Visit to Dharavi with Global post editor Hanna

My visit to Dharavi with Global post editor Hanna

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

Life in Dharavi

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

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

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

Anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack

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

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

www.rajennair/gallery59.asp

Durga Puja

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

www.rajennair.com/gallery56.asp

Ramzan Eid Celebration in Mumbai

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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'

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

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

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

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

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'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Featuring New Artist

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

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/