Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Day 31 | Jan 31 2007 | India Shining - Internet Penetration

India Shining - Internet Penetration.
This is a typical commercial complex building. You can find a lot of internet cafe's in such settings. This particular one was buried deep down in a jungle of boards and hoardings. Browsing speeds have gone up and rates per hour have come down over all these years. Have a look at internet penetration/usage in India reports here and here.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Day 30 | Jan 30 2007 | 2 Fast Not 2 Furious

2 Fast Not 2 Furious.
Well not too fast, just 40Kmph, riding pillion on my wife's Scooty. Furious, yes, for not going as fast as I wanted her to go. I wish we were going faster to capture more motion.

BTW, The Fast And The Furious is one of my favorite movies, is it yours too ?

Monday, January 29, 2007

Day 29 | Jan 29 2007 | He's got the whole world in his hands..

He's got the whole world in his hands.. a nice heart warming song. I don't know the origin, but its a pretty popular song used my many. Click here to see an Adidas add referencing to this song.

This snap is of me holding a wet piece of spherical plant gel, or artificial soil. The inverted image in the gel is of the houses in front of me.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Day 28 | Jan 28 2007 | Only in India - Holy Cow!

Holy Cow! Another common sight on Indian roads. Not even state capitals like Bangalore are spared of such a sight. Perhaps India is the only place in the world where you can see beauties like BMW's, Merc's and Audi's along side these sleepy cows.

Actually we have learned to share space on the roads and co-exist with these meek species. I'm sure no one minds their presence. And ya, they are holy (its no joke); anything associated with a cow is supposed to be holy... Only in India.

This one was taken again on the infamous Hosur road.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Day 27 | Jan 27 2007 | Only in India - Crazy Trucks

This is a common sight on many Indian roads. Trucks or Lorries are dangerously loaded with goods. This particular one was loaded with onions in gunny bags (jute sacks). You can see the laborers casually catching a nap on top of the sacks, resting till they reach their destination.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Day 26 | Jan 26 2007 | India's 58th Republic Day - Jai Hind !

Jai Hind ! Its India's 58th Republic Day. Early morning, I eagerly watched the Republic Day Speech by His Highness, President of India, DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM on national TV (DD-1). Have a look at what he has to say here, where he presents his Mission of a Developed India by 2020.

I was at Garuda mall this evening. The celebrations are everywhere, flags flying high; people pinning flags on their clothes, flag paints on the faces. And there is another interesting campaign going on around.. its called India Poised, being run by by the Times Of India group.

This photo is of Vijay, a guard manning one of the lifts in the mall, who seemed happy on this great day. And why not, its a great time to be here in India. Jai Hind!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Day 25 | Jan 25 2007 | Traffic

Statistics show that the average person spends more then 48 hours per year waiting at traffic lights. Guess what; heart attack risk has been linked to time spent in traffic. Also fuel economy is hampered due to traffic jams, adding to the national exchequers oil bill. Bangalore is infamous for its endless traffic jams. But now a days, the radio (FM channels) keep you company, soothing your nerves. My favorite... Radio Indigo, India's first channel dedicated to English songs, tune in and drive safe.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Day 24 | Jan 24 2007 | Village Festival - Nada Habba

This photo was taken on Hosur road (infamous for its great trafic jams) in Adugodi, of the preparations going on for the village festival the next day. My friends who are localities of Bangalore tell me that the city is a concoction of smaller villages joined to form this IT capital of India. So it was a surprise for me to see the decorations going on only in this part of the city. The same place was so crowded the next day, it was difficult to move around. The festival went on the whole night, with lots of holy stuff happening around.

Later on I have come to know the name of the festival was "Nada Habba", and the goddess in question was "Devi Annamma" - source SK Velu.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Day 23 | Jan 23 2007 | Orion (IPA: /ə(ʊ)ˈrʌɪən/)

Orion (IPA: /ə(ʊ)ˈrʌɪən/), a constellation often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation, perhaps the best-known and most conspicuous in the sky. Its brilliant stars are found on the celestial equator and are visible throughout the world, making this constellation universally recognized.

Again a tripod mounted long exposure.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Day 22 | Jan 22 2007 | Sale !

A middle aged woman and her young son, selling their wares on Pune's MG Road (also called as Camp area). Buying from hawkers on the road is a good idea, as it does not pinch your pocket; Your bargaining skills will decide the price you buy the goods for.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Day 21 | Jan 21 2007 | Fishing Boat aka Dolphin Queen

At Dapoli beach, early in the morning, one can catch these fishing boats for a fee, to go watch the Dolphins at sea. Our boat was named the Dolphin Queen. The ride lasts not more than 15 min, but the boat goes pretty close (almost 50 feet) near the Dolphins. Click here to see a snap of a Dolphin we saw in the sea.

BTW, 2007 has been declared as the International Year of the Dolphin by the United Nations and the United Nations Environment Programme. Visit http://www.yod2007.org. So go... watch some Dolphins !

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Day 20 | Jan 20 2007 | Sunset at Dapoli

Sunsets are beautiful to watch, especially on a beach, with your loved ones. This one was taken on Dapoli's Karde beach, Konkan, west coast of India. Dapoli is a 4hr drive from Pune.

Although this is a typical picture of a sunset on a beach, I love the colors and the mood.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Day 19 | Jan 19 2007 | Sit, Relax and Read

This is a common sight all over Maharashtra state, India, and particularly in Pune city. An oasis in the busy bustling IT city, where any one can sit and read. Choice of reading is mostly limited to the days newspapers. You can find all the city newspapers here to read - free. Its a haven mostly for senior citizens, unemployed youth, and anyone with some time to spare.

These places are mostly sponsored and maintained by local political parties, and in some cases even the local municipality. So sit here, relax, chit-chat and read !

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Day 18 | Jan 18 2007 | The Circus

"It's the most amazing show on earth... " these are the lyrics of a song 'Enter the Circus' by Christina Aguilera. Truly, its really amazing to watch a circus, no matter how old you are. There is always something for every age. Right from the dwarf clowns, the Russian acrobats, the American gymnast, the British duet dancers to the highly tamed dogs, the elephants and the exotic birds. A fun packed 3 hours of fun, games, lights, modern music and wonderment.

Since photography was prohibited inside the main hall, I snapped this one outside the circus, after the last show of the day. This was the Rambo Circus, one of the few remaining circus groups in India. They are showing for the next 2 months on the banks of Mula-Mutha river, below Z bridge, Pune. See if you can catch it...

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Day 17 | Jan 17 2007 | Bangle Shop

Hard days work - Bangle seller.
Diamonds are a girls best friends they say. But in India, not all can afford such costly jewels. Here come bangles to the rescue of womenfolk, a very Indian traditional jewelery. Worn by a lot of women in India, despite of their age, religion or social standing. The colour of the bangles are symbolic; Green for fertility, Red for Life. Colourful the merrier, more the better.

This particular shop deep inside Pune city sells only glass bangles. They come in all colours and sizes. Price - Rs.1 to Rs.12 a pair. This old lady selling the bangles had the zest of a young girl and was no less than any hi-fi sales person in a big showroom or a mall to show all that the buyer wanted.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Day 16 | Jan 16 2007 | Naughty Boys at Sarasbaug

Here are a pair of naughty boys, who had discovered a Pigeons nest, way up on a pedestrian bridge near Sarasbaug park, Pune. They promptly rounded up a gang of friends, who helped them capture the Pigeon, with its unhatched egg. On asking them what they were going to do with it, they said they will add this Pigeon to their existing Pigeon flock. They were very happy to pose for me in front of my lens.

Not many people pet such flocks of homing Pigeons now a days, mostly because of the cost to maintain them. But I remember watching flocks of Pigeons flying near my home, responding to their masters whistle calls.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Day 15 | Jan 15 2007 | Election Time

Its election time here in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Today is the last date for candidates to file their entries and secure their tickets to contest the elections.

Local leaders will take out such processions, with large number of followers accompanying the leader. Larger the procession, larger is the display of the leaders might. It is well know that some leaders will 'buy' such large number of followers for a procession. This is India, the 'Worlds Largest Democracy'.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Day 14 | Jan 14 2007 | Auto Rickshaw (tuk tuk)

Hard days work - Rickshaw driver.
This one is sooo very Indian. Auto Rickshaw, also called as tuk-tuk is a very very common sight anywhere in urban India. This 3 wheeler will blend in any where almost forming a part of the decor of the roads. Great catchy decorations inside, complete with ear blasting music make this as good as a mind bogling roller coaster.

Just yell 'Auto' when you see one, and chances are one out of a few will definately stop.

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Day 13 | Jan 13 2007 | India Shining - Mobile

Whats 'India Shining' got to do with a communication tower? Well... lots actually. This is not just a communication tower, its technology providing to the masses. This is a common sight anywhere in India, not just cities and towns, but even remote villages. Private and state owned telecom providers like BSNL have done the ground work to actually connect the 1 Billion Indian's to each other.

BTW, India is now the worlds fastest growing telecom market in the world.

Friday, January 12, 2007

Day 12 | Jan 12 2007 | Neo: The One: The Matrix

Neo: The One: The Matrix
Looking at this high speed capture (1/100 sec) of my dear colleague Das, reminds me of Neo, The One. From the 1999 Hollywood blockbuster The Matrix, written and directed by Wachowski Brothers, which grossed $460 million worldwide.

My rating for The Matrix, 10/10. I use this movie as a reference to rate other action movies.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Day 11 | Jan 11 2007 | Jerry Mouse

Jerry Mouse, a world wide popular cartoon character from "Tom & Jerry" series written and directed by animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (later of Hanna-Barbera fame). The orignal shorts by Hanna-Barbera have won 7 Academy awards. Joseph Barbera passed away last December.

This mouse is a prominent feature of my home and will greet visitors with his arms wide open and his warm, naughty smile.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Day 10 | Jan 10 2007 | Che Guevara

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna (June 14, 1928 – October 9, 1967) | Che Guevara

He was an icon of socialist revolutionary movements worldwide. The Maryland Institute College of Art called this picture "the most famous photograph in the world and a symbol of the 20th century.

Captured off Brigade Road, Bangalore.

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Day 9 | Jan 09 2007 | Cemetery at night.

Was I scared? Oh ya!

I spent almost 20 minutes here taking 12 shots of this place. An owl kept me company (rather scared me). I like to do some scary stuff, and some not so scary. To see my non-scary War Cemetery shots click here.

This shot is pretty much clear because of the 1600 ISO and the long exposure that I used .

Monday, January 8, 2007

Day 8 | Jan 08 2007 | The Violin Seller

Hard days work : The Violin Seller.

Why does tallent stay hidden? This fellow had impressive skills, not of only playing his hand made Violins, but also selling them. Price: Rs.30 ($ 0.8). Place: Off Brigade Road, Bangalore.

On the other hand there are online stores selling instruments starting for as low as 120$...
http://www.violinseller.com/

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Day 7 | Jan 07 2007 | NEWS

NEWS North-East-West-South.

My dear friend Amit engrossed in the Times of India Bangalore Times.

Saturday, January 6, 2007

Day 6 | Jan 06 2007 | Speeeeeed !!

Speeeeeed !!

A long exposure (30 sec, slow shutter speed) shot on the Bangalore airport road. I love the shot as it was a hand held one, and it turned out to be as I wanted it.

Friday, January 5, 2007

Day 5 | Jan 05 2007 | Koramangala - Bangalore

Koramangala, a fast moving, happening, upscale and crowded suburb in Bangalore. Seen in the pic are Megamart and Foodworld.

This is a good place to live in the city, with many good parks and food joints to hang out at and have a good time. Also found here is the popular Forum mall, housing PVR Cinemas.

Thursday, January 4, 2007

Day 4 | Jan 04 2007 | Movie Crazy.

A big time movie (Hollywood) freak, I try to catch as many movies as I can (despite the ratings).

Here is a Tom Hanks 3D poster at PVR, Bangalore.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Day 3 | Jan 03 2007 | Stars & Stripes.

My version of Stars and Stripes.

Snap taken from the drawing room of our home, where my wife had hung stars at Christmas time.

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Day 2 | Jan 02 2007 | Thanks !

First picture taken from my brand new Nikon D40.

Thank you god for giving us CCD's and CMOS, which make such great DSLR's like the Nikon D40.

Monday, January 1, 2007

Day 1 | Jan 01 2007 | Happy New Year

A bright yellow, just like a bright sunrise in this bright new year.
Taken at Lalbaug Botanical Garden, Bangalore.

Have a Happy New Year ahead!