Human Chain against Terror Attack in Mumbai

On 12-12-2008 morning the people of Mumbai had formed a human chain beginning from Taj Hotel snaking through the Trident hotel and CST station. These were the spots where scores of innocent people lost their precious lives during the recent Terror attack. The call for human chain was meant to protest against the Terrorist attack. People from all walks of life, the rich and poor, kids and school children, young and old, Indians and foreigners actively took part in forming a long serpentine human chain. I came across few children who came from Latur, interior of Maharashtra, to take part in a football game held in Mumbai, as preparation for Olympic game meant for disabled. They belonged to Pandurang Nivasi Mathimand Vidyalya , latur, Maharashtra. What was very moving is that these boys are mentally challenged and were taking part in the human chain to pay their respect to those who died. I asked one of the kids what made him come at Taj, he replied that firing had taken place in Taj and people were killed. Their teacher Rajesh Patil said that while watching live telecast of the Taj hotel siege, these children had many unanswered question coming from them as to why they were killing people, what they get out of killing innocent and so on. They were terrified watching the live television of the terror attack.
Aftermath of the terror attack, Taj hotel has become a sort of Terror tourist spot. The locals and foreigners throng to catch a glimpse of Taj hotel where the terrorist and the Commandos were engaged in 60 hours of gun battle. People pose in front of camera with Taj hotel in the background to carry back with them as memorabilia.

For images on Human Chain-

http://rajennair.com/gallery43.asp

Mumbai fights back against terror

Yesterday the people of Mumbai came out in the open street to join the mammoth gathering that took place near the Taj hotel. It was clarion call made to the people to come together to show solidarity, express their outrage against the terror attack and protest the callous and inept attitude of our Politician. It was through the internet, blog and SMS messages that scores of people joined the rally. And the response was fantastic and unbelievable.

Tens of thousands of people participated. This rally is most unique in many ways and first of its kind ever to take place in Mumbai. Blogs, SMS and Citizen News portal came to the fore in marshalling such a huge rally which brings into focus the importance of digital age we live in. Beside it was used to channelize the public outcry and anguish against the Terrorist and the utter failure of our politician in protecting us. This has redefined the concept of citizen journalism and has left little doubt the CJ is going to stay here and from here onward will keep spreading and growing. The outcome of this public assault using digital media helped roll many heads in the Indian Ministry.

First to go was India’s home minister Shivraj Patil followed by the resignation of Maharashtra Home Minster RR Patil and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. In fact Chief Minister has admitted that it was the Public anger and pressure that made his step down from office.
Yesterday’s rally was unique in many ways. It was first massive Public rally called by the public and was for the public. Mumbai has never seen the mobilization of such large human resource at one go. It was always the monopoly of the Politician to garner huge rally by using his money power and state machinery. Yesterday’s rally was devoid of any political connection. In fact the fury against the politician was so furious that no politician would have dared to be present there. In all likelihood he would have been lynched.
I felt like the whole of Mumbai had tuned out on the streets. Processions were taken out by ordinary citizens waving placard and carrying tri-color Indian flags. Not only solidarity was shown towards brave police officer and Commandos who laid down their lives for the country but in general the public expressed their ire and fury, the disdain and contempt displayed were aimed against the Political class. Slogans like Go Go Terrorism, No votes No tax, Politicians step down, Hindu – Muslim unity and so on ranted the air. Graffiti and candle vigils marked the night.
There were people of all hue and walks of life- the Celebrities and commoners, Old and young, the rich and poor, Upper and middle class, Ultra-urban educated and rural and grieved families who lost their dear ones. What is most satisfying is that majority of them were young college students lending their vocal cord in shouting slogans and expressing solidarity. This is a good sign as there is often criticism that they don’t vote or take part in social issues.
I am sure yesterday’s public rally must have sent fear among the politicians that they no more can take the people of Mumbai and in general of India lightly. One good thing that comes out of this tragedy is that yesterday public rally has indicated that Mumbai is rising and now has voice of common public that cannot be ignored.

For images on the protest rally

http://rajennair.com/gallery42.asp

60 Hours of Terror attack in Mumbai

When there were spate of bomb blast in other parts of India, I was expecting that it was just a matter of time that India’ premier financial capital Mumbai would come under terror attack. But I had never expected that this time the magnitude of attack would be so massive in terms of duration of attack and death tolls. This time it wasn’t setting off time bombs in busy market places or institutions. They chose the sea route to come to Mumbai and launch a land attack. On Wednesday night the television had breaking news that guns shot were heard in CST station and at Leopold café (beer parlor frequented by foreigners). It was assumed that it might be underworld gang war. On knowing that similar attack had taken place in Taj hotel, Trident Oberoi , and western suburbs it became clear what we were seeing was terrorist attacks.
I interviewed SS Mishra who owns a restaurant inside CST and was eye witness to the terrorist attack. He said it was around 10 pm that he heard sound of gun shots. He saw two men, in their twenties with rucksack on their back, had AK 47 in their hands. They were firing indiscriminately at the passengers who were waiting at the terminus for boarding trains to their respective destinations. He and his employees ducked under the table while bullets were flying all over the place. He with his men managed to escape towards the kitchen. After half an hour when the firing stopped they stepped out. what he saw was simply horror. The area was a pool of blood with dismembered bodies lying all over. They rushed the injured to the nearby St George hospital.
At Taj hotel a fierce gun battle had taken place for over 60 hours leaving large number of deaths including many foreign tourists. Most of them were taken hostages and lined up against the room wall and fired at, killing them cold-bloodedly. The same happened at Trident hotel. At Nariman house a Jew family and some members were tortured killed brutally.
I spoke to Indian born British national Sir Ghulam Noon a well known businessman known as Curry King in London. He was staying at in the night of 26/11 when the terrorist entered Taj hotel and began mowing down visitors ruthlessly. He was lucky to remain inside his room before he was rescued by the firemen.
In all more than 183 people lost their lives and left 300 people injured. The people of Mumbai is very angry and venting it out in television interviews and taking out protest march and candle light vigil.
I was interviewed by Radio Pakistan live via my cell about the terror attack. They were keen to project that it was Deccan Mujahedeen group from India who had carried out the attack. I told them that one of the terrorist has been caught alive and from his confession all evidence points out to Pakistan, that was when the interview was stopped quite abruptly.
When terror attack was this magnitude and brutality take place some head from the government has to roll. India’s Home minister Shivraj Patel and Maharashtra home minster RR Patil has resigned. The chief minister is on his way out.

My salutation to the martyr who laid down thier lives fighting the terrorist

Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salasker, Ashok Kamte, Major Unnikrishanan and others
I had covered the three days events with my camera and bring you the documentary of images of Terror attack in Mumbai.

http://rajennair.com/gallery41.asp

Book Review- ‘The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers’

Book Review- ‘The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers’

Umpteen numbers of books gets flooded in the market on the wizardly Adobe Photoshop software, highlighting its unique features for enhancing your images. The latest book launched by O’Reilly, the publishers of ‘The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographer’ and authored by Derrick Story has all the ingredients a typical Adobe Photoshop would offer. What stands out is the unique feature of Photo download and Adobe Camera Raw application incorporated in it. Unlike other books on Adobe Photoshop which primarily focus on software tools for improving one image, this book dwells more on the advantage of using Photo downloading and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). The author makes an impressive presentation in its simpler and elaborate narration of applying CS4 to its optimum utilization. It goes on to explain right from importing images from the camera by using Photo download to defining pictures in A C R and then giving final touches in Photoshop.

To read more on review of CS4 open the link-

http://rajennair.com/articles.asp

Happy Clicking

Chhat Puja- Worship of Sun God

On 4th of November the day of chhat festival all roads in Mumbai lead to the Arabian Sea for the migrant people of Bihar. Chhat puja is the most auspicious and revered festival for the Biharis. Wherever they are, on any part of the world, on this day the Biharis throng the nearest sea shore, and river to pray to the Sun God. The women folk are draped in colourful sarees with red vermillion smeared on their forehead and carry plate full of fruits meant as offering to the Sun God.
This year in Mumbai chhat festival was celebrated with equal fervor and pomp by tens of thousands of Biharis who converged on the soft sand of Juhu Chowpatty. The Biharis, come to the city in search of green pastures. They are mostly self employed working as milk vendors, carpenters, newspaper sellers, taxi drivers and bhel puriwalas.
I was told that the crowd this year was less compared to last years as some of them preferred to stay back due to the atmosphere of fear prevalent in the city. Lately there is backlash against the north Indians and the Biharis were at the receiving ends at the hands of the local rightist parties propagating Sons of the soil theory. They are protesting against the influx of migrants coming from North India to Mumbai city in search of jobs thus threatening the livelihood of locals. When I spoke to some of the Biharis, they were brave enough to remain unfazed with the recent controversy and hoped that better sense would prevail and they would get accepted in the city. According to the Indian constitution people of India is free to travel and stay in any part of India.
On the Chhat festival I was told that it is celebrated six days after Diwali, another prominent festival of lights celebrated by the Hindu population of India. The Biharis consider the Sun God as most powerful and believe that seeking his blessing acts as fulfillment of their wishes. One of the legendendary story is that Lord Rama on completion of fourteen year of penance in the forest returns with his wife Janaki to Ayodhya to be crowned as a king. Lord Rama prays to the Sun God to bless the couple with a prodigious son. As a result they were blessed with twins named Luv and kush. The Biharis fast on this day and spend the evening on the Sea shore conduct pujas and make offering to Sun God. After the Sun sets the devotees spend the whole night on sea shore braving the chill wind, wait for next day’s sun rise to once again worship the Sun God.

For images on Chhat Puja, click here-

http://rajennair.com/gallery40.asp

Death of Father Bernard Digel

Indian Priest Bernard Digal’s was interviewed by me sometime back and his story titled ‘Religious Violence in Orissa’ was published recently in Guardian Weekly. It was reported in Indian press today that Father Bernard Digal succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Chennai, South India. He was attacked by the Hindu fanatics in the recent riots in Orissa. During the course of the interview I found him to be an affable and loving person. I told him that majority of the Hindus are secular and believe in peaceful co-existence with other faiths. Christianity came to India much before it reached the European shore. One of the twelve Apostle of Jesus, St Thomas first landed in Kerala in about AD 52. When I asked him whether he would be scared to return back to his native Orissa, he replied no and remarked that his life is in the hands of the God. One can now say that Father Bernard Digal is out of reach from the marauding mob of Orissa, resting safely in the hands of God. At end of the interview Father Bernard invited me to visit him at Archbishop of Bhubaneswar but sadly he wouldn’t be around. May his soul rest in peace

Link to full Text of the Interview-

http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=727&catID=2

Bull Temple of Bangalore

My recent visit to Bangalore to attend wedding of my nephew was a memorable one. Though I stayed for less than a week but I managed to visit few tourist spot.
Lal baug garden located in the heart of the city is spread over 240 acres of greenery and considered the lungs of the city serving fresh air against the city pollution. Covering the entire garden by foot is an exhaustive exercise but it is worth it.
Chickpet market is famous for silk & kancheepuram sarees. I was told that 40 miles away from Bangalore there many farms breeding silkworms out of which the finest silk is spun out. Garment shops in chickpet offer all kind of exotics colours and exquisite hand embroidered sarees. For bulk buyers the purchase turns out pretty cheap.
There is number of temples in Bangalore but none to beat the bull temple in term of spiritual fulfillment. The gigantic stone carved sculpture of Bull located inside the temple is awesome sight that instills within us a feeling of piousness and bliss.
When you talk of Bangalore one cannot miss mentioning about its balmy cool climate, no sooner I landed in Bangalore the skies opened out welcoming us with drizzle. Throughout my stay the sky remained overcast with intermittent rains and nip of chill hung in the air.
The area around majestic (old Bangalore) has cluster of old buildings milling with crowds. The roads are narrow with lot of interjection thrown in, creating traffic bottlenecks. The city terribly lacks in infrastructure with hardly any flyovers built. I am told that Metro is coming up, hopefully that will ease the traffic congestion.
Whereas the outskirt of the city offers an impressive sight with top corporate IT honchos located there. Bangalore is the hub of IT industry and it is the common sight to see computer geeks carrying laptops round the clock and sleek cars dropping call centre employees at offices. Swanky Pubs and restaurants and shopping malls are sure sign of the city coming on its own.

For more images on Bull temple check out my image website-

http://rajennair.com/gallery39.asp

Durga Pooja in Mumbai

Last week Durga pooja was celebrated in Mumbai. Goddess Durga represents a form of Sakti worshipped by the Hindu population of India. She is considered Mother of Universe with immense power. She represents symbol of a female dynamism. Durga pooja is popularly celebrated by the Bengalee community in the State of Bengal in India.

I visited Shivaji park and lokhandwala area in Mumbai where Durga pooja was being celebrated. I bring you some of the images taken through my lens of Goddess Durga

For images and text on Navaratri, the nine days festival of India, here is the link-

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=380763&rel_no=1

Rape of a Catholic Nun- A shocking incident in Orissa

The shocking incident of rape of a 29 year old Catholic nun allegedly by a Hindu fanatical group in the sectarian violence in Orissa has made every patriotic Indian hang their head in utter shame. Ironically this dreadful news comes just a day after the nation celebrated Gandhi Jayanthi, the preacher of non-violence and tolerance to all faiths. Whenever there is sectarian or communal outbreak in the country unfortunately, it is the women folk who have to bear the maximum brunt of mindless violence, often becoming victims of rape and killing. It has happened before like in the Gujarat communal riots and it would continue to occur, sadly in future.
The reaction that follows after such an incident is that there would be huge hue and cry in the media, the NGOs resort to filing petitions, the politicians besides offering lip service, at times politicize the whole incident and the common person would remain mute spectators. After a lapse of time, everything gets forgotten till the country is jolted with one more such incident of rape and communal violence. Seldom does the incident of rape come to light in our country, though in this case it came out 38 days later, because the police in connivance with the politicians do their best to suppress such incidents.
The Hindu fanatical groups like Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Sangh Parivar have let loose a reign of terror in BJP-ruled States, destroying churches, killing innocent people and raping women. What would happen in the event of the BJP coming to power in the country? People like Pravin Tagodia would have a free run spreading hatred and inciting sectarian and communal riots. The recent communal attacks on the Christian community by the outfits like Bajrang Dal clearly exposes the hidden ( one can no more say hidden as it is out in the open) agenda of Hindutva, that is to make India a Hindu nation in which only the voice of the brute majority of the Hindus would prevail in the society.
The Muslims and Christian minorities, if they don’t adhere or indigenize their faith to Hindutva Brand of doctrine, they would be bullied and punished. In short the minorities would be treated like second class citizens. The Sangh Parivar would not fall short of realizing its goal of Hindutva even if the country is under siege by spate of bomb blasts allegedly triggered by the Indian Mujahideen. The Hindutva brigade, Bajrang Dal and VHP, who were instrumental in Babri Masjid fall, has once again raised its ugly head to destroy the secular fabric of our multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. The BJP by remaining silent to the Christian atrocities is only playing the Hindu card for electorate gains. That is what they are doing right now in Orissa and Karnataka of polarizing the society on communal lines.
The Bajrang Dal and VHP are no different from the SIMI and Indian Mujahideen terrorist organizations - both aim to terrorize the society. The former goes about its business by destroying churches and killing Christians and the latter plant bombs that kills innocent victims. It is time that the Centre intervenes to stop this carnage against the Christians.
The nation is reeling under home grown terrorist acts, in part, thanks to demolition of Babri Masjid, Mumbai and Gujarat riots, the last thing the country wants is for some misguided boys from the Christian community taking up arms. So it calls for stringent action by the central government of arresting the Bajrang dal and VHP goons under non-bailable warrant and then convicting them by having fast track courts. Yet if that does not deter arsonist from indulging in further violence then the government may ban Bajrang Dal.
For comments on this post published in Desicritics.org- click here
http://desicritics.org/2008/10/04/082326.php

Interview with Father Bernard Digel on Religous violence in Orissa published in Guardian Weekly-
Click here
http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=727&catID=2

Pithrupaksh - Paying Obeisance to Ancestors Soul

Pithrupaksh is an important event for the Hindus in which a person offers Sraadha (religious rites) to their Ancestors ( Pitru) soul as mark of paying obeisance. It falls on the month of August-September and is spread over fifteen days. The Hindus conduct religious rites near the bank of the holy rivers in honour of their departed souls. Pindadanam is offering of food to the departed person. It is believed that even after death the deceased person is in desire of food, hence food is offered to satisfy this desire. In Mumbai the people throng the Banganga pond located in Walkeshwar, South Mumbai to perform these religious rites. The banganga provides most pious settings to hundreds of clean shaven people squatting on the steps of this splendid pond, deeply immersed in praying and paying respect to their beloved departed ones. Offering of food and water and chanting of prayers under the expert guidance of the priest were most common sight. For me a visit to Banganga turned out to be a rich spiritual experience

For Images click here-

http://rajennair.com/gallery38.asp

Nanavati Commission Report

The Nanavati commission report is nothing but a farce. As expected it gave a clean chit to Narendra Modi and its findings that the Godra incident was a pre-planned conspiracy. I think Narendra Modi and the BJP couldn’t have asked for anything more and no doubt, this report is timed to serve the much needed ammunition for his party to the run up of the 2009 poll. The Nanavati report went on to negate the findings of the justice Bannerjee commission report which clearly says that the fire incident in which 58 Kar Seveks died was an accidental one.
In first place it would be farfetched to expect the Nanavati report to indict Narendra Modi because the commission was appointed by his state Government and done in a manner to preempt any enquiry commission being appointed by the centre and the Supreme Court. How can the perpetrators of the Godra carnage turn righteous to appoint a commission to investigate their own crime? This would be question agitating every single Indian’s mind. The Gujarat government releasing only the first part of the report is under the law termed as illegal. The motive behind the part release of the commission findings raises doubt on the authenticity and integrity of the commission. It is once again dirty politics being played here by the Narendra Modi government and making a mockery of Indian democracy.
The report would drive the wedge between the Muslim minority and Hindu in Gujarat and vitiate the communal harmony prevalent in the aftermath of spate of bomb blast occurring in several Indian cities.
With the election around the corner the BJP’s communal policy of Hindutva would come to the fore. There will be attempt to polarize the vote banks on communal lines. The country is already witnessing it. The uncalled attack on Christian churches by the Bajrang Dal and VHP on BJP ruled states is a conspiracy to divide the people on communal lines.
The Nanavati report might have given a clean chit to Modi on the Godra train fire incident but it cannot wash off his sin on the carnage that followed in which many innocent people were killed.
For comments on above published articles click here-
http://desicritics.org/2008/09/26/111547.php

Ganesh Chaturthi - Lalbaugcha Raja

I had recently covered Ganesh Chaturthi which is most popular festival in India. Check out images and text on the festival here-

http://rajennair.com/gallery37.asp

I had gone with my family and relatives to Aksa beach for a weekend holiday recently. Located in the western suburb of Mumbai in Malad, it is a good two hours drive from our place at Chembur. Aksa has a pretty long stretch of beach and could be made a excellent tourist spot by developing facilities to have speed boat ride, water sports and paragliding. I was appalled at the poor condition of the beach strewn with garbages and plastics waste. The only redeeming feature is that I could find life guard stationed at the beach as Aksa is notorious for deadly under water currents and many drowning cases is reported every year.

There wasnt much shooting opp but still could manage few images.

Click here- http://rajennair.com/gallery36.asp

Mumbai's Eastern Water Front

A lot has been written and debated on merits of the eastern water front project study and to present it in a visual form was most challenging task for me. The opportunity came in the form of a photography work shop on Mumbai’s eastern water front, conducted by the renowned German photographer Kai-Olaf Hesse under aegis of Goethe Institute.

More on Eastern Water Front and its images, Check out here

http://rajennair.com/gallery35.asp

Bandra Skywalk- Walking to stay fit and healthy

When I first heard the news of the completion of the Bandra skywalk project linking Bandra station to Bandra –kurla complex (BKC), I had a longing to visit the Bandra skywalk. And the opportunity came up this week, a month after it was open to the pedestrians. Bandra skywalk is the first project to have been completed among the many such skywalk project coming up all over Mumbai. It was built by the MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority) at an estimated cost of Rs 13.63 crore. The Bandra skywalk is built 6 metre above ground level and is 4 metre wide. It is a 1.3 Km long stretch running parallel to the Slums near Bandra station, the Indian oil office and above the Western Express highway. The entry and exit point is the Bandra station and BKC.

For the whole story and to view images of Bandra Skywalk-

Click the below link

http://rajennair.com/gallery34.asp

A day out with Iranian girls

During one of my shooting assignment at Mani Bhavan which is Mahatma Ghandi's museum I had a chance meeting with some of the Iranian girls.
For more on the topic click on the link below.
http://rajennair.com/gallery33.asp

Amit Singh- A Victim of 7/11 Mumbai Bomb Blast

Here is the link to Amit's tragic story-

http://rajennair.com/gallery32.asp

His brother Dhiraj Singh has an appeal to make-

I request you if you could find out through your contacts and friends of any medical treatment available in your part of the world that can help my brother regain his consciousness. Secondly any sort of assistance either medical or monetary will be very much appreciated. Lastly will you please forward my message to all your friends so that more number of people gets to know about my brother’s case.
I may be contacted at my email address- dhiraj512@yahoo.com, Cell num- 09892971355

An Introspection of Black and White images

Check out a new category of my images titled ' An Introspection of Black and White images' added to my website. Here is the link-

http://rajennair.com/gallery30.asp

Hope you enjoy

Book Review: The Art of Black and White Photography

Here is the link to my book review on Torsten Andress Hoffman‘s: The Art of Black and White Photography- http://desicritics.org/2008/06/26/131513.php
Book is a well-documented book covering the whole gamut of black and white photography and has useful tips on photography. I would recommend this book to any serious photographer as a must read book.




I was passing through the Horniman garden in Fort to visit the Asiatic Library and when I saw through the iron gate the imposing British built 19th century Central library, I felt it would make a good image. Taken from my nikon D 70 camera and converted to B & W in photoshop.

Vat Savatri- Indian festivel for married women

The other day I visited Kumbharwada, Dharavi, asia's largest slum area. I wanted to cover Vat Savatri festivel celebrated by the married women in India. Married women from kumbharwada who are a well known community for producing clay pots were celebrating the Vat Savatri festival. On this day the married women prays for the well being of her husband and for happiness in marital life. Visit my site to know more on this unique ceremony and view the images taken from my nikon lens - http://rajennair.com/

Images of Dabbawala and Rains in Mumbai

I have uploaded recent images on the Dabbawala which is a unique network of human chain in transporting lunch boxes to its customers in offices in Mumbai and the rains in Mumbai Also I bring you images of Asia's largest slum- Dharavi.
Link- http://rajennair.com/
Hope you enjoy my images as much as I enjoy taking it.

Dharavi - Asia's largest Slum

Last week I visited Dharavi to photograph small manufacturing units located in Asia’s largest slums. I had to negotiate a maze of narrow alley leading to the interior of Dharavi. The place reeks with filth and decaying garbage. There are clusters of double storied shanties with narrow lanes fit enough for only one person to pass through. Even in broad daylight the place is engulfed in semi-dark with hardly any sun light able to pass through the crammed houses. Water pipes run along with open sewage lines.
The area is dominated with Hindus and the Muslims. Both co-exist in peaceful condition except during 1992-93 when the riots had broken out. People from different corners of India had come to Mumbai in search of green pasture and settled in Dharavi. There are ghettos of different community holed up in Dharavi, the Muslim community, the south Indian tamilians, the kumbharwada potters of Gujarat, the labourer of Bihari and UP. Basti (colony) belonging to the South Indian Tamilians stand out. One could see many wayside Murugan temple and hotels selling south Indian delicacy wada sambhar and Dosa. A Mosque and Temple located next to each other is a common sight. One can find all kind of small industries here – the tanneries, leather, garment, furniture and clay pots.
The people of dharavi live in pitiable and deplorable condition. The Maharashtra government has earmarked funds to built new homes for them under slum redevelopment scheme. So there is a silver lining in the otherwise dark clouds for the people of Dharavi. Images of Dharavi is uploaded in the gallery section titled Dharavi of my site- http://rajennair.com/ Also read a story on a potter published in Guardian Weekly, UK.

My Photo-Website

I bring you my images, published photo-essays and articles on Indian Art & Culture, Festivals, Events, Places, Travels and History, through my website -http://rajennair.com/
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Thanking you in advance for visiting my site.

Naigoan, Thane,

Last Sunday on June 7th I visited Naigaon which is about 50 kilometers from Mumbai city. My sister has a house there and on that day she was shifting to her new residence in a multi-storied apartment in Mulund , Mumbai. I had to help her in shifting and transporting household items to her new house. Before the transport van could arrive I took some time off to visit the surrounding places in Naigaon. I love the environment that the village provides that is of old villa houses, narrow alleys and plenty of greenery. Naigaon is a getaway from the city’s noise and maddening crowd and I did not want to miss this opportunity.

Why to blog ?

After years of dilly dallying whether I should blog or not, finally I came around to the idea that I need to blog. Having a website prompted me to have a blog as added feature to my site. I believe my readers would have a much wider perspective of my work.
Why I didn’t feel the need to blog in the past was because most of my published articles and photo-essays I believe are sort of a semi-blog in nature. Now that I have decided to blog it would serve as an extension of what I have been writing and taking images centering on Indian art& culture, festivals, events and places and history.