tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36795640571557118072024-03-04T21:54:51.269-08:00Journey Through The LensThis blog showcases images captured across India and the US when I did my Reuters Foundation Fellowship at the Missouri University in 1997. It portrays an India of million moods and mutinies. There are many who helped me to look beyond my lens. I thank Jayant Kodkani, Vinay Kamat, Sumit Chakraberti and Balasubramanium, four of my very close friends, who taught me the basics of journalism. Apart from them I also thank Bill Kuykendall, D Rees, Julie and Loop of the MU. All images are copyrighted.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-43811329422414495352009-11-15T00:35:00.000-08:002009-12-18T08:34:04.271-08:00Human side of super star Rajinikanth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmVbG-OX-mmL0O5RPIUf41qL5tNhhQ7zyv9c061lSGmsp0FPdepLsEWD1HziLoc9G9Z-QDCWTTtd-uaG5GokuJbJMN9pXo7yFO8LqzJpVBWykebdJHjNtytQW6njoN2kwDQhca6bfEifR/s1600/P8-Rajinikanth_Sivaji.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmVbG-OX-mmL0O5RPIUf41qL5tNhhQ7zyv9c061lSGmsp0FPdepLsEWD1HziLoc9G9Z-QDCWTTtd-uaG5GokuJbJMN9pXo7yFO8LqzJpVBWykebdJHjNtytQW6njoN2kwDQhca6bfEifR/s320/P8-Rajinikanth_Sivaji.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406202242233500418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">These pictures you get to see</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> the human side of the great Indian bus conductor turned super star Rajnikath is from the personnel collection of his close friend and co-worker Raj Bahadur who had worked as a bu</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">s driv</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">er.</span><br /><br />Bahadur now lives a one room pad where the superstar frequents in disguise to meet him and stays with him during his Bangalore sojourns in the Chamrajpet area. Bahadur adds that his superstar is still the same old friend he was during their tenure as driver and conductor in the BTS (Bangalore Transport Service) now (BMTC), and their friendship as deepened even as Rajni kept growing from actor to super star of the south Indian cinemas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7OP4YYgbP8Z1QJmryrG2wBCyzn2UGi5pL8qXreQhWDMJLdOzAT7Sl38BqL1entTjE67Iri0tiHMdN1unvGDZKdn7O91HowGKbO2gf-rWcBL8qNIN8hiq68FV_Er001ka1cm5UlhNFjG-/s1600/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7OP4YYgbP8Z1QJmryrG2wBCyzn2UGi5pL8qXreQhWDMJLdOzAT7Sl38BqL1entTjE67Iri0tiHMdN1unvGDZKdn7O91HowGKbO2gf-rWcBL8qNIN8hiq68FV_Er001ka1cm5UlhNFjG-/s320/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406207856592395074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S6oYL3GmnzYgNunI919P0yG1T3QZVx5AK8tiJP6hthPDOSJ_AtgBtAVGwf8BchffGO5MvBsqj74ERn1OP0XaSLa0nZXX5RbdcceEaLXVHwMH4xpbqeWDLTVi5fCR3cAFP4doQ3gMcbWw/s1600/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S6oYL3GmnzYgNunI919P0yG1T3QZVx5AK8tiJP6hthPDOSJ_AtgBtAVGwf8BchffGO5MvBsqj74ERn1OP0XaSLa0nZXX5RbdcceEaLXVHwMH4xpbqeWDLTVi5fCR3cAFP4doQ3gMcbWw/s320/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406208091140237010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt8ZE9uGiK5RqIhx-2v6cCRou9-qGqo-Doam-YvsBvMimuih50r3soQbqGbpxTn47qDfoEuP744Qwgiv84seTN5PcJeTnV9fRL3Xa-srLyGaQztzHPbpYAVJh80Wb54RHoqURKd0kbHGd/s1600/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRt8ZE9uGiK5RqIhx-2v6cCRou9-qGqo-Doam-YvsBvMimuih50r3soQbqGbpxTn47qDfoEuP744Qwgiv84seTN5PcJeTnV9fRL3Xa-srLyGaQztzHPbpYAVJh80Wb54RHoqURKd0kbHGd/s320/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406208252873779810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQybxOgW9efgJQ3Uf1uIGnnHYHUVO3Ayxd5csLxkGAE1GVkHYxC2wYefljKacVNgt0HyGYr0QgBhPuWN2uV1itoFZuIfnFCyDlcixQQlZ0m2Q3qXV3m2gOV-wZKrC7yIaTyqmpw6qD8pe/s1600/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQybxOgW9efgJQ3Uf1uIGnnHYHUVO3Ayxd5csLxkGAE1GVkHYxC2wYefljKacVNgt0HyGYr0QgBhPuWN2uV1itoFZuIfnFCyDlcixQQlZ0m2Q3qXV3m2gOV-wZKrC7yIaTyqmpw6qD8pe/s320/16-06-07-Raj+Bhadur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406208438025534658" border="0" /></a>Raj Bahadur says that his simplicity is evident when he come to see me we drink the same old rum, ask for egg laced delicacies from by sister who lives one floor below mine and more so when it is bed time he sleeps on the floor without any complaints. Bahadur also adds that how during their camaraderie days in the then (Bangalore Transport Service (BTS) now Bangalore Metro Transport Corporation (BMTC), Rajni used to practice during every short break he gets with his stylish stunts of throwing his cigarettes in air and trapping it with his mouth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf84WKb_E4SRwECEbRVaqcF88ZLLbSW-eWlC_Thixmw6WgTg9i0QnMmGHy4kRjS8HkkldXMXxJjalYQQSDsw45QX9VUwWuTfyO2fMvtNnWU_cmjz51rE6u_h-7dxPDQGzVGqX5RL5Rgwh/s1600/Rajni-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAf84WKb_E4SRwECEbRVaqcF88ZLLbSW-eWlC_Thixmw6WgTg9i0QnMmGHy4kRjS8HkkldXMXxJjalYQQSDsw45QX9VUwWuTfyO2fMvtNnWU_cmjz51rE6u_h-7dxPDQGzVGqX5RL5Rgwh/s320/Rajni-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406208875807099346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeffO7uf_Zw0wbkZi9SFqL8DU2RO5K8DvmcnIf5uyTD6THO6rJxc-14Mbi6WxEeBneH6exQiNsYNVQytwDPMuyJwOMvziQheq-1lVnWyqVn7eK2XrXg_YgiYo5N3mmJbbVTWUOZexyvjy/s1600/Rajnikanth+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeffO7uf_Zw0wbkZi9SFqL8DU2RO5K8DvmcnIf5uyTD6THO6rJxc-14Mbi6WxEeBneH6exQiNsYNVQytwDPMuyJwOMvziQheq-1lVnWyqVn7eK2XrXg_YgiYo5N3mmJbbVTWUOZexyvjy/s320/Rajnikanth+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406208983751595666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHVK6dWHXbicoz3EQhfCcaiEjTAofSX5dfs1sUUprvhWj2H0Q0VkcBPrN2mJGvpyTAubf30GaZTKR7L5x4LI2u4kgF5uu2s166UpL469kZ-T93YNhfWA4FALJpIDqxGXUlk1MxJHUcGEI/s1600/Rajnikanth+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHVK6dWHXbicoz3EQhfCcaiEjTAofSX5dfs1sUUprvhWj2H0Q0VkcBPrN2mJGvpyTAubf30GaZTKR7L5x4LI2u4kgF5uu2s166UpL469kZ-T93YNhfWA4FALJpIDqxGXUlk1MxJHUcGEI/s320/Rajnikanth+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406209230015296738" border="0" /></a>Bahadur goes on to say how this super star comes unnoticed to his home and adds that he comes in various film characters from beggar to a plumber into his home and leaves after staying with him for a day or two depending on his mood. He shared some of the things which his friend had shared with him during many of his stays and meetings with him after becoming an action star of the Indian cinema. One such incident Bahadur says was that Rajni was on a shoot in Rajasthan and the role demanded that he dresses up as a beggar, in between his shoot, Rajni decided to visit a temple close by since he is a strong believer in gods. On his way to the top of the mountain temple a lady dropped a rupee 10 into his palms thinking he was a beggar.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCTn7L0XpZph8Mx0y85cNi2yuV4WCTHnlebrxEYyVPs6NNXaqj1epBCZK0HTWfsUmrJy367ALXsRAoZjeHKF1ZdSn9nqG9VnNQ8S4Q_eHFc6P4K20fo2ZXXzaO5criYU-C8m9wSjHTsDk/s1600/Rajnikanth+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCTn7L0XpZph8Mx0y85cNi2yuV4WCTHnlebrxEYyVPs6NNXaqj1epBCZK0HTWfsUmrJy367ALXsRAoZjeHKF1ZdSn9nqG9VnNQ8S4Q_eHFc6P4K20fo2ZXXzaO5criYU-C8m9wSjHTsDk/s320/Rajnikanth+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406209534615213154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPp0sWH2zQ3bjzA0rzIWMaIy2qN-8OjxwY-PxvnU6nUNg9immRu5egQB_VuVeNQWgQbYyTlaMZn-Sw4LT-_qmBNxdyQEJ0kW5nPuUjtWSKjxpsq5UCcGLOh6BXsdCfbp6IKLE__4ReJrz/s1600/Rajnikanth+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPp0sWH2zQ3bjzA0rzIWMaIy2qN-8OjxwY-PxvnU6nUNg9immRu5egQB_VuVeNQWgQbYyTlaMZn-Sw4LT-_qmBNxdyQEJ0kW5nPuUjtWSKjxpsq5UCcGLOh6BXsdCfbp6IKLE__4ReJrz/s320/Rajnikanth+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406209678433361794" border="0" /></a>After paying his respects inside the temple Rajni on his way out when he was getting back into his SUV car, the same lady who gave him 10 rupees ran towards him and apologised for her part and asked for her note back with his autograph. Rajni refused and said I am sorry because this note is mine now and I am going to keep it for life and you need not be apologetic, since you have appreciated me, and left for his shoot after giving his autograph to her in another book. This Bahadur says his friend Rajni still cherishes as one of his best moments in life as an actor and still carries the rupees 10 in his purse as a remainder that all humans are equal.<br />For a man who started his job as a bus conductor with a monthly salary of rupees 30 , more than 25 years ago, to the present man who now gets paid rupees 30 crore per film and yet remain unmoved by all the money is a great feeling and more so since he is great friend, till death parts us, adds Bahadur with tears in his eyes, which he was unable to stop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB39WPgO3maJ12ed-88zhqfXSF4WKxv2daSX_q5aaE6ZHz8MC1gd-C4gp-16jS0xV6g3ewyPb4vThmnzY36MJHE0ZFBmjDHvj45IVNJnfXZi6O1KcmpqM4ctmrn0IQz8wjyis51KyQ55G/s1600/16-06-07-Rajni+Friend1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAB39WPgO3maJ12ed-88zhqfXSF4WKxv2daSX_q5aaE6ZHz8MC1gd-C4gp-16jS0xV6g3ewyPb4vThmnzY36MJHE0ZFBmjDHvj45IVNJnfXZi6O1KcmpqM4ctmrn0IQz8wjyis51KyQ55G/s320/16-06-07-Rajni+Friend1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406210246185516066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />G R Adinarayanappa one of the fellow daily wage bus conductor who had got the appointment letter along with Tamil film superstar Rajnikanth in 1970. </span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-62427519732783207402009-10-01T07:18:00.000-07:002009-11-11T02:48:13.611-08:00That's not right, said Fred<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXoHS9ScpPG70qfG_pRB3YAuJrHpcmlu1Reb1mN_F3eTJqXojHxT-h1bvN_efSGq3xg2zpdN3otLSYPBhVuD2soPpQlNmtpYJHSjPNkDsuBiCXp5OH28BsmEH76XfT4H5vA7PDE705eh/s1600-h/Fred-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXoHS9ScpPG70qfG_pRB3YAuJrHpcmlu1Reb1mN_F3eTJqXojHxT-h1bvN_efSGq3xg2zpdN3otLSYPBhVuD2soPpQlNmtpYJHSjPNkDsuBiCXp5OH28BsmEH76XfT4H5vA7PDE705eh/s320/Fred-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387636320093759954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">French artist arrives at Visual Arts Square to find nothing, except a bamboo log, waiting for him</span>.<br /><br />This story was done after I had reached the spot of the annual Bangalore Habba’s arts teaching and display at the St George’s square. I saw a lot of commotion as artists of great repute were dismayed at the pathetic conditions with no tools given to them to run the two day show, all this after the sponsors and the organizers had announced a big sum of more than 50 lakhs of rupees sanctioned to hold various cultural, performing arts and other mediums to promote the heritage to the youth. As usual the reporter assigned did not come to the spot on time and missed the whole action of a French artist who was very cheesed off with the person who invited him for the event.<br />The story was later narrated to the reporter who had come after a 5 hour long delay when everything was sorted out and the artists had started to work. Back in the office in (Bangalore Mirror) I narrated the whole incident to the Editor for which his reaction was ‘damn good story’, and summoned the reporter who was to cover the event and asked her what she saw in the event. The reporter’s reply was the show was great with no hic ups, to which the editor’s reaction was a pale look into the reporter’s face and asked me to narrate the whole incident of what I had seen and taken pictures them too. The reporter said that it was a small incident, to which the BM editor said you call this small, we invite a French artist and treat him in an utter shameful fashion when a whole load of money has been given to hold the event successfully. So finally it was decided that the reporter take my full version and adds inputs of the organizers reactions to the story to give a whole picture of the mud slinging in the annual ‘Bengaluru Habba’.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6eOVo66lzDpjBunPuhi6xFEUnmIqkDIVnbQoCgMyGbzNFnOpq5PQZXso6fLMDJj0jjWvL0pucqlhXZCeUcWy9hiCjkoVuO76CZml2QXcuDqsiOYjBN3bD_WHjChdcdgCoMv99ku7Cco2/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6eOVo66lzDpjBunPuhi6xFEUnmIqkDIVnbQoCgMyGbzNFnOpq5PQZXso6fLMDJj0jjWvL0pucqlhXZCeUcWy9hiCjkoVuO76CZml2QXcuDqsiOYjBN3bD_WHjChdcdgCoMv99ku7Cco2/s320/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393203271395072850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8r0vifNkDpPVyKHFpyzmzDa4px7xThokVmhm-haMmOQ388pagiXj55mvcNYZ9cXqwyl295QCwQRx5MdE97aQp0C-yYhzAAXccQ70P73SWAOua_YYev5lKR92rLuxeb32sEO9y64CXVX2/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8r0vifNkDpPVyKHFpyzmzDa4px7xThokVmhm-haMmOQ388pagiXj55mvcNYZ9cXqwyl295QCwQRx5MdE97aQp0C-yYhzAAXccQ70P73SWAOua_YYev5lKR92rLuxeb32sEO9y64CXVX2/s320/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393203378482656194" border="0" /></a>The Visual Arts Square at the Bangalore Habba got off to a colourful start on Sunday morning. The square, which showcased the talents of various artists, had many of them coming to Bangalore just for the occasion. But for one artist from France, the lack of proper arrangements at the event was just too much to handle, or even comprehend.<br />Fred Martin, an expert in making masks by way of putting an individual’s face into partially-wet plaster of paris, was in for rude shock when he landed at the venue. He alleged that despite his informing the organizers what his requirements were, nothing was organized properly and none of the material he needed could be found. As a result, he had to do everything himself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wq3Gy_drvl0DQsMdb5nnxGCljmNarjPrs9i7QXDq6tvTlznEwMpWYMjkktNeDvVQbCyjKJn8ScLZCmQzYGWmhtrFhqeSXXOup1Pn0jijyy2M9TpXMoPta193EeVAh2F0_LmkLIVCAgWf/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Wq3Gy_drvl0DQsMdb5nnxGCljmNarjPrs9i7QXDq6tvTlznEwMpWYMjkktNeDvVQbCyjKJn8ScLZCmQzYGWmhtrFhqeSXXOup1Pn0jijyy2M9TpXMoPta193EeVAh2F0_LmkLIVCAgWf/s320/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393205008915722082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNFj2qQ_ZbyTear9Zw22WNBwoyqrm3XBGtUWJTjC5RA3IJz88Jmau0lnYOGomkqFsfOy40LlUGlLj9UiolGf_E7HzFYPzdU_hQBbLrkscIh-5ZLAbIebjWpLEUpDKWNl0N7v_TknDPox0/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNFj2qQ_ZbyTear9Zw22WNBwoyqrm3XBGtUWJTjC5RA3IJz88Jmau0lnYOGomkqFsfOy40LlUGlLj9UiolGf_E7HzFYPzdU_hQBbLrkscIh-5ZLAbIebjWpLEUpDKWNl0N7v_TknDPox0/s320/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393205133609787538" border="0" /></a>To carry out his form of art – interactive installations – two primary things are required: plaster of paris and plywood frame. “The material should be at least 18 cm deep so that someone’s face can be put into it. The frame is required to hold the wet plaster of paris, keeping it within its very boundaries. But instead of the plywood frame, what they got me was a bamboo log from Bamboo Bazaar,” he added.<br />A lot of effort goes into preparing the material for the masks, he said. The plaster of paris is mixed with water, after which the artist has to make it soft by walking all over it-a really time-taking process. “I have not had my food since morning. Maybe I’ll get time to eat once I finish the clay work,” a visibly –upset Fred said at 3 pm. In the absence of the frames to carry out his work, he was down on his knees cutting the frames himself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfmypJp5y_c3DYjywMYDLmZW4U8T18SWc7Y1osr4y-0UJuCrFQAY8dsX_ybADrVj1b4L9jZJ2c2kDcVmSHZ8JiKWcyUYtmdgtH4bPOMcdBGsREg0ui44PMPB8ZtOeC6c4c1yXLOgC3Gyn/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfmypJp5y_c3DYjywMYDLmZW4U8T18SWc7Y1osr4y-0UJuCrFQAY8dsX_ybADrVj1b4L9jZJ2c2kDcVmSHZ8JiKWcyUYtmdgtH4bPOMcdBGsREg0ui44PMPB8ZtOeC6c4c1yXLOgC3Gyn/s320/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393205486031443826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH3PUMw8lkj9LBCuDuRBGTiYf66j8DY9HNCkaJXWTt3NbDACbKEI3zD4Z0SbvEWinRutJyyNc-jJ9Ecz_yq7vIFRZBCLsZwj4w0afuWQVqwVjUgVeCl9VgsPJ4qmZ64uGFiMkn8sogbjc/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOH3PUMw8lkj9LBCuDuRBGTiYf66j8DY9HNCkaJXWTt3NbDACbKEI3zD4Z0SbvEWinRutJyyNc-jJ9Ecz_yq7vIFRZBCLsZwj4w0afuWQVqwVjUgVeCl9VgsPJ4qmZ64uGFiMkn8sogbjc/s320/SHIV2007-12-02-Fred-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393205631086064226" border="0" /></a>“I wanted plywood frames but you brought bamboo logs. Okay, I will manage with the bamboo log, but one is just not enough to set up the whole frame!” Fred could be heard saying angrily to the event managers around him.<br />“I informed them about my requirements the very day they approached me. All the material should have been here by 11:00 am. But nothing is in form yet,” he said, adding, “I bought six plaster of paris bags all by myself.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">‘NOBIG DEAL’</span><br /><br />“It was starting problem… but now everything is under control. This event is a collective effort of the organizers as well as the artists. While other artists started working from last evening, Fred came only this morning… and so there were a few setting-up problems. But everything is fine now,” event coordinator Meena Vari said, when asked to comment on the matter.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">OTHERWISE, A TREAT FOR THE SENSES</span><br /><br />The visual arts square event, being held as part of the BEngalooru Habba, began at the St George’s Square (Minsk Square), Cubbon Park, on Sunday. Organized in association with the Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, it is slated to go on till December 6.<br />The visual art square is a platform for artists presenting contemporary as well as innovative art forms. Posing a treat for the senses are an exiting and diverse array of interactive art stalls, showcasing unique forms of artwork by various forms of artwork by various artists. Some premier art institutions from the city, such as Chitrakala Parishat and Ken School of Art, are supporting the event.<br />Offering a wide range of art activities for people from all age groups, the interactive art stalls features tile & mask making techniques with Dwarka Nath of Rangayana, Mysore; recycled materials art with Amaresh; clay collaborative installations with Kiran Sahi and Roshan Sahi; paper art with Stephen from Vistar; live paintings with Satish and Rizwan; live animation with Lyos Roberts; Nature Speaks with Smitha Cariappa and on-th-spot portraits by art students. There are two art installations- creative accomplishments of the students of Srishti, and visual artists Ravindra Gutta and Jehangir Jani.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">SWIM MEET</span><br /><br />The Habba Swim meet was organized by ace swimmer Nisha Millet and the Indian Swimming Foundation at Bowring Institute, for participantsaged between seven and 16, on Sunday.<br />A number of sports celebraties such as Pankaj Advani, Ashish Ballal, Ashwini Nachappa, Shika Tandon, Rehan Poncha and Vimal Kumar, who have craved a niche for themselves at a young age, were present on the occasion.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-28099498282841971632009-09-18T01:28:00.000-07:002009-09-28T09:12:56.485-07:00Meet the cops'presiding deityThis story was done with the crime reporter S M Shashi Prasad, during my stint with the Bangalore Mirror in 2007-08. We both were covering a routine media briefing by the Bangalore city police commissioner, when I noticed that a large number of policemen gathered outside a small makeshift room next to the file room at the commissionarate. I quickly got all the details myself and left the spot since I had to hurry inside for the media briefing. By the time the briefing was over the place where I had been earlier was also empty. I quickly briefed the reporter about the news and he agreed to get some official quotes for the story and we went ahead with the joint credit the next day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">A 50-year-old temple in police commissionerate premises shifted to new spot.</span><br /><br />Old-timers in the city police commissioner's office (COP) narrate a tale of how a gardener unearthed an idol while digging in the premises around 50 years ago. He build a small temple at the spot after providential intervention - God appeared in his dream and mooted the idea!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7dz9taedumvTtSLXwV7qMMe53KVMTf8_2l0lc6jAjbtJzj1puyga14S9PvVOsa2aDNGIrAMMSpm-WO4O7dzeCpohi9RuyaIV624YGsiAbm45sW7bJVCrgqaJxXUqI3Hlkq_rZcy4q2ID/s1600-h/SHIV2008-02-13-Temple-02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7dz9taedumvTtSLXwV7qMMe53KVMTf8_2l0lc6jAjbtJzj1puyga14S9PvVOsa2aDNGIrAMMSpm-WO4O7dzeCpohi9RuyaIV624YGsiAbm45sW7bJVCrgqaJxXUqI3Hlkq_rZcy4q2ID/s320/SHIV2008-02-13-Temple-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386411657849791266" border="0" /></a>Thus came up the Sri Muneshwara temple, which superstitious cops believe guards the main building. However, it was never maintained and was cleaned only during the rare poojas organized by the cops or the public. But matters changed when Seetharam Shastri, who took charge as reserve police head constable in the late 80's, decided to give the temple a makeover. "I cleaned up the temple surroundings which was littered with dead leaves. Since the past 19 years, it's my routine to perform pooja every morning and evening," said Shastri, now an RSI (reserve sub-inspector).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xJVJi4-AubQFhsoNeOJ6NmKnyR8HoKs0IaPxFbAZTb3OEZ2X4GH2lD6pmnRUg-gSaik90QVI18sJmsj8dRzRznPKHQ0_twuPdsBe85WdYNlc00KPio3tkvCt5zsAp6hqKjTi-QXa5bqK/s1600-h/SHIV2008-02-13-Temple-01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xJVJi4-AubQFhsoNeOJ6NmKnyR8HoKs0IaPxFbAZTb3OEZ2X4GH2lD6pmnRUg-gSaik90QVI18sJmsj8dRzRznPKHQ0_twuPdsBe85WdYNlc00KPio3tkvCt5zsAp6hqKjTi-QXa5bqK/s320/SHIV2008-02-13-Temple-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386548002701632210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu_3O-GIJUKxn2m0X1gUtq5F7f7WJ4ECnAXqof4EE3zMh8ogNiqacrlq4XYBwC9YB9kssj_kvmrmucaPw4A562fksvmJ9jzr0ojjc3EOZt-M0WasM7oocM96porfvcm1zMFQ-oT3QM6DA/s1600-h/SHIV2008-02-13-Temple-03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu_3O-GIJUKxn2m0X1gUtq5F7f7WJ4ECnAXqof4EE3zMh8ogNiqacrlq4XYBwC9YB9kssj_kvmrmucaPw4A562fksvmJ9jzr0ojjc3EOZt-M0WasM7oocM96porfvcm1zMFQ-oT3QM6DA/s320/SHIV2008-02-13-Temple-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386548224957261906" border="0" /></a>With the old commissionerate building giving way to a new one, the idol was relocated to a new spot in the COP premises on Wednesday. Though the engineers had promised to retain the temple at the existing spot, it had to be shifted due top some technical problem.<br />Around 40 families living in India and abroad visit the Muneshwara temple annually. "They visit the deity when they either buy a new vechicle or before marrige functions or when their children bag a good job," said Shastri.<br />Shastri uses the funds donated to maintain the temple. 'It's commendable that men in kahkhi are keeping alive such rel;igious traditions," said M K Veeresh, a frequent visitor to this temple.<br />The canteen in the COP supplies free prasad every Saturday when a special pooja is conducted.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WHEN PRAYERS BORE FRUIT</span><br /><br />* A police officer in the rank of sub-inspector once prayed to the deity for his marriage to materialise. Presto! Within a month, he tied the knot.<br />* An unemployeed youth prayed to the deity for a job in the police department. His prayers were answered. After a long career, he retired as an SI. he visits the temple every year in gratitute.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-61828489657560709742009-09-17T05:52:00.000-07:002009-09-17T06:04:50.179-07:009999 once in Thousand years<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGR8LXXL0HhB4-6LMl1nZwwFS9V3kTiEeZvWDmaXBxwE7aE5A7bMQqcMb_IBTZSLT0smZPfNDEB_CM7sClA0L_dRhGbhlcQKHxyNwWgPHkHuWjjJ33FLYnku-Y2E4XA22FYPETW0e50ls/s1600-h/999-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGR8LXXL0HhB4-6LMl1nZwwFS9V3kTiEeZvWDmaXBxwE7aE5A7bMQqcMb_IBTZSLT0smZPfNDEB_CM7sClA0L_dRhGbhlcQKHxyNwWgPHkHuWjjJ33FLYnku-Y2E4XA22FYPETW0e50ls/s320/999-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382420082824125538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">This picture was taken at home after my wife read in a Tamil newspaper that once in a thousand years one will get to see the 9th minute in the 9th hour on the 9th day, of the 9th month, in the 9th year of this century. Well I for one on the 9th day of the 9th month waited for the clock to tick the 9th minute on the 9th hour. It is not a great picture. But the Moment is timeless and will remain for another thousand years till someone updates this bog a thousand years from now.</span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-632857312138323812009-09-14T06:48:00.000-07:002009-09-15T05:50:16.154-07:00Go electric!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bWMRma5S5ILaERsWW1F1QrLNgNMv821g94XfTNERsXMNMfXAXx1Ju2t62cuEyhagXu_irefs4mF3Wt3mm6lxHE-7dePZ8d8POR-6HLqb4UiZCcRZssKH91VHCQUPCvHvmThH719L9wxP/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bWMRma5S5ILaERsWW1F1QrLNgNMv821g94XfTNERsXMNMfXAXx1Ju2t62cuEyhagXu_irefs4mF3Wt3mm6lxHE-7dePZ8d8POR-6HLqb4UiZCcRZssKH91VHCQUPCvHvmThH719L9wxP/s320/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381320035438935522" border="0" /></a>This story was written over a week’s time since I needed some pictures to co-relate with content. The theme of the story was very simple; when the present UPA government was busy hiking the oil and petrol prices by hefty margins I noticed a sudden spurge of e-bikes on the streets. This led me to a discussion with my BM Editor, and then we decided that we will run a story on the environmental aspect of the e-bike.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">A battery-powered bike for the daily commute and a Nano for the weekend family outing. Is it the beginning of the end of two-wheelers as we know it? </span><br />It’s a combo the middle class will just not be able to resist: A Nano for the weekend family outing and an E-bike or E-scooter for the office commute. Call it collateral benefits, for prior to the launch of the world’s cheapest car, the conventional 100cc bike reigned supreme and even the concept of an alternatively powered two-wheeler provoked a smirk.<br />All that has changed following the Nano launch. But hold on, first a brief priemer for the uninitiated: An E-bike or E-scooter of high tensil steel –MIG welded Fork, with a heavy duty shock absorber and a hub motor with 240V BLDC geared drive. It can go at a speed of 25 kilometers with top speed of 45 kilometers per hour.<br />As those who have tried it on vouch, you get the feel of a real two-wheeler while also driving the very real advantages of a vehicle that is noise-free, free of exhaust and generally non-cumbersome. And finally, the real incentive is the price, which is Rs 15,000 – 20,000 for a basic model and up to Rs 28,000 for a enhanced one.<br />When we spoke to various middle class families who are current bowners of two wheelers, most of them were genuinely enthused about how a Nano and a E-bike would markedly improve the quality of their lives.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh243_7ECYW3QFAwCXTULEfsA_Qk2jP0YzjkQtHnGdan8jvjmML2o34C5ljf6zMgFuJx2pYoT7XlwxauMOlYLiTsvUvGJcaRkWH-uYAQe6hH7lOCmPv5hnpzcYp28LI5tYDso3RGfwbuYrG/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh243_7ECYW3QFAwCXTULEfsA_Qk2jP0YzjkQtHnGdan8jvjmML2o34C5ljf6zMgFuJx2pYoT7XlwxauMOlYLiTsvUvGJcaRkWH-uYAQe6hH7lOCmPv5hnpzcYp28LI5tYDso3RGfwbuYrG/s320/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381657065061921122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNgBMnUhK72H7DRG-fDjqNdBjDMJKR-j46Z96oqKn_vLM1QJE9tlcPT_6UzWjd4NxietfeKOcshBtCRQGho3LhcVpW1bjNW6pfE8E8pf4BanFWaxFz1Yxj70nehm9t_moKsj6uYZBkw9I/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNgBMnUhK72H7DRG-fDjqNdBjDMJKR-j46Z96oqKn_vLM1QJE9tlcPT_6UzWjd4NxietfeKOcshBtCRQGho3LhcVpW1bjNW6pfE8E8pf4BanFWaxFz1Yxj70nehm9t_moKsj6uYZBkw9I/s320/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381673798122137522" border="0" /></a>Sanjay Chanappa, who is into corporate merchandising, owns an E-bike and he vouches for its quality and ease of handling. “After 18 years of using a conventional bike, I took a risk and bought this one. Well, it has, in fact, gone beyond my expectations. It’s maneuverability is superb. Once I charge it I easily get upto 55-60 km which is fine inside a city. As for pillion riding, you can always accommodate one person, provided he or she is not grossly overweight,” he explained. “I opted for this bike because ultimately it’s economical and hassle free- no cops can stop me anymore, no spewing of exhaust fumes to the chagrin of those right behind me,” he added.<br />There is this Madhavan family. They had an emphatic and simple view about their new acquisition: “We will get rid of the two wheeler which we own at present, and go for the Nano for the weekend use of our family and the E-bike for daily office use.”<br />Arul Dass, another employee with a private company, said that the E-bike would decrease air pollution in Garden City. Vasanthi, an employee with the Central Government, explained that since he husband was unable to work, she would surely go in for the Nano and the E-Bike. As to what she would do with her TVS scooty, she replied that she would sell it off at the earliest at whatever good rate she got.<br />Mohan Kumar, an accounts officer, who ahs been using a two-wheeler for more than 30 years, said that he would purchase an E-bike first and the follow it up with a Nano. Why E-bike first? “My work is on the desk, I will need to travel only home to work and back. But the Nano will be used for our family weekends,” he said.<br />“The E-bike and the E-scooter sales have started to go up since the past two months,” said R Rajagopal, an owner and authorized stockist of various E-bike and E-scooters in the city. He also added that most of the E-bikes and E-scooters are being purchased by the youth and that it was an encouraging trend. “There is a huge number of enquiries every day but actual sales have to yet reach a significant level. The current price factor could be one constraint,” he explained.<br />Seven types of E-bikes and E-scooters are in the market and various two wheeler companies have entered this potential market for Gen-X. Various companies like TVS, Hero and Atlas have already started to flood the market with these E-bikes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2G0JB8Ij2Djq12W_0bYItdtG88CNY-5fN3MxLj9YU16_KDXGvcwlLPcnjRb8T58EPkEFJtBpi1gf-kKYEGBiwNw14shmvcp949fUf1d4FSaZv90U5vSkFU52o9WN7Jup1M9GO_LKsQME/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2G0JB8Ij2Djq12W_0bYItdtG88CNY-5fN3MxLj9YU16_KDXGvcwlLPcnjRb8T58EPkEFJtBpi1gf-kKYEGBiwNw14shmvcp949fUf1d4FSaZv90U5vSkFU52o9WN7Jup1M9GO_LKsQME/s320/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381674226689875906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjoL2txZaMENV4qa-FEeaXu_awXkdQC4WdqzVunHJMAHkENHTba3hzHaTgisuRd5ZXnFYOdDdLk_zZVvvBwh4xLVzE3kOs_p8jUTu7Bqf9x4TMpB9nY6V-ZK3lyEIrXU8yPfrCr72WWcO/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjoL2txZaMENV4qa-FEeaXu_awXkdQC4WdqzVunHJMAHkENHTba3hzHaTgisuRd5ZXnFYOdDdLk_zZVvvBwh4xLVzE3kOs_p8jUTu7Bqf9x4TMpB9nY6V-ZK3lyEIrXU8yPfrCr72WWcO/s320/SHIV2008-01-22-E-bike05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381674395575126818" border="0" /></a>Some of the E-bike retail shop owners say that the vehicles are environment-friendly and gearless. What is more, you don’t need a driving licence. For safety, reflectors are provided in the front and rear, in addition to the bright headlight and an effective barking system. The motor power is cut off when both front and rear brakes are applied.<br />The design of the E-bike is simple and free of clutter. The bike can be used in three modes. You can use pedals-only, electric-only or ‘both’ to suit your riding comfort as well as journey requirement.<br />Speed is controlled using the throttle on your right hand grip. While climbing slopes or negotiating head winds, a combination of pedal and electric power is ideal.<br />Switches that control the horn button, front indicators and headlights are provided besides the left-hand grip of the handlebar.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">CHARGE AWAY</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span>Lift saddle away from the back by pressing the release lever. Unlock the battery box by turning the key anti-clockwise (keyhole is located close to the seat tube). Disconnect and pull out battery box. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span>Insert battery box and connect lock by turning the key clock-wise. Pull out the key. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span>Put the charge plug into the charging point. Switch on power (220V AC). A red lamp lights up to indicate that the battery is charging. Flashing green lamp shows 1-2 hours more is needed to fully charge the battery. Remove the plug from the battery box socket when green lamp stops flashing and becomes steady. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">DOS AND DON’TS</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friction parts like the BB Axle, head fittings, chain and front hub may require occasional lubrication. For best results, it is advisable to take the E-bike to a service technician for cleaning and greasing at least once every six months, especially during the monsoon. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">It is important to fully understand the functioning of the E-bikes before your first ride. If you allow the bike to be used by someone else, please ensure that the user is familiar with the instructions in the manual. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Should there be any fault in the electric system, it is best to take it to your authorized dealer for repair. Do not attempt to disassemble the bike on your own. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keep the tyers inflated to correct pressure for safety and comfort. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">While riding keep a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead of you, wet road conditions may require longer braking distance. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">When parking, make sure the battery switch is turned off and the E-bike is in an up-right position. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Never attempt reverse pedaling while waiting at traffic lights or similar situations in idle position. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The battery should be fully charged before you take the first ride on your new E-bike. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">If your E-bike is not in regular use, the battery needs to be charged at least once a month to keep it ready and live. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">When accelerating, turn throttle gradually to pick up smoothly and protect the battery. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Keep the charger and battery pack away from water while charging. The chargers is intended for indoor use only. </span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-26195321417314435222009-09-09T05:57:00.000-07:002009-09-09T06:00:40.667-07:00World’s longest towel in Silicon CityTo catch a view of the world’s longest towel, head to Magrath Road in the city where it is it was on display at a home furnishing store till December 31, 200.<br />The terry towel, which is 100 per cent cotton, has entered the Limca Book of Records for its unique features. It is a staggering 419 meters long, 9 feet wide, and weighs 500 Kilograms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lib3gkF6SOzOuSdzzmeTeapjxRtyCLOzKeq9miy_xwGJ7KxRJiZxg-xb1ekIieVMdXg5aAQrv2EwAXm6zoR06TTqIMkZGwWq5woWViEl0m1On20bil2Yn4xhKB1M8PAZAyY9sEPQZ2gp/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-21-Towel-04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Lib3gkF6SOzOuSdzzmeTeapjxRtyCLOzKeq9miy_xwGJ7KxRJiZxg-xb1ekIieVMdXg5aAQrv2EwAXm6zoR06TTqIMkZGwWq5woWViEl0m1On20bil2Yn4xhKB1M8PAZAyY9sEPQZ2gp/s320/SHIV2007-12-21-Towel-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379451318937716482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAutkd3F39_RC3nLcFEbYRY-b5_2X5FJxaMnmwduW-HWi8BxVTKmdxDfFxvnEIJEYTVGLNbe4SsxY1x-DQizazE_RyB4aYx0uzzkMxFdwX31rmFnAfEFhEzlsZ2LgbX5T5St__KjowuIo/s1600-h/SHIV2007-12-21-Towel-03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAutkd3F39_RC3nLcFEbYRY-b5_2X5FJxaMnmwduW-HWi8BxVTKmdxDfFxvnEIJEYTVGLNbe4SsxY1x-DQizazE_RyB4aYx0uzzkMxFdwX31rmFnAfEFhEzlsZ2LgbX5T5St__KjowuIo/s320/SHIV2007-12-21-Towel-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379451461437596034" border="0" /></a>This towel can scale the Qutab Minar aound five and a half times and is woven with the colours of the Indian tricolour, said Dipali Goenka, director of Welspun Retail Ltd. The towel’s thread count (carded) is 550 GSM.<br />The towel will also be displayed in Delhi during the Republic day celebrations in 2008. it has been made by tectile maker Welspun Retail Ltd.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-82193568450928441642009-09-06T04:24:00.000-07:002009-09-06T08:47:18.283-07:00Pujaris wash temple after suicide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJt9cR8loUYj71jarnA66ZVRcyP5iK1CuhLfiIcDQ-jPvg0_XN28LOcyvYt5gzAmvvp9ebAtXek1zF9uKp34RNczKgexUWu5ED2bNFL7caoRHSfC2rb-JxFpI4zCwlqth6Hq0V5Q_XFk3/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJt9cR8loUYj71jarnA66ZVRcyP5iK1CuhLfiIcDQ-jPvg0_XN28LOcyvYt5gzAmvvp9ebAtXek1zF9uKp34RNczKgexUWu5ED2bNFL7caoRHSfC2rb-JxFpI4zCwlqth6Hq0V5Q_XFk3/s320/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378005632756098" border="0" /></a>This story was done after I had got all the necessary material after visiting the spot for which the reporter could share a joint byline without budging himself from the environs of the office. In today’s newspaper journalism in India as taken a specific beating with most of the so called graduates in Mass Communication wriggling their way out from a story which requires field work. They prefer doing the desk job by getting the raw material or the full story from the net and worse still claiming that they have broken the story. One classic case was in Bangalore Mirror. This reporter who had given a story and since I surf the net for news had read about the same story. So I politely asked him as to how he got this story, he replied that he had broken it after two weeks of lobbying with his source. When I told him about the same story with two weeks before date line on the net, he quickly replied that he is the one who gave the story to them. ‘Funny’ I thought but he went on to add that half the material one gets to see on ‘Wikipedia’ was written by him. That was the pits of ‘lying’ and that too unashamedly. Well if you have reporters who are passing out with a genuine attitude problem of going to the field to do reportage, on the other hand you have editors who acknowledge this, but do not take any corrective steps. At this rate I fear that the near future for field reportage will no longer exists, and the ‘readers’ will be supplied with cooked up vegetables rather than street side chopped masala which he had missed on the News Television channels. I for one have given hundreds of my stories to such reporters who have no insight on the subject but yet claim that they do have.<br />Anyway here is the story which I was asked by my Editor in BM to share with a crime beat reporter.<br />Like this temple being washed away with the sinful sorrow of a suicide which happened within it’s premises, Newspaper Journalism too needs a few bold Editors who will take a corrective step on the daily reportage to keep the pitiful readers with on field reportage rather than desk top reportage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Volunteers perform cleansing rituals through the day, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">keep</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ing thousands of devotees waiting for darshan at Ulsoor’s Someshwara temple. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q2Wo-NBO7HdDy2w72I-XbjyudxTMhakRF-8ZgY5aXwYgxFZoRjlxI0rWNt1KP6POaXAUEVvBgQ93zmTfxVPMhEspn3h8N6TDLBPx3twpBn7oRvrLPXfiV3_cKOMtBoauzN9hGIOZbBxh/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q2Wo-NBO7HdDy2w72I-XbjyudxTMhakRF-8ZgY5aXwYgxFZoRjlxI0rWNt1KP6POaXAUEVvBgQ93zmTfxVPMhEspn3h8N6TDLBPx3twpBn7oRvrLPXfiV3_cKOMtBoauzN9hGIOZbBxh/s320/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378126713454226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJIiBeDG_huo4fqKip-BUnXMKgA2MWLtnx0s1JhZwZtoce0VTkmoblPE-yNRVSkSkxE3X3FMe2BxKREOm4GRqOCOny9ypnU6EIM6CDUS6a1YP5JfeaO3UOCSI4QC8Aygv2INOuSMPanuI/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJIiBeDG_huo4fqKip-BUnXMKgA2MWLtnx0s1JhZwZtoce0VTkmoblPE-yNRVSkSkxE3X3FMe2BxKREOm4GRqOCOny9ypnU6EIM6CDUS6a1YP5JfeaO3UOCSI4QC8Aygv2INOuSMPanuI/s320/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378231880470194" border="0" /></a>Thousands of eager devotees were shut out of the historical Someshwara temple in Ulsoor on Friday. They were greeted by a short notice that read: No darshan till 5 pm, inside, 15 devotees were hard at work cleansing the premises after a shocking suicide had sullied it that morning.<br />An unidentified man, aged around 60 years, killed himself, in a room inside the Someshwara Temple. He was found hanging in the room where the chariot bof the Lord is kept. It is believed that the unidentified man sneaked into the temple in the morning when the watchman had gone to wash his face leaving the main door open.<br />The incident came to light later in the morning. Interestingly, temple volunteers did not bother to wait for the temple management to act. They ‘cleansed’ the premises with water and performed homas and havans under the priest’s guidance throughout the day.<br />Devotees who visited the temple were shut out till 5 pm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7K9XslGKbJZ25wKnLKfaVzUj-Sfw1DOUdwXhKUVb6h2OGYBLvWh4Apc4FExq0CU2C6gEAy54SN0ixLs3RJRd6QhnbWl-8pXerefPv8Ur6O4boMByBOXbDw5Bgqhzt3olDM-sNRNmg_og/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7K9XslGKbJZ25wKnLKfaVzUj-Sfw1DOUdwXhKUVb6h2OGYBLvWh4Apc4FExq0CU2C6gEAy54SN0ixLs3RJRd6QhnbWl-8pXerefPv8Ur6O4boMByBOXbDw5Bgqhzt3olDM-sNRNmg_og/s320/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378480137284082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KDNJKV_3IURZwuOVtJo5cJZQzPTP8nHOFBpFcGcdczYfnCR0O7L6203eEw8jrQWuQ5IT4oRzzvdO71wZokVLUbZ5I6jAF9uFTab0tSNuFG412EhB2A6Ez5bNrLIaWOB2fZQtDxU-7zF0/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KDNJKV_3IURZwuOVtJo5cJZQzPTP8nHOFBpFcGcdczYfnCR0O7L6203eEw8jrQWuQ5IT4oRzzvdO71wZokVLUbZ5I6jAF9uFTab0tSNuFG412EhB2A6Ez5bNrLIaWOB2fZQtDxU-7zF0/s320/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378616113032594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzimHbOLxDzH1A0D30zdHqgdEQ-NsFO_dfNrjdunEUxJcdf7-nVtzg18t1iYYPI5abC8cDoKZmiPWhf570W9Ihtt02XHNPntns0kgCCTZujnuLw5DQ3Y6-i6pd5zn0chP-XWrbpl4xAu7v/s1600-h/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzimHbOLxDzH1A0D30zdHqgdEQ-NsFO_dfNrjdunEUxJcdf7-nVtzg18t1iYYPI5abC8cDoKZmiPWhf570W9Ihtt02XHNPntns0kgCCTZujnuLw5DQ3Y6-i6pd5zn0chP-XWrbpl4xAu7v/s320/SHIV2008-01-04-Temple+Sucide-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378378776347114018" border="0" /></a>The Someshwara temple, a historical place receives at least 3,000 devotees every day; the figures exceed 4,000 on Mondays and Fridays.<br />Murgaraj, a security guard at the temple, was the first to see the body. “I opened the temple’s door at 4.45 am and was shocked to see somebody hanging. I immediately called the local police. They came and found a piece of bun and Rs 40 from the victim.”<br />The police are tracing the identity of the person. They are yet to find out the reason behind his extreme step and importantly, why he chose the temple premises for his last act. The body has been shifted to Bowring hospital, police said. A local resident and a volunteer at the temple, Vijay Kumar, told Bangalore Mirror that the temple was closed for devotees as the cleansing process was on till 4.30 pm. Nine different homas were performed were performed to remove the ‘impure air’ created by the suicide.<br />Confusion prevailed among devotees who were surprised to find the entry was bared till evening. A large number of devotees gathered in the evening to take part in the final homa and perform the pooja. “This is the first time something like this has happened. We pray for the departed soul’s peace,” a devotee said.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-34550232089539091222009-09-04T09:26:00.001-07:002009-09-04T09:37:00.303-07:00Now say it in neon upper case<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichWVuqdcJpsb-5a0ydLgWZDYjMFURuR1Tjcy_gsqgZO9iiYi8dYQ0kAEgc1j2w0eC243uOEsOAxtrt1LVIndTXyjdx6CwRtnXyNZmPFmB2Xs3I98k0kpF5X7jqJx6YFeKcD3JYgX3D6me/s1600-h/Neon-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichWVuqdcJpsb-5a0ydLgWZDYjMFURuR1Tjcy_gsqgZO9iiYi8dYQ0kAEgc1j2w0eC243uOEsOAxtrt1LVIndTXyjdx6CwRtnXyNZmPFmB2Xs3I98k0kpF5X7jqJx6YFeKcD3JYgX3D6me/s320/Neon-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377649611478564658" border="0" /></a>This story on election materials was done during my stint with the Bangalore Mirror in 2008. As I used to pass this whole sale election material shop on a daily routine on way to office and home, I had decided when the elections days closes in I would do the story. The story was published in the BM pages on January 5th, 2008.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Elections normally mean so much white noise, festoons, banners and posters, much of it in such garish colours. It is not only so much gibberish but creates a whole lot of garbage as well. Imagine then, an Indian election with </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">no garbage.</span><br /><br />If Jeswanth and Bharat Jain have their way, Indian elections could look very different in the near future. As dealers in wholesale election material, they dream of doing away with the litter that is the inevitable aftermath of a political meeting or rally in our city.<br />“I saw the lights on Brigade Road during Deepawali and I was inspired to do something like that for our elections as well. After all, elections are festivals of democracy and why not light up the festival?” says Jeswanth, a 35 year old second generation entrepreneur who has taken over his father’s election material business.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkNwYr6kUMoGkqV_iklmwTLU3q0-VLQZc_-hcXSFYfFFUEHIYE1eUzj03IJFOGdSI4gNdKi7NaJzhBjw6MPKxL7mS1SOWPJTf5SnnBbBvOMiLR-bg3ygA076ume78KFWw_pSktrOm_mpT/s1600-h/Election+Material-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkNwYr6kUMoGkqV_iklmwTLU3q0-VLQZc_-hcXSFYfFFUEHIYE1eUzj03IJFOGdSI4gNdKi7NaJzhBjw6MPKxL7mS1SOWPJTf5SnnBbBvOMiLR-bg3ygA076ume78KFWw_pSktrOm_mpT/s320/Election+Material-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377649895105530114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS8OAqFr6Gh7rP4oTvxivUEiToZIso43_StQqqOx1kh4ylgxw2XaiRCCfQRH4h83Uuh0ivwFATXlbh3PqMmwiB0fpQpaB4-H8G3fqtUTdOMX9N-D6BDJ3O0CbBfXD6220hq3GmfnN7DH1/s1600-h/Election+Material-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS8OAqFr6Gh7rP4oTvxivUEiToZIso43_StQqqOx1kh4ylgxw2XaiRCCfQRH4h83Uuh0ivwFATXlbh3PqMmwiB0fpQpaB4-H8G3fqtUTdOMX9N-D6BDJ3O0CbBfXD6220hq3GmfnN7DH1/s320/Election+Material-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377650023590200962" border="0" /></a>Flashing neon t-shirts and projection pens are two of the innovative products they plan to bring out in the forthcoming elections. With some R&D and a few trips to China to buy the relevant technology, they are getting set to change the concept of election propaganda material. “The challenge is to make these products affordable. This is possible only with mass production” says Bharat Jain, who runs the business with his brother jeswanth.<br />“We cannot focus on local candidates, as this will make mass production impossible. We will therefore focus on national candidates and party leaders. This will make it cost-effective and the product will be useful all over the country,” he adds. Hence, you can expect more of Sonia, Rahul, Mayawati, Advani and Vajpayee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRCXlUrf_rrA6ifrFYx9EambaQpVqaFdKmujjP_d0BiiX2Kejs1ID9Ho8M8l_zyXw_3JWVsZ8blVSPnwV_cw2Pm55fvKZIt4-aYdm4LPNDVpouve_WtnzNPGNtFfQXvmTdCP-OlWAOX5A/s1600-h/Election+Material-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRCXlUrf_rrA6ifrFYx9EambaQpVqaFdKmujjP_d0BiiX2Kejs1ID9Ho8M8l_zyXw_3JWVsZ8blVSPnwV_cw2Pm55fvKZIt4-aYdm4LPNDVpouve_WtnzNPGNtFfQXvmTdCP-OlWAOX5A/s320/Election+Material-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377650263103238786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMiNDwD6j5NDaQ4Fm2oBX1y39a2F7ZrTmt1iTLGvJ_LC5O9AoYd1AMi-bZCRFQI815wkFrlAVLm2owDa4UOxMnHsvcLjZEXlHKdmvnl-j37iUpzG2thzkYOQB9q4B0vU_22TH8LWVtAxp/s1600-h/Election+Material-005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMiNDwD6j5NDaQ4Fm2oBX1y39a2F7ZrTmt1iTLGvJ_LC5O9AoYd1AMi-bZCRFQI815wkFrlAVLm2owDa4UOxMnHsvcLjZEXlHKdmvnl-j37iUpzG2thzkYOQB9q4B0vU_22TH8LWVtAxp/s320/Election+Material-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377650483251262018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SBgh7I13Jw1G2N_UYYt0upwatS5Jlofj5XwVqgZw_rP2VrSklO8DX2BvVHiGWwTEi6EtRLkiXc6EXMW_jihfV5ckg_ci-SojYBdLkrW2TD6l6DKFfP60-_jYxQSYScGMsbPYNsMVIPtp/s1600-h/Election+Material-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SBgh7I13Jw1G2N_UYYt0upwatS5Jlofj5XwVqgZw_rP2VrSklO8DX2BvVHiGWwTEi6EtRLkiXc6EXMW_jihfV5ckg_ci-SojYBdLkrW2TD6l6DKFfP60-_jYxQSYScGMsbPYNsMVIPtp/s320/Election+Material-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377650669560859970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezldapzq0FdL9QLA5_SK1EwAsFd37BSbNQPJbaTiBRLt_7q-Ux0-YhP8nkq9xTOgcdDHCplfK93KWKsJW_JwldjbiiT6k5B9-7jF4IOgE9-wfukxrfX482godssD_EQ-J_BaS1EJK1QxQ/s1600-h/Election+Material-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezldapzq0FdL9QLA5_SK1EwAsFd37BSbNQPJbaTiBRLt_7q-Ux0-YhP8nkq9xTOgcdDHCplfK93KWKsJW_JwldjbiiT6k5B9-7jF4IOgE9-wfukxrfX482godssD_EQ-J_BaS1EJK1QxQ/s320/Election+Material-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377650827761261714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The Neon sign boards in the R&D stage (above left) the pen illumination (above right) Jeshwanth Jain (left) and some of the party t-shirts (above) . </span><br /><br />The flashing neon t-shirts come with a small battery pack and were inspired by neon boards, which are commonly used for advertising these days. As the products are still in the R&D stage, the pricing has not yet been decided, they said. However, we will try to make the material the cheapest possible because we are aware of the Election Commission’s 10 percent cap on election material related expenses.<br />“The most common complaint from the common man is the fact that the election material maker our cities dirty. So we have to come up with ideas that do not need cleaning up. Instead of posters, banners and flyers, let’s use t-shirts and pens!” With flex banners, the use of paper posters has come down, with these t-shirts and pens, it will come down further.<br />About the EC, the brothers have plenty to say. “The EC’s mandate, “says Jeswanth, “is eating into the livelihood of a lot of small manufacturers. With the strict enforcement of the law, it is not the candidates who suffer, but the small people who form the chain of the election material production.”<br />The lady at the tailoring machine, the packers, the auto-drivers who transportsit, the people who put up the hoardings … it is a long process and affords livelihood to innumerable people. These are the people who will suffer if the cap on the election material expenses is enforced strictly, he says.<br />‘With election material, the voter gets to know who the candidate is, and what his symbol is. So election material is critical to the democratic process. We outsource our production to many NGO’s where women and poor people work. So the EC’s directive hits them hard. If 10 lags are put on a car, it only costs Rs 100. But the media and EC, make us the villains. For just Rs 10,000, we can make every village look festive. Election material is not really expensive,” he said.<br />Also, the EC’s directive, leads to inadvertent consequences like increasing invisible expenses like free liquor, trucking in people, etc. the EC should take note of this, Jeswanth contends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">IS THIS REALLY TRUE?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">We decided to check with Abdul Jabbar of the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahaila Udyog Sanghatan, and this is what he says: “Soon after the Bhopal gas tragedy, we took up the work of producing election material, and the survivors were very happy. However, for the last two elections, our workload has gone down. This has hit us badly.”</span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-49240037069801720912009-08-25T04:54:00.000-07:002009-08-26T01:15:21.039-07:00Jewel of the jail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDF_OD6lnzJxB2OEOTvF6DfxFI_0NAjXI9Q9nGmlPTQCt7HebbP0ddPAT6uHSmWyZ1h0JGabc12qWvvSGEgU1_45bZrdylTF4y6pfi0BHzF3hAkiwGjs3BfvJqIkGX-ER-a5AIOY7WEJn/s1600-h/kiran+bedi-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDF_OD6lnzJxB2OEOTvF6DfxFI_0NAjXI9Q9nGmlPTQCt7HebbP0ddPAT6uHSmWyZ1h0JGabc12qWvvSGEgU1_45bZrdylTF4y6pfi0BHzF3hAkiwGjs3BfvJqIkGX-ER-a5AIOY7WEJn/s320/kiran+bedi-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373872937973403202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This was an exclusive one on one with the Inspector General of police Kiran Bedi during her stint at Tihar Jail as DG Prisons in Delhi. This interview turned out to be one hell of a luck since soon after my chat the next day she got a call from the Ramon Magsaysay Jury that she has been selected to receive the award by the end of the week. In all since she would be busy and have no time for interviews for other newspaper journos, who wanted to after the award announcement, was out of the question, till she got back from Philippines. So this chat for than three hours with her proved a plus for Deccan Herald and me. I was asked by the Sunday Herald's than editor that I write every single word I spoke to her since they were going to give me a full page wit</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">h the Tihar jail story. This brightened my eyes and ears and I sat for two days in the Deccan Herald, New Delhi Bureau office, ensuring that I recollect every little aspect of my interaction with her. </span><br /><br />The year 1984 seems to be a blessing in disguise for the Indian women. Shortly after the New Year revelry came the creaming; with the crowning of Sushmita Sen, as the queen of the universe. Now in the middle of the year is the icing of Asia’s most prestigious award, Ramon Magsaysay, in community services bestowed upon Kiran Bedi, Inspector –General of Delhi Prisons.<br />Kiran is the second of four girls born to a businessman from Amritsar. Her ancestors had fled to India from Peshawar during the partition. Born on June 9, 1949, she took to tennis at the age of nine when she was at Sacred Heart’s Convent High School. At that age itself she was taught to be independent by her father, an hard taskmaster. She completed Government College and an MA in Political Science. After her selection in the Indian Police Service, she did a course in law and a doctorate in narcotics.<br />It has been a long climb and no sweat lost. Attempting the Everest was not an easy task as she had to fight off the eagle eyed forces and also maintain her good PR with the press. The short-haired Punjabi lady with an ever helpful eye has always attracted controversies. In 1980, during an Akali demonstration which turned violent, she led the police force from the front brandishing her baton against the armed hordes. It did embarrass her senior officers bust was a dose of muscle in the arms of the front line cadres.<br />And as chief of traffic police, later, she was called ‘crane Bedi’ because she used cranes to two away offending vehicles. Earlier, as a daring officer she had killed a boy while firing at a fleeing gang of dacoits. This brought political vendetta, just like a medical college seat for her daughter from the Mizoram quota, where she had been posted. She had also faced the wrath of lawyers when one of them was handcuffed on her instructions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sbf-9pe_ue9pYpsvUo5D3PmmyAWIQ2_lG-_iT4kriZpocmoGLKHO-6rn0hHQJ0tz-x7a0PxPPlKM5jNzef3NIRQqVKJ8nHVhf5sMGWzMPprrkU95LPe2lFPq7M6CpVGQIkhB3c0YHx3n/s1600-h/bedi-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sbf-9pe_ue9pYpsvUo5D3PmmyAWIQ2_lG-_iT4kriZpocmoGLKHO-6rn0hHQJ0tz-x7a0PxPPlKM5jNzef3NIRQqVKJ8nHVhf5sMGWzMPprrkU95LPe2lFPq7M6CpVGQIkhB3c0YHx3n/s320/bedi-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374182565686960722" border="0" /></a>The human in Kiran Bedi is evident as she goes about reforming convicts rather than negate them. While in the narcotics bureau she set up a watch squad along with neighboring countries to check drug trafficking. Asked about her reactions to the award, she replied, “I am thrilled … grateful. It is God’s grace.” It also saddens me because it was a massive combined effort, and the award is for me alone, she added. “Therefore now, I realize my responsibility is even greater … and am a ‘trustee’ who has to do more than before.<br />The joy on Kiran Bedi’s face was seen as she entered the jail, greeted by the inmates’ innocent eyes and their clapping of hands, accompanied by the beats of drums and melodious songs. She waves back to the inmates like a child would do after getting the ice cream for which she worked hard and joins them in the jig of bhangra added with a spice disco. “The award is for you all,” she screams as she picks up a child who welcomed her with a garland, and jumps in joy known only to her.<br />Being a woman or the second sex does not matter to her as she was always treated as a beta- a child- by her parents. “I must be the only woman heading a prison of this magnitude, and I am grateful to this community for this award,” she said. If not for the backing of my family I would not have even reached half of what I have achieved so far.<br />When her mother was contacted for her reaction, she said, “This is a victory for the Indian women and not for my daughter alone. I am proud to be her mother and as always honesty and hard work pays. I often visit Tihar ashram and not the jail. The last time I had been there was when a yagna was being performed in which Kiran sat in the hot sun for three or more hours and went through the rituals. Looking at than my eyes, without my being conscious, welled with tears.”<br />Kiran’s father, who is the main source of encouragement to her, pointed out, “I had worked for 50 years for this day. I have no son but my daughter has given me the pleasure of seeing to it all my dreams come true. The sky is the limit for the Indian woman.” Asked how she grew up he replied, “I have punished her so many times by making her stand in the sun for hours, and I think this hard effort has to be awarded at last. I would have been surprised if she had not got it.”<br />The most feared inmate of Tihar ashram, Charles Shobraj, commented that ‘It’s great, she worked hard for this. She deserved it and she’s got it.”<br />For the super cop it is a lot of money to handle now because the award also carries a cash prize of $ 50,000. “I have never worked for money all these years, and now suddenly I get so much I don’t know what to do with it. I think it will be channelised to help the needy.” Another six months to go for this year, and many more things to happen, the Indians will have to wait and see if more women from a country which has always treated women as second rate will spring up surprises. As one would say, only time will tell, not for the awards but for men to treat women as equals.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-47153482444077784202009-08-24T08:36:00.000-07:002009-08-25T07:44:30.398-07:00Freedom in the fortress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8oYHLnuhKjZt0GKdjGzo5rnz8cvut73NZZSSy8CVIPc06727Uv_0yqH0DQCg0ppSnE8fsxiRBEmZMFfoKVtgAjnjQBT7ZmuVdswzif_KQDhMVpAyDp7bzW8tw63Zta8KleqSC3nT2oM9/s1600-h/kiran+bedi-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8oYHLnuhKjZt0GKdjGzo5rnz8cvut73NZZSSy8CVIPc06727Uv_0yqH0DQCg0ppSnE8fsxiRBEmZMFfoKVtgAjnjQBT7ZmuVdswzif_KQDhMVpAyDp7bzW8tw63Zta8KleqSC3nT2oM9/s320/kiran+bedi-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373558019930226594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">This story of Delhi’s Tihar jail in my 2 decades of photojournalist career is the longest ever written. Another great thing about this story is since I had already interviewed Kiran Bedi a week before this story could appear had received the Ramon Magsaysay award for community service. So in a way this story was a double whammy for Deccan Herald as well as me, since Kiran Bedi was to arrive later and every newspaper was going to miss the story and her interview. Lady luck they say, well and truly this Lady Kiran Bedi’s luck was to be showered on me. This story got full page display with pictures on the Sunday Herald edition, on July 24, 1994. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Delhi’s Tihar J</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">ail, where nearly 9,000 offenders are lodged, has been an educational experience for its diverse inmates. S Shiv Kumar spends sometime in the jail-cum-ashram and talks to the force behind the changes, Inspector General of Prisons Kiran Bedi, who</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"> won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for community service earlier this month. </span><br /><br />On the outskirts of the capital is a small colony with huge walls, which are heavily –guarded. The inmates of this modern-day fortress are people from all parts of the world, from different religious back-grounds, herded together for a single reason: crime. Tihar jail is also the current address of a notorious person –perhaps the world’s most dreaded criminal, who masterminded the ‘great escape’ or jailbreak less than a decade ago, in 1986. Charles Sobhraj –nicknamed he ‘Cobra’ for his cold-blooded murders of bikini-clad women –has since lived in relative quite in Tihar jail.<br />But Tihar is no mere jail, as the princess of dacoits, Phoolan Devi declared. A free bird now, Phoolan declared after serving a decade long sentence that she enjoyed her imprisonment. She also learnt to read and write in Hindi, while in jail. “Now, I am an educated women and an independent member of society.<br />The jail is surrounded by two huge walls, with machinegun totting police of the Tamil Nadu Special Group perched atop, their eagle eyes scanning all directions. The jail is made up of four independent prisons – the largest one as been trifurcated since the escape of the ‘Cobra’. Each prison houses between 1000 and 2700 inmates. The inner walls of the prison are revealing, marked by the sayings of Mahatma Gandhi and various religious leaders.<br />The cell in which Phoolan Devi had served her sentence has now been turned into a library, with a range of volumes including novels, sci-fi, even real life dramas. Shanti, in her early 30s, is the ward leader here. “Every year, a person is elected by his or her fellow inmates to maintain inter-discipline.” The leader, in turn, appoints a few trusted aides to “keep an eye on the trouble makers.” But, what happens if the leader indulges in trouble? Well, the individual is then stripped of the post, and a new person is appointed, she explains.<br />Shanti, who has already served five years behind bars, is full praise for Inspector-General of Prisons Kiran Bedi (who took over two years ago). “It’s only now that he inmates are being treated as human beings. She is not only trying to educate us, but also giving us a second life....”<br />Inmates at Tihar follow strict rules similar to the army regimen, laid down by senior inmates, elected or appointed to form a panchayat. These people are constantly in touch with senior officers of the jail. They allot various projects to different prisons and wards, such as library management, sports, yoga, and the literacy drive.<br />Between 9am and 11am on weekdays, lessons are compulsory for Tihar residents. Among languages, they can choose between Urdu, Punjabi, French, Italian, Arabic, English and Hindi.<br />A Nigerian in her late 20s, Mrs Glory, was spotted teaching a class, with a book in her hand. She was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances act in 1990. Glory, who teaches English, has for the past year been learning Italian and French during her leisure. Knowledge is important, she stresses. Once she is released, she plans to go to Europe and spend the rest of her life there. “If I know the basics first, life will be so much easier for me,” she adds.<br />At Tihar, inmates who give birth during imprisonment, or those who cannot live without their children, have nothing to worry about. All the women’s wards have a kindergarten attached, supervised by a teacher between 9am to 4pm. So the kids do not miss out on education, while remaining close to their parents.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVl3dJ6pjQ_jXxCWhfdXH5ToFUKyxulWfzgM4e0VX2xJK2kcOMtkmWhO4y2JoRVgrLscaXzjXv8Kh7Rn_Gng4xA-O4EmC0em3xYHWJ3Hs0e74gnhBlSfn3Jn_Jvmg4y8HAScJGjkv0w6V/s1600-h/kiran+bedi-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVl3dJ6pjQ_jXxCWhfdXH5ToFUKyxulWfzgM4e0VX2xJK2kcOMtkmWhO4y2JoRVgrLscaXzjXv8Kh7Rn_Gng4xA-O4EmC0em3xYHWJ3Hs0e74gnhBlSfn3Jn_Jvmg4y8HAScJGjkv0w6V/s320/kiran+bedi-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373857477847918882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCyBNK-XMkv1bVAxgFlXrKgDTdvHLP9zNCFxjpNzKGHt371KnPj39Ddpy5dXDRdMEqINmxzQVvvG8_Zg6wEplhZ0E7rh_X-CHwX1qaMPX9_tPNGmMsC2tx1E0AoMI6neWYoJ9o8bcHPUm/s1600-h/kiran+bedi-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCyBNK-XMkv1bVAxgFlXrKgDTdvHLP9zNCFxjpNzKGHt371KnPj39Ddpy5dXDRdMEqINmxzQVvvG8_Zg6wEplhZ0E7rh_X-CHwX1qaMPX9_tPNGmMsC2tx1E0AoMI6neWYoJ9o8bcHPUm/s320/kiran+bedi-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373857702719132530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54qPe_YXnUhCQILQC4CfITCNsvKC2DDDeDW4IIjiqOyFAP1DvMWnFFgRnRk7QbKmtKcz9onEWZmrdXIssf7IlY-CW3MEXA_lit91UH3Av7eJQxmVMgZknvllCfJaCI5wMjGO9WcMP0W87/s1600-h/kiran+bedi-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54qPe_YXnUhCQILQC4CfITCNsvKC2DDDeDW4IIjiqOyFAP1DvMWnFFgRnRk7QbKmtKcz9onEWZmrdXIssf7IlY-CW3MEXA_lit91UH3Av7eJQxmVMgZknvllCfJaCI5wMjGO9WcMP0W87/s320/kiran+bedi-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373858053820247202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Women Inmates at a daily class for learning Hindi and other subjects along with a recycling unit (top left), a male inmate learns French as a prison guard share a moment of fun with the kid of a inmate (top right), and the cell of Phoolan Devi, which is now converted into a Library (left). </span><br /><br />Mrs Shrimati Papa, an inmate for three years, who recently gave birth to a daughter in her cell with the help of doctors from the prison clinic, said, “I thought that nobody would help me but the whole prison, including the prison staff, came forward to help me. They were seen rejoicing when I gave birth to Bharathi.” Pointing out to others, she says, “Without them, my daughter and I would not have lived to see this day.”<br />Bedi has taken a positive step by asking all Tihar inmates to apply for Open University programmes. About 2,000 of them have already applied; and 35 percent of them have passed at the very first attempt.<br />Deep Chand, in his late 40s, who has spend 13 years in Tihar so far, has passed the high school examinations and now applied for the university. “If not for the encouragement given to me by memsahib, I would not have given it a try,” he states.<br />Mrs. Sheila Abharam, in her late 30s, who passed the BA exam, is now learning computers. “With a diploma in my hand, I do not need to rely on my husband or other members of my family; I will be independent and self-sufficient.”<br />Tihar does not offer formal knowledge alone; it offer yoga and job work, too. One of its most popular courses in vipasana (a form of yoga); two months ago, more than 1,000 inmates participated when the discipline was taught. Now, the prison has vipasana training centre for the benefit of the inmates.<br />To a person not well versed in yoga, vipasana means nothing. Not so in the case of a inmate, who was born in London, brought up in Australia, and now lives in Hong Kong. “Well about this yoga is that it teaches a person to be patient, and to love everything that nature has to offer.” What does vipasana mean? It relates to when one lets the mind rest from all the happenings in the world, concentrating instead on a single leaf of a tree; that’s when one attains vipasana. “When I get out of these God-forsaken bars, I will go back to Hong Kong and set up a yoga centre – to help teenagers, hooked onto drugs, to take up this drug. Look at me now. Don’t I look fit? You want to know the reason why. Well, I am addicted to yoga; that’s why.”<br />‘No Smoking’ signboards are visible all around the premises. And the guards on duty follow their bidding religiously. When I spoke to a constable on duty, he said: “If I start smoking in front of the inmates, who are here to reform themselves, I will be tempting them, instead of helping them.”<br />The Tihar inmates are busy throughout the day, attending to tasks like making bread, converting waste into manure, and so on. The proceeds from these activities go to the prison welfare fund.<br />The inmates often use the huge library at their disposal, with constantly updated magazines and newspapers. “This helps the inmates to keep up with the outside world,” says Bedi. The library also contains legal books, to help the lawyers of the inmates to refer to material relevant to their cases.<br />The prison staff mingle with the inmate’s every evening, holding cricket, football or volleyball matches, which enable the inmates to take their minds off work and relax.<br />Mohammed Maqbal from Jammu and Kashmir, a TADA detainee, said of the prison” “I killed so many innocent people three years ago. But today, when the inmates show respect and love for me, it makes me feel bad for what I did before.” When he was arrested and send to Tihar, he assumed he would be treated badly by the police, only to find that he was wrong.<br />Tihar is unlikely to sop marching forward because there are still more surprises in store for its inmates. Bedi reveals that plans are afoot to get all prisons computerised, with the help of the National Information Centre. Besides, a cable network will soon enable inmates to get good entertainment.<br />I left after spending more than six hours inside Tihar, amidst quite and happy surroundings, where human beings are treated with respect. At the main entrance, on my way out, I happened to run into a passer-by, only to be rudely told: “Do you have no eyes?”<br />With a jolt, I was brought back to reality. I suddenly realised that I was outside the world of Tihar once more.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-65469573992973516842009-08-20T07:47:00.000-07:002009-11-15T00:41:14.361-08:00Rags to riches, thanks to Rajni<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppWTglaJSWM5vLZeQFQ4sjVODhDwIgvk2he81O_PKZ47CPFLDZoABz-imxNfRpcemqhM9NKYE03oLPPGaT0p59NquaBEVJ5lZIC5bt-EHCTZf5W6Pl58fVzG3E_jpOAVeJPyKSqqeWm4z/s1600-h/Rajni-017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppWTglaJSWM5vLZeQFQ4sjVODhDwIgvk2he81O_PKZ47CPFLDZoABz-imxNfRpcemqhM9NKYE03oLPPGaT0p59NquaBEVJ5lZIC5bt-EHCTZf5W6Pl58fVzG3E_jpOAVeJPyKSqqeWm4z/s320/Rajni-017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372075934734737874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">This story of a simple man who has grown idolizing his reel hero’s actions in various blockbuster films was very moving when I got to know of it. So I wanted to meet this man who has grown in financial status as well as social echelon. Though he kept growing he had not forgotten hi</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">s past and his old friends, which he continues to hold even today. </span><br /><br />Taking a cue from his boss’s role in the film Annamalai (1992) V Harsha, President of Rajni Fans club at the Airport Road in the city, has transformed his personal life to align with that of Sivaji (2007).<br />For Harsha, Rajni flicks are not just any movies. They have taught him many lessons and inspired his tremendously.<br />Before attaining his current status, Harsha walked the streets of the city as adoor-to-door beedi and cigarette salesman. But the movie Annamali changed his fate forever. Success came to him gradually as he followed the principals of his on-screen ‘guru’.<br />Says Harsha, “The demolishing of various structures, the mannerisms, his attitude towards the depressed class and willingness to serve the needy people have moved me. Since then, I have been following his reel life values in my real life too. Today, all of my friends are like Rajni’s friends. All my cars have the same numbers as that of Rajni’s cars. I have even named my daughter Aishwarya, which is also the name of Rajni’s daughter.”<br />Each of Rajni’s movies has pushed him up the ladder of success. “When Basha was released in January 1995, I bought a small two-wheeler. Later I bought myself an even better two-wheeler after the release of Muthu in December 1995.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzN9LuxGQaWXdD5-oOfdKFM6j-ILRUf_LRROIuqpDo9ySR0zkl-RfDhwJcFhOES1L4oNN9dRSJ4Qz3VHgoNPOegYEM7ogaoRVjZPeWfOB41eFPpXymOvA5hXQC8e72bQHdBHb2Qf-28lz/s1600-h/Rajni-015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzN9LuxGQaWXdD5-oOfdKFM6j-ILRUf_LRROIuqpDo9ySR0zkl-RfDhwJcFhOES1L4oNN9dRSJ4Qz3VHgoNPOegYEM7ogaoRVjZPeWfOB41eFPpXymOvA5hXQC8e72bQHdBHb2Qf-28lz/s320/Rajni-015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372076245271498002" border="0" /></a>After the release of Arunachalam in 1997, I bought my first car. Later, during the release of Padeyappa in 1999, I bought another car. Today, I own a fleet of six cars. Couple of years ago when Chandramukhi was released, I got a Scorpio and now with Sivaji I am buying a Skoda” exalts Harsha.<br />The regular release of his boss’ films has provided him with enough time to implement the values of his icon as depicted on screen. “Following those methods and principals I have earned well and reached my present position. Now this is the right time to pay the master who changed my life.”<br />So far Harsha has spent more than Rs 50 Lakh for publicizing Rajni’s films in the city. Harsha has spent around Rs 4 to 5 lakh on every film. For Sivaji alone, Harsha has spent more than Rs 7 lakh. Sivaji’s release as he claims is like his daughter’s wedding. His club plans to arrange free tickets for women and children. Besides, he has also promised to give away free multiplex tickets to auto drivers, plumbers and other daily wage workers. All theaters which screen Sivaji in the city will get free buntings and flags from Harsha’s club.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-65036596117917595052009-08-20T03:21:00.000-07:002009-11-15T00:41:14.363-08:00Sivaji storms in - and wow!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8oSKMoL9kQyKqbBpm9FAmxnGfFD14XO41GBk-OGQofbM3bDIvjU8zc-A4ATqizvAJpUpggiiablJUG6Nx4QdtTMmo26WxQ7Bud08dfMevjrMu-lJFCm7zabNmx61mKAENwLJaoBBl_PQ/s1600-h/Rajni-016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8oSKMoL9kQyKqbBpm9FAmxnGfFD14XO41GBk-OGQofbM3bDIvjU8zc-A4ATqizvAJpUpggiiablJUG6Nx4QdtTMmo26WxQ7Bud08dfMevjrMu-lJFCm7zabNmx61mKAENwLJaoBBl_PQ/s320/Rajni-016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371999224887462434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">This story written along with the help of Niranjan for Bangalore Mirror, since I had a lot of other w</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ork to do that day. So I passed on all the data I had collected to him and he wrote the story for a joint credit. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milk, cocnuts, a 120 ft poster … Rajni fans pull out all stops to welcome the boss</span><br /><br />Reacting to Karnataka Rakshana Vedike’s comments over the release of Rajnikant starrer Sivaji published in Bangalore Mirror on Wednesday, Rajni fans in the city, nick-named Tamil Tigers, grunted and asked the vedike not to combine the issue with the much-debated Cauvery issue.<br />Expressing their ignorance about the guidelines issued by the Vedike for the release and publicity of the much-awaited Kollywood blockbuster, fans and the well- wishers of Rajni reiterated that they respect the state’s cause and will abide by the government’s stand.<br />Guna, President of the Murphy Town Rajnikant Fans Association said, “We too are Kannadigas and respect the state’s cause. Sivaji is purely an entertainment issue and it does not have any relation to Cauvery to the language issue.”<br />Despite the furore and dbate over the issue, Guna and his friends have put up a 120 feet banner near Murphy Town fish market pug marked with stills from the film.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgukGqkPshD2GLfe-pQvIsUbf5wdwnvrNbcAaRLZMlykKEdIr2p8aK7PwlrA540gW14YLZryHEHd_wLtOlGuyJEJCOrdDEyJVxDqbaX2Co6IrZzfR0cV4CrG3L8X4dazi2d9G5NrKQiIRx/s1600-h/Rajni-012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgukGqkPshD2GLfe-pQvIsUbf5wdwnvrNbcAaRLZMlykKEdIr2p8aK7PwlrA540gW14YLZryHEHd_wLtOlGuyJEJCOrdDEyJVxDqbaX2Co6IrZzfR0cV4CrG3L8X4dazi2d9G5NrKQiIRx/s320/Rajni-012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371999507591792562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFMFKH1U8RMHbJ6lUZj8JSotrvYC_vJcRDx4BnvYnYzuXRRDSlX-uTzqKA3J4qTeKv_xYLwmMxeVIYHTtGpflFfsodH0D_iZkPxPoCKcVZI-RNV38UM8hcc2KjTGFeKdazLPu1F_WQLUn/s1600-h/Rajni-013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFMFKH1U8RMHbJ6lUZj8JSotrvYC_vJcRDx4BnvYnYzuXRRDSlX-uTzqKA3J4qTeKv_xYLwmMxeVIYHTtGpflFfsodH0D_iZkPxPoCKcVZI-RNV38UM8hcc2KjTGFeKdazLPu1F_WQLUn/s320/Rajni-013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371999666882397282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG2h2-7JolHXKqlmnvDVX_fsQhy9eVKidIk82uzYq1d5KA5McAlZ-45TodSx7YQVuVNFdAzQG3HHwAWLX1Oqz6RjqiKPrGe47ql_4r81KQmM0irFHoKspHLXW759jrcq3xIVzab_hTd7k/s1600-h/Rajni-014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiG2h2-7JolHXKqlmnvDVX_fsQhy9eVKidIk82uzYq1d5KA5McAlZ-45TodSx7YQVuVNFdAzQG3HHwAWLX1Oqz6RjqiKPrGe47ql_4r81KQmM0irFHoKspHLXW759jrcq3xIVzab_hTd7k/s320/Rajni-014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372001220200138770" border="0" /></a>Explaining the efforts invested in making such a big poster Guna said, “I have spent Rs 30,000 from my own pocket. It is our way of expressing our love for the star. Rajnikant is an international figure and efforts to ostracise him just for Tamil Nadu’s cause is unacceptable.”<br />V Harsha, President of Rajni Fans Club at Airport road said, “First we are all Indians, and then we are all Kannadigas and lastly, we are all Rajni fans. Even on the posters we have put names first in Kannada, then in English and only near the theatres are they in Tamil. Though we don’t know about the guidelines issued by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, our friends have briefed us and we are ready to follow them.”<br />Solar Ramesh and Rajan from Ulsoor’s Rajnikant Fan Club organized a puja on Wednesday ahead of the film’s release. More than 100 coconuts were broken by Guna and his friends in honour of the actor in Murphy town and many packets of milk were poured on the giant –sized banner.<br />Inspired by the boss mannerisms and make-up is Sivaji, fans have also arranged a free haircut and shave drive on Friday. The association will also distribute more than 250kg of biriyani to the poor. Besides, the Rajnikant Fans Association at the Airport road has promised to arrange free tickets on the spot for the fans in multiplexes across the city.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE HERO’S MANY ZEROES</span><br />With over Rs 100 crore being spent on the production Sivaji is easily one of the biggest movies produced in South Asia. It’s not just the budget that is mind-boggling. A whopping 1,000 prints have been ordered for distribution across India. More than 2,900 theaters have already been booked. Sivaji will see more than 12,000 shows everyday. Across the world, the film will be released in 23 countries simultaneously. It is expected to earn over Rs 500 crore in first 50 days. The producers have paid the actor Rs 40 crore. Rs 10 crore to director Shankar and Music Director A R Rahman. The fee is much more that what Jackie Chan gets, making Rajni the indisputable superstar of South Asia. The film is expected to run for three to four years! However, in Karnataka, Sivaji will play in 10 theaters only.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-24122298467311887782009-08-17T23:37:00.000-07:002009-11-15T00:41:14.366-08:00A Low key Rajni B'day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii53EnLGPuFjhJqw-4m1ZbV7p32ZuiGIl58vyaGj3pOtuDVS2HyNEHiANECC6o0r-fChx86clBKfFXRFmNW_W7Zy8DifU9UKlCPXjEKBMqVGsxe-V6q7YRaAadbnQ_PbrQnvQYbq7lNmiJ/s1600-h/Rajni-008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 84px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii53EnLGPuFjhJqw-4m1ZbV7p32ZuiGIl58vyaGj3pOtuDVS2HyNEHiANECC6o0r-fChx86clBKfFXRFmNW_W7Zy8DifU9UKlCPXjEKBMqVGsxe-V6q7YRaAadbnQ_PbrQnvQYbq7lNmiJ/s320/Rajni-008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371577752373406706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The Padayappa Star has turned 58, and his fans are celebrating<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">With his recent release ‘Sivaji’ running successfully all over the country, the 58th birthday was a memorable one for the superstar Rajnikant on Wednesday. Fans across the city cut cakes and distributed sweets. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJgBJ1VWdj2ySY6kw1FhPTIfVFM159efdyZnqIBmZgdUOktzLTS9aH2uuLyZhlnEwFmanjOSOgYgV-jICtu6f9eLw8LhGnB3vWpdC-Xuv2yJGEZ81aGZLsHVRZrb14itCm68ZPiR10FoT/s1600-h/Rajni-009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJgBJ1VWdj2ySY6kw1FhPTIfVFM159efdyZnqIBmZgdUOktzLTS9aH2uuLyZhlnEwFmanjOSOgYgV-jICtu6f9eLw8LhGnB3vWpdC-Xuv2yJGEZ81aGZLsHVRZrb14itCm68ZPiR10FoT/s320/Rajni-009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371578086440136754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIy6YTPIYS-aYbvwt-xolcCE1JZ87gFGs7Kl_CU_cJ3LSsOXh-CyBVqX6DgSA8tBj9ToehToaoJVM4mF0nXSo_ZUTwL7i71PgQpBEoAHu_gK7s_8P6n8iX83VCpwMg0KPQOctrlU1nKdl/s1600-h/Rajni-011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 121px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIy6YTPIYS-aYbvwt-xolcCE1JZ87gFGs7Kl_CU_cJ3LSsOXh-CyBVqX6DgSA8tBj9ToehToaoJVM4mF0nXSo_ZUTwL7i71PgQpBEoAHu_gK7s_8P6n8iX83VCpwMg0KPQOctrlU1nKdl/s320/Rajni-011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371578333560961698" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiuH1evngQOi3Z9JFJr8MxSTFHChyAoQGVu_rLmOhgADyYZsQebwBq4AzIVeyCnxNQeEvLgXsHdtVt01wdKI9BpDCuKPWB2Ild3aSthawClpMjgvam6e_JlGfsYLEGTMIAIqOyG8ToA0Y/s1600-h/Rajni-010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiuH1evngQOi3Z9JFJr8MxSTFHChyAoQGVu_rLmOhgADyYZsQebwBq4AzIVeyCnxNQeEvLgXsHdtVt01wdKI9BpDCuKPWB2Ild3aSthawClpMjgvam6e_JlGfsYLEGTMIAIqOyG8ToA0Y/s320/Rajni-010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371578504355451746" border="0" /></a>Fans in Murphy Town celebrated the birthday by cutting a 58 kg cake and distributing around 1,000 pieces of cakes to the poor and fans. Guna, an ardent fan of Rajni, said, “I have spent around Rs 18,000 for the celebration. Rajini’s film releasing day and his birthday has been a great day for celebration for us. Last year, we distributed around 1,000 plates of chicken briyani to the poor.<br />Rajan, another die hard fan, said, “I was waiting for this occasion ever since Sivaji’s release to celebrate the success of both the film and my ‘boss’.<br />We pray to the god to give him healthy life and keep giving scintillating films all through the year and entertaining his fans.”<br />Banners on the road side in Sivaji Nagar read, ‘Long live our Style Emperor’ an in many other areas, Rajni’s huge cutouts were displayed, carrying the flags of Karnataka and India. Besides, fans on Kamraj Road, Ulsoor, Cox Town, Frazer Town and Benson Town put up huge banners with posters from some of his super hit movies. Solar Ramesh, president of Rajni Fans Club in Ulsoor said, “this time we have put up only the banner and kept the celebration low profile.” Meantime, rumours of Rajnikant visiting the city kept media persons on their toes. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /></span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-61970122569889779682009-08-17T01:37:00.000-07:002009-11-15T00:41:14.368-08:00Here they only see the simple side of Rajni<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTJe2uzO69a2wsEZw_zJZSzSM7HE4B5brPxuJQnss5rd6Ffs0EZYt1AquEQ01aWIRTskoq7VSRNqMy80SieEBFdFqCrCWz8FRP_OTWl9PZvTh3_pxhxlup0xB_1o8rsn6qjAv55hCwbUz/s1600-h/Rajni-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 48px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTJe2uzO69a2wsEZw_zJZSzSM7HE4B5brPxuJQnss5rd6Ffs0EZYt1AquEQ01aWIRTskoq7VSRNqMy80SieEBFdFqCrCWz8FRP_OTWl9PZvTh3_pxhxlup0xB_1o8rsn6qjAv55hCwbUz/s320/Rajni-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370855086250081362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">This Story was a bit too late and yet anyway Bangalore Mirror Editor K R Sreenivas asked me give the quotes of the people whom the superstar knew and was published on 18 June 2007 soon after the release of his yet another blockbuster 'Sivaji' - the Boss. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">As recently as 20 days ago, Rajnikanth came to Hanumanthnagar in Bangalore, the place where he spend his childhood and youth, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">to visit his elder brother Sathyanaryan Rao. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Selvan Shiv Kumar</span> Spoke to the neighbors on Rajnikanth the man. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTvoJPrWwpBmwYPGnFEvdndlYU9ZmLCGRCTsQULeSvGucERXXTm6GEy79Y1ee57rsso77cV8E4YXfqgdFHEWzQGwdsExk1hSYyKv17DuV-lwo_F2KL0vEdCAlvBVRAGpaR7GP7htpf-d3/s1600-h/Rajni-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTvoJPrWwpBmwYPGnFEvdndlYU9ZmLCGRCTsQULeSvGucERXXTm6GEy79Y1ee57rsso77cV8E4YXfqgdFHEWzQGwdsExk1hSYyKv17DuV-lwo_F2KL0vEdCAlvBVRAGpaR7GP7htpf-d3/s320/Rajni-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370849986364961570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGn1DtvCk0Kn_aQLIVFLv6qIajvEyQ2WqnXe4lOinfdd6UqHUPKGduytPycutrQ-obz0SSQyPaKm7RjrIAKtu5u7NtE__LzdAST__olHFpMNFUFad8scUlIV5Vpw2a7554NejCXcDrgxh/s1600-h/Rajni-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGn1DtvCk0Kn_aQLIVFLv6qIajvEyQ2WqnXe4lOinfdd6UqHUPKGduytPycutrQ-obz0SSQyPaKm7RjrIAKtu5u7NtE__LzdAST__olHFpMNFUFad8scUlIV5Vpw2a7554NejCXcDrgxh/s320/Rajni-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370851069792549218" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The home of Rajnikanth's elder brother Sathyanaryan Rao at 408, 2nd Cross, Hanumanthnagar. It was a small one-room place which has now been expanded to three floors, housing five families. Inset: The nameplate which is in Kannada.</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicleCWQ4mami193LzG7q_ZPmmdif4eo3Iw0gcdZQscXbxnW5KH93nUXq0Ah8SVXCT-0CBul3t136dSVYqTktb9O5dSqKrOmP9ihQsibI-ZLWiDlwfOMYmndV7L4pSbS49RS_XXEfamj8Ph/s1600-h/Rajni-005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicleCWQ4mami193LzG7q_ZPmmdif4eo3Iw0gcdZQscXbxnW5KH93nUXq0Ah8SVXCT-0CBul3t136dSVYqTktb9O5dSqKrOmP9ihQsibI-ZLWiDlwfOMYmndV7L4pSbS49RS_XXEfamj8Ph/s320/Rajni-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370852006578574482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZnMcCsFBpjwd242A2QsLupD4_QKiZM4Y2PFr27tE2mdf0DnxdOmxbS0D5i4Qj45TaqY-9mb_IPjAdrzrnfclvlGgPK_JMcg-RT7TyDHA2V2x0KSJAI12qAbobcf9JzA4DLS55pJ2uXSL/s1600-h/Rajni-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZnMcCsFBpjwd242A2QsLupD4_QKiZM4Y2PFr27tE2mdf0DnxdOmxbS0D5i4Qj45TaqY-9mb_IPjAdrzrnfclvlGgPK_JMcg-RT7TyDHA2V2x0KSJAI12qAbobcf9JzA4DLS55pJ2uXSL/s320/Rajni-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370852158367442002" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Sundar (a Neighbour who has seen Rajni from his childhood): "He used to play gilli-danda with his friends on these streets. He was a hyperactive boy, always running around asking his friends to join him for a game." Right: Venkatraman (a friend of Rajni's elder brother Sathyanaryan Rao): "Rajni is very religious and down-to earth. He loves to talk on any subject. He came here 20 days ago. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcjaSki2pOUF8sJ4Q_-4ahWKrOnXDkaHhX9DwNdA8gsHvrk6TcWfvTQNKrLELpVfNQEhBOsK3nhOvUBHpNa3szNNQ1AP29n_1my4V0eM8dKZdSLzgDz8VbGUz17XdE4GZydbGQ3IuUcQe/s1600-h/16-06-07-Rajni+Home1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcjaSki2pOUF8sJ4Q_-4ahWKrOnXDkaHhX9DwNdA8gsHvrk6TcWfvTQNKrLELpVfNQEhBOsK3nhOvUBHpNa3szNNQ1AP29n_1my4V0eM8dKZdSLzgDz8VbGUz17XdE4GZydbGQ3IuUcQe/s320/16-06-07-Rajni+Home1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370853455844765074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Monish SM and Mayur (grandchildren of Sathyanarayan Rao): "Whenever our grand uncle visits us, he comes after 10 pm and leaves in an hour. He told us to study hard and do well. No,he dosen't play with us. He is too old for that."</span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-54135978266175566052009-08-16T07:59:00.000-07:002009-08-16T08:26:09.650-07:00Star of Bethlehem - Blooms in Silicon City<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQFGh0SUbXVJDWZrU6kGf10aWjyOyFIccrBn204SR475cXkyhR5gCTSRUSOpijHGxkc5-9AhbozFBCFSGvENs0aEXl2jv5HXx_eiJorzjgeZi-keju5ENzIHPJK8vdoLk_85m2g2AoHpB/s1600-h/19-06-07-Star+of+bethelem2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQFGh0SUbXVJDWZrU6kGf10aWjyOyFIccrBn204SR475cXkyhR5gCTSRUSOpijHGxkc5-9AhbozFBCFSGvENs0aEXl2jv5HXx_eiJorzjgeZi-keju5ENzIHPJK8vdoLk_85m2g2AoHpB/s320/19-06-07-Star+of+bethelem2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370582721113080722" border="0" /></a>The Star-of-Bethlehem scientifically known as Ornithogalum umbellatum from the Lily family (Liliaceae) is a very rare site to witness when it blooms. It usually blooms in the night and lasts for a week before drying out. In 2007 I had the good oppurtunity to photograph the flowers in full bloom after Swati Anand formerly with the Times of India called the Bangalore Mirror Resident Editor K Srinivas and informed him about the rare site. He in turn called me and I rushed to her guest home near Frazer Town after getting the excat details of her address. I spent about 2 hours before retiring back to my home. Below are the pictures taken on 16th June 2007 night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit49bXKotMcLXM8t1LoIAA7b-Az5C_Z07e9DhyphenhyphenWRMDPmDyiejdBysI2XphpgGWLgNmNaDR7rQPoqxFolJa_wYXmWBnwTaOaGdGIMeWFdaL5X9fHRpJjR5InHoWZ17sUwVK85Dz7-2Xo5JZ/s1600-h/Star-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit49bXKotMcLXM8t1LoIAA7b-Az5C_Z07e9DhyphenhyphenWRMDPmDyiejdBysI2XphpgGWLgNmNaDR7rQPoqxFolJa_wYXmWBnwTaOaGdGIMeWFdaL5X9fHRpJjR5InHoWZ17sUwVK85Dz7-2Xo5JZ/s320/Star-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370581344020477682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEypgFnJrNRwy5WXwbXiOozlpdtWiqNMgKEH9AOYW9trPHsswJY0rhN6jSywfeeIQ2aTsEnFmwaCE3pxfh1tAcnVJUlkkvy6q_CVb3KTpfqcQhGqDMfm3m9C-Ms66Ao2a8HIUHFWAo1zPS/s1600-h/Star-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEypgFnJrNRwy5WXwbXiOozlpdtWiqNMgKEH9AOYW9trPHsswJY0rhN6jSywfeeIQ2aTsEnFmwaCE3pxfh1tAcnVJUlkkvy6q_CVb3KTpfqcQhGqDMfm3m9C-Ms66Ao2a8HIUHFWAo1zPS/s320/Star-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370581492677798530" border="0" /></a>This introduced perennial plant consists of a rosette of basal leaves spanning about 1' across. These linear leaves are about 6-12" long and ¼" across. They curve upward from the base and bend downward around the middle. There is often a white stripe in the middle of each leaf, which has smooth margins and parallel venation.<br />From the center of the rosette, there develops one or more flowering stalks about 6-9" tall. Each stalk terminates in a cyme-like raceme of white flowers. This raceme is rather short and spreading. The lower pedicels are 1-3" long, while the upper pedicels are somewhat shorter. Both the basal leaves and flowering stalks are hairless. Each flower is about 1" across when fully open, consisting of 6 white tepals, 6 stamens, and a single pistil. Each tepal is lanceolate-oblong; there is a green stripe along its outer side. A stamen has a yellow or light brown anther at its apex, and a white filament underneath. This filament is lanceolate or narrowly triangular in shape (tapering at the top), which is a distinctive characteristic for this species. The blooming period occurs during the late spring and lasts about 2 weeks. There is a pleasant floral scent. The flowers open during the morning and usually close by noon. Each flower is replaced by a 3-celled seed capsule containing several black seeds. The root system consists of a bulb about 1" long that is ovoid. This plant reproduces by its seeds and vegetative offsets (primarily the latter). It often forms dense colonies that can exclude other species during the spring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc1Mnvl44kgVQ6A0DpJl5xFJjDHya1ywbO85Gtqz8xadcWvJecGitnA9-4b2d3VfzMhXmcP0-qOl6rkPwdqjhB0cHD19SyNSSxe0POq7JXyk1S5dnI0pCIMvKa5UOBt78KQBlNQZmdDzj/s1600-h/Star-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc1Mnvl44kgVQ6A0DpJl5xFJjDHya1ywbO85Gtqz8xadcWvJecGitnA9-4b2d3VfzMhXmcP0-qOl6rkPwdqjhB0cHD19SyNSSxe0POq7JXyk1S5dnI0pCIMvKa5UOBt78KQBlNQZmdDzj/s320/Star-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370581821267294002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFkhagpkC_Hlu3mCNsiYJflE0eCKOxq28cXcfXFuQs7eYQgPnC6XApYjJBkBAoe-qEdJ692Yl7gS-3wk1qCYBg-Q_fOuUCEWkk3WE_BA-ntyxAacBptQ_0QUWUUpZBvtDVYmiz5mKXo-l/s1600-h/Star-005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFkhagpkC_Hlu3mCNsiYJflE0eCKOxq28cXcfXFuQs7eYQgPnC6XApYjJBkBAoe-qEdJ692Yl7gS-3wk1qCYBg-Q_fOuUCEWkk3WE_BA-ntyxAacBptQ_0QUWUUpZBvtDVYmiz5mKXo-l/s320/Star-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370581982183004706" border="0" /></a>The preference is full sun to light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a fertile loam. Growth occurs during the spring; the foliage withers away by mid-summer. This plant has few problems with pests and disease; the waxy foliage resists contact herbicides.<br />The Star-of-Bethlehem naturalizes occasionally in southern, central, and NE Illinois, but it is less common in the NW area of the state (see Distribution Map). It is oftencultivated in flowerbeds, from which it occasionally escapes. Habitats include cemetery prairies, grassy meadows, sunny or semi-shaded banks of streams and drainage ditches, and miscellaneous waste areas. This species is usually found in degraded sites, although it can invade high quality natural habitats and displace native species of plants that bloom during the spring. The Star-of-Bethlehem is native to eastern Europe and parts of the Middle East; it was introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH06kDz_VC7T1zMzplYCvL6i_ZihdNtd9R1wGQRIJUXU2kIGcmxEV6EyzNxJpfBlr6dJDm3vODSF4-tV5HeQanDCGEYB4Dzk3xvT8ZyLcQner97T3B3L8GVcYNxMOULh24BdK1QDuNrbf/s1600-h/Star-007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibH06kDz_VC7T1zMzplYCvL6i_ZihdNtd9R1wGQRIJUXU2kIGcmxEV6EyzNxJpfBlr6dJDm3vODSF4-tV5HeQanDCGEYB4Dzk3xvT8ZyLcQner97T3B3L8GVcYNxMOULh24BdK1QDuNrbf/s320/Star-007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370582314057450786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilETPQjoN2f4Wwx1F5QOLv8ZSbJltpbK7M_rD9xwe05R9KCNyA2ciJgl9UibTek4co3MqqYcU46PwtVyRn0ASd33qnkhPTL0GjzcQ3ACuVrrEaTBht2gStzMYiA23TTq86qpVmfC-50VaY/s1600-h/Star-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilETPQjoN2f4Wwx1F5QOLv8ZSbJltpbK7M_rD9xwe05R9KCNyA2ciJgl9UibTek4co3MqqYcU46PwtVyRn0ASd33qnkhPTL0GjzcQ3ACuVrrEaTBht2gStzMYiA23TTq86qpVmfC-50VaY/s320/Star-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370582458053004258" border="0" /></a>The primary pollinators of the flowers are probably bees. The foliage and bulbs contain toxic alkaloids that can poison livestock. The cooked bulbs are reportedly edible to humans, although suitable caution should be exercised.<br />Comments: The Star-of-Bethlehem is a surprisingly aggressive little plant with attractive flowers. Key features include the spreading racemes of erect flowers, and the triangular or lanceolate filaments underneath the anthers. These filaments are erect and surround the pistil. Other members of the Lily family that are somewhat similar in appearance include the Allium spp. (Onions) and Nothoscordum bivalve (False Garlic). However, False Garlic and the various species of Onions have umbels of flowers and the filaments of their flowers are thread-like. Another cultivated plant, Ornithogalum nutans (Nodding Star-of-Bethlehem), rarely escapes into the wild. It has nodding flowers on elongated racemes and each of its filaments have a pair of small teeth at the apex. The pedicels of this latter species are usually ½" or less.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-7516547942681536682009-08-10T08:36:00.001-07:002009-08-14T09:14:29.596-07:00Second Edition - World 10K marathon 2009 through images<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMGlZqybDB7XNcpmMkLpawGBiqp27t9oeRIlBweJ26feiQCfXvwjxDoPSpqeCGpvALlLWwkgOk1IAjoOvaW90x6BPJEGAK2_MWG1zcCVMVOmZ4PMZRiV9t7M2YjqCR3fYtVEXM0qOGO0e/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMGlZqybDB7XNcpmMkLpawGBiqp27t9oeRIlBweJ26feiQCfXvwjxDoPSpqeCGpvALlLWwkgOk1IAjoOvaW90x6BPJEGAK2_MWG1zcCVMVOmZ4PMZRiV9t7M2YjqCR3fYtVEXM0qOGO0e/s320/Shiv10Krun-053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369460772220926706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">These pictures wer</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">e ta</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ken during the second edition of the World 10k Marathon which was held on the 31st of May 2009. As expected the</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> citizens of the silicon city woke up and ran they did</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> w</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">it</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">h passion and grit. The images below speak for th</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">e</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">m</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">selves as a ci</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ty of techies and world of c</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">orpora</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">te w</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ith the professional runners from the world o</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ver ra</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">n s</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">houlder to shou</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">lder to</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> make yet another success of the su</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">nfe</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ast – procam event. They were more th</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">an 25,000 runners in </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">second year, which ran for fun and fun they did have. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zPBSCuy7w5ztTkBQkQe-HlNEEKHJOVvMHmSWKCF8Ts-V1hVZRykh3E8VTf99QOcMThZfmDS1ep2uFpELAhXkXGmTGwP2VWi-w_3ZqHUxNXSwFwA92KgDmENfOczAw5DtG6_tt2Jglg_E/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zPBSCuy7w5ztTkBQkQe-HlNEEKHJOVvMHmSWKCF8Ts-V1hVZRykh3E8VTf99QOcMThZfmDS1ep2uFpELAhXkXGmTGwP2VWi-w_3ZqHUxNXSwFwA92KgDmENfOczAw5DtG6_tt2Jglg_E/s320/Shiv10Krun-046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369460949092419378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZs4pC8rSmhNwMM5mOyQOwoKaAMC-3Te_rfolrB9tCzjqfveHin8ImWFJD60_PiCriWC3zvRSqjpL81WsCK4KyfbDndAaFG2ldBS92h9-CUkdQMp-hfDswr59JGsoRuv58fnhIFZRzI-F-/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZs4pC8rSmhNwMM5mOyQOwoKaAMC-3Te_rfolrB9tCzjqfveHin8ImWFJD60_PiCriWC3zvRSqjpL81WsCK4KyfbDndAaFG2ldBS92h9-CUkdQMp-hfDswr59JGsoRuv58fnhIFZRzI-F-/s320/Shiv10Krun-017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369461098847850674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpM_EqpIABn_y8655Mdew56cNZUgQWTzupRY4iBGefI3nCTDv2SvYQmWx1lOJt8VtPdahDfuTPQ2g-f8LqVrP1zCsUIQ2QTG8QUhXfL0ZBCThzMQI5Q7ZEmT8W2Y87XQ9vEGBMNrslJgP/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpM_EqpIABn_y8655Mdew56cNZUgQWTzupRY4iBGefI3nCTDv2SvYQmWx1lOJt8VtPdahDfuTPQ2g-f8LqVrP1zCsUIQ2QTG8QUhXfL0ZBCThzMQI5Q7ZEmT8W2Y87XQ9vEGBMNrslJgP/s320/Shiv10Krun-054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369461757660034338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The huge crowd with a variety o</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">f age groups run together at the 2nd Worl</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">d 10k marathon in Bangalore on </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">31st may 2009. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Th</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">e Serious Runners</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIP49tOZQuo2JfEoaim6XK6v0wl0Anz7_90YySdSQ9AW6os7zffH0pXeZrH_hdL14Tf3ohdP1JVO7optu88TCGSvFMMLXStIK3P-g8eRGt0pfWlSA54fcV5aYDznvYOtnClP0ChOfKprF/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIP49tOZQuo2JfEoaim6XK6v0wl0Anz7_90YySdSQ9AW6os7zffH0pXeZrH_hdL14Tf3ohdP1JVO7optu88TCGSvFMMLXStIK3P-g8eRGt0pfWlSA54fcV5aYDznvYOtnClP0ChOfKprF/s320/Shiv10Krun-029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369463436474540130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgzJ4OmvPWCjQ_tWBv0RXdgwG9ZAtW8PrAeRTqET6jlU53bzAiFkjxNiCQ9fwQCjH08ARTATLfaXJgn_cQe-kmiKfPzkeJptugAvk0hyH0fQuKcLK-n0nDAkrjp9jsPnBojN4mnmWshfm/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgzJ4OmvPWCjQ_tWBv0RXdgwG9ZAtW8PrAeRTqET6jlU53bzAiFkjxNiCQ9fwQCjH08ARTATLfaXJgn_cQe-kmiKfPzkeJptugAvk0hyH0fQuKcLK-n0nDAkrjp9jsPnBojN4mnmWshfm/s320/Shiv10Krun-050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369463694614349458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC4e-8Wiy2uo_OulUBlRS6U78A_gDPzUOoEylzMAdZOAfQvqjr_p7bgyV_3NLLzTZjDf7MJPDBBH3_ZYX96CqzUBEKFJejtWGsz81fyFgG-lGnrmEiN4ZUFWp-0Bxh_WE4rMixGyGeW0X/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYC4e-8Wiy2uo_OulUBlRS6U78A_gDPzUOoEylzMAdZOAfQvqjr_p7bgyV_3NLLzTZjDf7MJPDBBH3_ZYX96CqzUBEKFJejtWGsz81fyFgG-lGnrmEiN4ZUFWp-0Bxh_WE4rMixGyGeW0X/s320/Shiv10Krun-030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369464068485177074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yKjC4LTYPitwZhoCUj-hpeLvKubxKyf9NoypXITQBu5QUfygkt1MfImFtrv7_DWBur86wLaG4Qsu2RmRITX5I4V7q7hlBgqY1eKnC8-n2we8mp1KEvfKTqLrHBMSvGp32ImDja2k5SYA/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yKjC4LTYPitwZhoCUj-hpeLvKubxKyf9NoypXITQBu5QUfygkt1MfImFtrv7_DWBur86wLaG4Qsu2RmRITX5I4V7q7hlBgqY1eKnC8-n2we8mp1KEvfKTqLrHBMSvGp32ImDja2k5SYA/s320/Shiv10Krun-032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369469928855381810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlDdQHV_4sbFb9FWm4xDXnNrtHaRafgLKlGyskTkGIRVH1ra7Pj2SLKZ_jiJJD9kxS-zNjcFZnWDdxNTtlYyd5AmwzniQhZYi5uOlZVVYBo4ZNozohdGejORl9ezCnYP8bXempYqRmySw/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlDdQHV_4sbFb9FWm4xDXnNrtHaRafgLKlGyskTkGIRVH1ra7Pj2SLKZ_jiJJD9kxS-zNjcFZnWDdxNTtlYyd5AmwzniQhZYi5uOlZVVYBo4ZNozohdGejORl9ezCnYP8bXempYqRmySw/s320/Shiv10Krun-026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369470388373216402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQNztSC5G2Ddnov5uQxwOoKj6nyK5WGFSzYNJJUPjx9XPVBPlcL4liptnk-KDLcVk7-RfdbXUsakGJCPDX7mqaOlXGtLyZy-Xk4Bp-4rWXOJcncUIqboJlakYWUa_9UfI_DGlnfxMSslB/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQNztSC5G2Ddnov5uQxwOoKj6nyK5WGFSzYNJJUPjx9XPVBPlcL4liptnk-KDLcVk7-RfdbXUsakGJCPDX7mqaOlXGtLyZy-Xk4Bp-4rWXOJcncUIqboJlakYWUa_9UfI_DGlnfxMSslB/s320/Shiv10Krun-031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369470662420102210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wisGBbGDzlCnykDhvr0O6TmdI-FaG1Z8RUWsQsHqWZ7YFcEaFoRsTpFi8-f0ELl7Q70GRWlsUBArwDI4-SgZYNpqgeEtbOX7c2w-2mi4I9qjDkqEbtNxpdDiC2rKV6SF5jWruM_v_u0D/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wisGBbGDzlCnykDhvr0O6TmdI-FaG1Z8RUWsQsHqWZ7YFcEaFoRsTpFi8-f0ELl7Q70GRWlsUBArwDI4-SgZYNpqgeEtbOX7c2w-2mi4I9qjDkqEbtNxpdDiC2rKV6SF5jWruM_v_u0D/s320/Shiv10Krun-051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369471494844314322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL60ehG3mbmCzJH74_k3rVLSy8i5cgRnKpCtqgWSmt4rj4EZR73j15vN2wmjnjhycXkq91WNiQXCP7Ebc8TBbpQkG-9j7IknnSiOiIDaxfMIzTsdnlfk_9KFRqtKVKn3N1EYtkABP59hK/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdL60ehG3mbmCzJH74_k3rVLSy8i5cgRnKpCtqgWSmt4rj4EZR73j15vN2wmjnjhycXkq91WNiQXCP7Ebc8TBbpQkG-9j7IknnSiOiIDaxfMIzTsdnlfk_9KFRqtKVKn3N1EYtkABP59hK/s320/Shiv10Krun-028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369471843534109010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRUceVOFfhZwtlmGzP54mVVf25csaKCnDdodbtSJ-G0KT8BYrjlB8GRzsKDwAwZCIttS3fvuatifYT3m6Q0wRdodu5EU0_1TiAyNU0loL5Ru3Pnhq3Z3OlK4ehiAYgvhyqPvazl2FenM3/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRUceVOFfhZwtlmGzP54mVVf25csaKCnDdodbtSJ-G0KT8BYrjlB8GRzsKDwAwZCIttS3fvuatifYT3m6Q0wRdodu5EU0_1TiAyNU0loL5Ru3Pnhq3Z3OlK4ehiAYgvhyqPvazl2FenM3/s320/Shiv10Krun-052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369472172339288290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GFf2qS4rDF9Q6UEYaf0f-CTiJDOraKgZC9T9G1Lb1hfgPt4CffZkjMZwC0TJ_NTzQY-uOgHbJdLk0nLwjdOUHrSJ2oxr09ayWwVc5pGKByXIV1u7_yXlNilO6G9CAXmnzIfsHg26wRxf/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GFf2qS4rDF9Q6UEYaf0f-CTiJDOraKgZC9T9G1Lb1hfgPt4CffZkjMZwC0TJ_NTzQY-uOgHbJdLk0nLwjdOUHrSJ2oxr09ayWwVc5pGKByXIV1u7_yXlNilO6G9CAXmnzIfsHg26wRxf/s320/Shiv10Krun-045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369472283154013650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMmSvwvbP38VvgWAx5CdOtMt_wk1EbkzwAhbY4RyrrSIGt0PrOQg64wlrxKBzWGIPdEXKsVxmyiz81x_6Gw69e5-F-ip2pwoN3Cho9u8gl7s2rcOrcQfCZF5TlrRkzHUEN4oHuLfAnzxm/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMmSvwvbP38VvgWAx5CdOtMt_wk1EbkzwAhbY4RyrrSIGt0PrOQg64wlrxKBzWGIPdEXKsVxmyiz81x_6Gw69e5-F-ip2pwoN3Cho9u8gl7s2rcOrcQfCZF5TlrRkzHUEN4oHuLfAnzxm/s320/Shiv10Krun-033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369473684151259650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The images of some of the se</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">rious r</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">unners who sweated it out but with a smile to complete the 10k marathon and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">make every Bangalorean</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> feel </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">pr</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">oud of themselves. The passion, grit and the moo</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">d of competing is eveident from the images above. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The Fun Runners</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMCBWzim0vQQvbeBO_ZUCXlZ15sZKAx0YwNlwFnyfGUGM9aQMbW6rHvy7Dp1fqmABGO2DF8CUtCQO1e6uFV1iOlfxTw9bA5moz8NviufGOMF4kjANR09t-y65z43COLKMgkhAPSIMYe2_/s1600-h/Run-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMCBWzim0vQQvbeBO_ZUCXlZ15sZKAx0YwNlwFnyfGUGM9aQMbW6rHvy7Dp1fqmABGO2DF8CUtCQO1e6uFV1iOlfxTw9bA5moz8NviufGOMF4kjANR09t-y65z43COLKMgkhAPSIMYe2_/s320/Run-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369476779928100306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xvCB9-SRPtQA4wxvXg28n1NIzBQOHsYe2aYf0mxm5Mw8jUCZsUVvGM4sDeC17vuNs4RTMrz9K6LgRS70cuyBaV1PjumjCMttUjGLqSOlFs7_Aobwb4XzWzw6pSfO-xKlxAi0MBCJs5ZK/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xvCB9-SRPtQA4wxvXg28n1NIzBQOHsYe2aYf0mxm5Mw8jUCZsUVvGM4sDeC17vuNs4RTMrz9K6LgRS70cuyBaV1PjumjCMttUjGLqSOlFs7_Aobwb4XzWzw6pSfO-xKlxAi0MBCJs5ZK/s320/Shiv10Krun-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369476950513762930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgYpAO8OogmNakt_Y_wK6TrIoeCfjKkkGtAItjlawq8Nt6kXyf1GiO-f8DTP2m4TlwgOyWTobl-ysS35Reoai4LBFy0e053e6XCnEiiYSzHSHnr4_dUlPwHTYG9fCx8fYFFI87FnTV91I/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgYpAO8OogmNakt_Y_wK6TrIoeCfjKkkGtAItjlawq8Nt6kXyf1GiO-f8DTP2m4TlwgOyWTobl-ysS35Reoai4LBFy0e053e6XCnEiiYSzHSHnr4_dUlPwHTYG9fCx8fYFFI87FnTV91I/s320/Shiv10Krun-022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369477389441272834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNTtmT4L_PKyTILKasotI70Z4kTefl71GHoQdKKjswGZRAu7LRJYKmF1nyBZ4Vi8xrkppMQs6ckJ2HW3oDVxey8cRBd4Sa-zoLH8puCmJvYvWbkHXbOuhHMxjmmIuT2YxZeuUG-JPaE_O/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNTtmT4L_PKyTILKasotI70Z4kTefl71GHoQdKKjswGZRAu7LRJYKmF1nyBZ4Vi8xrkppMQs6ckJ2HW3oDVxey8cRBd4Sa-zoLH8puCmJvYvWbkHXbOuhHMxjmmIuT2YxZeuUG-JPaE_O/s320/Shiv10Krun-027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369477561938103442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IbrEvZfRTz9otMpghOaSSjA01HIBcwI43cKfw5USQ1OW3czC0bFniJVcS7fznBLJv_bQ86XfvJadzVag2jjibE99lxW0lFgLQeieF76Zmn8p7SuyMUWE5Y_6WVKUCt6aN08WD2WzMVRW/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IbrEvZfRTz9otMpghOaSSjA01HIBcwI43cKfw5USQ1OW3czC0bFniJVcS7fznBLJv_bQ86XfvJadzVag2jjibE99lxW0lFgLQeieF76Zmn8p7SuyMUWE5Y_6WVKUCt6aN08WD2WzMVRW/s320/Shiv10Krun-049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369828589658182146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkjiJktJjsMK-SAfzpJB66V-L9HU8UQ8WULGmGTqhNNciQe2B2KS3M9Oli_0dKM5ZMIvlLNpbDY0IOQezkbZCT75k-L0-BLpR8Eek1R0Uhyphenhyphengu3jwiONmXoichE0ZxpwHz9wtXuEoO4njv/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkjiJktJjsMK-SAfzpJB66V-L9HU8UQ8WULGmGTqhNNciQe2B2KS3M9Oli_0dKM5ZMIvlLNpbDY0IOQezkbZCT75k-L0-BLpR8Eek1R0Uhyphenhyphengu3jwiONmXoichE0ZxpwHz9wtXuEoO4njv/s320/Shiv10Krun-041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369828854451814722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P5qsaGtWh54W0M4viQ7AmMFArpL_oSipp5FuJViaaLYy2qAVJDZfSNW2VMvbXS9KI3pUaX4UJ6Z8XdNEO1y8LwDDX1FQt-L7q9LpRrT8OeCOPXmJ4zfCAXwwJllo5WbiF2do7P_o9npM/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P5qsaGtWh54W0M4viQ7AmMFArpL_oSipp5FuJViaaLYy2qAVJDZfSNW2VMvbXS9KI3pUaX4UJ6Z8XdNEO1y8LwDDX1FQt-L7q9LpRrT8OeCOPXmJ4zfCAXwwJllo5WbiF2do7P_o9npM/s320/Shiv10Krun-023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369829097321078178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAf5BPhDG3sBPZE8rakVTDE0gvQmycOFhJypnwLesYtMgFZ2jdOgJGB-C8q7NX-whjUxtdwNMsGFz0IDyndR2DIVuKzgk1VF9jFCBq9umYhmLoXFfZUikofgbXVMeNLAL69lc9F0jfWoD/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAf5BPhDG3sBPZE8rakVTDE0gvQmycOFhJypnwLesYtMgFZ2jdOgJGB-C8q7NX-whjUxtdwNMsGFz0IDyndR2DIVuKzgk1VF9jFCBq9umYhmLoXFfZUikofgbXVMeNLAL69lc9F0jfWoD/s320/Shiv10Krun-048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369829302533316866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfoNkEwz3G2GSj2RBpRxi44q8TUaZUSytEBVOSt8hXebMCPMxewtmXqRHNJP1lBQosz3bPWIwdooj-odm6lxte4D5WSuEIAW7pIEiHdBoPqVIjEW_KwOz8vZ8qmPA5CV-DJJU0ZLr5aqs/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfoNkEwz3G2GSj2RBpRxi44q8TUaZUSytEBVOSt8hXebMCPMxewtmXqRHNJP1lBQosz3bPWIwdooj-odm6lxte4D5WSuEIAW7pIEiHdBoPqVIjEW_KwOz8vZ8qmPA5CV-DJJU0ZLr5aqs/s320/Shiv10Krun-024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369829771591203826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1xYVIQeekqIU6ciwfuuCzy5Axe5QZQb1oThv3amyOCXAN2gcNXMiBq49488yfqbge0cI9_vrMVfdOO7PQ-ZQIgz-0rZEW39hp4aY3RSrO_TB7hBqvzhbNBAxwL69SuxK0x0dD9rc3tyQ/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1xYVIQeekqIU6ciwfuuCzy5Axe5QZQb1oThv3amyOCXAN2gcNXMiBq49488yfqbge0cI9_vrMVfdOO7PQ-ZQIgz-0rZEW39hp4aY3RSrO_TB7hBqvzhbNBAxwL69SuxK0x0dD9rc3tyQ/s320/Shiv10Krun-025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369829964017993250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_m8Oro9YtFVZRktLpwOP9ianSrZ4bFukpRUOuj5ahVGhQ4xM917A1WMoD8S0ws6c-1soFHS5DnupAdGN2aHc2Y-POh6-F3DHnyq8q6XtKDRgnV2_YtF33lMAzkF3k52hgX8pDZTxDQmN/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_m8Oro9YtFVZRktLpwOP9ianSrZ4bFukpRUOuj5ahVGhQ4xM917A1WMoD8S0ws6c-1soFHS5DnupAdGN2aHc2Y-POh6-F3DHnyq8q6XtKDRgnV2_YtF33lMAzkF3k52hgX8pDZTxDQmN/s320/Shiv10Krun-044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369830241399030850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAibzYWuzPAbpHpuwkNgq377I9jZNKC_AegAS0kJCIKMS3ogCkDgkv4hnBeQknn7OGf3nGJ-HAdVs2Avky6xA8m7fBsIjKaPj9dUfPMM0UbnOB1dXoJizZNl58BXlWaGPMz14sihN9pVY/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAibzYWuzPAbpHpuwkNgq377I9jZNKC_AegAS0kJCIKMS3ogCkDgkv4hnBeQknn7OGf3nGJ-HAdVs2Avky6xA8m7fBsIjKaPj9dUfPMM0UbnOB1dXoJizZNl58BXlWaGPMz14sihN9pVY/s320/Shiv10Krun-043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369830482393246322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Some of the runners who</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> ran with fun and glamor. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Runners with a Socia</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">l Mes</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">sage and Cultural Ethos.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTYy0Rkpr3hP5Ck857fvUWgCHhlG9KXW3Tk2qLnWwPiO1SWmrOTIPUtujV0T7-xGd_bz0fQH6i3daQ6qwAyDk8gUVqz9FOWaqQPHLEwg_pW0OyjQK2PQxgJCK0uTX8rEThnUUmzSL6nBa/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTYy0Rkpr3hP5Ck857fvUWgCHhlG9KXW3Tk2qLnWwPiO1SWmrOTIPUtujV0T7-xGd_bz0fQH6i3daQ6qwAyDk8gUVqz9FOWaqQPHLEwg_pW0OyjQK2PQxgJCK0uTX8rEThnUUmzSL6nBa/s320/Shiv10Krun-034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369831699413600082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZJSDhOna_yRR7MOF8J7zjsc1jcqDWTKJ6wggOM8xvRwn-_niwLOka7uatx6kLjhbdG0AYc8hpWzsEH9j8fY3LHz3G4uzn7yZf2-wU1-CbNoww_SNkHKaUrAoDLcPhF0UYe4QNGnoFmLZ/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZJSDhOna_yRR7MOF8J7zjsc1jcqDWTKJ6wggOM8xvRwn-_niwLOka7uatx6kLjhbdG0AYc8hpWzsEH9j8fY3LHz3G4uzn7yZf2-wU1-CbNoww_SNkHKaUrAoDLcPhF0UYe4QNGnoFmLZ/s320/Shiv10Krun-037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369831931493834882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">All for Conservation of</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> nature and ensuring a better environment for the future generation. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5mHrzL1ZBOzdFCdTWYjY76Ot2M6Wqwap2_vwTjzdGFB00Kdnx6SHbKvDVIQu51-GR_ihftoVc7r3Sqrj0Gbn7hq1WcaC94V206LIAJzLRfJauc7zLwnzKTnzsZ30IGxwq-1ZjWGPqPtV/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5mHrzL1ZBOzdFCdTWYjY76Ot2M6Wqwap2_vwTjzdGFB00Kdnx6SHbKvDVIQu51-GR_ihftoVc7r3Sqrj0Gbn7hq1WcaC94V206LIAJzLRfJauc7zLwnzKTnzsZ30IGxwq-1ZjWGPqPtV/s320/Shiv10Krun-035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369832432873241602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_G0Th89O2J8XyQ-50Fcqp5numEX6La2ZbZT-Pbv6DZy74ciCBG3d1RdO78CccUIPxdWvgp72VhtRSwIENASn8PN42I2j78arbKuO63oGV0RPKCmZlslx2m-tUE3Qw52C6aGqMIzoxg1/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_G0Th89O2J8XyQ-50Fcqp5numEX6La2ZbZT-Pbv6DZy74ciCBG3d1RdO78CccUIPxdWvgp72VhtRSwIENASn8PN42I2j78arbKuO63oGV0RPKCmZlslx2m-tUE3Qw52C6aGqMIzoxg1/s320/Shiv10Krun-040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369832580913434674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Do not purchase pirat</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ed DVD's but get to see the original ones. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vZlOJJmCtTgxuE_SjHAd1yG6ZWqlntRDFJK0-RGi4mPH_hiAG4vrH7e7copwvJiAdqvoUTWq5Hz5yzE7UB_FoZumXAjl-H8E7DPMDTEFxTGLFL7ANvrL3GyIHcJQV7EEFD6n0X78wUsr/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vZlOJJmCtTgxuE_SjHAd1yG6ZWqlntRDFJK0-RGi4mPH_hiAG4vrH7e7copwvJiAdqvoUTWq5Hz5yzE7UB_FoZumXAjl-H8E7DPMDTEFxTGLFL7ANvrL3GyIHcJQV7EEFD6n0X78wUsr/s320/Shiv10Krun-036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369834909179360066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE0LeJ6OPGzGYuS5IiN3fbU1eiJ9EUK3iOTAxUcmnTzAhBqHaE6z4jymwynSFrkLOGTDE_UXkOJ67V2Hb0xDTMaF6UemLrtK7c29ZyRVi_EszAUg3bKwVU_7rl6WIxpL-nRacOpjAx0L1/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-038.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE0LeJ6OPGzGYuS5IiN3fbU1eiJ9EUK3iOTAxUcmnTzAhBqHaE6z4jymwynSFrkLOGTDE_UXkOJ67V2Hb0xDTMaF6UemLrtK7c29ZyRVi_EszAUg3bKwVU_7rl6WIxpL-nRacOpjAx0L1/s320/Shiv10Krun-038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369835175893186434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Uplift of the underprivileged and ensuring that they give the knock out punch to poverty and hunger. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvBDTP1OCEHK5jV1exTIzpW9OoFoamffKnITqQwaxoUk6t-OwoOfZKtPQmbrtY3Rp8x4OzP_Dc_oHJq1mYSPNT-Xt2cMK17a5GK63FjiEfQ4lLnYiK6ZPnZnHHdXjQ_RLL_CJ_RWJN10j/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvBDTP1OCEHK5jV1exTIzpW9OoFoamffKnITqQwaxoUk6t-OwoOfZKtPQmbrtY3Rp8x4OzP_Dc_oHJq1mYSPNT-Xt2cMK17a5GK63FjiEfQ4lLnYiK6ZPnZnHHdXjQ_RLL_CJ_RWJN10j/s320/Shiv10Krun-039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369836662007450930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVmJ2JmF2RsSEELJksXzl3e6HX_J8PSZTqq8bo2DtGX765eOzsxgDvUWd4Y5ZQFvUcJj7eERUkiGmYinq887GtbcmtMoxi0M81aOXZHAcLCFOUUbZPMjU_VNfVsKTodOiKF4e2pC9TGRy/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVmJ2JmF2RsSEELJksXzl3e6HX_J8PSZTqq8bo2DtGX765eOzsxgDvUWd4Y5ZQFvUcJj7eERUkiGmYinq887GtbcmtMoxi0M81aOXZHAcLCFOUUbZPMjU_VNfVsKTodOiKF4e2pC9TGRy/s320/Shiv10Krun-042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369836794899338178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The show of cultural diversity with traditional attire ranging from Coorg to Kerala. </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g4qTRRUvzEipj3hRBBBucUh0UmGndXj1dWB48yfnrWjxGSO7yVZQvdaAfhUXFQtx4Yn_UnMWmwVyT82hO29G1WgcXnGpsjUYl9XowUvo6dVr3QlCvk757F_OyEPGrbX_iugTr-48xAxZ/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g4qTRRUvzEipj3hRBBBucUh0UmGndXj1dWB48yfnrWjxGSO7yVZQvdaAfhUXFQtx4Yn_UnMWmwVyT82hO29G1WgcXnGpsjUYl9XowUvo6dVr3QlCvk757F_OyEPGrbX_iugTr-48xAxZ/s320/Shiv10Krun-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369842319221322002" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><br />The Passion to run and to help the others is evident from this boy crippled with one arm pulling a wheel chair person for the finish</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> in the handicap run. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Finally the Elite Men and Women run</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi681sMVI6JW9gyEO9g0_vRtSPxplq1qE4aB73UVgAGqRZOIGe8XeZZqlZZmathm1EiQzsc68PJDYlg6DW_wMwKh8i9SbmRjvsrt_BShHAOZ0fAck1FiY5QpjDIhR3b61aR5JOiTgIe-3m8/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi681sMVI6JW9gyEO9g0_vRtSPxplq1qE4aB73UVgAGqRZOIGe8XeZZqlZZmathm1EiQzsc68PJDYlg6DW_wMwKh8i9SbmRjvsrt_BShHAOZ0fAck1FiY5QpjDIhR3b61aR5JOiTgIe-3m8/s320/Shiv10Krun-008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369848422699757426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNCI0b6tBaotS0Qa5joXRiIcYvsxP-qkfAlCGBY1zdmGkfIX4_03_0Ki-UYcMML0CzVErMcZmpPOFlqXkF8mFDs20EcMvLXYpT3GDyFmZjynbLYHkkY1wMXWI6Mtkd9jasAeA96QmqqGG/s1600-h/Shiv10Krun-021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNCI0b6tBaotS0Qa5joXRiIcYvsxP-qkfAlCGBY1zdmGkfIX4_03_0Ki-UYcMML0CzVErMcZmpPOFlqXkF8mFDs20EcMvLXYpT3GDyFmZjynbLYHkkY1wMXWI6Mtkd9jasAeA96QmqqGG/s320/Shiv10Krun-021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369848909771954450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The pack of Elite Men and Women run past the Silicon city's U B City towers on Kasturba Road.</span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-19092090270746384692009-08-10T00:02:00.001-07:002009-08-10T08:23:11.356-07:00Photo Finish Picture of World 10K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGZBmjIPfwcW0FKOhLwv2VzpE1JpmInf0uPb7LHoIKf8b7b208uhCO1XJ27QTV-3hlneTePYng2wsjrc5TtmQQfb7MSfWmTX7wc6MVWDt4TTYgnrB6IRSrgdB3KEC4s16hBUYvvjdkuuH/s1600-h/pass-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGZBmjIPfwcW0FKOhLwv2VzpE1JpmInf0uPb7LHoIKf8b7b208uhCO1XJ27QTV-3hlneTePYng2wsjrc5TtmQQfb7MSfWmTX7wc6MVWDt4TTYgnrB6IRSrgdB3KEC4s16hBUYvvjdkuuH/s320/pass-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368349600021733170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYD7iWBleezFvmzAyJeoEyFSxR5-Mwvetk9KxKLyjrp82UBX1Bn4zySuiNotCIwCZH9oJv3loQ45yKOXhZ3eDAJhBn3qMDP4MX7vdIjSoILZjnGhJ3FtPOZmNCxqu4n8IdmdTjGzLwMuD/s1600-h/pass-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYD7iWBleezFvmzAyJeoEyFSxR5-Mwvetk9KxKLyjrp82UBX1Bn4zySuiNotCIwCZH9oJv3loQ45yKOXhZ3eDAJhBn3qMDP4MX7vdIjSoILZjnGhJ3FtPOZmNCxqu4n8IdmdTjGzLwMuD/s320/pass-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368349716812985970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The photo finish picture used in the passes (left) and the original picture which was taken by me at the first edition of the Sunfeast World 10k marathon (right). </span><br /><br />It was a pleasant surprise for me during the second edition of the Sunfeast World 10K marathon organized by the procam international in the month of May 2009.<br />When my team members had applied for the media pass I was very pleased to see the picture taken by me in the previous edition of the women 10k marathon finish on the pass cover which elated me as a photojournalist. The next day I noticed that all the passes for the world 10k had the picture of this photo finish race where Elvan Abeylegesse and Grace Momanyi of Kenya ran neck to neck till touching the finish line. Since their was no photo finish camera’s in place the two judges took a close look at the picture which I had taken and came to a conclusion of awarding both the runners the first prize. One of the judges even told me later at the finish after he had, had a look at all the photographers finish picture that I had the best image to say that the two runners necks were seen together pushing at the same time at the finish line. I take this opportunity to thank the Procam International and Sunfeast team members for giving me this mammoth outreach.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-9051500566866994112009-08-06T01:08:00.000-07:002009-08-09T01:45:15.881-07:00Paul Kibii Tergat - World 10K Inagural run & fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZcfkUVJL2LWuNphyjjklMEOM_52992FE3XJdshsJhoiNEPIWyrpYOTGBJHkYeWNWiJmObsRUTjLH99nzoQ0oqWUAfr49tOAvf5rrnAVisbMFhbYGEVTDvN46Uz2kqGSscKCMLxZwFhHR/s1600-h/Pasta-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZcfkUVJL2LWuNphyjjklMEOM_52992FE3XJdshsJhoiNEPIWyrpYOTGBJHkYeWNWiJmObsRUTjLH99nzoQ0oqWUAfr49tOAvf5rrnAVisbMFhbYGEVTDvN46Uz2kqGSscKCMLxZwFhHR/s320/Pasta-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367872796408680194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">These pictures of the great marathon runner were taken in Bangalore during the inaugural Sunfeast World 10k marathon in Bangalore in 2008. Paul was a nice gentleman and t</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">his was evident while he interacted with all and sundry during his five day stay in the silicon city. </span><br /><br />Paul Kibii Tergat is regarded by many as one of the most astounding long distance runners of the last decade, along with his Ethiopian rival Haile Gebrselassie. World Marathon record holder Paul Tergat was born on 17 June 1969 in Kabarnet, Barango, Kenya. Before becoming an athlete Tergat used to be a basketball player and in 1992 his exceptional career began when he won the Kenyan Cross Country Championships title. However he had to miss the World Championships through injury.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHqh6hpPjV1Hbc3NMkM4bUrDOI4Q8iwqx6pSwvL3Bs7j11Mu5yKTHWS_mEif-UnnDMimpLWca-796B6_1L750_sQrkcjF93X7BH5Ohay_m48U7Ar5ODhzsyWy22OFDIgTtok-io6I4wKN/s1600-h/Pasta-005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHqh6hpPjV1Hbc3NMkM4bUrDOI4Q8iwqx6pSwvL3Bs7j11Mu5yKTHWS_mEif-UnnDMimpLWca-796B6_1L750_sQrkcjF93X7BH5Ohay_m48U7Ar5ODhzsyWy22OFDIgTtok-io6I4wKN/s320/Pasta-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367874227771328930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rR6DDLfjXMur7V9zwJSZUkNIc8V-w8Q3Hu3c5uqfQIBJnwo-sd7by-VJljYkzneacvjRTArR6kfTrPFKkCYLiBEHBW69HybCMMUNfIA6xZw3ulOYjcv2RHd7iwMftpmU6C9sJNRawAC7/s1600-h/Pasta-007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rR6DDLfjXMur7V9zwJSZUkNIc8V-w8Q3Hu3c5uqfQIBJnwo-sd7by-VJljYkzneacvjRTArR6kfTrPFKkCYLiBEHBW69HybCMMUNfIA6xZw3ulOYjcv2RHd7iwMftpmU6C9sJNRawAC7/s320/Pasta-007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367874372957461778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwUJ7ggkmtoQcZbD7ozcLkmhrDMiXf7XG0EuihoxpTh37OvlJ3dEgVmuOTMRTugVj9zR12mcNYAKo8WtDP2zjKg4z73ZPGWCcra2nGFLuhICmEYeMTV-Gk1YaR49kmRC_FSZQVxeRaK4X/s1600-h/Pasta-008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwUJ7ggkmtoQcZbD7ozcLkmhrDMiXf7XG0EuihoxpTh37OvlJ3dEgVmuOTMRTugVj9zR12mcNYAKo8WtDP2zjKg4z73ZPGWCcra2nGFLuhICmEYeMTV-Gk1YaR49kmRC_FSZQVxeRaK4X/s320/Pasta-008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367874518583632946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Paul Kibii Tergat, addresses the media (left), as he tries his hands with a archers bow an arrow (top and left </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">below). </span><br /><br />Tergat has since won a record five consecutive IAAF World Cross Country titles from 1995 to 1999. On the track, Tergat won two World Championships (1997 and 1999) and two Olympic (1996 and 2000) silver medals at 10,000m on each occasion beaten by Haile Gebrselassie. Now concentrating on the marathon, Tergat is an accomplished track, cross country, and road runner. Tergat achieved one of his most wonderful victory on November 6, 2005, when he won his New York City Marathon debut in a thrilling sprint finish through Central Park, prevailing over defending champion Hendrick Ramaala 2h09'29",90 to 2h09'30",22.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3k46ktZYMRyE9ypokSZ4rFAMDg7lGCJMdqAHiXQteRWiQrmr-Jw-uCUY9HbLjEDm53z4QNR4IdXxPSQ_VndrC4gNrYuIPLEGEjBHT8TTaDJrbHGnHTSLYNqlVzBpVv05uTB6-TKOoQn66/s1600-h/Pasta-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3k46ktZYMRyE9ypokSZ4rFAMDg7lGCJMdqAHiXQteRWiQrmr-Jw-uCUY9HbLjEDm53z4QNR4IdXxPSQ_VndrC4gNrYuIPLEGEjBHT8TTaDJrbHGnHTSLYNqlVzBpVv05uTB6-TKOoQn66/s320/Pasta-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367877964671652386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9MZJHKXPlJ2ffJWsyhtqj61pmW_xzcA9KPSoNBm5OFpn6aaoJXDHsjQSiwEkBf89h2Q_J5a8-J8cQobXm2v-NJFdJ4tMsTPDFv5iEnrNlM6RrIptaK0wkTBA0seTwr1HGdPIUKFUOVNC/s1600-h/Pasta-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9MZJHKXPlJ2ffJWsyhtqj61pmW_xzcA9KPSoNBm5OFpn6aaoJXDHsjQSiwEkBf89h2Q_J5a8-J8cQobXm2v-NJFdJ4tMsTPDFv5iEnrNlM6RrIptaK0wkTBA0seTwr1HGdPIUKFUOVNC/s320/Pasta-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367878152613800130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHLmp3vdUfmrF3R29Vm0w3HgCdYt77X4PaE92M3A85iwBaCw3Ts7E045OsT63Z0F6rC3FmwjGZ2sWOwk4zqYEhKIyc7ZrFLKR3aqeR_8wPgesyD_CYOwbNKVVNwKoQxp8yrBgLicVkNNy/s1600-h/Pasta-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHLmp3vdUfmrF3R29Vm0w3HgCdYt77X4PaE92M3A85iwBaCw3Ts7E045OsT63Z0F6rC3FmwjGZ2sWOwk4zqYEhKIyc7ZrFLKR3aqeR_8wPgesyD_CYOwbNKVVNwKoQxp8yrBgLicVkNNy/s320/Pasta-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367878304918045666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Indian Hockey Player Dhanraj Pillai, Kenyan marathon runner Paul Kibii Tergat and actor Rahul Bose prepare Pasta at the Pasta party on the eve of Sunfeast World 10K Marathon in Bangalore on Saturday 17th May 2008 (top), as Paul Kibili Tergat, Anil Singh of Procom International and Ravi Naware at the Sunfeast Charity night of the World 10K Bangalore Marathon on Friday night (left). </span><br /><br />Tergat also won two consecutive editions of the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 1999 and 2000. In September 2003, he ran a superb 2:04:55 to break the Marathon World record in Berlin. At the Athens Olympic Games, he made his first Olympic appearance at the marathon and finished tenth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUxrhHz7ifrpeaVNMQ8lwaxlhjSzw49M0jjPgYYDNBcTQjHacsGMk8imHg33O4ZZWqSGIeI2wOsx9NDvORznm2neaSAyXdKO_6jqEwNFw10rZKcz8xwR3Xf8U8F6t3lmJKwORHwQb1VnG/s1600-h/Pasta-009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUxrhHz7ifrpeaVNMQ8lwaxlhjSzw49M0jjPgYYDNBcTQjHacsGMk8imHg33O4ZZWqSGIeI2wOsx9NDvORznm2neaSAyXdKO_6jqEwNFw10rZKcz8xwR3Xf8U8F6t3lmJKwORHwQb1VnG/s320/Pasta-009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367881774606013762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Paul Kibii Tergat during the marathon (circled in red) he pulled out after had a cramp (left). </span><br /><br />Paul Tergat has been married to Monica for 13 years and has three children. He has been a goodwill ambassador for the World Food Programme of the United Nations : in January 2004 Tergat was named a UN World Food Programme (WFP) "Ambassador against hunger". When he was a child, Paul Tergat’s family was too impoverished to send him to school with food. Were it not for the World Food Program, which provided food at his school, he would never have gotten a full education.Tergat is also a member of the IAAF Athletes’ Commission.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-19547219424953071792009-08-02T07:05:00.000-07:002009-08-02T08:54:45.879-07:00Winning Pictures - World 10K Run<span style="font-weight: bold;">The World 10K marathon is a very lucky event for me since I happened to be in the top three places in the 2 years of the Photo competition which was held for photojournalists across the country who came to cover the event. The nice feeling about it all is that Procam International and Sunfeast who organize this World mega event which they launched from 2008 is a bless i</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">n disguise for the city of youth and vibrantly old citizens. The city which was once called the pensioners paradise now wakes up early with people of all age wanting to be youthful and enterprising. The Procam International gives three awards for the best pictures published in print media of the event and for the second consecutive year I was awarded. In 2007 I got the second prize and in 2009 this June, I got the first prize. I have displayed the award wi</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">nning entries by me and also take this opportunity to thank Pro</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">cam International and Sunfeast for the using one of the photographs which I had taken </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">in 2008 for the main ID Pass cards in 2009. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Even after achieving th</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">e WHO award, UNICEF Award, International Photo Awards (IPA), and also getting various state </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">level and National level awards in Photojournalism over the past 15 years, I rate these two awards highly sinc</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">e these are the first two for me in Sports category. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9cJwcr9-c3IvwbSKa82n2gW3FYfdO9tNGbB2i1Zp5Eg3Vx6UJiQPgsEaS6dOCK2AQ0lzhFgk6HKkhieX_gZoV-iw0k1m15LUvn80GuJRZlmSuX6WikaFu5qI6x_Bc3o4jDJSq7UqLwWn/s1600-h/Run-00001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9cJwcr9-c3IvwbSKa82n2gW3FYfdO9tNGbB2i1Zp5Eg3Vx6UJiQPgsEaS6dOCK2AQ0lzhFgk6HKkhieX_gZoV-iw0k1m15LUvn80GuJRZlmSuX6WikaFu5qI6x_Bc3o4jDJSq7UqLwWn/s320/Run-00001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365378775206541714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br />The Picture which got me </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">the Second Award in the Sunfeast World 10K</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> marathon inaugural edition in Bangalore in 2008. This picture was taken on Kasurba Road. What is very good in this picture is that I accidentally got </span><em style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Reeth Abraham</em><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> in this frame. </span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7D3nT9CbmyxBxoduEA5UHz5AwsuG35rWnU_wJ8q8dJzf_bH0sYKIbJDi1UlAGiVLWxGJfL4D-hTZNCy6pw8v5mRc5yU2u27zqzy2_ALgdqb4zGfGImLEe0smFZwj4QZi-ut7zDfnkPhHW/s1600-h/Run-00002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7D3nT9CbmyxBxoduEA5UHz5AwsuG35rWnU_wJ8q8dJzf_bH0sYKIbJDi1UlAGiVLWxGJfL4D-hTZNCy6pw8v5mRc5yU2u27zqzy2_ALgdqb4zGfGImLEe0smFZwj4QZi-ut7zDfnkPhHW/s320/Run-00002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365379998064538066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">This picture taken in 2009 May 31 got me the first prize in the second edition of the Sunfeast World 10K Marathon. Below I </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">have written as to how I snapped the winning photograph which was published in the PIC ME UP Page of DNA - Bangalore Edition on J</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">une 16th, 2009. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I snapped the prize-winning pic</span><br /><br />The Sunfeast World 10K Marathon, organised by Procam, which was held on May 31, was a photographer's feast (pun intended). We turned out in large numbers; each of us having chosen our spot from where we hoped to get the best possible images for the next day's newspapers. I chose to stand on Kasturba Road as I had taken a picture last year of the runners forming a panting serpent.<br />That picture won me the second prize. This year, I opted not to move around too much.When the race began, I refused to get snap-happy, rather I waited for that enduring image. Photographing sport is an art in itself, since it requires a lot of concentration to get that split-second moment frozen in time. Now, back to the moment that fetched DNA the prize photograph at this year's World 10K edition. I was just about to pack up my camera and leave when I noticed a girl with her face colourfully painted, with trendy tattoos on her arms, and a peacock feather atop her charming tribal head gear dashing down the road at top speed to catch up with her friends. The lighting was superb, with the sun's rays cutting through the shady trees on Kasturba Road. The girl's attitude was one of single-minded determination, and she exuded the passion that comes with being part of a major sporting event. I quickly switched from my normal lens to a zoom lens and had only about 60 seconds to ensure that I got a decent frame of her sprinting down the<br />road.<br />Well, the rest is history. I also take this opportunity to congratulate my esteemed fellow fotogs, R Samuel and Syed Asif for bagging the second and third prize respectively.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_OHS6L9UsrKKYITs1KU5cWxidfcm6UJIPT0kA3MPD8l71hkvsL7vPpwINbrH42bdUTFVGVXRvRdw_0fj4JgM0GKHX8imo-7n1wjWy9pJc47p5cvvG19Trda7M-SHMduu44gGMginJWg3/s1600-h/Run-00003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_OHS6L9UsrKKYITs1KU5cWxidfcm6UJIPT0kA3MPD8l71hkvsL7vPpwINbrH42bdUTFVGVXRvRdw_0fj4JgM0GKHX8imo-7n1wjWy9pJc47p5cvvG19Trda7M-SHMduu44gGMginJWg3/s320/Run-00003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365382049900552370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FRF7DHUQBQND6GF778_CROYgb-FAW8ZOxSyoa6iW07iHC0ObiEPNr0bwHUMZLMk2wFWmRPc1Svg2uLw7y6WcZzoCYTsQh3yb3kkDObRI8b7TZUGloifiI72ECaOGkO_A0gz_Hyob8Wjh/s1600-h/Run-00004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FRF7DHUQBQND6GF778_CROYgb-FAW8ZOxSyoa6iW07iHC0ObiEPNr0bwHUMZLMk2wFWmRPc1Svg2uLw7y6WcZzoCYTsQh3yb3kkDObRI8b7TZUGloifiI72ECaOGkO_A0gz_Hyob8Wjh/s320/Run-00004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365382203108941362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpit5cW7cm-dTU1J9fsO36MuI4afogsYAKnXM1cKfZdJaFwpcGpQocDwBS9b8L6ANrex0JMPzU2D3bUAcBqwQGAzhcYo8rw8YMhXSgiXz7tCpBMWvj4LVxHDZK4F9BkXrBGajih0dz22oa/s1600-h/Run-00005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpit5cW7cm-dTU1J9fsO36MuI4afogsYAKnXM1cKfZdJaFwpcGpQocDwBS9b8L6ANrex0JMPzU2D3bUAcBqwQGAzhcYo8rw8YMhXSgiXz7tCpBMWvj4LVxHDZK4F9BkXrBGajih0dz22oa/s320/Run-00005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365382444104116130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ITC Foods, Marketing Head V L Rajesh and Dilip Jayaram, COO Of Procam International giving the First Prize certificate to me (top left), Me along with R Samuel of Deccan Chronicle and Syed Asif of Times of India who won the second and third prize respectively with the 'Winning Moments' picture board on display (top and left). </span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-66381212220384708172009-07-31T07:20:00.000-07:002009-07-31T08:05:31.561-07:00How to Photograph People - Portraits<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Shooting People fall into two categories:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">portraits </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and candid. Either can be made with or without your subject's</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> awareness and cooperation. However near or far your subject, however intimate or dista</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">nt the gaz</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">e your camera casts, you always need to keep in mind the elements of composition and the technique that will best help you communicate what you are trying to say. Use the background t</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">o your advantage to make the whole picture fille</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">d with elements that bring graze and poise. The most common mistake made by photographers is that they are not physically close enough to their subjects. So don't be shy. If you approach people</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> in the right way, they'll usually be happy to have their picture made. In total you have to make sure that the subject is comfortable with you so that you fina</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">lly get the portraits you wanted of the subject</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">. Always be on the lookout for those mome</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">nts w</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">hen a person's character shines though. If you have a formal portrait session w</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ith someone, make some fr</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ames of him while he straighte</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ns his tie or wh</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ile she brushes her hair before the formal sitting. Walk back to the car with her and shoot her on the street, this will help you have </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">a va</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">riety of f</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ormal portraits and candid pictures of the subject. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The best </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">place to shoot some of the good portraits is use the natural shadows of a tree shade, under a porch, or even better the room wher</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">e most subjects feel comfortable in. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Shutter speed varies when one uses or not uses a strobe. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">If you are going to use a strobe it is better to bounce the light source so that the </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">soft lig</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ht is evenly distributed on the subject body and also the background. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Indoor Portraits</span><br />The normal Shutter speeds for indoor with Strobe:<br />Exposure: 1/125, Aperture f: 8<br /><br />Without Strobe: (if the room is well lit)<br />Exposure: 1/15 or 30, Aperture f: 5.6 or 4<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Outdoor Portraits</span><br /><br />Exposure: 1/ 250, Aperture f: 11<br /><br />All the above technical details are for ISO 400 ASA.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LjLIpmrXbxjr2SY2DH2oeX2CPMjLdAmSzAY2MjowhhhUPDCEjtljbDhW_1oWIl6aQcpDiRjOHyJpsz8hzNlg2dQ_nU5SI15cFlchL3xk4vJewV4QXwAMQQ_KFOSGOpQTnL8V-dcqwDph/s1600-h/Krish-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LjLIpmrXbxjr2SY2DH2oeX2CPMjLdAmSzAY2MjowhhhUPDCEjtljbDhW_1oWIl6aQcpDiRjOHyJpsz8hzNlg2dQ_nU5SI15cFlchL3xk4vJewV4QXwAMQQ_KFOSGOpQTnL8V-dcqwDph/s320/Krish-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364633117429464674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPfoCQWk652bn_HxkYBFGmSxbbmI_ZbERI01CNPLXD6q_hYtA6ygLwlX0AIt-hAk9hTZJMnn8-grDaNgp4RmkWSDjAPUoY1UWznmCB_8_dpw8XKm2Pvx5L8_93Zy2M5Uua-QAuDs5MfFP/s1600-h/Krish-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPfoCQWk652bn_HxkYBFGmSxbbmI_ZbERI01CNPLXD6q_hYtA6ygLwlX0AIt-hAk9hTZJMnn8-grDaNgp4RmkWSDjAPUoY1UWznmCB_8_dpw8XKm2Pvx5L8_93Zy2M5Uua-QAuDs5MfFP/s320/Krish-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364633242479314738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurkAzU2hnhgBLvMvQQacwBAyArlr6Olg4Cjd_PR64Ou-mnf976Z6J6SSpFtdzY-G0blaveP1_FCCgrJwJ2yYSt91E53In-EwxFe3cxYGp2PGfCf3yvXSpIrDyacaN1-QDymX0nQ81kTDQ/s1600-h/Krish-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurkAzU2hnhgBLvMvQQacwBAyArlr6Olg4Cjd_PR64Ou-mnf976Z6J6SSpFtdzY-G0blaveP1_FCCgrJwJ2yYSt91E53In-EwxFe3cxYGp2PGfCf3yvXSpIrDyacaN1-QDymX0nQ81kTDQ/s320/Krish-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364633379147172450" border="0" /></a>These pictures of <b>Kris Gopalakrishnan</b> the Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Infosys were taken in his office during a exclusive chat with Bangalore Mirror on Tuesday 7th August 2007. Since i had to get some very good pictures of the CEO I had to make him feel comfortable before making sure that he would oblige my demands. And I used the strobe as a bounce light to give me the equal distribution of light.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjsleb-gilWn5C_X9L4tBQEE2WUO_XnTiTJgx4mShqxQJfYwr8A1I1VrwrCQbM6pq6-kBzKNcjUt65k58QiMxS1o0ii1trhkAKPnwZfTX43uzVVL4e9mHOZoygLfhWCaQ-30KeykE8aku/s1600-h/Krish-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjsleb-gilWn5C_X9L4tBQEE2WUO_XnTiTJgx4mShqxQJfYwr8A1I1VrwrCQbM6pq6-kBzKNcjUt65k58QiMxS1o0ii1trhkAKPnwZfTX43uzVVL4e9mHOZoygLfhWCaQ-30KeykE8aku/s320/Krish-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364636031570676930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">These above pictures are the Portraits with the subject fully comfortable with the camera lens staring on the face. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The below pictures are the Candid Portraits of People with them not conscious of them being photographed. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvk-wFUrXNbWmG43-E15aHWzOejksQRtMp7_JX5Ih-6V3gPrnsvCrsfuq7juu93JO6oABAIdHSFafoK0tB_xQTm6gXyVe9W5Rrpr1sdvby9L2EtMoeWO3KghfOuM8fEAXfylAfpvq_ET1/s1600-h/Krish-005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvk-wFUrXNbWmG43-E15aHWzOejksQRtMp7_JX5Ih-6V3gPrnsvCrsfuq7juu93JO6oABAIdHSFafoK0tB_xQTm6gXyVe9W5Rrpr1sdvby9L2EtMoeWO3KghfOuM8fEAXfylAfpvq_ET1/s320/Krish-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364637818915699250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8vZ_qxDq_ldRLGtzMhRunN7ApkKg0NuPoU1OiYH2kDfXx1Ps1PkIZbdOpYY6ClBnmG-msMPsCk8-ibixyXfAMjjVfXlWpNuGmcXNn25M13jtdR9oX1tPyNlaQ3LM1GVVRsrN2E-lYbgl/s1600-h/Krish-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8vZ_qxDq_ldRLGtzMhRunN7ApkKg0NuPoU1OiYH2kDfXx1Ps1PkIZbdOpYY6ClBnmG-msMPsCk8-ibixyXfAMjjVfXlWpNuGmcXNn25M13jtdR9oX1tPyNlaQ3LM1GVVRsrN2E-lYbgl/s320/Krish-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364638038583409954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">These pictures of Kris Gopalkrishnan on the left was taken soon after I had entered his office and the one with the coffee cup was taken during the interview. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pHH-AttTuIOpUrYHDjn_avhkznS3_sJZkkPzydQHNsV6c6XgyAWWczQkl4tw3winFT6q75YSiZhZ-mUFzAV9-DsWOZJ5IrDgtwbThKo55wlfLoXzOuHv2E53_R49YL549QFYOEFx7C2K/s1600-h/Bala-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pHH-AttTuIOpUrYHDjn_avhkznS3_sJZkkPzydQHNsV6c6XgyAWWczQkl4tw3winFT6q75YSiZhZ-mUFzAV9-DsWOZJ5IrDgtwbThKo55wlfLoXzOuHv2E53_R49YL549QFYOEFx7C2K/s320/Bala-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364638533061688578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAXfDQSTU0ey5KrqZGJEjLs_hquclLP3b1PefMnSzs6w-zYOuuQ8BPQcF_QhbetH84AHWmIIT4-RrbWu9I6sR3LgEUpmpf5JqnMiCz5uiMp7Z_eq94eo90ICuWbF1QPWqNqwVdWUTRUtF/s1600-h/Bala-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAXfDQSTU0ey5KrqZGJEjLs_hquclLP3b1PefMnSzs6w-zYOuuQ8BPQcF_QhbetH84AHWmIIT4-RrbWu9I6sR3LgEUpmpf5JqnMiCz5uiMp7Z_eq94eo90ICuWbF1QPWqNqwVdWUTRUtF/s320/Bala-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364638945959313746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">These candid portraits of renowned Vocalist Balamurali Krishna were pictured during his interactions with the media on the eve of his performance at the Ramnavami Ugadi Utsav in Bangalore on Tuesday 13th May 2008. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMJY4jaDQvkYABYa2W1-kHHi_poua7pzxqPUkxSaAb3U_U9GDqQ65AQ3DuF11Lk7WmRlsTYnAUAGiqBgokjW6I799GhnSg0AKBYW-_o54MXxVOEcWgX3od43URP5B6Q9wfCam3dm9GS2H/s1600-h/Neha-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMJY4jaDQvkYABYa2W1-kHHi_poua7pzxqPUkxSaAb3U_U9GDqQ65AQ3DuF11Lk7WmRlsTYnAUAGiqBgokjW6I799GhnSg0AKBYW-_o54MXxVOEcWgX3od43URP5B6Q9wfCam3dm9GS2H/s320/Neha-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364639875648211170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UAbt_CPhF_N8vYQR0rJzIqFV77pmMMO2QszEyk_x32sl2RDj5OJ0CFNw8ymsuYn_nA47Imi50yoZikwld1mWaAzNdDvHK3UpTPV6Sxdephgq-Q9gzZ3w_q-lZCxig-CUlfHUVJMR6Ais/s1600-h/Neha-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UAbt_CPhF_N8vYQR0rJzIqFV77pmMMO2QszEyk_x32sl2RDj5OJ0CFNw8ymsuYn_nA47Imi50yoZikwld1mWaAzNdDvHK3UpTPV6Sxdephgq-Q9gzZ3w_q-lZCxig-CUlfHUVJMR6Ais/s320/Neha-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364640022589153154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">These informal candid portraits of former Miss India and Bollywood actress Neha Dupia was taken during her chat with the media at the launch of the Flying Cats air hostesses set up in Bangalore on Saturday 4th August 2007.</span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-33171652388303104252009-07-29T08:10:00.000-07:002009-07-29T08:46:31.940-07:00Imrana Mukhtar's Deadly Charm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuB3UefjTjCspNqQ6toNnfp7O2e01ak6ZN-ap8QROH-jKSQmZ9jvHxmXL8mxmir36JrP5bSpwYt7WZ2NzTzAnnHIjpFxhtcRW5g5I6WuMQXVdLTeLTM6FF4Hd9FEicv3pWo2Y9si956jY/s1600-h/Imrana-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuB3UefjTjCspNqQ6toNnfp7O2e01ak6ZN-ap8QROH-jKSQmZ9jvHxmXL8mxmir36JrP5bSpwYt7WZ2NzTzAnnHIjpFxhtcRW5g5I6WuMQXVdLTeLTM6FF4Hd9FEicv3pWo2Y9si956jY/s320/Imrana-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363907370072754914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This story was a sad one after a year of this being published, this same girl was bitten by a deadly cobra and she could not survive the poison gushing through her veins. Imrana was a very brave girl who could handle all kind of poisonous snakes with ease. But thanks to the frenzy media she had to loose her life a year after she held her first solo show in Bhopal on September 29th 2003. This story was published after she gave a special shoot for the Hindustan Times – Bhopal edition and the next year (in 2004) when she was going to hold her second solo show the fotog’s wanted her to hold three king cobra’s together and pose for her, when tragedy struck her. I was not part of the second show, and was very upset when i got the news of her sudden demise, and the undue hunger of the fotog’s which claimed an innocent, youngster’s life. This in a way was her last interview and hence I dedicate this space in memory to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">"IMR</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ANA MUKTHAR"</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">- the women snake charmer. </span><br /><br />It’s difficult to say what is deadlier, her looks or her cobras. The 18-year-old Imrana Mukthar – one of the few women snake charmers in the country – carries both with equal ease. To top it all, she handles her venomous snakes as easily as her duties as an intern nurse at Anushri Nursing Home in Arera Colony here in Bhopal.<br />The deadliest of snakes dangle around her neck. She holds them as if it were a child’s play. Being related to snake charmers obviously did the trick for her. She took to the snake business some sic years ago and has come a long way, says her Ustad Hakim Babu Bhai. “She knows how to treat herself in case she gets bitten by any kind of snake,” he says with pride.<br />His understudy wasn’t so deft with deadly cobras to begin with. She used to be very scared of snakes, as any women would be. But after she saw her nine-year-old nephew play with snakes at her sister’s house, she mustered courage to handle non-poisonous snakes to begin with.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBIdLE0UoBR7_l52wwgqfZObBb2m6OLHV7EMrAUXFSaqFk619o-dPx3luy8EsVUwpIQOkWrBSMH9YglkCFVJ4NagERVZ8fcWyaAV8jSmoc7GrnBOfE4a_-j9wQDSbdQL-mjqUZkot8TWA/s1600-h/Imrana-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBIdLE0UoBR7_l52wwgqfZObBb2m6OLHV7EMrAUXFSaqFk619o-dPx3luy8EsVUwpIQOkWrBSMH9YglkCFVJ4NagERVZ8fcWyaAV8jSmoc7GrnBOfE4a_-j9wQDSbdQL-mjqUZkot8TWA/s320/Imrana-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363907538428664338" border="0" /></a>Imrana has put up a solo show at Aish Bagh Stadium encouraging the locals around the area to come and see her handle snakes with ease. She has put up this show with the help of her family members and says, “All the women should take a cue from me and not get afraid of reptiles.”<br />She plans to hold this show till October 2 and is very happy with the response she received on the first day itself. Imrana says that any snakebite can be cured. “Even a person bitten by a cobra or a padam nag can be saved if he/ she treats self within half hour of the bite,” she says.<br />She says that snakes have different levels of poison. For instance, a person can survive a ‘Karat’ bite for up to 24 hours and a viper bite up to six days. “So, there is no need to fear these docile reptiles,” she adds.<br />Snakes o no snakes, one thing is sure. She has gone a step ahead of most men who run away on seeing a snake. She hopes that more women from the City and the Country will follow her by taking care of the reptiles and not killing them.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-64815060316626163822009-07-27T23:47:00.001-07:002009-07-28T01:40:33.148-07:00How tight is security at BIAL?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTVv96peY2LQTL5UDlfRksdw6n5FyY_32ZJ_lu5TOWoh4wVggVzLD_HF5g3JuZNSS2wIIYtn29zp8JffJHv9dAY-ROTHfm47Og-wX1hv7Tppxim_6q4a-fIsmdlV55OzS7PX8QgnIBQIt/s1600-h/BIA-015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTVv96peY2LQTL5UDlfRksdw6n5FyY_32ZJ_lu5TOWoh4wVggVzLD_HF5g3JuZNSS2wIIYtn29zp8JffJHv9dAY-ROTHfm47Og-wX1hv7Tppxim_6q4a-fIsmdlV55OzS7PX8QgnIBQIt/s320/BIA-015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363426414060709282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The story was a dry run to show the security lapse which will man the BIAL when it starts operational fully. This story was discussed with K R Sreenivas the Resident Editor of the Bangalore Mirro</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">r, before going through the run. One other person who helped me in this dry run was Somashekar of the Business Line. I thank him for this dry run and for a great favor which we gave to the security to tighten their belts before the real opening of the Bengaluru International Airport. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">A lighter, a match box and a stray dog … slipped through the security check during the trail run at the BIA on Friday, 7th March 2008. </span><br /><br />It was a trial run for operational readiness among other things at the Bengaluru International Airport on Friday, 7th March 2008. for us, it was also time to test just how water tight the security at our spanking new airport in Devanahalli, which is all set to open on March 30, was. Is it as safe as it is swanky?<br />So we packed in a Barton and Gustier jack knife, two match boxes and a lighter – some in our pockets and some in the bag that holds our camera. Why did we do it? Since we were informed that despite it being a trial run, security was going to be high and the metal detectors et al were going to be used for security clearance just as it is done in HAL, we had to see for ourselves. Also, what better time to do a reality check!<br />Result: Our team managed to sneak in a match box, a lighter and even summoned up the courage to smoke inside the apron area as the air force and other trial run planes landed one after the other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvo-w1mx_f6H3e9L8VvpaOuvEjyZW__L12nzmXcdJ9QY2jW4F22JfxxznJ0a-3-QUVlWcgQpH3bXzNEegTM9znHmzMPoKHPebhYuFzKLztY0YfoD6GjUBLN1EVtHzwRUlpf8kZpButCV_/s1600-h/BIA-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvo-w1mx_f6H3e9L8VvpaOuvEjyZW__L12nzmXcdJ9QY2jW4F22JfxxznJ0a-3-QUVlWcgQpH3bXzNEegTM9znHmzMPoKHPebhYuFzKLztY0YfoD6GjUBLN1EVtHzwRUlpf8kZpButCV_/s320/BIA-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363426768416577634" border="0" /></a>First came the baggage screening. The bag was screened by the CISF and the inspector in charge marked the bag. “Remove the jack knife and give it to me. Take it back on your way out,” he said. We gladly obliged. The match box and the lighter which were also in the bag got through easily.<br />Next came the body check. They found the match box in my pant pocket and I surrendered it. After that, we took our camera bags into the apron area where the high density fuel tanks and the planes would be parked after touch down. Then, we boarded a double decker bus from which we could take our pictures of the plane movement on the tarmac.<br />We waited for an appropriate time to shoot our smuggled goods (our editor needs proof!) even as we photographed the arrival of the first Kingfisher plane from Mumbai. Soon after the second one, a 12-seater owned by the Larsen & Toubro United, landed, there was a stray dog running through the apron area even as the jeep was maneuvering the plane tp the parking bay- much to the delight of the photographers and dismay of the CISF personnel manning the area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnrsNc0JhAHveS3mngOidrF6HTH4x7NPRBmWC6Va5fEntQ8Go5WDOi8KegI9shOdCRYuI4sTP1BZs8HnZothKtCzSFkpZ5LtB96RD7ysMgJP4A2GVz5e7y6z5AQdh6dqZIWteRALOQngK/s1600-h/BIA-014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnrsNc0JhAHveS3mngOidrF6HTH4x7NPRBmWC6Va5fEntQ8Go5WDOi8KegI9shOdCRYuI4sTP1BZs8HnZothKtCzSFkpZ5LtB96RD7ysMgJP4A2GVz5e7y6z5AQdh6dqZIWteRALOQngK/s320/BIA-014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363427099750420418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXC1qDLIs4OyAvGyN2Iq_dPG2klTXl4Naabjk3PqrfkkWADc4lKHlzzBeXr3NoA1MHQEw4cUOaYx2pmwJlkVIiNiiCt1Jld9KX56CeSl_VPps7yr4Bx6woXOuZyRw7nFu5Nd4MFdYptq3I/s1600-h/BIA-013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXC1qDLIs4OyAvGyN2Iq_dPG2klTXl4Naabjk3PqrfkkWADc4lKHlzzBeXr3NoA1MHQEw4cUOaYx2pmwJlkVIiNiiCt1Jld9KX56CeSl_VPps7yr4Bx6woXOuZyRw7nFu5Nd4MFdYptq3I/s320/BIA-013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363427240492329586" border="0" /></a>This incident emboldened us and we fished out the match box, the cigarette lighter and took some pictures with the first Kingfisher plane in the backdrop. It was time to try out a smoke. A bit of dilly-dallying and we finally decided to light up. Kneeling inside the bus, we managed to smoke peacefully even as the gun-toting CISF personnel patrolled outside.<br />Four photographers shared the cigarette, but none of us took pictures of each other smoking in the apron area! Clearly the terror trail that runs through Karnataka is yet to make a significant impact in the BIAL airport security measures.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-82076097647719748362009-07-27T00:11:00.001-07:002009-07-28T00:31:19.331-07:00It looks so 'International'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPUwPyKo8XmSbpBV3tOp3RCtzD4WaKAJ31Lkc7lMPfWkSUm8Rn_G7RtfV0RUYnJNMY5CXoPlWxGpchHVnY0vwbVLabVZMvcyhf6t3uV0dr0rTepy92HjW0nHO-fF-T1VRMJtW_cofLmt8/s1600-h/BIA-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPUwPyKo8XmSbpBV3tOp3RCtzD4WaKAJ31Lkc7lMPfWkSUm8Rn_G7RtfV0RUYnJNMY5CXoPlWxGpchHVnY0vwbVLabVZMvcyhf6t3uV0dr0rTepy92HjW0nHO-fF-T1VRMJtW_cofLmt8/s320/BIA-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363108634464860546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This story which </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">was pu</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">blished in the Bangalore </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Mirror in March 2008. This sto</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ry </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">was told me the previous evening itself by K R Sreenivas the RE of BM. He asked me if I could get this rea</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">lity check story done during my visit to the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). I agreed and the next day note</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">d down a</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">ll the points which were essential for the story. </span><br /><br />It took nearly 90 minutes for the media entourage to reach the Bengaluru International for the Press Club to watch the first touch down of an aircraft at the new airport. Though the journey was a long one, the icing on the cake was the final flight trials conducted by BIAL in a near live environment which saw flights from Kingfisher, Deccan and the Indian Air Force touch down to spectacular landings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU3hyphenhyphenS1y6rD7zw0bmjE2a0SlbBw7dYkH_7gN6bYn-ngDir8e2kkfZ3UMWu4N7Q8Ef454oCg92NEfywqmUQElbEd7EZSFdDtYOO5rfr0WqBrC2Wh9SqM1J2MZupn6z1FF7lFOJYnIHngts/s1600-h/BIA-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU3hyphenhyphenS1y6rD7zw0bmjE2a0SlbBw7dYkH_7gN6bYn-ngDir8e2kkfZ3UMWu4N7Q8Ef454oCg92NEfywqmUQElbEd7EZSFdDtYOO5rfr0WqBrC2Wh9SqM1J2MZupn6z1FF7lFOJYnIHngts/s320/BIA-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363110564207421714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxn5_kQ9dhDJnOYPbn4aBI3ptzHw7JUofNaunEVfXOHtWlSktIEjcy1hyphenhyphenOGf24zwP-4TRYBlVm7vwvklMnJyp-SDB5XunD0Eq59zl7Bh8zkmJYJd8ep5EkS7LGnqFrrCun-Vv2QIwkW8M/s1600-h/BIA-005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxn5_kQ9dhDJnOYPbn4aBI3ptzHw7JUofNaunEVfXOHtWlSktIEjcy1hyphenhyphenOGf24zwP-4TRYBlVm7vwvklMnJyp-SDB5XunD0Eq59zl7Bh8zkmJYJd8ep5EkS7LGnqFrrCun-Vv2QIwkW8M/s320/BIA-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363110892884204130" border="0" /></a>Starting from the Press Club at 7.50 am on the Friday morning, the low traffic flow early in the morning did help. The special entry passes were checked at 9.35 am. Cameras were scanned and security check was completed in a flash for the 80 media persons taken there. The Kingfisher Airbus A320 plane from Mumbai landed at 9.55 am.<br />The ground staff and even the security guards at the apron area started cheering and clapping as the plane touched the tarmac. A few minutes before the plane appeared on the horizon, everyone went dead silent, watching the plane losing altitude as it approached the runway. Kingfisher Airline flight tested the international arrival process and entered the new airport through the boarding bridge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCa6m6Qe_ZeHszy0UAdQRgLQCzz_Ze22W5N3f25JZBYpKiJQlXSOzg3HLLcMP4XmjidYI5pJPRrnntTRUKGqiJ6mYQ2sRWMxMQgzhA7Zr_jwgoi920Rcukz9lVU670DOZ1TyqdCVFB7mO/s1600-h/BIA-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCa6m6Qe_ZeHszy0UAdQRgLQCzz_Ze22W5N3f25JZBYpKiJQlXSOzg3HLLcMP4XmjidYI5pJPRrnntTRUKGqiJ6mYQ2sRWMxMQgzhA7Zr_jwgoi920Rcukz9lVU670DOZ1TyqdCVFB7mO/s320/BIA-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363111189875719890" border="0" /></a>It took another 10 minutes for the plane to be guided by the apron control jeeps to its parking bay. Halfway through to the parking bay, the plane was given a welcome shower by two panther special fire fighter trucks.<br />At 10.20 am, the second plane, a 12 seater Larsen and Turbo, touched ground. Then it was the turn of Indian Air Force’s heavy transporter to burn the tarmac. In quick succession, another Air Force plane and a Simplify Deccan plane touched ground around 10 minutes after 11 am. Passengers from the flight which took off from HAL airport, traveled in a spanking new airport bus and arrived at the terminal, as apart of the trail for the domestic arrival process. The final landing of the morning was another Air force plane.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jjxdqnfp5ZIKUpYvozM1vR2nSGVwTCmVx9EIemDoYsf9TY3hdNXHpeLGT4kDtP81Wwuf-tUvR_dznu9D7LJRnqTykTHMOOZphZ8ukAFHna5rpRJxax8PErrlP3kjqG1iSIfLv_XB6FZk/s1600-h/BIA-008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jjxdqnfp5ZIKUpYvozM1vR2nSGVwTCmVx9EIemDoYsf9TY3hdNXHpeLGT4kDtP81Wwuf-tUvR_dznu9D7LJRnqTykTHMOOZphZ8ukAFHna5rpRJxax8PErrlP3kjqG1iSIfLv_XB6FZk/s320/BIA-008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363111649361750450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmTiITVslcmXj-1JBrbTWG0e1BfGCqbXH2dYScsQDCYYffeHZmx2X4LRwP0zMZPWE899DrP6G-fl-sOe4qP81fDAfXDiZnT_eEBjm-mqa8tiDBcnhsx9gmPGFghQXjeZ9skFNx1AOyclw/s1600-h/BIA-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmTiITVslcmXj-1JBrbTWG0e1BfGCqbXH2dYScsQDCYYffeHZmx2X4LRwP0zMZPWE899DrP6G-fl-sOe4qP81fDAfXDiZnT_eEBjm-mqa8tiDBcnhsx9gmPGFghQXjeZ9skFNx1AOyclw/s320/BIA-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363111835973926450" border="0" /></a>Throughout the landings, dust bowls hovered around the runway and the apron area. As photographers clicked on in a frenzy, a stray dog which perhaps had VIP entrance ran across the apron area as the Larsen and Turbo plane was being led to the parking bay. As we came back towards the baggage claim area, sniffer dogs were resting after a not-too-hard morning’s work.<br />Suresh Bathija, a travel agent who was on the special first flight from Mumbai, said, “This airport is awesome. It is swankier and bigger than HAL airport. But my only problem is the distance my clients have to travel to the city. Otherwise this airport has the potential to become the best airport in the country. I wish we could have such a swanky airport in Mumbai.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B7RwcBeQSYiS8QzCxlaEce-79rALj7bPI3X0LlGPGu4ZrWm-jd-DSr9JhtnuXHzLzsAUpi-9vX3rgqrYjJlfv0OYPvUVXFvJ1HBRSh7gAfz66EzannYvlRraZp1OCp6Gjx7dv2Cro24Q/s1600-h/BIA-007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B7RwcBeQSYiS8QzCxlaEce-79rALj7bPI3X0LlGPGu4ZrWm-jd-DSr9JhtnuXHzLzsAUpi-9vX3rgqrYjJlfv0OYPvUVXFvJ1HBRSh7gAfz66EzannYvlRraZp1OCp6Gjx7dv2Cro24Q/s320/BIA-007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363112120587755810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTgJg6qvHLBUbnLM6to5B2k-KYVMvamqMtUnRA7w0yjan9UNZwP-Tn3YWPbD87Tv_uxBQaDy6tsR3oDSps9WIcNSPo2IKihQqaLWLny85WXSZo-v-VxZO2yonsff2v0HjGTHLg5CMsyIa/s1600-h/BIA-011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTgJg6qvHLBUbnLM6to5B2k-KYVMvamqMtUnRA7w0yjan9UNZwP-Tn3YWPbD87Tv_uxBQaDy6tsR3oDSps9WIcNSPo2IKihQqaLWLny85WXSZo-v-VxZO2yonsff2v0HjGTHLg5CMsyIa/s320/BIA-011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363112303240501538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFwn11vO-aVvumVxJAYwEKU6l2kXku0zZd0WhmlzyI8nRs6292JME1-g4Edng1BzvH97D8bm7fFMWY4Wy3C2tvjY_w7rd3XcZ90u4e8Guz6Af0XrVrbGkowxLYEBYMq-2n_F2VOGgE6Fj/s1600-h/BIA-009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFwn11vO-aVvumVxJAYwEKU6l2kXku0zZd0WhmlzyI8nRs6292JME1-g4Edng1BzvH97D8bm7fFMWY4Wy3C2tvjY_w7rd3XcZ90u4e8Guz6Af0XrVrbGkowxLYEBYMq-2n_F2VOGgE6Fj/s320/BIA-009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363112488551143330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRzGw7QNn_K5zmGteUdd0IEC19ojz_Ol93PirhKnvfHLsFU5_7Y7VnPqVVpyYeGPfzknORgdFoug25ZhKxGT-VHfeOEt-jniTspZ99QidAn94LhzAn-X7bS7vjNegST45oSIFHPgKLld9/s1600-h/BIA-010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRzGw7QNn_K5zmGteUdd0IEC19ojz_Ol93PirhKnvfHLsFU5_7Y7VnPqVVpyYeGPfzknORgdFoug25ZhKxGT-VHfeOEt-jniTspZ99QidAn94LhzAn-X7bS7vjNegST45oSIFHPgKLld9/s320/BIA-010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363112857653099186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrnizy9ZHjxsv88kmLcTLOBw4ihOV0IhuL0bbXDrzm9YCocTfdu-E_qkbIfREJuw3JRWSgLVV9F4p17G9QfpS48gTWgVz3so-7ZicnsE39g5S_DM7GgzwRUG3SFUlQi6xsAaQPCIXpzNx/s1600-h/BIA-012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrnizy9ZHjxsv88kmLcTLOBw4ihOV0IhuL0bbXDrzm9YCocTfdu-E_qkbIfREJuw3JRWSgLVV9F4p17G9QfpS48gTWgVz3so-7ZicnsE39g5S_DM7GgzwRUG3SFUlQi6xsAaQPCIXpzNx/s320/BIA-012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363113203642547538" border="0" /></a>The kingfisher plane which landed first was also the first to take off from the new airport. But it took off only at 1.25 pm instead of the earlier announced 12 pm.<br />A passenger who arrived on the Deccan flight said that the airport looked spectacular from the air and on arrival, he was very impressed with the whole building. “It looks so international, the city needs this,” he said.<br />The journey back to the Press Club from the airport took exactly 2.35 hours. Close to 400 people participated in the trial run at the new airport.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-52125108138912700642009-07-24T07:58:00.000-07:002009-07-29T00:17:04.111-07:00Tip for Rain Photography<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Most photographers prefer not to venture out in rain to get a perfect picture, all to keep their equipments safe. Well one should know that ‘rain photography’, is one of the best to get good images if exposed wel</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">l. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV_UL4YHNxC7tbQeRAySCe3mT8Udh3x70HQqaykHGTkEsLbawPgR2uzZiCDIHqiguwhm3F9UWqVR0H5ROYdTBUyq8zeDlKT-R2TyoDuZVv8fxLCiFsKZ0HNkMhD1fecjukQBXZ0XUHACm/s1600-h/Rain-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwV_UL4YHNxC7tbQeRAySCe3mT8Udh3x70HQqaykHGTkEsLbawPgR2uzZiCDIHqiguwhm3F9UWqVR0H5ROYdTBUyq8zeDlKT-R2TyoDuZVv8fxLCiFsKZ0HNkMhD1fecjukQBXZ0XUHACm/s320/Rain-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362049892968945634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29DYaJOZhCpTvZsd8uXhyphenhyphenKbSQLUwT7RUXj-ZOsVV91V6oifCRIzRAxbQ6ct2hU0LahcjG0sKEHTprl4IU6drq8_OjFrg-yB_8l__13lvcd-kPlvOlgjMaFSqW9aKW5097b9o0pxsecnqn/s1600-h/Rain-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29DYaJOZhCpTvZsd8uXhyphenhyphenKbSQLUwT7RUXj-ZOsVV91V6oifCRIzRAxbQ6ct2hU0LahcjG0sKEHTprl4IU6drq8_OjFrg-yB_8l__13lvcd-kPlvOlgjMaFSqW9aKW5097b9o0pxsecnqn/s320/Rain-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362050017754415842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKblyktWr9YpFAzbEMIKqMJrIeaWXmAqESy5GnqU6Ph7AjVKVfsjtdsuvn-Q3jegbAmlTmS9CP0__xdKYS3XZeCZg0ya_7t88HOSe89s5ZJHArhWdwUbP2KJ684CaHkBOr1QLfbJlUerbW/s1600-h/Rain-006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKblyktWr9YpFAzbEMIKqMJrIeaWXmAqESy5GnqU6Ph7AjVKVfsjtdsuvn-Q3jegbAmlTmS9CP0__xdKYS3XZeCZg0ya_7t88HOSe89s5ZJHArhWdwUbP2KJ684CaHkBOr1QLfbJlUerbW/s320/Rain-006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362050709161570114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I tried to catch the movement of the women as well as get the rain drops (top Left),<br />In the next picture I wanted to get some close up of the drops of water (top)<br />and in this 1991 photo taken on M G Road for Times of India showing the water dr</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ops on top a car bonnet (left). </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPMq8IxXuh5WtV6P_iDcOczH4r5I2hiZmOXZu2QGoJYNf0EpdyTS-15q57e4_FG6q6CmjxY79QWPy7wYVH0lKbClLWU2yxqPQF0fIT_qEnRFnczzOYlMt_h6v6p4YCtIFfl8TO-lQfV5q/s1600-h/Rain-007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPMq8IxXuh5WtV6P_iDcOczH4r5I2hiZmOXZu2QGoJYNf0EpdyTS-15q57e4_FG6q6CmjxY79QWPy7wYVH0lKbClLWU2yxqPQF0fIT_qEnRFnczzOYlMt_h6v6p4YCtIFfl8TO-lQfV5q/s320/Rain-007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362053035832221906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">In this picture taken in Bhopal during the tribal protest against the Digvijay Singh Government their was a downpour which was relenting to go, and I wanted to shoot a image to show only the umbrellas fro</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">m a height. So I climbed this 12 floor residential building to get this image for the Hindustan Times - Bhopal Edition, which got a display of six columns on the front page. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">TIP: Use the low lighting cond</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ition to your advantag</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">e and lessen the shutter speed using aperture prior</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ity mode. Always try and get a dark background, and use a zoom lens rather than a wide lens. The zoom lens will help you to capture the water droplets and also give the field of depth which is required for any good rain pictures. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Shutter Speed bracket: s 1/ 30 or s 1/60</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Aperture bracket: f: 8 or f: 11</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezpNeP4Jh6ckiLykt8_oV0Y9R-VQscGkFQ3Qk2b46NmEqwq7aK4DLbNBXkSScYU77UMFEr0bf7X8x3h4RuhY1U2vnOu71V0UsD-43dKrhJfzIMZzVSZBHHnMKSuM0oJc1pqmEZ8Ww269h/s1600-h/Rain-004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezpNeP4Jh6ckiLykt8_oV0Y9R-VQscGkFQ3Qk2b46NmEqwq7aK4DLbNBXkSScYU77UMFEr0bf7X8x3h4RuhY1U2vnOu71V0UsD-43dKrhJfzIMZzVSZBHHnMKSuM0oJc1pqmEZ8Ww269h/s320/Rain-004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362056789601157746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLy6QmXaKLTCwXemhnOzIiOL7tGHnHyvAkoLxHexNfSuj6hUoR58RDifPaTTaxFMmkXfdG0NpH7pmVorY-MlwPNDUSR5O3jiTGu6tlWBskLtdIbLN0cw0gBgi_2DKFa3ScjO9U5yBN1em/s1600-h/Rain-005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLy6QmXaKLTCwXemhnOzIiOL7tGHnHyvAkoLxHexNfSuj6hUoR58RDifPaTTaxFMmkXfdG0NpH7pmVorY-MlwPNDUSR5O3jiTGu6tlWBskLtdIbLN0cw0gBgi_2DKFa3ScjO9U5yBN1em/s320/Rain-005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362057150127700642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic45vMKO_nS2mjP-CnGXq4lHG3rCPXX5NjToOzJNmDjYDbApTM2PNkEQ4Ny_6D5vb0O1CAn672q9-O-zloxCw7F2SO_WJrQubsDqStQ1TntD9Kw-nuyUjdLWyBSb4TfYLmo68X39sGljrY/s1600-h/Rain-003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic45vMKO_nS2mjP-CnGXq4lHG3rCPXX5NjToOzJNmDjYDbApTM2PNkEQ4Ny_6D5vb0O1CAn672q9-O-zloxCw7F2SO_WJrQubsDqStQ1TntD9Kw-nuyUjdLWyBSb4TfYLmo68X39sGljrY/s320/Rain-003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362057322454311106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">The family running in the rain was taken at f:8 with 1/60 of second (top left), the girl on the bike was at f:11 with 1/60 of a second and the last picture was taken at f:11 with a shutter speed of 1/15 of second. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note: all the pictures were taken with a 70 -200 mm, f:2.8 lens.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://epaper.dnaindia.com/dnabangalore/epapermain.aspx?queryed=7&eddate=7%2f25%2f2009<br /><br />The link above is the page in DNA- Bangalore where the tips are given.<br /></span>S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3679564057155711807.post-36335184551427095952009-07-23T23:58:00.000-07:002009-07-24T00:06:34.617-07:003,000 women tie ‘rakhis’ to their brothers in jail<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This was one of my first stories for the Hindustan Times – Bhopal Edition, in August 2001. This piece happened when a fellow fotog in Bhopal told me during our daily morning discussion that the jail will be a good place to visit to witness and take unusual images of the Rakshabandhan c</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">elebrations. This triggered my inquisitiveness and I went along with him just to shoot pictures but only to end up with a good human interest story. The story was published in the Hindustan Times – Bhopal Live pages on the 12th of August 2001. I followed it up in 2002 too, with a similar theme but with a difference. The link to that story is given below. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">http://shivselvan.blogspot.com/2009/06/love-binds-within-prison-walls.html</span><br /><br />It was a rare happy moment for the central Jail inmates on the outskirts of the City today. And an air of festivity pervaded the environs of the jail. The occasion was the festival of Rakshabandhan.<br />More than 3,000 women from all over the State had lined up outside the gates with rakhis in hand and love for their brothers in their hearts. The social status of the brothers hardly seemed to have had any effect on their sisterly love.<br />A more emotional scene was inside the jail as love transcended religion and the Muslim inmates of the jail were tied rakhis by the sisters of Hindu inmates thus making it a unique celebration of communal harmony with in the four walls of the prison.<br />The scene was totally emotion-choked for the jail inmates as well as the jail authorities as they watched sisters weeping and hugging their brothers before performing the traditional ‘bhai pooja’, and tying the rakhis.<br />The jail authorities, like every year, had made arrangements for the visiting family members by laying down rows of mats for performing the traditional rakhi tying ritual, followed by a hearty home made meal. The walls of the jails were choc a bloc with color papers and banners, which were put up by the inmates to welcome their sisters on this annual occasion.<br />Inmates who had no visitors were moved with tears were rakhis were tied on their fellow inmates.<br />The women inmates were also given the opportunity to participate on the joyous occasion with rakhis given by the jail staff to tie to the visiting brothers. One of the women inmates said that she is very happy today to see her brother who did not visit her for the past three years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0xIzwyqdnJruwsr0LHKn4Cv2-8HBazC9TRpV5MyHlzMKidOtZKhoC4eXfgcjxztQp9WlT-bJ_TGPKF9NDj4av50uL4V2SUCC4_Ja7x6KoXFPwd5bwD0LMaloCgyN721M0swBBGnN7swD/s1600-h/jailrak-001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0xIzwyqdnJruwsr0LHKn4Cv2-8HBazC9TRpV5MyHlzMKidOtZKhoC4eXfgcjxztQp9WlT-bJ_TGPKF9NDj4av50uL4V2SUCC4_Ja7x6KoXFPwd5bwD0LMaloCgyN721M0swBBGnN7swD/s320/jailrak-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361917985111652066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt572pvBNlcl4hs0fYzC3p0RciRDEbHt4HhQqWT7qTTffjQLUY_qxBnFIZkYnzDm9sBElTHQ_KEhM5cI7pTCmOEXHXGOQDpVSR_UweewihMMvTj7IgX9uOKBWZ1PYxeufB5V5SOl2zHUsU/s1600-h/jailrak-002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt572pvBNlcl4hs0fYzC3p0RciRDEbHt4HhQqWT7qTTffjQLUY_qxBnFIZkYnzDm9sBElTHQ_KEhM5cI7pTCmOEXHXGOQDpVSR_UweewihMMvTj7IgX9uOKBWZ1PYxeufB5V5SOl2zHUsU/s320/jailrak-002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361918169337096514" border="0" /></a>Some of the male inmates wept with joy on seeing their young children, saying that they had a waited eagerly for one year to see their children’s growth.<br />Rampyare an inmate said that he was so happy on seeing his three-year-old daughter talk to him of various things that she had been doing along with her mother and grandfather back in the village.<br />Various lady visitors belonging to the Muslim community wept with joy on seeing the sisters and relatives of Hindu inmates tie rakhis of their husband’s wrists.<br />Visiting relatives were given 15 minutes to meet their brothers, with each batch of 50 being allowed at one time inside the jail premises, said the jailer Purshotam Somkuwar, adding that they had to be very careful that no untoward incident occurred.<br />This anxiety of the jail authorities to avoid any untoward incident went misplaced as many misdemeanors were farthest from the minds of inmates today. All they had in mind was to enjoy the 15 minutes to the maximum with their relatives.<br />After all the relatives had left their brothers back within the four walls of the prison the inmates were thoroughly being frisked, their tiffin boxes and other pooja items checked before being handed back to them.<br />For at last today the sisters had lined up the jail premises to see their brothers rather than the condemned criminals.S Shiv Kumarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01636099892127426648noreply@blogger.com0