Thanking Lord Annapurna

"This food gives us a sense of equality. Everyone gets the same food. We get to eat vegetables that we dont usually get to eat at home. The food is delicious and we have been eating this since 1st std. Our parents are happy that we are getting education and they dont have to worry about our nutrition." - words of a 9th std. student from a government school in Bangalore. 

I was recently invited by an NGO to document the mid-day meal scheme run by Akshaya Patra foundation. I visited the centralized kitchen and also visited one of the 1,055 schools in Bangalore that is served by Akshaya Patra.

I was amazed to look at the magnificent facility where 184, 530 student's food is made daily in the most clean and hygienic way. The photographs tell the rest of the story.

The containers where tonnes of rice and dal are stored for the day's meal. 

The rice and pulses are cleaned minutely. 

Vegetables are cleaned and cut manually. The cleaning process is the only task which is done manually. 

                                   

Machines where rice and sambhar are made. This reduces the human handling of food and for any foreign elements to enter the food while it is being prepared.

The food is stored in steel containers and there is no human contact in the entire process. 

Sabji being made.

I met a few students from 'Government Model Primary school', Bangalore. Everyone seemed so happy with the meal, they were all praises for the food. I was overwhelmed to see their positive response and the fact that there were students who were allowed to come to school by their parents because they were getting good food. Its a pity that parents send them to school for this reason, however its also their circumstances that make them think this way.

I have been a teacher earlier for 3 years, teaching in schools where students were from well-to-do families. They paid the school for the year's mid-day meal. However, I always heard complaints and cribbing about the food and the menu, inspite of getting an entire buffet. They didnt realize how lucky they were to have such a lavish meal.

Also, when I studied in NID, the mess food was pretty good in standards. Even then, students complained about the food regularly.

But my visit to this school, I was humbled to hear all praises about the food they got. Its true, you never value things in your life that are easily available to you.

Students wash their own plates and form a queue to get their meal.

A girl sharing her meal with her friends. 

There was no one to tell them to sit in a line, they arranged themselves on their own. 

                                       पूजयेदशनं नित्यं अद्याच्चैनमकुत्सयन्  ।

                               दृष्ट्वा हृष्येत् प्रसीदेच्च प्रतिनन्देच्च सर्वश: ॥

Food should always be worshipped and taken with the utmost reverence. The sight of food should delight one’s heart and fill it with joy.  It should always be  cherished  whatever the situation. 

Thank u for coming into my life...

You mesmerized me with your words, now you live with my heart, and I do not complain;

You erased my memories, now I see new dreams everyday, and I do not complain; 

You reminded me that life was beautiful, now I smile all day, and I do not complain;

You taught me the new definition of love, now I follow your heart, and I do not complain;

You made me laugh by singing all day, now you keep me awake with your snoring all night, and I do not complain; 

Today we know each other since one year, and I think- "Why did you come so late?", and I do not complain.

Dont worry!!! Be happy!!!

Different instances in our lives bring different feelings and reactions in us. Some make us happy and some make us sad. Usually when I get sad, I think of it like this - how would I look at this situation after a few days, will I still feel the same pain/ frustration/ anger? Or will it be just a phase to me then. 

Notice your moments in life from the past that have brought in you pain, anger, frustration, sadness and depression. Now when you think of those reactions, don't you feel stupid about your reaction? Don't you feel, it hardly made a big deal? Don't you think if you would have reacted in a more mature way, atleast others might not have formed an opinion of you? 

It is not easy to follow this, but I try to see every situation that comes along in my life, as an outsider. I know that this all would be just a phase which will go away. And then after few days, you will feel this small and after few years, you may not even remember it. 

My simple aim is to remain happy. Speaking Tree in TOI is usually an inspiration to keep reminded all the time 'How to live life'. Various gurus, philosophers, writers say only one thing - Be Happy!!!

Don't dwell in the past or worry about the future. Dont have expectations. Be happy as you are now and enjoy peace. Simply remain happy and in peace. 

People suffer on account of imagined calamities and forego a thousand moments of happiness. 

Cultivate patience. You earn a bad name for making issues of petty things because of lack of patience. 

Being Human! No, its not about Salman Khan's NGO!

Born to Bengali and Gujarati parents, and getting married to a U.P. husband, now living in Karnataka makes me wonder what should my answer be when someone asks me what place or what caste I belong to.

Does it really matter? For a moment I pause and think what should my answer be and then confused of what part of India is more in me, I prefer giving my entire history to the person rather than describing myself as a Bengali, Gujarati or a U.P.

Having brought up in a nuclear and modern family, my parents were liberal and independent in thoughts. We spoke Hindi at home (neither Gujarati nor Bengali), no particular cuisine was preferred (we followed our taste), open to worship all Gods (a debatable question though), celebrated all festivals (felt it specially while celebrating Gujarati Navratri and Bengali Durga Puja simultaneously) and we adopted rituals from various  places. Our mind and belief dominated our place of origin.

I have had friends from various parts of India and world rather, this broadened my perspective even more. Being with them made me realize that every religion teaches you to be humane, humble and true to your self. It actually depends on the person what he chooses to become in the course of time that he goes through the tests of life.

Rituals have their meanings and purpose, but they gradually become rigid rules to be followed blindly. Rituals are a way of purifying your soul and they make sense only if you perform them when you understand the entire purpose of it. One should always be open to performing rituals with sincerity, provided you understand their meaning and purpose. One should be happy to perform them unless they are made compulsions and a matter of being judged of who you are.

I am happy to be just Human! Not a Gujarati, Bengali, Christian, or any of those kinds.

THE RIGHT TIME!!!

Time is such an important factor in our lives. Its how easily you accept TIME, makes your life worthwhile.

Unless the right time comes, no matter how much you try to make an effort, it just doesn’t work out. And when the time is just right, even with minimal efforts, things fall into place.

I believe God resides within each of our hearts and whatever we wish from the bottom of our hearts, is like a prayer to the God. The wish is granted, sooner or later, when the time comes.

My inner voice always craved for an expression through creativity. The environment that i was in, I always thought of getting into MBA or other such professional courses. However, some or the other way, things never worked out, as the God from within was unhappy. However, when I let the time go by, NID happened, it all went just so smooth as it was just right. Circumstances changed, people supported me, finances got into place, I suddenly got the clear pathway in front of me and things were falling into places.

Since years, had made several efforts to find a life partner and settle down. No matter how much I tried, nothing ever worked out, as I was forcing my wish against time. Finally had given up on everything and had understood by then that nothing will work out unless the right time comes. It was at my friend’s engagement ceremony when there came a voice from within. I was ready to let go the bygones and looking forward for a life ahead. Again, things started falling into place. Had never thought that within a week of my profile at a matrimonial site, I will meet a person with whom I would spend the rest of my life. This time, I was not worried, no fear, everything felt so right. Ample time was given to forget and forgive, and now was the time to cherish the present and look forward for the future.

Had always wanted life to be this simple. But if it wasn’t harsh, I wouldn’t be what I am today.

“ Give time your patience, and time will give you want you want;

Value time, and it will pay you for all your hard work;

Have faith in time, and it will prove to be the best mentor;

Give people your time, and they will respect you forever. “

KAHAN TUM CHALE GAYE...

A plain yellowish wall, with a black and white photo of Jagjit and Chitra Singh hanging, a big sitting area in front of it. Jagjit Singh sitting relaxed with his harmonium, looking straight into the camera. A texture of morning light falling on his face, candles lit up all around the place. This is the portrait I had imagined for Jagjit Singh.

Had found a contact to reach him. And was waiting for him to be fit and fine, though within my heart somewhere I knew, these are his last days and had a strong intuition that my dream of taking his portrait is gonna be just a wish, .

Aaj phir dil ne ek tammanna ki… aaj phir dil ko humne samjhaya…

Last time he visited Ahmedabad at the IIM concert, had attended it and before the show could end, I went backstage and waited to meet him.

Aaye woh saamne toh bus….

He was surrounded by loads of people and security, but had the nearest look at him and got an autograph from him at least.

His songs have been a part of our lives, be it sulking as a teenager, enjoying the romantic moments, or mourning over a lost love, or even the process of coming out of the past and moving on with life. His voice has been a smoothing ointment for hundreds and thousands of broken hearts.

2001 Godhra kaand, one of the worst human disasters in Gujarat, that night Jagjit Singh was performing in Amdavad at Karnavati Club. I was in second year college, and this was my first chance to hear him Live. Despite of prohibitions, I went there. It was a full moon night, cold breeze blowing, hundreds of enthusiasts, melodious music and the golden voice. It was a night to be remembered for my life.

Tum chale jaoge toh sochenge… humne kya khoya, humne kya paaya…

In loving memory... NEMO!!!

6:11 PM A: hi

6:13 PM me: hi

so ur name is nemo?

6:14 PM A: no nimesh

me: oh ok...

6:23 PM A: so ur a photo graphr

me: not exactly...

just trying to be one...

A: ohhhhhhhh

nice pics

water sports and all

6:24 PM me: thanks...

A: are nice nes

ones*

me: so what do u do?

6:26 PM A: i write scripts

make plays

and imagine a lot

My first unknown online friend. Our common interests, writing and photography kept our conversations on. Once in a while we used to chat and then months of gap.

Nemo: I am writing a script. Check this out and share your opinion...

HIDE AND SEEK

By- Nimesh Tanna.

Mumbai—Haji Ali

With heavy eyes and the air filled with delicious innocence and heartbeat softened in desire he did his namaaz rituals and then with fading darkness

And lost in nothing-ness, burned by the fires of inner light and divine guidance and insight he walks

‘ taqdeer bhi kya rang layee..

teri mazhar pe subah lehrayi..

hum toh bhool hi gaye bheed mein apne aap ko

phir tujhse door hote hue tanhayee samajh aayee..

apne aap ko bhool gaye sabhi aaj kuch yaad aa raha hain..

pathron se yuhi nahi takratii lehre…

khayalon mein se koi bade dino baad aa raha hai’.......

................................................................................................

Nemo: Hi!

me: hey! been a long time...

Nemo: how are you?

me: hmm... good

Nemo: no...something is wrong....tell me what is it...

me: nothing at all....

Nemo: ok give me ur phone number now!!! i can sense it... something is terribly wrong...

I heard his voice for the first time... he sounded like Farhan Akhtar... rough yet pleasant to hear... cheerful... we talked as if we knew each other since years... we were completely comfortable talking to each other...

that day, I was travelling alone to a village Pithampur for a photo assignment for a month and I was damn scared as I was also going through a bad phase in life. Nemo assured that he was on phone all through out the journey till i reached the guest house safely. We kept talking all night... that was the longest talk I ever had with anyone on phone.

During my entire stay at Pithampur, he made sure that I went to sleep at peace. Like a good friend, he asked me whether I had food, whether I was ok, talked to me on how my day went. I could successfully complete my assignment. After I returned, we had regular chats to share what was up with our lives.

Slowly he went busy with his work, and I with my NID assignments. November 2010, during Navratri, he said he was passing by Ahmedabad and that I should come and see him at the railway station. I tried, but was occupied with work so we could not meet. He got angry and didnt talk to me until he called me a few days later and said that he was dropping by in Ahmedabad to meet me for a day and that I should show him around NID. I agreed happily.

The day came when we met each other after 3 years of chat. It was so good to see him, a positive and energetic aura surrounded him. I showed him around NID and then he accompanied me to Riverside school to take my photography workshop. kids enjoyed his company. We returned in the school bus, talking and laughing like two school kids getting back home. Had lunch, and then he wanted to buy something special for his mom and friends. So took him to law garden. It was Navratri, so we again met at NID at night and alongwith his friend and my friend, we sat in the lawn at chatted till 12 a.m. then we came out, and sat on the roads, chatting the entire night till 6 a.m. It had been almost 20 hours that we had been together.

Will never forget those 20 hours Nemo. You are a great soul... you made more friends in NID than i had... you had the quality to charm anyone...

A beautiful soul that was here on earth to share happiness, joy, positivity... May your soul rest in peace NEMO!!! You have 100s of fans following you and remembering you.

Every day when I logon to facebook, I search for you and hope that will see you online someday... and my chat window will pop up 'hi... take care'.

Today when I look back, I realise how strangely we met on orkut and then our friendship extended, sometimes we took each other for granted and didnt talk for days and weeks. And now that you are gone, wish I had spent some more time with you. I missed getting all the positive vibes from you. You remind me, 'Life is to be lived every moment. Make a difference in others lives. Believe in yourself and do things the way you want. Live life the Nemo way...'

Buddy... you touched many lives... you are blessed by each of us...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

It has been two years since I started writing this blog on a sunny, windy, lovely Uttarayan day. As always, Uttarayan has always been my special festival. The Kite flying gives a sense of freedom. Though it is flying high in the air, it is attached to its roots unless is rigorously and harshly cut from its connections. It falls down, however doesn’t stop its spirit of flying. It flies again with new spirit and new hopes. It sometimes gets entangled in difficulties and is torn into pieces. But it is still happy to have lived a life giving happiness to others.

All right there goes the philosophical way. Apart from that, it is a day for me to measure my life of how many Uttarayans have I spent in my life on terrace enjoying with family, friends. It gives me an idea of where I was 5 Uttarayan back and where am I today. So much has happened and so much has gone by, so much has changed yet so much is still the same within me.

May be it also the time for me to plan as to how would I like to spend Uttarayans 10 years later in my life.

Ahhh…forget it… its time to go up and fly the kites. No more philosophy and no more worries. As a wise man has said

“LIVE FOR THE MOMENT”

HAPPY UTTARAYAN and sorry for such a disappointing blog…

To God's own Country???

To God's own country... I never understood why Kerala tourism were boasting this, unless i experienced it myself. If you are an Indian, you must must visit Kerala before you die. For foreigners, they sure visit Kerala as it is on the top list for tourist places when they plan their trip to India.

What I liked best about Kerala is that though the tourism industry promotes Kerala, they have still not commercialized all the places as much as it has been in other parts of the country. They are very clear where the tourists should be allowed and where to draw the line between tourism and to maintain the purity and sanctity of the place.

So let me share my experience of the trip to Kerala with Shiho, my Japanese friend. I stayed at Alekh's, Liju's and Haris's (my NID classmates) places with their wonderful, caring and loving families. And the best part, all three from different religions - hindu, christian and muslim; but i could hardly find any difference in any of those houses in terms of love, care, hospitality, respect, purity, food and belief. I was stuffed till my throat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I do not know how to thank all the mothers for the delicious food they served with so much love.

Puttu, idiuppam, verlappam, idli, Pathiri, paayasam, pappadam, fish curry and all this to go with the huge heap of rice on a big banana leaf. Various kinds of bananas - poovan, chenkadhali, paalayankodan). Hehe... i dont remember these names at all, but its that on the last day at Kerala, I asked Liju to write down all the names.

Fried fish; rice, pappadam, fish, achar on banana leaf; idiuppam being steamed in cooker

From clear water beaches to fresh air mountains, I saw all the possible nature's beauty in 11 days. But out of all, the visit to Aiyappam temple was one of the best spiritual experiences I ever had. The temple allows only Hindus to enter the temple and that too only in sarees and Munds. Earlier I thought this ridiculous as to why this kind of a restriction for seeing god? Why cant anyone can go wearing whatever to pray to god? But somehow I enjoyed the whole process of dressing up specially in the traditional Mallu Saree and visiting the temple. The temple is made with huge rock carvings of Lord Vishnu's incarnations. On both sides of corridor were pillars engraved with ladies holding diya in their hand which are lighted up at nights on Ekadasi or any such other occasion. There were various temples within the huge temple, for lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna and others. The interiors of the temple

were dark, could see only the idol and the pujari in the diya lights. The aroma of the flowers and diya purified the atmosphere. The sound of only the temple bells took out all the negative energy. I really could feel the whole meaning of visiting a temple. It felt so peaceful and calm from within. I could feel my soul. I was overwhelmed with the whole pure experience. It surely is the belief within me which made me experience all this. And am glad I could.

After this soul cleaning experience, we visited the Backwaters (Allapy) for the house boat ride for a day. I had read in a book that this is one of the top 10 things to-do-before you die. I second that completely. We got a house boat for 4 people with two bed rooms, well furnished, a chef and a captain to ride the boat- all for Rs. 7500/- only. And I think that was a good deal for a life time experience with all the good food served to you. All through out we kept sitting next to the captain, watching the water pass-by, feeling the cool breeze, waiving at every boat that crossed, clicking all the beautiful scenes and hear the water flowing.

The boat halts at a place in the evening at stays there for the whole night. Though there are mosquitoes around, you can manage to drive them away with some kachhua and a fan blowing them off. And of course the best place to get a little high and share some philosophical talks with your close friends. The early morning sunrise, sparkles the water and waaah what a beautiful way to get a morning. An early morning boat ride with lovely breakfast cooked by the chef onboard. And some fishermen row by to sell the fresh fish that they had just caught.

From the backwaters to the small hill Ponmudi. Liju's bro Jiju, drove us to the beautiful hill near by trivandrum which was a 3 hours drive. On the way there was a beautiful river flowing across with the perfect view. Do you remember the painting you used to make in your school days? What would you paint? A mountain, a small house, a river flowing by, a boat,

some clouds? It was perfectly the view.

Once we reached the top of the Ponmudi hills, it was amazing. The mountains and the clouds seemed to be playing hide and seek. It was so much fun to see the scene changing with every eye blink. At one time you could see the mountain shining with the golden sun rays, the second moment you could see it all covered up with clouds. This was nature at its best play.

But apart from all this. What I truly relished the most is the three homes where i stayed. It was fun to play with all the pets at Liju's - hens, cocks, goats, turkey, dog and my favourite Pakdu

(meaning 'little son/daughter' in mallu), the cute little ca

t. I still miss Pakdu :( Wish I could bring it along. Here is a glimpse of Pakdu playing with its own shadow :)

My last destination was Haris's place which was a couple of hours away from Calicut. So we took up an afternoon train from Cochin to Calicut, from Calicut took up a bus then an auto and then we climbed up the hill to his place in complete darkness. This was my first ever experience of trekking a hill in dark. His house is in a peaceful place up the hill with beautiful surroundings of trees, water falls, rocks. So in the morning, we went

to a near by pond which was covered up by huge rocks. The guys took a swim in it. I so wanted to take

a plunge in the pond, but it was a village and I didnt wanted to feel embarrassed. But Liju learnt to swim in the pool :)

On the right is the pic of the pond, if you tilt your head, you can actually see a bear in the reflection :P my imagination...

After the whole rejuvenating experience, I really didnt feel like getting back. With my course at NID getting finished, my course at UK getting postponed, bad personal life and decisions of careers. Everything was so bugging me, but believe me, this wonderful trip made me feel so peaceful, it completely rejuvenated me. Truly Kerala is God's own country.

Is this an end, or just a new beginning?

Is this an end, or just a new beginning?

An end to a long lasting relation, or is it time to make new relations,

An end to the love dwelling inside, or is it time to spread across that love;

An end to the only possession owned, or is it time to let things go;

An end to the daily meetings, or is it time to be with yourself?

An end to the care for the only person you cared about, or is it time to care for the humanity,

An end to the fights for expectations, or is it time to build up new expectations from life,

An end to the endless waits to be one someday, or is it time to find union in self,

An end to the changes made constantly within, or is it time to be you again;

An end to the prayers made, or is it time to pray even harder;

An end to the madness done several times, or is it time to be sane all the time;

An end to the belief that things will work out, or is time to accept the reality;

An end to the time spent together, or is it time to just cherish those memories;

An end to the dreams seen together, or is it time to live new dreams!

Delhi Internship experience - Day 1

As a part of our curriculum, we are supposed to do a one month internship. It can be either under an established photographer, a photography gallery, magazine or under a photojournalist. I chose to do my internship under a Contemporary Photographer who has been working on migration, sexuality, health/illness and architecture, both monumental and quotidian.

Just a day before the journey, I met with an accident and got injured on hands and right leg... had a tough time carrying the luggage to the train...plus it was winters and Delhi winters are chilling so had to carry extra baggages for bedding and warm clothes. Train journeys are always exciting for me... i love watching the passing scenes, the sellers, the platform hustle-bustle, the fights for sitting, the introduction talks with the people sitting around, the eatables, the constant sound of the wheels of the train...everything fascinates me.

As soon as I came out of the railway station, and I realised that I had entered Delhi, a place where you need to be careful if no body cheats on you, or no body makes a cheap comment on you, or some one just doesnt cut your pocket or some one just doesnt push you... I opted to take the pre-paid auto, but to my surprise, the autos that were standing in queue on the station, were not the pre-paid ones...infact I had to stand on the road with the traffic police waiting for an auto to come...there was a huge rush and i had to wait for my turn to get my auto....somehow just managed to put up all my luggage up.

On the way I could see almost all modes of transport possible on the road - horse cart, bull-cart, human-cart, cycle rickshaw, BRTS bus, private buses, and the other usual vehicles. When I reached the East of Kailash, then it was a tough time finding my PG house. All the time the auto wala kept cribbing that he was spending extra miles in searching for the place (even though the amount that he had charged was almost double for what he had covered).

Finally i found the PG house, I was given a room with four beds and four almirahs. However, there were two other girls staying there and i was alloted one cupboard to put up my stuff. When I started opening my luggage, I realised I had too bad skills to arrange all of it into one almirah. So I put up all the stuff in two cupboards without any permission of the landlady. Ofcourse a cupboard doesnt increase the electricity bill that she should have a problem with that... I just took my bath and rushed for my internship at Sunil Gupta's place at G.K-1, N-block which was just 3 km away from my PG.

Sunil and his boyfriend were waiting for me for lunch. Oh yes, Sunil is a gay. My first interaction with a gay, though had many during my stay in Delhi then. His house was beautiful, very well lighted up. A well maintained library with books ranging from paintings, to photography books to philosophical books to books written by Sunil himself. One discussion which came up during every lunch was about Asha, the home-maid cum cook of Sunil. Asha was an old lady from Nepal in her 40s...she had been promoted by Sunil from a house maid to a cook, however it seemed both were having a tough time adjusting to each other...but it was very cute of how Sunil found ways to keep her happy and pepped up for her work.

After lunch Sunil took me into his office room, again it was nicely lit-up with one huge halogen lamp giving bounce light from the ceiling. And wow!!! he uses two mac screens...with 4 external hard disks...each one named after his ex-boyfriends. He showed me the system that he followed and i tried to grasp it like an obedient student. I asked for some work then and then started working on his database.

A few t.v. reporters called up Sunil to take his appointment. PM Chidambaran had made a statement supporting gay rights and so they wanted his comment on the same. I felt that I was working under a celebrity.

In the evening we went to the IHC where Suruchi was awarded the scholarship for her documentation on the old studios. Mridul and Siddharth were also there. The function started with a boring piano session by a student. Audience were silently listening and I was wondering if they are enjoying it or did they fall asleep like me...anyways, Alka Pandey appeared with her jazzy coat and spoke a few flattery words for the panel of judges sitting there. The best three works from the competition was displayed with an explaination why that work had been chosen as one of the best. Suruchi's name was announced and she went on the stage to receive it. I tried to get a good picture of her...but the other photographer kept coming in front. Anyways, here is what I could get finally. Doordarshan also took her interview later.


After the function, there was a drink party. This was my first hi-fi party at Delhi. The delicious aloo starters with yummy cheesy dippings to be accompanied with whine. Though I didnt have it. I dont know why I refused it. It was chilling cold so I had a good reason to have it. I squeezed myself to a heater nearby and tried to warm up. After a few minutes of formality and showing up our faces to all present there, we (me, suruchi, siddharth, Sunil and Chapal) ventured for a dinner at Swagat, GK M-block market. The picture is of Chapal and Sunil Gupta.

And then when Sunil came to drop me back home, I lost my way. We went around for almost half an hour searching for my PG. I finally entered the PG at 11.30. I had broken the rule on the first day itself. :) So here was my first day at Delhi.

Getting into NID...phew!!!

Now that I am already into NID, I can have the gutt to talk about the experience during the admission procedure. It was quite an experience...one of a kind and very satisfying.

I left my job in March to pursue my hobby as a passion. I wasnt sure if I was following the correct path. It was a tough decision and highly risked. However, when I saw the advertisement of NID, National Institute of Design for Photography Design course, I knew this is what I wanted to do. But I wasnt sure if I would be able to get into it, as NID looks for highly talented people and I wasnt a great photographer at all. So, I decided to have a plan-B ready with me.

My first step was to prepare a portfolio of 45 good pics. So I shortlisted a few pics from the accumulated pics since years. But they werent enough. So for about a month I went about clicking pics. But it wasnt that simple. I didnt have an SLR camera, infact didnt have any camera. So i had to beg and borrow cameras from others. But may be this increased my dertermination even more.

I still remember the day when I went to submit my portfolio. It was a day after my birthday. With my heart pumping as fast as a speed boat machine, and blood gushing faster than the speed of light, I entered the campus of NID and I knew this is the place to be. But I wasnt sure at all about my entry...however I just handed over my work at the office and came back home relaxed.

After 15 days received a mail saying I was shortlisted and had to appear for an interview. Oh man! I was sooooo.....happy....as if I had already got the admission. But I didnt celebrate this. This was just the first step up! I started preparing for the basics of photography, cameras, lenses, techniques, dark room, etc. It wasnt that interesting but then had to....

The day of written test arrived. The hall was full of more than 45 ppl. The number made me feel nervous. It was a tough competition and plus they were all smart people from Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata...all had their big cameras with them. I had no clue about the photographers they had asked for in the written test, however knew all the basics. But I was sure no one else too must have known about it.

Then we had the interview. The panel included 3 eminent photographers, our course co-ordinater Dr. Deepak John Matthew and a psychologist (hope the spelling is right). I was nervous for sure. It went on for 20 min and I have absolutely no clue what I answered to their questions. As if I was drunk!

Next day was studio test. We had to click 15 pics on a topic in one hour with its description too.

My topic was 'Contrast in NID campus'. It was fun clicking with the film 35 mm camera. After my turn was over, I helped the next batch to load their films in camera.

So finally, all my efforts were over. Now had to wait for another 15 days for the result. But I was pretty sure I would get it. I had performed fair enough in all the rounds. And yuppieeee....!!!! I got it!!!

I really feel this is the best decision I ever made in my life. I could now tell people that I was not a loser. This is the best year of my life...enjoying every bit of it!!! Exploring NID in one year is too short a time...but am glad atleast I have one year! CHEERS!!!

Rickshaw and the rickshawwalahs...

My school was 8-9 kms away from my home. The very popular mode of transport during school days was rickshaw (as rest of the country calls it Auto, but in ahmedabad we call it rickshaw). I was the second person to be picked up and then there were 8 more to be collected on the way to school. Yes thats right, 10 children stuffed in one rick alongwith our huge school bags hanging out of the ricks and some were kept by the rickshawwala uncle near his feet.

I remember the name of all my rickshawala uncles. There was one muslim uncle called Sikander. He had a serious face, though when he smiled, it was so warm. He was the only rickshawala uncle who used to call me by my pet name. I remember one incident very clearly. I was in 2nd std. and my mother was in clinic, expecting my brother. So after my school, Sikander uncle used to hold my hand and drop me till the room where my mother was admitted and he used to talk to me on the way about how i will be happy getting a sibling.

After a few months, suddenly some other uncle came to pick us up and then a few days later, we came to know that Sikander uncle had left the city. It took us time to adjust to the new uncle, Narendra uncle. He had a round face, a round belly, and round cheeks, always full of paan. His teeth always red. After every five minutes, he would spit out the red pichkari. However, a few months later we became friendly with him and we insisted him to leave eating paan and tobacco. He surely did stop eating it atleast before us.

Then there was Nitin uncle, who used to take us to Saibaba temple every thursday. We were always excited about it, since after the prayers, we used to get a packet of pedas to share amongst us and a single rose which was given on rotation basis.

Then in 9th std. there was this Riyaz uncle...errr....wont call him uncle...he was too young to be called that...and infact he used to flirt with my best friend, who didnt come with us in the rick as she stayed near to the school. I was so irritated by this behaviour, but couldnt help as my friend too enjoyed the flirting thinking she was beautiful enough to attract him...

The best part was the day before the dhuleti holiday. After school, all rickshawala uncles drove their ricks to a common place. We were prepared for this and we put on another tshirt to save our uniforms. From under the seats, we used to take out our colors and pichkaris and there goes the color war between the gangs, one rickshaw team worses the other. It was fun!

And then on the last day before summer holidays, uncle used to decorate the rickshaw with the glittering ribbons and balloons. After the last exam, it was an ice-cream treat. Now when i understand what they earned, I really wonder, how they managed our celebrations at their expense? Definately they didnt have big money, but definately had big hearts!!!

After school, the only interaction with rickshawwalas is when we go to railway station or when we are in a different city. I tell you, beware of the Delhi-autowalas. You need to get a consensus from 10 autowalas to get the correct fare rate, if you are new to the place and are unaware of the distance. But i really admire the Mumbai and Hyderabad autowalas. They are really helpful, especially in Hyderabad, they are more like guides than autowalas. Ahmedabad rickshawwalas cant cheat as they go by meter, but again the Baroda ones are another looters.

And then there are these poor pag-rickshawalas in Kolkata. Sometimes you feel pity seeing them pulling huge bodies with so much luggage. But then, if you dont sit after them, from where are they going to earn?

And in Rajasthan, you will find these colourfully decorated rickshaws with dhinchak music system, and flower vases and a clock in it, with comfortable and attractive seat covers.

There goes a gujarati song dedicated to all Ahmedabad rickshawalas -

"Hoon amdavad no rickshawado chhuu...." Thats Naresh Kanodia, the famous gujarati actor, happily singing in his role as a rickshawala.

Morning story...its not like the bed time stories at all!!!

Trrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnggggggggggg!!!! Goes my alarm! With my eyes closed and knowing where the noise is coming from, my hand automatically goes to the snooze button. The scene repeats three to four times (and hence i purposely keep the alarm half hour early to my scheduled time).

My voluntary muscles start doing the routine involuntarily. I put on my tracks and shoes, take my mobile, observe the time and here i go Left Right Left Right with my eyes half closed. However it opens with the barking of the dog at the milkman and the school vanwalas beeping to pick up all the battons (children) and reach the finish line (school) in time.

I can see a few uncles with their pot-shaped bellies trying hard to roll down. Some aunties in their gowns, hair scattered going to the doodhwala to fight why he didnt stop at the gate for a few seconds? While some rich fat ladies fitted in their tracks and tshirts (all adoring adidas, nike, reebok tags) hoofing like a steam engine, with a determination to slim down before attending Mrs. Chada's daughter's wedding.

Walking past all this hustle bustle, I reach my favourite lane which is serene and quiet. On one side are magnificent bungalows with beautifully architectured designs and a lovely garden in front of each bungalow. I still dont know who lives in those beautiful mansions, because i never see any resident. All i can see is the servants cleaning the cars or the garden. With peacocks crossing the roads and flying over the roofs of these bungalows, and the smell of flowers from each garden, the cool breeze and the chirping of the birds; its just the perfect morning I wish for.

And then there is a small church, which looks more like an abandoned place. Its only once that i saw an old lady in her frock lighting the candles before Mother Mary. Sometimes I take a few moments and sit in front of the picture and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, which I miss the rest of the day.

Jogging ahead I reach an artificial lake, which is a multi purpose lake. In the morning its a jogging place around the lake, in afternoon its a place for collegians to spend time, in evening its time for the old people to have a chit-chat, also for kids to play at the park and enjoy the rides, and then at night its for those love birds who are tabooed to meet during the day light. So at this lake, while others are exercising, or jogging, or doing yoga, or breathing exercise; I just sit on the stairs of the lake and observe the tranquility of water. This is the best time for me to plan out my day. I know some people observe me daily doing nothing and wondering why does she come here when she doesnt want to exercise??? hehe...but who cares...i am too lazy to exercise after the walk to the lake and plus i want to save my energy to go back home too...

On my way back home, I see a man standing with a few calfs and heaps of hay to be feeded to them. Its his business to feed these cows only when some one pays to do so...hmm...thats sad. By the time I return back home, the sun has risen enough to take away that soothing cool breeze around. So I rush back home to have my morning tea with the newspaper waiting for me.