Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts

Thursday, 4 April 2013

Wom-Ba-I

Wom - Women
Ba - soul (Egyptian mythology)
I - the nominative singular pronoun, used by a speaker in referring to himself or herself

Wom-Ba-I: Women are the soul of Mumbai

A world without women would be like a body without a soul. Human beings were created to coexist in mutual harmony. Humanity CANNOT survive without either men or women. Increasing number of crimes in our country has fostered feelings of hatred and dislike for the opposite sex.


Considered as one of the safest cities in India, Mumbai is feminine in its essence. Mumbai stands for: Mumba: the name of a goddess and Aai: mother. But do women really feel safe in this metropolitan of myriad dreams? And is any place in India really safe for women?

For people like me who live in Delhi, Mumbai is a Utopian city - a place where dreams are nurtured, developed, and allowed to mature. But the underbelly of Mumbai has a different story to tell. It isn't immune to crimes against women. Sad stories do lurk behind closed doors. Open roads do not always lead to expected destinations. Be it home or a public place - safety isn't guaranteed anywhere. But change is possible.

Change begins at individual level. It is very easy to criticize the society as an armchair critic. Turning a blind eye to social evils depicts nothing but pusillanimity. Taking action is important and perhaps the only solution.

You too can bring about change through WOM-BA-I:

Willingness - to accept each other as human beings and to work towards a better society

Open-mindedness - to tackle issues without prejudice against any gender

Maturity - to accept others and treat them as you treat yourself

Boldness - to say no when necessary

Awareness - about what's happening in the society and always being on your guard

Inculcating - feelings of respect towards women from childhood

I recently attended an IndiChange Meet organized by IndiBlogger and Times of India in Mumbai. I realized that even one step towards positive change can bring about a revolution. On my part I am posting the train helpline number shared by TOI at the meet: 9833331111. Now your duty is to save this number and share it with at least five people. Make it viral so that no woman ever feels unsafe while travelling in Mumbai Local.

This post has been written for IndiChange: Mumbai for Women organized by Times of India and IndiBlogger. To know more, click on the banner:

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

A Traveller's Train of Thoughts


"What I am:", Jaipur
"If I am not for myself,who will be for me?And if I am not for others,
what am I?
And if not now, when?" ~ Ganga Descends
Faint landscapes - Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani - Anukriti Sharma Photography
Trees blur into the inky, violet-blue sky as I pour over the pages of Ruskin Bond's picturesque writing. I travel with him through the alleys of Landour Bazaar visualizing in my mindscape the 'livid purple' clocktower. Walking hand in hand we reach the market's dark, windy corner, where an old man sits 'hunched up over his charcoal fire, roasting peanuts'. Faint landscapes greet my eyes as I quietly sip piping hot ginger-tea.

Ginger-Tea - Anukriti Sharma Photography
My life has been a montage of experiences. Having lived in seven different cities, I have met a variety of people and travelling has always been a fascinating experience for me...
Rail experiences - Anukriti Sharma Photography
With each sip I think of people who have made my travels worthwhile... Would my trip to Lonavala be the same if there was no Lalita to bring me corn pakoras and 'cutting chai'? 
Lalita in Lonavala - Picture Credit - Aakriti Sharma
Would Kerala be as exotic, if there was no "Baby" to drive us through the land of spices? Wouldn't Varanasi's ghats seem morose, if "Mishraji's" Hindi poetry didn't enchant me while sailing through the Ganges? 
Sailing through Varanasi - Amarnath Sharma Photography
Would my trip to Goa be as musical, if I hadn't met "Prashant Malhotra" - a talented singer from Dehradun? Would Badrinath's majestic Himalayas seem so beautiful, if I hadn't met "Mamta Kulkarni", the little girl who sold beads to travellers? Would Kota-Delhi Jan Shatabdi seem the same if a newly wed couple (Ashu and Sangeeta) didn't narrate to me their romantic love-story?Every traveller I have come across shared something with me... something that connected me to him/her... And that something was - love for life. 
Me travelling in Train; Goa - Picture Credit - Rushali Khandelwal
A little three-year old peeps from the adjacent berth. He smiles at me and happiness spreads over my lips. A charming, cherubic face - beautiful smile juxtaposed against small dewy eyes. I play with him from a distance. The baby claps his hands and chuckles with glee. All I want is to make friends with him - talk to him, and let this interaction last forever... But a black coat comes in between and my train of thoughts comes to a standstill. He asks for ticket...I show him mine. It reads - Date - 26 February, 2012
Time of departure- 16:40
Train - Mumbai - Delhi Rajdhani Express
Class - 3AC
Passenger Details - Anukriti Sharma, 25F
Coach/Seat no. - B3, 32 (Side Upper)
The spotless white pillows - Anukriti Sharma Photography
I take my bag and climb over to my seat. Lying down on the spotless white pillow,I close my eyes and plug in the earphones."Anand" - Kahin door jab din dhal jaaye (Somewhere faraway when the day ends...) plays on my phone. The last few lines go deep within my heart - 
Sunset at Aksa Beach - Anukriti Sharma Photography
"Kahin To Yeh Dil Kabhi Mil Nahin Paate,
Kahin Pe Nikal Aaye Janmon Ke Naate"
(In some cases, hearts in love never meet,
and in others,old relations awaken to life..)
Wave-like memories - Anukriti Sharma Photography
Like a movie, thoughts flicker in the depths of my mind - Meandering down memory lane, I see an archive of fragments...forgotten tales, lost memories, beautiful people and enriching experiences...
....
....
.... .... ....
In conversation with myself - Anukriti Sharma Photography
July, 2010
I am back in Malabar Hills... At home
Mumbai...the city is drenched...swept by a ceaseless cloudburst...its drizzling since morning...the roads are jammed...high tide has anchored the sea...the temperature has ebbed... raindrops slip between my fingers...
the earth is wet... its smell is intoxicating, invigorating, inspiring...a cup of soup revives a few forgotten tales, poetry that was consigned to oblivion comes to life... I wish to compose them again...!
With Radha in Maharashtra - Picture Credit - Abha Sharma
December 5, 2011
I am in a scenic village near Nashik...
Tiny Tots - Gayatri, Omkar, Pappu and Amu - Anukriti Sharma Photography
Sharing chocolates with four tiny tots, who live in an unknown, sleepy village of Maharashtra... Omkar, Gayatri, Pappu and Amu... Having awesome dinner - home-made chicken curry garnished with love... cooked by a boatman's mother and served in a countryside hut... Pure bliss! What better way to celebrate my 25th birthday! Amidst innocent children, my country's tomorrow... In rustic villages... The essence of India. For most birthday means 5-star hotels and late night parties... But there are somethings money can't buy... the memories, smiles and happiness I take back with me to Mumbai - priceless!
Beth at home - Anukriti Sharma Photography
25 February, 2012
I travel through the fascinating streets of Mumbai's Colaba Causeway - a colourful place, dotted with shops of artificial jewellery, handicrafts, scarves and whatnot. I stop at Leopold Cafe, a well-known joint for foodies in Mumbai. I'm with Beth - who has come to India for the first time...  she is from my sister's University. I discuss a lot of things with her over huge glasses of Mango Lassi.
Cloudy land, Lonavala - Anukriti Sharma Photography
She has been a traveller... She takes me places through her narration... From the clear blue waters of Fiji I travel to the magnificient monuments of Rome... The cold snow of Rapid City brush under my feet as Japan's volcanoes come to life...
Golden Crimson Sunset - Anukriti Sharma Photography
Her kaleidoscopic description reminds me of a short story by Anton Chekhov. I feel like the young lawyer of "The Bet" who discovers the world's beauty through words written in books - "I have climbed to the peaks of Elburz and Mont Blanc, and from there I have seen the sun rise and have watched it at evening flood the sky, the ocean, and the mountain-tops with gold and crimson."
December 4, 2011
Bhandardhara, Maharashtra
Green Maharashtra, Clean Maharashtra - Anukriti Sharma Photography
Having Tea in Bhandardhara - Picture Credit - Abha Sharma
I am with my parents at a tea-stall... An old woman clad in tattered clothes walks by... Her saree is tied tightly across her waist... thighs are bare. She carries a huge vessel on top of her head... she seems older than history... wrinkles obscure her indistinct facial features... people fondly call her "mad". They say she waters the plants in the area - from early morning till late at night... incessantly... Climatic changes can't weather her spirit... Nobody pays her a paisa for what she does... Nobody pays any attention to what she does.
Even Gods reside here, Maharashtra - Anukriti Sharma Photography
She is insane for the world. But for me, she is a role model... A woman who serves the humanity... If I ever go to Bhandardhara again and find green plants blossoming in the area...I will think about this old woman... her perseverance has germinated the seed of life in the area...
Nurturing the seed of life - Anukriti Sharma Photography
The train halts at Surat. I put a neatly folded fawn-coloured blanket on my lap. The satin edges seem like my experiences - beautiful against a rough life.
I take out a pen and paper from my bag and write down:
Tales of the open Road
Har reh-guzar pe chalne wale...
Mahv-e-safar hain hum.
(The one who walks on every path...
Such a traveller am I.)
Ahl-e-duniyaa hai badi khoobsoorat...
Gar waqt-e-karam hai kam.
(The people of this world are extremely beautiful...
But time for benevolence is less.)
~ Anukriti
Soon dinner is served... Chicken curry mixed with dal and rice reminds me of the delicious tales of Satyajit Ray. I think about all the people I have met so far... They have been such wonderful companions... I wish I could talk to them forever... Learn new things from them...
But then I realize...
Seeking permanence in a temporary life - Anukriti Sharma Photography
Isn't it strange-all our lives we strive for permanence - a permanent residence, permanent career, permanent happiness, permanent love... Not realizing that we are mere travellers traversing this world. Why do we seek permanence when life itself is temporary?The cries of the cherubic boy jerks me to reality. He is crying with affliction... I look at him trying to do my best to lessen his pain... His parents seem distraught. The family sitting opposite me, nudge one another and mutter in hushed tones, "Don't you see, that child is mentally challenged... "
A cherubic boy at India Gate - Anukriti Sharma Photography
Ruskin Bond's lines resound in my ears again as a tear trickles down my cheeks -
"If I am not for myself,
who will be for me?
And if I am not for others,
what am I?
And if not now, when?"
A tear trickles down my cheek; Picture Credit - Sambuddha Jash
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Saturday, 25 June 2011

Imbuing India - Painting our Historical Homeland



HP Take Flight With Colour IndiBlogger contest winner!

This post won The first runner-up Prize - HP Laserjet Printer worth 15000/- INR  in the HP contest

Miranda House, Delhi University; Picture Clicked by: Anukriti Sharma
On a sunny day when the blistering summer heat diffuses into the air and torments the soul, a breath of cool air, sprinkle of fresh dew drops, and the first showers purge the heart with joy. I wish those raindrops were infused with multi-hued pigments... so that each coloured drop had a special meaning. I wish it had the power to paint our souls with happiness...Had life been more colourful, wouldn't our perspective about it change?
Noida-GIP Mall; Picture Clicked by: Anukriti Sharma
The world is like a naked canvas wherein each individual paints his/her inner vivacity. The chromatic confluence represents not only the choices we make but also the kind of life we want to lead.
Malabar Hills, Mumbai; Picture Clicked by:Anukriti Sharma
Memories embellish and enamel our essence and everyone has his/her own special meaning attached to it. Every passing second, every moment gone by, stacks itself on the shelf of past and builds up a library of memories. Whatever exists today is a reflection of that which once existed in an era gone-by. Like a mirror it reflects life... Old photographs, musty books, dilapidated monuments, ancient civilizations...each one of these remind us of the bygone days. Human beings have always been allured by memories...
Faculty of Arts, Delhi University; Picture Clicked by: Anukriti Sharma
Memories of what once existed as reality form motley of images in the mind. But when we take a sojourn down memory lane, why is it that our mind is filled with monochromatic images? The present surely does build itself upon the relics of the past... But why must past always be an amalgam of black and white images juxtaposed against the polychromatic present?
Lucknow, 1863; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in
When photography was introduced in India in 1840s, it wasn't that life was bland and colourless. Life was as picturesque as it is now but since technological development was less advanced, images were usually 'black and white'. With the advent of cinematics, an era of looking at reality in motion came into prominence. But, sadly that too remained monochromatic.When we look at old relics of India's beautiful culture and tradition: A woman dressed up in a gorgeous red sari appears clothed in dull grey; a lush green field in Kolkata in the 1870s appears to be dabbed in a morose background. Life then may seem insipid to us though it was as lively as it is now.
 
Bombay - The gateway to India - Source: Youtube
If I had an opportunity to see anything in colour, it would definitely be India of the past painted in the colours of present.
1920s-Indian Upper Class Couple; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in
Darjeeling Hill Train 1930s; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in






Imagine ancient Maharajas and Rajahs clad in jewels and finery; Rabindranath Tagore reclining on his Diwan; Indian revolutionaries and leaders like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, B.R.Ambedkar, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru; the old newspapers, magazines and novels; men and women in traditional attires in 1900s; means of transport used during 1800s; people celebrating various festivals; monumnets and cities basking in the glory of past; or a rare video taken during India's Independence. Now imagine these images in colour. Doesn't it produce a spectacular effect in your mind?
Temple architecture -Trichy 1880s; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in



India is a country which exhibits a distinctive past. As Mark Twain described, “This is indeed India; the land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty--the country of a thousand nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of tradition, whose yesterdays bear date with the mouldering antiquities of the rest of the nations—the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien peasant, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free, the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of all the rest of the globe combined.”— Following the Equator, 1897
Shimla - 1868; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in
Rabindranath Tagore; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in


Mark Twain's words are forever etched on the minds and hearts of people throughout the world. It is indeed 'The one land that all men desire to see'. It would indeed be unfortunate if we Indians remain paralyzed and cannot imagine our history flourish into colours...

Portrait of Dancing Girl; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in

Truly, the memories of past bring us closer to the realities of present. If I would like to see anything in colour it would definitely be India's past blossoming into multifarious colours. Black and white has its own appeal but colours bring us one step closer to the reality.
Mughals of Delhi ; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in







               When I imagine India, the birthplace of different religions and cultures, the motherland of many different tribes and traditions, all I wish is to see it in colour. From the past to present I wish to see my country in its true essence. I know past cannot be recreated nor can it be felt or experienced. But it can surely be rejuvenated... rejuvenated through pictures, through videos and paintings.

Indian Independence - Rare Video; Source - Youtube

Woh kaale-safed rangon mein chipe chehre...
Maano koi daastaan sunaate hain.
Beete lamhon ki sej se utar kar humein,
Apni yaadein yaad dilaate hain...
India - Durga Puja celebrations in 1900s; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in
Rang-heen chehron mein qaid,
Kayi puraane khwaab chupe hain...
Inhe Zindagi ke rangon se bhar kar,
Aao chand lamhe aaj phir se jee lete hain...
Mahatma Gandhi and his followers; Source- www.oldindianphotos.in
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