work

This was a bit funny. I couldn't understand what these people were doing.
The traffic signal at this junction was broken (somehow), and I'm guessing these people were working on repairing the same.

It is extremely hot these days in the afternoon. I wonder how these people can bear the heat and more so work in such heat! Hats off to such people who work in unimaginable conditions, just so that we can live a daily routine.

For work, that all do...

power

I took this shot in the evening, as I was driving back home.
The color of the sky along with these tall buildings (which are the costliest in this locality) seemed to me like what probably power would be.

Power really seems to be the most important quality a person should have, don't you think? If you have the power, you could probably do anything in the world. Power shows when you walk across a hall, power shows when you work, power shows when you are simply quiet.

Power, I guess is within all of us. We just need to realize it and we will someday...

For power...

cool cabs

This shot was taken by me outside the Dadar railway tracks, near the Tilak Bridge.

Cool Cabs like these seem to have really reduced in numbers ever since the private cabs have been introduced to the city. I feel it's because of the amount of professionalism that the private cabs get along with them.

But, such ambassadors and cool cabs are still remembered, undoubtedly...even if they just stand on the street all alone.

For the cool cabs...

channa-wala

I took this shot today, at the Dadar East area.

I was starving since morning, shuttling from one place to the other, which made me skip my lunch too. Finally, in the evening, when I had to meet Vishal, I happened to see this old chana-wala right next to me, sitting and waiting to serve his job to new customers.

Honestly, in the time of hunger, anything can taste like heaven! The thing that amazed me the most is what Vishal told me when he finally came to this spot. He told me that this old man never moves from his place since the time he sets up his small space early in the morning; he doesn't talk to people, doesn't leave the place and go anywhere. I wonder how some of us can be so dedicated and disciplined - is it the compassion or simply the compulsion?

For the chana-wala and millions others like him...

faces

I took this shot at Candies, Pali Hill.
Firstly, I'd like to clear that it is not that I stay at Candies, Pali Hill, all the time but it is simply a brilliant place and I love hanging out there...well, ok, let me give this explanation a skip!;-)

This brilliant face was created on one of the walls of Candies, Pali Hill. Candies is always high on creative ambiances. Be it the Buddha that greets you at it's entrance or simply the presentation of the mini chocolate tarts; be it the path that takes you inside this Candies or simply this tile-collage on the wall -- it is creative to its best!

Somehow, when I see such faces made out of a collage of tiles, it makes me think -- isn't life similar too? A number of people together join hands, join stories, dialogues, experiences and finally make one face, which gives birth to one life!

For the faces, that give a meaning to life and much more...

empty spaces

It's been a while since I've been talking about the empty spaces that are present in the city, which are being occupied within a blink of an eye.

I was driving to Andheri today evening as I halted at this traffic signal. I happened to see this land on which some construction work was going on. This land was empty since ages and honestly, it felt as though there was some air to breathe until I realized today that this too has been taken for construction. The worst part is that we're all simply passing it by. We're all accepting the fact that the spaces are being occupied. We're all simply believing that there won't be any more space for anything anymore someday, if we continue in this pace.

But, then I think for a while and ask myself, aren't spaces really meant for them to get occupied?

For the empty spaces, that might not be...

paths of glory

No, this is no poster. It is actually HIM!

The one and only, Jeffrey Archer, was in the city today to launch his book - Paths of Glory - in India! The event took place at the Landmark Bookstore (our hub aka adda, whenever we have money...ahem...or maybe when we don't too).

Yes, he was here in our city and I can't just get over this fact! I haven't really been a die-hard Archer fan but yes, I do admire his plots and novels. No doubt, there were tons of his fans gathering at the Landmark Bookstore this evening but, nothing seemed to be filling more than his thoughts and words as soon as they reached your ears!

This shot was taken by Akash, who was present at the event. I completely envy him for this! I don't blame him for getting a blurred photograph as I can completely understand the kind of crowd present and the difficulty in clicking a photograph in such an ambiance! Yet, he did it; thus, thanks, Akash!

Paths of Glory is a novel based on the story of George Mallory by this legendary author. It has already caused a controversy in New Zealand with a minor newspaper calling it an insult to Sir Edmund Hillary, however Archer has gotten back on that and it can be read here.

For Paths of Glory, that I am awaiting to read...

one

I took this shot at Bandstand, today. This is Jivesh Terraces, which happens to be one of the most famous buildings in this area.

When I took this shot from my phone, what I had in mind was the clear blue sky. What got captured was the peak of this building from where, probably, one could capture just the sky.

Don't we always want to reach the highest of heights? Don't we want to always reach a point where all that we can see is purity, clarity, and transparency. One always makes sure he makes it to the top, whatever it might take him to reach there. But does one realize that when we ultimately reach the top, when we ultimately reach our goals, when we finally achieve what we want to see, it is always just us...we realize that we and the many like us sharing the space at that moment, together define oneness.

And, as we stare at the vast blue sky that we have been wanting to see, we realize that just like all of us, the sky itself is just one...

For the power of one...

cuisine

I guess it's color red again, today!

I took this shot at 'The Oriental Spice' restaurant, at Thane, today. All the readers know this very well by now about the big foodie that I am. Especially if it is a cuisine that I like (ahem...Chinese), there is no way that I would not like to share it with everybody.

'The Oriental Spice' is my favorite Chinese restaurant at Thane. I make it a point to go here at least once a month, if not more often. I took this shot today, as I realized I never introduced this place to you, in this space.

Some ambiances mixed with certain colors, along with your favorite cuisines can just be an absolute delight...like this one...

For the space and the cuisine...

designs

The latest fashion designs are out in the stores again, and the colors look brilliant!
I took this shot at the Shoppers' Stop at the Inorbit Mall, Malad.

What really made me go ahead and capture this shot were the designs that have come out this season, just like any other and the looks on each customer's face as he/she checks out the statues that wear them.

Just to inform everybody that the new clothes are out and I know everybody would wait for the sales that would be coming in very soon...but go ahead and have a look!

For the designs...

life

I took this shot from my car earlier tonight as I was driving to office. This is one of the Andheri traffic signals, which you have seen many times before, in various forms and faces.

I remember once clicking a girl in this same signal, who was taking a break from her work. Today, as I saw a group of girls and children taking some time off at this hour of the night, somehow I felt nice. I wish they could always be in this break and play as much as they should.

I took this shot with my mobile phone, as I didn't have my camera with me. I know the quality of this shot isn't great at all...but as I keep insisting always -- what has quality to do with capturing moments! I wish life too could be treated this way...where is would be no distinction between good and bad, clear and unclear...where life could simply be taken as it is...just because each and every moment is so very beautiful!

For life...

heritage

This shot was taken today outside the BMC building at CST.

The Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika (formerly the Bombay Municipal Corporation). It is the civic body that governs the city. It is India's richest municipal corporation. Its annual budget is even more than that of some of the small states of India.Established under the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, it is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city and some suburbs of Mumbai. Built in the Indo Saracenic of architecture the BMC, as it is more popularly known, is the largest civic organisation in the country, and administers an area of 603 sq. km.

Very few know that the city's fire department and the BEST undertaking are two autonomous bodies under the BMC.

The building, which is none less than a heritage, that you see in this shot is the administrative headquarters of the BMC!

For the heritage...

nature

I took this shot near the Upvan lake at Thane, today.

I love clicking nature. I didn't have my camera with me today as the battery was low but I am so glad I have my phone which always comes to the rescue. I simply loved this tree standing alone on the other side of the dividers. It seemed more like a person standing on the other side waiting to call you there, wanting to be your friend.

Nature, indeed, can be so friendly, thoughtful, and expressive...

For nature and its infinite expressions...

papers

I took this shot this evening as I was traveling towards the Lower Parel. What interested me the most while capturing this shot with my phone was the piles of newspapers, as you can see, and the two men merrily sleeping on the top of these piles.

This immediately reminded me of the poor turn out at the recent votings for the general elections. Despite immense notifications and public announcements, the citizens hardly turned out at the voting centres on the dates. The turn out at Mumbai was as low as 47%.

Yes, one can say that the people are losing hopes on the current contenders for the elections, but one really can't take the easy way out. There is a best in every worst. We need to stand up and elect as it is only us who form the government.

I wish to see a day when there would be no need for any government body, when everybody would be their own prime minister, when everybody would be independent and when everybody would believe that the individual standing next to you is nobody but just a reflection of you. Am I stating something that would always remain just in papers?

For the papers...

sleep

This shot was taken today, by Maithili, at the backside of her college, at Matunga.

I wonder why, many a times, some of us have to catch some sleep at such locations, on the footpath. Imagine a space, like this college, where you get to learn about global development and right behind the same walls, lies this man, tired of the studies and analysis, simply wanting some rest.

How I wish, such sleep never existed...

For this sleep, that we must kill someday...

anonymous

Anonymity has a different feeling completely. Imagine you receiving something you really wanted since a long time and one fine morning, someone drops it at your doorstep and until years later, you wouldn't know who gifted you with it. Imagine someone helping you out at the time of need and you don't know the face who helped you but you surely are aware that you have been helped.

This shot was taken by Maithili at Reclamation, today. The Bandra-Worli sea link that you see in the background is almost ready and as per reports, it would be open for the citizens on the 31st of May. Undoubtedly, it would be a delightful drive for people like me. What interests me the most in this photographs is this man, whom I think I don't know. But, when I think of it...don't we all really know each other. It's just that the anonymity plays its part between you and me.

For anonymous emotions and introductions...

innocence

I know it...I know I've been away for 2 weeks but I was on strict bed rest as I had some viral infection pulling me down to bed.

After a lovely exhibition at Out of the Blue, we're now going to different locations for exhibitions. We'll keep updating regarding the same.

I took this shot today, at Bandstand. These two were playing on a road roller parked by the side and as they saw me clicking them, they were all the more enthusiastic to come to me and pose for a photograph. I was more than happy to capture their smiles! Sometimes, the genuineness in such children can be really moving. I'm really praying that it always remains within them.

For these two and their innocence...