Hear me out

Old Portuguese House of Goa

2011-12-22T03:12:00.001-08:00

Old Portuguese House of Goa-
link to Photo-essay
http://www.rajennair.com/

Photo-essay on Spiritual world of Himalayas

2011-11-01T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sharing my photo documentary on spiritual world of Himalayan

http://www.rajennair.com/

my story in Tehelka

2011-10-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

check out my story in Tehelka

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main50.asp?filename=hu151011PERSONAL.asp

Photo-essay on Diksha a Jain Monk

2011-09-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

Today on Daughter's Day reminds me of young Mansi hailing from Mumbai's rich diamond family, gave up all comforts of life to embrace Diksha to become a Jain Monk- a photo-essay on her

http://www.rajennair.com/gallery51.asp

Pithrupaksh - Paying Obeisance to Ancestors Soul- a photo-essay

2011-09-19T07:17:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is Pithrupaksh - Paying Obeisance to Ancestors Soul- a photo-essay
http://www.rajennair.com/gallery38.asp

Photo-essay on Aranmula - kerala's temple ritual

2011-09-13T04:38:00.000-07:00

link to Photo-essay on Aranmula - kerala's temple ritual involving boats

http://www.rajennair.com/

Photography for hearing Impaired

2011-09-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

check out my Facebook page about my photo workshop for deaf

https://www.facebook.com/groups/270220569659046/

Photo-essay on Ramadan celebration in Mumbai

2011-08-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

A Photo-essay on Ramazan celebration in Mumbai

http://www.rajennair.com/gallery55.asp

Happy Gudipadwa

2011-04-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

a photo-essay on Gudipadwa celebration in Mumbai

http://www.rajennair.com/gallery14.asp

Dharavi Slum Redevelopment Project revived

2011-02-02T07:11:00.000-08:00

Dharavi Slum Redevelopment Project revived

a photo-perspective on Dharavi

http://rajennair.com/gallery67.asp

Photo -Essay on Dhobi Ghat

2011-01-20T06:15:00.000-08:00

Dhobi Ghat- a washer men colony is made in to a film releasing tomorow - my photo-essay on Dhobi Ghathat

http://rajennair.com/gallery05.asp

Photo-essay on Aranmula

2011-01-11T04:12:00.000-08:00

Photo-essay on Aranmula

http://www.thesouthreports.com/photo/albums/aranmula-sree-parthasarathy

Photo -Essay on Mumbai's Malnutrition Children

2010-12-17T20:00:00.000-08:00

Shocking to know there could exist Malnutrition among poor children of Rafiq Nagar Slum, Govandi and few

deaths reported among undernourished children in Mumbaim, which happens to be a financial hub of India.

My photo-essay on Malnutrition children & Dumping ground

http://rajennair.com/

Photo-essay on Asia largest slum Dharavi's potters

2010-12-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

Mumbai the financial hub of India is witnessing large scale developmental growth, laying of paver block roads, mushrooming of high rise buildings and malls and construction of number of flyovers.

Maharashtra Govt's ambitious plan of Dharavi redevelopment project which envisage providing homes to kumbharwada potter families has failed to take off.

I decided to once again visit Potters of kumbharwada in Dharavi to find out if they are aware of the tremendous changes taking place around and if it has any impact on them. After talking to them I found out for Potters nothing has changed as they go about with their daily routine of providing clay pot to the city.

I bring you photos taken during my recent visit-

http://rajennair.com/

My journey through Nilgiri Hills

2010-12-02T06:22:00.000-08:00

Photo-essay on my journey to Nilgiri Hills, Ooty, S India

http://rajennair.com/gallery66.asp

Photo -Essay on Tribal of South India

2010-10-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to my photo-essay on Tribal of South India

http://www.rajennair.com/

kerala's Arunmulla Vallasadhya

2010-08-29T23:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to a photo-documentary on kerala's famous Arunmulla Vallasadhya feast documented during my recent visit-

http://rajennair.com/

Onam - A Harvest festival for keralites

2010-08-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

This year after a long hiatus will be celebrating Onam at my native kerala. Pretty excited about it. Sharing my thoughts about my childhood visit to kerala

http://rajennair.com/gallery25.asp

Slide Show

2010-08-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Introducing slideshow on home page of my website-

http://rajennair.com/

Photo-Essay on Slum life in Mumbai

2010-06-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to Slum life in Mumbai-

http://rajennair.com/gallery64.asp

My take on Mumbai Slums-

Mumbai is India’s financial capital. Government wants to make Mumbai in to a World class city in line with China’s Shanghai. The bane of Mumbai is the mushrooming of Slums, hence nick named Slumbai. Out of its burgeoning population of 15 million about 60 percent resides in Slums. The city continues to have influx of migrants from poor states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in search of green pastures. The local Marathi population grouse against the migrants is that they bring in cheap labor and alien culture whereby the local’s livelihood is threatened and also their culture is diluted. The city’s development and infrastructure is not able to cope with additional influx. The city is already experience water shortage making the police commissioner’s remark that there will be riots over water in future. The government has ambitions plans to make the city free of slums. It has floated slum redevelopment scheme meant for the slums dwellers by providing free housing.

Dharavi located in heart of the city is Asia’s largest slum area. Maharashtra government announced 90 billion Slum Redevelopment Scheme for people of Dharavi, but the scheme has run into various hurdles and still to take off. One of the reasons for slums to spread like cancerous growth is the nexus between local politicians and slumlords. The politicians use slums dwellers as vote bank by making false promises. Overflowing sewage drains, lack of sanitation, street side strewn with decaying garbage, kids squatting on roads sides, stench hitting the nostril, these are the scene one encounters visiting the slums in Mumbai.

People living in high rise building have little empathy towards these slum people where as they have no qualms hiring home maids and servants belonging to slums.

Over the past few years I had visited several slum areas, closely interacted with them and been able to have an insight of their problems which continue to get highlighted in my writings and photo-essays.

Mumbai's Slum Dwellers rendered Homeless

2010-06-04T20:54:00.000-07:00

Mumbai’s Slum dwellers rendered homeless

Photo-documentary on Slums-

http://rajennair.com/gallery63.asp

Mushrooming of Slums is the bane of Mumbai, hence it is nick named Slumbai. Out of its 19 million population 60 percent of them resides in the slums. Overflowing sewage drains, lack of sanitation, street side strewn with decaying garbage, kids squatting on roads sides, stench hitting the nostril, these are the scene one encounters visiting the slums area in Mumbai.

Mumbai’s vast middle class people looks down upon these hapless slums people treating them as untouchables but at the same time have no qualms in using the services of these very people as house maids. After visiting one of Mumbai’s famous slum areas of Anna bhau Sathe Nagar (ABSN) located off Mankurd –Govandi highway in the central suburbs, my perception of Slum people underwent a heart change. When I came back home I told my wife that slum people are also human being like us

On 14^th May at 12 noon Mumbai’s Additional Collector Mr Danajay leading a contingent of 250 armed policemen accompanied with 6 bull dozers descended on ABSN. Out of about 3000 huts, about 500 of them were razed to ground, as if it was carpet bombed. The slum dwellers appeared shell shocked and desolate not knowing what hit them. The bull dozer razed and mowed down the thatched huts one after another. Policemen displayed utter brute force raining lathi (police baton) on the poor slum people who tried to stop them in vain. They left the aged and children homeless exposing them to the scorching heat.

Aftermath of the demolition operation, some NGO had set up make shift medical camps distributing medicines freely to slum people. There were long serpentine line of mothers holding crying babies in their arms and aged men waiting for their turn to collect free medicines. Social activist Medha Patkar and Bollywood actress Shabana Asmi visited ABSN site lending their moral support to slum dwellers.

Azam khan a vehicle driver laments ‘I and my family have been staying here for so many years, my children were born here. Now we are homeless and nowhere to go. Just few days before the demolition the collectors men came to my hut and scribbled a number at my door, later I had realized that my hut was marked for demolition ’

Laxmibhai working as a rag picker pours out her heart ‘Ever since my hut was destroyed I have stopped going to work. I have no money to buy food to feed to my starving children’

Her friend latha another rag picker said ‘We were given only 36 hours notice to evict the area. Where will I and my family go? This the only hut we had to sleep (pointing out to her razed hut) and now that is also gone. We are staying in the open ground with no roof to protect us from the oppressing heat. All my four children are suffering from heat boils and running temperature’

Nasrani a housewife says ‘They took away all our belongings like cots, utensils and even clothes. Some of the houses were set on fire by the police. Now what will happen of us?’

The Maharashtra State government in its attempt to make Mumbai into a world class city on lines of Shanghai model, few years back had come out with a policy of slum redevelopment and rehabilitation Scheme. It is meant to provide housing to slum people. Private builders were allowed to build houses on slum areas for the slum dwellers and some part of land the builders could exploit building flats for sale in the open market. The government had set 2000 as cutoff year for slum dwellers eligible for free housing. Those slums that came up after 2000 were considered as unauthorized and illegal hence subject to demolition. It was considered that slums in ABSN fall under unauthorized category so it was razed to ground. Political parties use slum people as vote bank during time elections. They make tall promise to slum people but once elected, conveniently forget them. At the time ANSN was being demolished none of the local elected representative came to their rescue. ABSN slums are located on prime land in the heart of the city and going by the high land price prevailing in that area it would fetch a fortune Slum dwellers suspect that the government is forcibly evicting them off the ABSN area making way for the private builders to rake in the moolah. Meanwhile the slum dwellers are left out in the lurch bracing for a bleak future.

Mother's Day

2010-05-08T20:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day.

A Photo link - My Mom

http://rajennair.com/gallery50.asp

A Trip to Himalayan kingdom

2010-04-16T03:35:00.000-07:00

Photo documentary on Himalayan kingdom

http://rajennair.com/gallery62.asp

Plight of Potter in Dharavi

2010-03-13T22:50:00.000-08:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rajen-nair/plight-of-potters-of-dhar_b_496686.html

‘’Dharavi Asia’s largest slum is nestled in central heart of Mumbai city. It hit international map when the movie slumdog millionaire inspired from squalor of Dharavi went on to bag the Oscar award. Dharavi is spread over some 535 acres where it houses mainly migrants hailing from South and North India. The Hindu and Muslims co-existing together in perfect harmony here portrays the secular face of India. One can get lost walking through its labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with clusters of dilapidated shanties. Lack of basic amenities like toilets and drainages has made place unhygienic and filthy.

The migrants showcase its entrepreneurial skills boast of number of small recycled and ancillary units in plastic, tanneries, leather and chemicals. Some units exports goods worth several million dollars annually.

Ever since Maharashtra government announced 90 billion Slum Redevelopment Scheme for people of Dharavi, the project is stonewalled with opposition and protest lead by people of Dharavi

The project envisages undertaking about 70 million square feet of construction. Some 30 million square feet of that will be for residential space and amenities, whereas the remaining 40 million square feet will be put up for sale

The government plans to build 57000 new flats consisting of 225 sq ft for resident of Dharavi. For people of Dharavi the area of 225 sq ft of flat allotted is not enough for them to accommodate their large families averaging about 5-7 members and also for carrying out manufacturing activities.

Kumbharwada in Dharavi consist of skilled potter families manufacturing of clay pots a tradition handed down from generations. An average potter joint family has about 6-8 members occupying an area of 600-800 sq ft in a rundown shanty made of brick and cement walls and corrugated sheet roofs tops. Clay Pots producing activity is carried on with its four walls on the floor and a wooden loft built overhead is a make shift place for members to sleep and eat.

I spoke to 25 year old Darmesh who owns a pot ware shop on 90 feet road of Dharavi. He lamented ‘How can the government expect our large family to stay in a small flat of 225 sq ft area provided by the government. Will there be any space left to carry out our pot making activity that feed us and take care of our child’s education.

Another potter Chunilal, which has 7 members in his family consisting of his wife and children and parents staying in an area of 650 sq ft shanty. Whereas the floor is taken up for manufacturing clay pot through rolling wheel machine, remaining space gets filled for storing freshly produced pots. This was his reaction against the Government sponsored free houses and shifting of manufacturing base elsewhere ‘The smaller flat offered by government is unacceptable to us. If the government wants us to shift our units to out of the city limits than it would spell doom of our pot making business. We have been carrying out our activity here since our ancestor’s time. This place is famous for clay pots and people from all over the country come to us here to buy our products, if we were to shift elsewhere we stand to lose our clients whom we depend for our survival. As it is pot making is a dying art as demands for clay pots is not the same what it was in the past thanks to modern usage of plastic cups and bottles. Our demand is that government gives us bigger flats and allots us separate plots for carrying out manufacturing in Dharavi itself’.

Another problem facing the potter families are that as their family size get larger and new people keep pouring in to Dharavi, the shanties have taken to vertical growth due to lack of space. Most shanties houses structure of single, double and even triple stories.

The government recently carried out survey of houses in Dharavi in order to identify the beneficiaries of slum redevelopments. As per the rule the government gives legality only to ground floor built houses. Any structure built above is considered illegal. There are thousands of family residing above ground floor house in single story house will not benefit from government scheme and on the contrary will be rendered homeless once the scheme is implemented.

So Dharavi sitting on a gold mine where everyone including the government officials, builders and NGOS want to have their share of pie and for the people of Dharavi free house appears a distant dream’’.

Rajen nair

Link to photo- documentary of Dharavi-

http://rajennair.com/gallery61.asp

I survived the Chile earthquake

2010-03-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

About six months ago I came to Santiago to work as an employee of an Indian IT firm – I am originally from Kolkata. I was at my friend’s apartment on the third floor of an eight-storey building in Las Condos when, at around 3.35am on Saturday, the earthquake occurred.

The whole building began swaying, the furniture was shaking violently and things were thrown off the shelves. I had never experienced an earthquake before so I panicked. I ran out of the room as fast as I could and left everything behind. All I could do before running out was to shut my laptop and put on my slippers.

On reaching the passage I sensed the magnitude of what was going on outside. Lot of people was desperately running along the narrow passage and down the staircase. People were pushing and tumbling over each other to get out of the building. There was utter chaos and a lot of noise. My legs were shaky and I had trouble keeping straight while running. Then the passage lights went off – creating more panic.

Though the emergency lights were on, it was still very dim and I had to grope in the semi-dark to find my way down the rocking staircase. I knew the stairs pretty well so managed to keep going in the right direction. I had to jump over fallen bodies to reach the streets outside.

The quake was at its peak and taxis on the street were rocking and alarms were making loud noises. I reached a safe place away from possible hazards such as other buildings, electric poles and collapsing trees. I was scared and friends from the building held each other's hands. I think the quake lasted over two minutes but it seemed like the longest two minutes of my life. I was in a state of shock and felt disoriented.

We were fortunate that our building was strong enough to withstand the earthquake. None of us received any injuries except for minor bruises. Once the earthquake stopped my first instinct was to get back to my apartment. I gathered some courage and returned to my room to collect my cell phone and wallet and rushed out again. In the short time I was in my bedroom I had noticed wide cracks all over the walls and ceiling.

I tried to call my family in India and friends here but I couldn’t connect because the mobile network was down. Myself, four friends and five other Indian families headed off to find other office colleagues. I could see lot of people out in the streets with scared expressions, thanking God for saving their lives and that of their loved ones. When I reached my friend's place I saw them sitting outside their apartment. We hugged each other with relief.

Buses and vehicles had jammed the street. People were getting into their vehicles and moving out. Police sirens, ambulances and fire engines ciould be heard everywhere. Later, we decided to spend rest of the night in the lobby of our building. We were hungry so went to the nearest supermarket but the night guard was locked behind some electric doors due to power failure. The police had to break open the glass doors and let him out.

The next morning I went back into my apartment and tried to get some sleep. At around 7.45am there was another quake. I ran out and waited for some time before I returned. Once partial power was restored I switched on the television set. I heard the news that the worst place to be hit was Concepcion. Seeing live coverage of the destruction of houses and the loss of life made me thank God that I was lucky to be alive.

Here in Santiago the major problem was that the basic services were badly hit. Power, water and gas supplies were affected. My building power was restored on Monday evening. Shops remained closed until Sunday. The metro was closed for a day. Some restaurants opened on Sunday. The only one open near my place was a Domino's pizza outlet near Tobalaba metro station. There was a huge crowd gathered outside the shop.

On Monday the offices opened but the attendance were poor. Most of them decided to remain at homes with lot of aftershocks occurring repeatedly. Most employers had made it optional for employees to go into the office, especially in high rises. People resorted to working from home as much as possible.

The police here in Santiago are helping to provide relief operations to those affected. There was no looting at my place though I heard of looting happening in suburbs outside Santiago in places like Maipu and Talca.

I have still not fully recovered from the shock that I went through and badly need a break. I am lucky to have survived the ordeal and will be flying back to India next week to be with my family.

• Arnab Mallick was speaking to journalist Rajen Nai

Internet Censorship in China

2010-03-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

Censorship has always been part of life in China. I began using the internet in 1997 and on a typical day I spend two to three hours surfing social networking sites such as Facebook and Kaixin001.com – a Chinese-language Facebook clone. I have faced many incidents where I found my access to certain websites blocked. If critical comments on government policy were posted in a blog, then it was deleted or "harmonised" (a euphemism for censorship). I get frustrated when the government curbs my personal freedom of expression.

I recently posted some comments on the Google incident as well as some news stories from major international media outlets on Kaixin001.com and soon discovered that all my posts had been harmonised less than half an hour after they were posted. It is frustrating to think that we are living in an Orwellian world.

Fortunately I can still access the New York Times or The Economist and view stories that are critical towards the Chinese government. It all adds up to a psychological effect, that spine-chilling feeling of Big Brother watching you.

On some of the websites I want to access, such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, I have to resort to ‘"scaling the wall", using VPN (a virtual private network) or other technologies to sneak in and out.

What is alarming is that there are many rumours that the government has funded people to post pro-government remarks on websites and that it is also deleting unsavoury opinions and comments. From the beginning of this summer, the government seems to have increased its censorship efforts by blocking Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; and, of course, there has been the climax of the recent spat with Google.

It is a sad development when I see so many prominent human rights lawyers and political dissenters getting prosecuted by the government, who might have hacked into their email accounts to get their names. I think my country is shifting into a more authoritarian and oppressive regime, similar to that in George Orwell's 1984.

Recently, the government has began curbing the activities of mobile communications companies such as Shanghai Mobile, the Shanghai branch of the state-owned mobile communication monopoly. It recently proposed that users who send pornographic messages should be cut off from the service. I think the government is using pornography as an excuse to curb freedom of speech.

In the past I was never politically active and was indifferent towards political issues and not particularly fond of opposition politics – but government censorship has radicalised me, virtually forcing to me to choose sides. My friends hate it too, which is why I suspect that government policy could backfire one day soon. Some protestors recently went to Google's Beijing office to pay their last tribute and this is the sign of things to come as there will be more such protest.

There is virtually no independent media in China but I can still go to my local coffee shop and loudly exchange derogatory, cynical or sarcastic comments on the government with like-minded friends. But I worry that China is following repressive regimes such as North Korea, Iran or Burma.

I know the risk involved if people like me raise their voice in protest against the government. I could be arrested for national security violations and sentenced to a jail term. Since there is no independent judiciary system in China I could not expect a fair trial in such a politically motivated legal case. Yet people continue to protest in their own way.

If you visit popular Chinese websites you might find bolder statements coming from citizens that are against the government’s repressive policy. Thanks to VPN technology I can reach out to people through access to Google but I wish more corporate giants – both Chinese and internationally – would use the Google example to help force the Chinese government to change its policy.

• Hong is a pseudonym. He was interviewed by journalist Rajen Nair.

Internet Cencorship in China

2010-01-26T19:38:00.000-08:00

Link to my story on internet censorship in China-
http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1444&catID=6

Visit to Dharavi with Global post editor Hanna

2009-12-22T20:23:00.000-08:00

My visit to Dharavi with Global post editor Hanna

http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/india/091221/dharavis-india-mumbai-life

Life in Dharavi

2009-12-20T04:02:00.001-08:00

Hi,

Documentary image on life in Dharavi which houses large slum shanties and was an inspiration for producing movie Slumdog

http://rajennair.com/gallery61.asp

Wishing you all a Merry X'mas.

Best,
rajen nair

2009-12-14T19:26:00.000-08:00

Interview with a Telangana farmer-

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/showstory.aspx?queryed=20&querypage=10&boxid=30838000&parentid=106371&eddate=Dec%2013%202009%2012:00AM

Documentary images- In Memory of Victims of 26/11 Terror Attack

2009-11-28T03:37:00.000-08:00

Documentary images - In memory of Victims of 26/11 Terror Attack-
http://rajennair.com/gallery60.asp

Anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack

2009-11-21T23:06:00.001-08:00

Check out more images of 26/11 Terror Attack-
http://rajennair.com/mt.asp
My Published interview story of 26/11 Terror Attack witness-
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_my-nephew-was-lying-on-the-street-in-a-pool-of-blood_1314839
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_i-felt-something-whiz-past-me_1314840

Nagoan Beach, Alibag

2009-10-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

Some of the images of Nagoan beach taken during my visit there on Diwali holidays-

www.rajennair/gallery59.asp

Durga Puja

2009-09-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

I bring you images of the Durga Puja celebration in Mumbai-

www.rajennair.com/gallery56.asp

Ramzan Eid Celebration in Mumbai

2009-09-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

Rajen Nair: "India is home to about 150 million Indian Muslim populations which is the second largest Muslim population in the world next to Indonesia.
The month long of fasting ended with the sighting of Moon and the next day on 21st Sep Eid was celebrated with usual religious fervor in Mumbai. At early morning thousands of Muslims filled the streets near Minara Masjid in Masjid,Mumbai to offer their Namaz ( Prayers). Muslims dressed in Traditional Shervani greeted each other after the namaz was over.
It was always my wish to cover through my lens the Ramzan festival and this time it was possible. Some of images taken of the Ramzan celebration in Mumbai."

Documentary images of the Eid celebration-

www.rajennair.com/gallery55.asp

Images from Eastern Water Front, Mumbai

2009-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

The above images of the Eastern water front, Mumbai was taken by me during a photography work shop. These images were exhibited in Coomarswamy Hall, Mumbai during Mumbai Work Shop on 1-09-2009

Afghan Election Day

2009-08-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

Saifullah Ahmadzai is a research analyst from Kabul. He talks about his experience of voting in the Afghanistan elections of August 20 2009, as the city came under assault from suicide and rocket attacks launched by the Taliban
For more on my Afghan election interview story-
http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1222&catID=1

Gokulastami

2009-08-19T08:36:00.000-07:00

I had in the past covered Gokulastami festival several times and have in stock many images of it. So I had no plan to visit the festival this time. Just then the Swine flu scare happened in Mumbai. Few deaths were reported. Television channels not to be left behind on TRP rating had it all hyped up. It was a familiar sight in the streets of Mumbai people wearing face mask ostensibly to protect from the contagious virus. Then we had warning from the jittery Government to tone down the festival as they felt that a large gathering, which normally this festival draw, would further spread the virus. The schools, college and Multi-plexs were closed for a week
I wanted to see for myself how the festival would turn out to be with Swine flu virus having scared the people to death. I chose to visit Dadar the hub of Dahi Handi ceremony. The turnout of Govindas was massive like any other previous festivals. The festival fervor and spirit was very much in evident among the Govindas. The Govindas revellers went around breaking Dahi Handi hung up at street corners and then the usual breaking in to jig once they successfully formed the human pyramid ( main attraction of the festival) in breaking the dahi handi. Apart from the usual merriment and joy displayed at the festival, one thing that was missing that was the large crowd. Normally we have huge turnout of people to watch the Dahi handi ceremony. The people response was muted. Less people this time were seen watching the spectacular human pyramid. For me as a photographer it was an advantage with less crowd as there were no shoving and jostling. I could manage to get closer to the human pyramid to take close shots which was unthinkable in previous festivals.
One another observation I would like to make is the indiscriminate use of innocent children some as small as 5- 10 years taking part in dahi handi ceremony. They were used because of their light weight and fragile body which make it easier for them to climb swiftly reaching the top layer of the human pyramid within striking distance of the hanging dahi handi. Some were seen crying or irritant as they were being coxed and cajoled to take part in it. There is also a risk factor in the human pyramid. A fall from the top would break your bones and land you in hospital. In case of boys between 10 – 15 years they were the happier lot as they were carried on shoulders in a victory procession on successfully breaking the dahi handi.

For more images on Gokulastami-

http://rajennair.com/gallery54.asp

Typhoon Morakot Hit Taiwan

2009-08-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

Tony Coolidge, a 42-year-old internet professional, describes the flooding experienced by his family when typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan last week and how he fears global warming is to blame-

Click on link for the story-

http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1200&catID=4

Afganistan ' Ordinary people want change"

2009-08-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Abdulhadi Hairan is a research analyst at the Center for Conflict and Peace Studies in Kabul, Afghanistan. He describes the issues facing the country ahead of the presidential elections on August 20 and expresses his concern about Taliban disruptions to the pollingAbdulhadi Hairan is a research analyst at the Center for Conflict and Peace Studies in Kabul, Afghanistan. He describes the issues facing the country ahead of the presidential elections on August 20 and expresses his concern about Taliban disruptions to the polling-

Open the link for the story

http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1199&catID=1

High Tide in Mumbai

2009-07-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

Lately the Arabian Sea surrounding the Mumbai coast has been in the news. One was the coming up Bandra-Worli Sea link and other the high tidal waves hitting the Mumbai shore. The announcement by Mumbai Municipal of the high tide hitting Mumbai shore was a much talked about event in the press and television. Mumbaiker were warned of high tide of the century with waves scaling height of 5.05 metre on 24 June 2009. If the city received heavy rains on that day coinciding with the high tide there would be unprecedented floods in Mumbai. The city was in tenterhook bringing back memory of 2005 flood during monsoon in Mumbai. On that day Government had shut down Schools and colleges and people were warned not to venture out on the streets unless it was necessary. A sort of fear psychosis held the city on the edge.
I set out in the morning of 24th June armed with my camera and was greeted with unexpected sunlight. There was no sign of the rains or impending doom, as predicted much to the relief of Municipal officials and Mumbaiker. I had decided to visit near to the sea side either in Worli or Gateway of India where I had taken previous photos of tide waves hitting against the walls and spraying water in the air. Such scenes make good photos. Half way on my journey I changed my mind and decided to visit fishermen village in Worli to find out how they cope up with the high tide and if they suffered any destruction of their huts lining along the coastal strip. By the time I reached the village there was still an hour left for the tide to peak that was at 2 at noon. I thought of using this time to visit Worli Fort which is a good 20 minutes walk from the Worli Bus depot. The Fort is situated at an elevated area where in I could enjoy a vantage point to view the high tide. Worli fort was built by the British around 1675 to keep vigil against enemy’s ship and pirates. Sadly now the fort is unkempt and in utter shambles. Illegal huts have mushroomed around it.
Once up the fort I could see the Arabian Sea in its full fury and ire. The Sea was choppy and turbulent. The tide was slowly working its way up and crashing with all its might against the pillars of the magnificent Bandra-Worli sea link. Some of fishermen assembled to witness the high tide commented that they had never seen the Sea so angry rolling over such huge tides. They heaved relief that it wasn’t raining or else the tide would be much worse. Then I visited some of the fishermen’s huts located on around the sea edge. Water had gushed inside and destroyed their fragile homes. People ventured out of their homes watching with concern the havoc created by the tidal waves. Some of the bylanes of the villages was submerged with Sea water. Municipal official were present at the scene making announcement on loudspeaker to people staying near the sea to evacuate. What is intriguing that it was the turn of Sea during this high tide to throw back tonnes of debris consisting of plastic bags, coconuts shells and marigold garland which people normally dispose off in the sea nonchalantly.
On my way I stopped by near to Shivaji Park beach. I was told that Sea water had entered the land over there. As a precaution all vehicular traffic leading to it was stopped so I had to walk it down. On reaching the scene I saw a huge crowd mainly compromising college students gathered to see the huge tidal waves overflowing over the land.
I had never seen anything like this before and it made me think with concern the danger of climate change due to which the Sea level is rising with each passing year. This was just an warning for the future that the sea water one day would not hesitate to enter mainland of Mumbai.

Link to images of high tide in Mumbai

http://rajennair.com/gallery53.asp

Bandra-Worli Sea link

2009-07-31T06:51:00.001-07:00

Mumbaiker had to wait for ten long years to see the Bandra-Worli sea link come up. It did finally got completed on April 21th 2009 before missing the earlier deadlines set twice, first on December 2004 and then on 2007.
The delay had seen the initial cost of the project rise from Rs 434 to a whopping Rs 1634 crore. One of the reasons for the delay was due to the agitation lead by the fishermen community from Mahim village as they felt the link would hamper their catch. Hence the link was re-aligned 150 meters away from the coastline.
The bridge was built to reduce to the travelling distance between Mahim flyover and Love Grove Junction in Worli, which otherwise would take about 35 to 40 minutes without taking in to account the traffic bottleneck during peak hours. Now the 4.7 km Bandra-Worli Sea link will take just 8 minutes. Work for 4 lanes linking it to Nariman point is underway.
The link was inaugurated by the Congress President Sonia Gandhi on 29th June and named it as Rajiv Gandhi Bandra- Worli Sea link. It was thrown open to traffic the next day. The current fares for using the link is Rs 50 one way, Rs 75for return journey for the Cars and Rs 100 for Heavy vehicles. For the first four days the vehicles had a free ride as part of promoting the link. About 45 thousand vehicle is expected to drive through the link every day. Besides people using the link to reach their office faster it is expected that the link would also draw the tourist.
On eve of the opening Mumbaiker was treated to a grand display of laser beam light shows fallowed by spectacle of fire works.
The towering Bandra- Worli link Sea appears like a phoenix rising from the Arabian Sea. This majestic link built from several tonnes of steel and concrete is a piece of engineering genius and an ultimate architectural marvel.
I am blessed to have a partially upper view of the link overlooking from my window flat situated several miles away from the Sea. In the day the long winding handle bars that hold the bridge glints in the Sun and at night the iron and steel joints turns into a spectacle of dazzling lights.
Just before retiring to bed it has become customary to have one last glance at the bridge when the sparkling white lights is turned orange and dim indicating that is time to sleep but I doubt the link ever goes to sleep though with thinning traffic as night life in Mumbai get rolling.
Driving through the Sea link was an exhilarating experience and the pictures say it all.

For documentary image of the link-

http://rajennair.com/gallery52.asp

Iran Protest- ' I ran for my life'

2009-06-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

Jamileh, a 25-year-old woman from Iran, describes her experience taking part in demonstrations against the recent election result that saw current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defeat opposition hopeful Mir Hossein Mousavi amid accusations of vote-rigging. Parisa describes how she returned home from a protest march, only to be disturbed by police who then arrested her brother.
Link-
http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1129&catID=1

Diksha- becoming a Jain Monk

2009-05-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

Mansi jhaveri is a 28 years old commerce graduate belonging to a wealthy diamond merchant’s family. She took three years to prepare in taking diksha and becoming a monk. On May 16th 2009 at Walkeshwar, Mumbai , in front of a huge crowd consisting of young and elderly Jain community and senior Jain monks, she was initiated into diksha. She went through the ritual of Rajo Haran and was presented with ogho- a string of woollen threads pieced together. As per the rites three strands of her hair was plucked and her head shaven clean. After taking bath she changed into white robes of a Jain Monk. A red-white black wooden utensil auctioned to the tune of Rs 28 lakhs was presented to her. The wooden utensil is used by the monk to collect alms. On becoming a monk she was rechristened Moksha Maina Shreeji Masatheeji. On her first day as a Jain monk she will return to her father’s home to collect her first gochari or alms.
To view images of the ceremony of diksha visit website-
www.rajennair.com

Images from war zone in Sri-lanka

2009-05-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

Check out images from war zone of Sri-lanka taken from a humanitarian worker visiting contributor's gallery in my website-

http://rajennair.com

Greetings on Mother's Day

2009-05-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Check out my images on Mother's Day-

http://rajennair.com/gallery50.asp

Pakistan Sikh prosecution by Taliban becomes a poll issue in Election in India

2009-05-07T04:53:00.000-07:00

The Taliban attack on minority Sikhs in Pakistan is snowballing in to a major poll issues in India. We are in the last phase and going by the reports from the polling taken place, it appears that both the main contenders, the congress and BJP is running a neck to neck race. But still no one can say for certain, among these to national party which one will emerge as a single largest party.
One drawback of BJP in this election is that they failed to capitalize on any one of the issues they raised during this long winded election campaigning. They tried every trick in the trade to raise issues that would stir the conscious of the people and reap election dividends. From calling Manmohan singh a weak PM, Mumbai terror attack, promise to bring back Swiss black money stashed abroad and latest is picking up gauntlet on behalf of the Sikhs. LK Adavni accuses the congress government not of doing anything to stop atrocities on the minority Sikhs of Pakistan by the Taliban. Whether this emotive issue will reap electoral gains for the BJP and its ally the Akali Dal will be known only after the poll.
Mind you Punjab will go to poll in the last phase of election and Congress is expected to fare better in that State due to anti-incumbency factor. BJP see this as an opportunity to rake up emotive issues of minority Sikh prosecution at the hands of Taliban in Orakzai agency of NWFP, Pakistan.
The Taliban had targeted the Sikhs by demolishing their houses and forcing them to pay jiziya, a tax levied on non-Muslims. Taliban had demanded from the Sikh community Rs 5 crore a year under Sharia law but after negotiations it was reduced to 1.5 crore. According to the Taliban the Sharia asks all non-Muslims to pay protection money.
The Indian televisions channel has given lot of news coverage to the plights of Sikh families in Pakistan and carried footage of Sikh demonstration in the open streets of Punjab and New Delhi. The Punjab state ruling party Akali Dal workers along with BJP led the protest. They were seen burning the effigy of Taliban and shouting slogans against it.
BJP’s star campaigner Narendra Modi who is canvassing in Rajasthan State, in one election speech had come down heavily on Manmohan Singh. He expressed surprise that Manmohan Singh himself a Sikh is not doing enough to stop prosecution of Sikhs in Pakistan. The Indian government’s MEA spokesmen had voiced its concern about the sorry state of Sikh in Pakistan only to be rebuffed by the Pakistan government. The Indian government was told to mind its own business as minority Sikhs are citizen of Pakistan and will be protected.
The congress party is accusing the BJP that by making the Sikh a poll issues it is exploiting the emotions of Sikhs in India. Whereas AL Advani counters back saying that how can he keep quite when Sikhs are being prosecuted in Pakistan.
The congress government is already facing flak from people and politicians of Tamil Nadu for not able to pressurize the Sri-Lanka government in calling ceasefire in that war torn country.
In the last 2004 election the DMK party, which swept the poll, was instrumental in lending its key support for formation of Congress led UPA government at the centre. So the congress, this time, is heavily banking on its alliance DMK to win more number of seats. But the Sri-Lanka Tamil issue has become an emotionally charged election issues in the regional politics of Tamil Nadu and is expected to make some dent to the poll prospect of DMK and Congress.
Similarly the minority Pakistan Sikh atrocity by the Taliban has already become an emotional issue among Sikh voters in Punjab and elsewhere. It is the BJP’s old ally the Akali Dal who is ruling the Punjab state.
Meanwhile BJP and its ally Akali Dal is doing everything to capitalize on this one emotional issue of minority Pakistan Sikh, which was thrown to them on a platter. Whereas for Manmohan Singh and his party, it can ill-afford to ignore this sensitive issue, especially coming during the last leg of poll, which will have a decisive say as to who will form the government at the centre.
rajen nair

Sri Lanka- ' We had to throw the bodies in to sea'

2009-05-07T04:51:00.000-07:00

Last month, 25-year-old Indra Menon fled from his village in Mullaittivu, north east Sri Lanka, to escape the conflict between the rebel Tamil Tiger forces and the Sri Lankan government. The computer hardware student escaped by taking a boat packed with other fleeing families to Rameshwaran in India. He describes an appalling journey that claimed the lives of ten people-
Check out my story in article section of my website-
www.rajennair.com

Documentary Images on Indian Election-09

2009-05-03T23:27:00.000-07:00

Out of a billion populated Indians about 714 millions voters will be voting for the coming Loka Shaba election 2009, a mind boggling figure. Two national parties the UPA led ruling government and BJP, besides record number of small regional parties will be in the election fray. Both the national parties the congress and BJP had failed to retain their key allies which would impact the outcome of this election. The pundits and opinion polls have given a slight edge to congress party over its arch rivals the BJP. The punters favor the congress party to come back to power. However it will be tough going for the congress party to cobble up a simple majority of 272 seats with help of its alliance partners.
Small regional parties like RJD, Samajwadi party, DMK, BJD and host of other parties will play a major role in post poll alliance. It is predicted that congress party would be able to muster up to 145 -160 seats and BJP will be not left far behind as it would manage about 140 to 150 seats. The third front might come closer to bagging 100 seats. The key allies will be seen backing the winning horse and demand its pound of flesh in new power sharing equation for formation of government at the centre. The left front has made its stand clear of not backing the congress. But one never knows what would happen in the post poll scenario. In the event of congress becoming a single largest party all its key allies would fall in line to support a UPA government and back Manmohan Singh as PM. Still if UPA alliance falls short of majority we might see some party breaking away from third front to lend its support just to keep the BJP away from power. So in all likelihood we might see a secular UPA government once again ruling at the centre.
This election has its own share of drama and antics. The first salvo was fired by the young Varun Gandhi who made a hate speech and catapulted himself in the national politics. What a way to go. For the first time we saw an aggressive Manmohan Singh trying to shake off the tag of a weak PM charged by LK Advani. He surprised many by ably countering Advani and accusing the BJP with mishandling Kandahar hostage issues. The shoe throwing incident added some color to the otherwise listless electioneering due to absence of any national issues.
All eye is focus on D day of May 16th when election result will be out and then the next spectacle of battle lines will drawn between two national parties trying to woo small parties to form a government.

For viewing more images, visit this link-

www.rajennair.com

Election Campaign Trail of Priya Dutt

2009-04-20T00:28:00.000-07:00

Priya Dutt is the Congress candidate for Mumbai North Constituency. I had the occasion to capture her through my lens while she was in her campaign trail in Kurla east. My first impression of her was her simplicity, humbleness and dignified character. Notwithstanding her Bollywood background of being daughter of yesteryear actress the late Nargis and Late actor Sunil Dutt and having a star brother Sanjay dutt, she comes across as a down to earth next door girl. Throughout her campaign I found people from all walks of life coming forward to greet and cheer her. She would reciprocate with a smil
e and folded hand saying Namaste.
She became a Member of Parliament for the first time when she won the last Lok Sabha election in 2005. As a MP She enjoys an excellent track record of achieving a lot for the benefit of common people of her constituency.
One can visit her website listing out all her achievements and her vision for people of India.
Here is the link-
http://www.priyadutt.org/home
I think today we need leaders like Priya Dutt who is young and dynamic and above all working with dedication and sincerity for the common people. On the polling date I hope people in large numbers would turn out to vote braving the sweltering heat of Mumbai.
Check out images of Priya Dutt's election campaign trail-
http://rajennair.com/gallery48.asp

Italian earthquake : a nation mourns

2009-04-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

Italian earthquake: a nation mourns
On guardianweekly.co.uk: As Italy observes a national day of mourning for the victims of the L'Aquila earthquake, Francesco Alesi recalls speaking to a survivor who had been trapped under rubble for 12 hours.
Link to the story-
http://rajennair.com/articles.asp

Swat Valley under Sharia

2009-03-13T03:53:00.000-07:00

Thursday March 12th 2009
The arrival of Taliban militants in Pakistan's Swat valley has sparked a rapid decline in civil rights. Schools have been destroyed, entertainment banned and opponents of the regime beheaded. Thousands have fled and are living in temporary camps in safer areas of the country. Mohammad Ashfaq Yusufazai, 40, a journalist who has been covering the area despite the many threats to his safety, describes the effects of religious extremism on the ordinary people who live there-

To read more visit article section of my website-

www.rajennair.com

Tribute to Dharavi

2009-02-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

The movie Slumdog Millionaire has won many international awards and accolades, including the most coveted award Oscar. For Indians it was a proud moment when three of its finest artists won the Oscar, the music maestro A R Rahman, sound mixing expert Resul Pookuty and Gulzar for the lyrics of ’ Jai ho’. The movie plot was inspired from of Asia’s largest slum Dharavi. I had in the past covered many stories from Dharavi. As a tribute to the undying spirit of the people of Dharavi I bring you images of Dharavi drawn from my collections.
For images on Dharavi click on the below link-
http://rajennair.com/gallery47.asp

Women says pants to Hindu Taliban

2009-02-16T07:07:00.000-08:00

Link to my published story on Valentine Day titled ' Women says pants to Hindu Taliban-

http://www.rajennair.com/articles.asp

Featuring New Artist

2009-02-09T07:35:00.000-08:00

UPDATES ON

http://www.rajennair.com

I have started a new page wherein upcoming budding artist will be featured in our website, thus giving artist a platform to showcase his or her talent.

I invite Photographers and Painters to send in their work, which would be screened by experts for final selection for featuring in the site.

Images or painting must be your original work and only four images will be accepted for featuring in the site. Images will be of jpg and not more than 100 k. You may mail your work to me. It would be featured in contributor's gallery.

Your work will get exposed to a wide range of audience mainly consisting of reputed artist, photographers, art dealers, photo-stock agency who might be potential buyers.

This week I have pleasure in introducing upcoming artist Sheela Padmanabhan whose oil painting depicts tranquil figures picked up from daily life as well as reflecting traditional and cultural life of kerala, God own country.

Link to Sheela page-

http://www.rajennair.com/cont1.asp

Your suggestions and comments are always welcomed.

Kerala through my lens

2009-01-02T20:24:00.001-08:00

It is not only the lush green paddy fields, lakes, backwaters and Sea of Kerala that beckons me, but the desire to visit the temples of Kerala, is sort of spiritual fulfillment. I am not a religious person and haven’t uttered a prayer my whole life but have always been drawn to temples. It is the inner ambience of a temple that draws me to it: the smell of the soot emanating from the burning oil lamps, chanting of prayers and hymns, beating of drums and rending of trumpet. The splendid architectural beauty and simplicity of Kerala temple will always hold a special place in my heart.

For more images on Temple of kerala visit my website-

http://www.rajennair.com/

Human Chain against Terror Attack in Mumbai

2008-12-14T06:53:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-04T21:47:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-02T06:28:00.000-08:00

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’

2008-11-14T23:24:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-31T05:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-27T05:46:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-16T03:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-12T03:42:00.000-07:00

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,

2008-06-12T03:16:00.000-07:00

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 ?

2008-06-12T03:04:00.000-07:00

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.