Picture of the year

Well I'm not well versed with tagging but this one is for Madhuri. I am supposed to post the best picture that I took in 2007 and the reason why it was my best. Well had to give a lot of thought to it. There were quite a few options from my various trips particularly Manali where we felt so close to heaven. But then there it was expected to have that feeling of exultation. There was the option of Matheran which will remain in my memory for forever perhaps. But those are private moments to be kept to myself. So finally the one that I've arrived at is one I took at Marine Drive.



The reasons why its special? One for its spontaniety that I captured it with. A spur. And then the way it gave, to me, reflection on life. With all its colours. The sun as the symbol of hope. The darkness in life. The crowd. The traffic. The need to negotiate. Signals pointing in all directions and yet no indication of red, yellow or green ironically. And yet the beauty of it. The beauty of life. So I'd rate this not so special and yet special snap as the best I clicked in 2007. Hope more to come in 2008.

P.S : Can't think of passing it on Maddy .... Sorry ;)

There you go again ...

This one is perhaps radically different from other thoughts of mine. Its about how one feels when someone close leaves. Temporarily. To come back. What all goes in the mind? Specially if the person is really close.
While one is sad, one is already jumping to the date in future when the person will be back. Also, the fact that suddenly you start thinking of too many things to do, to keem the mind occupied and yet you also don't feel like doing anything. Its a pause and also a flux. Where one introspects, smiles and thinks. Where one experiences a pain in anticipation of joy ahead. On the edge waiting.
That's what makes relationships beautiful perhaps. That is what makes us realise the sublimity of emotions that make life so interesting.

Yeh Mera India ...

Well a new year should bring in a new beginning? So how does it in our beloved nation? Lets take glimpses on the TV. A splash of news about molestation of women across the country. The whole debate of which city is safe and which is not! A moment of glory for a few "socialite" intellectuals on T.V and a few bewildered looking common people suddenly thrust with microphones in face under the glare of flash lamps?
But eh wait. Someone got another idea ! The ones who did it were not Marathis.. These bloody migrants. They are spoiling "our" Mumbai. Mee Maratha. Aamchi Mumbai. But then "Dood" Mumbai is still much better than uncivilised Delhi. We have better power. Better night life. More safe for women still.
In the meanwhile on another channel : "Police must do something about it". Bored ? Switch the channel. "Police can't give one constable behind every couple". Switch channel. "What an irresponsible statement on part of police". Switch channel. "Government must give an answer on this". Switch channel. "Horse on a Rampage". Switch channel. "Sangam hoga ki nahi? Yuvraaj ya Dhoni? Kise milegi Deepika?". Switch channel. "How can the French president bring his girlfriend? This is not acceptable as per our cultural norms!"

Can you still recollect what it all began with? Yes, about the security of women. I wonder if there was any talk of the mindset of "men" particularly in India? Anyways, while one is still reeling under this garbage, a ray of hope still : A small piece on struggle of farmers near Nasik to save the land from SEZ/coercion of government employees on NDTV India. Good work for a change.

And that is how we usher in the new year in India. Amidst all the darkness someone still holding a small lamp somewhere .. That's the vibrant democracy breathing hope while its guts are infected with all the diseases one can think of ... Salaam Indiya ...

Himachal - In Pictures...

Wonder in Pines And all the roads are winding


Hmmm .. Footprints in time?


Bridge to heaven? Good bye blue sky ..


Road to white is dirty ... The Elements...


Shadows under shining skies Someone peeping from the sky?

A new year begins

A new year has dawned and already 48 hrs gone by. Have already suffered the Wednesday morning blues... and yet I can't help looking back and smile. The year that went by brought some of the best moments of my life that I'll cherish forever. Be it meeting someone special or some special trips or some moments just with myself. I've grown as a person perhaps. Degrown as a child unfortunately but the battle to save it is still on. I lost myself. Rediscovered. Went on the verge of some blunders and pulled back. Bumped, hurt, fell and got up. But I'm still on course. Yes seems like another lap of formula 1 got over.

I look forward to a richer life, both in terms of money as well as experience. So lets see. As of now I just seem to be enjoying what 2007 gave me. Still not assessed what 2008 could offer. Still wondering.

P.S : If I read back this post it seems so egocentric or written just for the heck of it. Maybe I've not yet had enough of myself. A better post ahead I hope. Exactly the sentiment of every new year ... I HOPE ...