I hate this!

There are 3 types of Indians, and all these three types show a lot of differences in their attitude and behaviour. 

1. Those born and live in India

2. Those born in India, and live outside 

3. Those born and live outside India.

Obviously my angst is not against 1 and 3.  Number 2 has been tormenting me all the time.  Of course,I don’t mean all, but there are some souls that live like this too:-

-          An  Indian living in India is considered inferior and Indian product is cheap and scrap

-          An Indian is never capable of doing anything!

-          Will never laugh at another Indian, but flirts/smiles/greets/hugs the localite!

-          When encounters  an Indian, will give a dirty look

-          Sometimes, does not even look at the Indian who is just in front of him.

-          Will not smile even if the Indian smiles at him.

-          And they stare at every Indian who comes to a shop or restaurant!

-          Has the attitude that they’ve already seen enough of Indians in their life time.

-          They feel, they are the greatest people on earth to live.

This obnoxious attitude is sometimes all the times so annoying!  I mean what's wrong with their attitude?  

Am talking about this group that always frowns at me, but smiles at the non-Indian! I can never digest this fact!

My eyes will always search for an Indian and my heart pounds when I hear someone speaking in Indian language, of course I fly when someone speaks Tamil.  Of all this years, I’ve volunteered to say hi, smile or initiate a conversation when i see another Indian.  Very rarely have I seen someone else coming and talking to me, or smiling at me!

Even people from my neighboring countries recognize us, and make a friendly talk with us, but those that were born in my own land, do not recognize me, or pretend not to see me!  I don’t know when this group will change!!

But I'm tired of facing them everyday in my life!!  

Ten on Tuesday - 1

I'm already inspired to write Ten on Tuesday, after reading those beautiful posts of Shilpa.  With so much of inspiration overflowing into me, I jump into this series presenting my first TT.  It is going to be a visual treat for you! So go ahead and enjoy my top/favourite 10 captures (not in any particular order)!!! 

Each of these pictures have a little story behind and they are close to my heart on all possible means!

This is my first attempt on good photography.  It's only after seeing this picture, I realized the presence of photo bug in me!

I waited for hours in a zoo to take this shot.  And that parakeet was not co-operating with me at all.

 

I have the habit of carrying my camera everywhere I go.  Because I don't want to miss anything that is beautiful.  I was carrying a week's load of vegetables and other food products when I saw this glowing sunset and its reflections in water.  And I simply could not leave the place, without capturing it!

Most of my fellow co-chennaiite will recognize this place at the very instant!  This was taken from a moving train in a Sony Erickson mobile phone!

I took 30 + photos before getting this perfect capture, If you notice the 2 bicycles at the far end near the tree.  There were 2 people who were riding their bikes.  And they were chatting and smoking for almost 1 hour, and I had to take 100+ photos to while away my time until I got my moment! 

This is one of the snaps that took me very short time because right elements just fell in place - the mist, the waves and serenity!

My parents and HD have lost their patience waiting for me outside the temple. I decided not to go in unless I get a good snap of this gopuram.  The result of so many scoldings!!

As every hour went by, the small lights dazzle for just 5 minutes.  I spent around 3 hours to get this capture. The long wait did not actually seem long.

 

I found this beautiful lily in one of the stranger's house.  And I could not resist myself clicking this.  But with my camera limitations, I couldn't take a macro shot.  So, HD and I went and knocked their door, told them that we are tourist, and had a brief chat, made friendly talks, and then asked her permission to take that picture!

The yellow and green combination was so inviting.  And it's a rare form of tulip!

Navarathri and fun!

I've spoken about Navarathri and its preparations nearly every year (click here for 2008 and here for 2007).  Will that not be unfair if I ignore it this year??  

But before that, I welcome all of you to come and visit me and my golu….

Travel through the virtual world, and visit my golu, have sundal and make merry!!

And don’t forget to get your Vethala – paaku (Thamboolam)!!!

Navarathri is always synonymous to fun and masti.  For all that we can do, and not to forget Sundal eating, and house hopping for Golu :-)  

Although Navarathri is for nine days, the fun and delight loiters in your mind at least for a month. 

From the days I remember, I had been celebrating Golu ever since childhood and every year it has become better and beautiful, with lot of new dolls, new plans, and many new guests.  

Golu days during childhood had seen me dressed up in all varieties.  Credits to Mom. She dresses me up like Radha,  krishna, Andal, Marwari type saree, simple half saree, padmini kolapuri ishtyle, gaghra type of dress, and a lot more!  

And I go to all the houses with my mom visiting their Golu, having sundal, and singing songs at all the houses.



As I grew the perception about Golu different, and my roles changed too.  I started helping amma throughout Golu preparations.  And then time came, I started keeping a Golu all by myself. Such a wonderful transition it was, and I have to admit, I enjoyed all these phases.  

Without much delay, here's my Golu photos...enjoy this year Navarathri, and please help yourself with some hot sundal :-)

Navarathri greetings to all of you!  And thanks for visiting my Golu!!

It's hard to say Good-Bye

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 15; the fifteenth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Himesh, the station master at Gauripur railway station, had a routine day and night work viewing signals, and supervising the train traffic system in and around the village.  Having a home just at the backyard gave him flexibility to come to work as and when required. 

35 years back, he got this job on compassionate basis after his father’s death. At first, he was not fond of these mundane tasks.  But slowly, that became his passion – the sounds of train engine, station bell, whistles, the hustle and bustle of the crowd getting into the trains and moving out, the petty shop walas – It turned out to be his life. 

To the villagers, Himesh stood for his honesty, hard-work, and helping mind.  This was one station where even the regular passengers from train will get down to meet Himesh, and have a brief chat with him.  The Head of Village Panchayat was more than happy to have his daughter wed-locked with Himesh.

He had his distinctive style and approach to break his humdrum tasks and to make the work exciting.  He went beyond what is required for a station master, and tried to establish a good bonding with local villages and passengers, entertaining the children, supporting and advising the petty shop walas. 

His office had toys, funky masks and dolls to amuse children, a music system in the waiting hall, and anything and everything to comfort passengers - spending a few bucks on his own was a worth it!  It became the most beautiful and pleasant railway station in the whole of India.  Goes without saying, Himesh was honored as the outstanding Station master last year from President Abdul Kalam. 

Today, the entire village was gathered at the railway station, with flower and sandal garlands, carrying a mourning face.  They could not imagine a tomorrow without Himesh.  He is no more to be seen in this railway station, to cheer up the passengers.  He is not going to be here to help the needy people; He’s not to be seen around anywhere to catch up with a sweet chat, or to entertain the children!!! 

The new station master came out to ring the bell, and wave the green flag!   Villagers were almost in tears now, and shared their final hugs and greetings to Himesh. The train gradually started moving.  The entire crowd waved their hands to Himesh and Tanuja, with tears in their eyes!!

Yesterday was Himesh’s last working day as station master.  He had taken voluntary retirement, and is leaving to Amreeka today to be with his Son and daughter in law for some time.   Although the village was happy for him, they found it hard to say good-bye to their dear friend.

 

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

Credits
Image - Alston Station by Wandering Soul
Courtesy - www.deviantart.com via www.blogaton.in