to get alerted. The mere fact that it happened within four days of arrest in Brussels of Salah Abdeslam, the prime suspect of Paris terror attack, was perhaps slated to send a warning signal.



Suicide Bombing.

The blast shattered the main hall of the country's biggest and one of Europe's busiest airports fairly early in the morning. Two explosions were caused by two suicide bombers. A third blast hit a train at a busy Metro station. Scene was usual-victims lay in pools of blood at both the locations There were chaotic scenes as passengers and visitors fled in panic. Some lost limbs. One man reportedly lost both of his legs. And one cop, as per newspaper reports, was left with a totally mangled leg. To add to the woes, an un-exploded suicide vest was also discovered. At both the locations, the relief and rescue teams immediately swung into action. Paramedics attended to commuters with bloodied faces as the nearby streets were filled with the wailing of sirens of security vehicles. The saga of violence perpetrated by the worst kind of suicide unfortunately goes on unabated. It is extremely difficult both to detect and resolve.

Indian Concern.

As expected, people in India showed immediate concerns having been exposed to such violence several times in the past. Apart from issuing alerts, MEA began giving assurances. At the airport two Jet Air employees were reported injured and one of them, a lady, was immediately taken to hospital. Nothing happened to India bound passengers. The Prime Minister of India was reported certain to go ahead with his 30th March Brussels visit to take part in the India-EU Summit. 

Down Memory Lane.

Seventeen springs ago, in September, 1999 I had spent four unforgettable days in Brussels in connection with the APPPA Course of IIPA, New Delhi. Apart from visiting places of Interest, such as, Atomium (built in 1958),Grand Place, St.Michael Cathedral, The Manneken Pis (Miniature statue of a tiny tot pissing),Town Hall etc. we were fortunate to have visited two amazing places in Holland-Maastrich and Amsterdam.

During day time our schedule with EU and EEC personnel would be very very hectic. Sometimes we had to skip lunch. Gradually we picked up the habit of carrying some fruit and juice bottles in our bags to cater to the emergencies. In the evenings, even if we were tired, we would attempt seeing a known place/monument, do window shopping and hogg fast food just ahead of hearing the alarm from our quiet Bus driver. One tiny replica of Manneken Pis and a White & light Grey shawl of Dupatta kind ($14) for my wife turned out to be memorable purchases from Brussels. Latter I would not have got but for the patience and perseverance on the part of the young woman seller. I very much now regret having taken more than the required time to decide on my purchase.
  
Grand Place.

We made two visits to the Grand Place (Market Square) which had a tower of 96 meters in height. Built in Brabantine Gothic style, the place started off as a market for trading goods. In 1455, a Town Hall was added. The owners of the houses in surroundings were bound to preserve as much as possible, the original style of their buildings. The houses, therefore, looked similar to each other and would appear very attractive. It was the venue of annual flower shows as well. Flower arrangement was reported to be such that the whole area would look like series of carpets next to each other. It was learnt that locals and the tourists alike would throng the place on the days of show.

A few words about our hotel need to be mentioned. A medium sized cosy joint, it was located in the outskirts of the city. The most interesting part was that it provided Breakfast even at 5.30 am. Hold it-one of our colleagues, by the name of Puri Saheb, would be the first to report. He would hog on for nearly two hours. Any guesses, what he ate and after gulping the food and the drinks, how did he digest the whole thing?

Another memory of this hotel I have, concerns Sri Rao who would spend hours with a lady Professor in the lounge as also the dining area. He would chit chat to glory. Again what they conversed in the cold and windy surroundings could be any body's guess.

 Tailpiece

 For the first time after visiting Brussels, I could realize that in the West, they waste a lot of energy. Offices close to our hotel would be well lit even inside, at night. Design wise some looked ordinary but those with heritage features, simply looked gorgeous. There was plenty to see and explore but time was the constraint. May be, next time. Places of unique culture and heritage need to be protected and admired. Not to be harmed. 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Festival of Lights.


They call it Diwali or Deepawali or Festival of lights. Names may be different but this ancient festival is celebrated with tremendous joy, almost in every nook and corner of our multi religious and multi-racial country. One exception now being-rising awareness about harm to the environment due to burning of crackers.


While nationally, a debate is always on about a ban and some states have gone ahead and accomplished as well, the charm or the kick, one used to get as a kid or tiny tot, is not witnessed or missing altogether if it is all quiet on this day.

If it is the biggest festival of Delhi and some parts of North India, it is also synonymous with unwanted show of wealth and power, mostly leading to accidents, severe burns as also killings, sometimes. Nevertheless, in the same Delhi, awareness generated at the level of children for more than a decade or so has made a sizeable difference in the scenario. There is tremendous reduction in pollution levels on the one hand and number of accidents on the other. Whatever we do or initiate, there should be an element of sustenance in that. And some people have required courage and will as well.

There are many sides or facets of Diwali which are never reported, so children receiving modern computer and NET aided education, while being away from their Grand Parents are deprived of these and many other mythological truths. During one's formative years, there would be an element of eagerness as also enthusiasm when a festival would approach and a sort of depressive feeling would invariably take over at the end, not because one would be deprived of fun and frolic but one would be made to study hard, yet again. Some good Samaritan would, nevertheless, always surmise-'the next festival is a few weeks or months away, so cheer up'.

 The Gharounda experience is something that was intrinsically associated with one's psyche as a child. There would be discussions and discussions, followed by trials of clay models of little houses as also talk about who would excel, who would leave the field, who would lag behind and who would actually accomplish the task on his own or with the help of some Didi or Bhaiya on the eve of Diwali.  Thereafter, white washing of the “House” would take place, followed by putting the grain and sweets  in little earthen containers inside or in the makeshift “compound”. Sometimes, there would be competition as well but the keenness and enthusiasm built over ten days ahead of D day will simply get side-lined once Diyas and Crackers would emerge, beginning with Chhoti Diwali, coinciding with Dhanteras and ultimately ending with the Basi Diwali.

While one would take part in the evening Pooja to give green signal to lighting of Diyas and candles, late night Pooja would not be normally attended by all the children. Fatigue of running around with crackers and sometimes getting minor burns too, would be prominent by this time. It would, however, happen year after year that a long sound or noise of burning of huge crackers would emerge at a time when most of us would be asleep. Nevertheless, it had the indomitable power to divert attention. We would ask each other where from do they get so much money to waste and disturb sleep of others. As little children, we had no idea that these wealthy persons apart from show off, were also doing a lot of harm to the environment, something discovered very recently.

In Sikkim, the festival of light goes on for five days. Each day is dedicated to worship of a particular entity  or living being. The first day, it is Kag Tihar, when crows are fed with home prepared delicacies. The second day, known as Kukoor Tihar, is dedicated to dogs. The third day, it is Gai Tihar, when cows are honoured. The fourth day, it is Goru Tihar, when oxen are worshipped and fed. The fifth day is for Bhai Tika, when sisters religiously put a coloured rice mixed “Tika” on the forehead of brothers.

As darkness sets in on the Diwali day, diyas and candles lit up all the dark corners.  By the time one decides to have frugal dinner ( in view of loss of appetite due to intake of too many sweets ), a soothing chorus is heard in a setting, otherwise quiet at this time. One gathers that a group of young girls in their traditional attire are singing Bhailo in front of each house in the locality.  By the time they “knock” at your doorstep, you understand their innocence, devotion and efforts put in to sustain a tradition started long ago. After two or three numbers even if you feel that this singing spree is going to stop, it does not.  The pleasing to ears show goes on for nearly 15 to 20 minutes and they leave for another house only when a thali  having rice, flowers, a lit diya and some cash is placed before them.  Apart from politely accepting the gift of cash, they do not mind having a sweet or any eatable prepared specially for the day. 

Talking of Bhailo, the society appears to have a discriminating attitude.  While the girls are supposed to celebrate the spirits this way only for one night, in respect of boys or men, it is “Deusi” singing recital, permitted for full two days up to Bhai Tika day or even more. But women seem to be accepting it without any fuss.  

 Apart from witnessing tremendous reduction in number of groups performing Bhailo or Deusi now, what actually surprises is a few combined group of young boys and girls singing together with a back up of Guitar for the common cause in the evening, following the Diwali Day. Whether it is a reflection of reconsideration or compromise, only time will tell.  Message of equality of sexes, nevertheless is becoming loud and clear.