Billy the Kid

After Eric's workshop, I have been reading a lot about Street Photography. Some very interesting and thought provoking articles made me sit back and think! The fun, I realised is in capturing the candid moments and creating magic with light J I have been in Mumbai for a very long time, but never realised what it had in store… the chance encounter with Street Photography and I look forward to visiting many such places of interest. The workshop brought back the curiosity in me to know more about life in Mumbai.  har fikr ko dhuein mein udata chala gaya  The streets of Mumbai, rather India is not like that you find in most cities. As I moved around the streets waiting for the “ keeper ” shots, I encountered stark realities of Mumbai. People coming to in search of jobs, sleeping on the cold, frozen streets are the facts that we choose to ignore consciously. I guess most of us would have seen them day and in and day out! But we have never given a second thought! On a cold Sunda...

Life is all about colours! At least this was what I thought till November 12, 2011. A life changing experience made me realise that many things are good, better in fact the “ Best ” in Black and White! The men who helped me change this perspective KP and Eric, the marvellous Streettogs ! Though I was initially reluctant to jump into the bandwagon, I braved all odds! Being a novice made me feel out of place few times. The drawings made from light, displayed awesome creativity and the eye for catching something that we would miss routinely! Honestly before the workshop I did not bother looking up for the drawings of these two gentlemen… I had been gifted a Nikon D3000 last year and I was in love with it! I used it occasionally to capture memories. I loved shooting nature, sunrises, sunsets, green, blue, red, yellow… this was about to change! Rules, rules and some more rules! We all love to hate rules! I love to know the rules, so that I know when I break it ;) Eric made it clear that we...

“Mumbai is the meanest place, where you survive if you got the pace. Chota Chota Lafda bane Police case, bada bada lafda gul without trace” when I first heard the song I realised it is true! People without face, but with pace, running around each morning, noon or night! Truly the CITY never sleeps; no I am not endorsing any bank or its product. Now there are more reasons to be sleepless! Beware we are sinking, and stinking bad! A city that was considered to be safest place not so long ago, is now the most dreaded place. Mumbai is moving towards becoming the “Crime Capital” of the world. The recent attack on a group of youngsters, two young lives gone for the want of civility! Phew, I think we are losing it! A small incident of eve-teasing that turned gruesome. Standing up for what was correct, cost them their lives. The accused have surrendered. Does it make a difference even if they are given life sentence? Lives are lost, so have hope and faith in humanity. We all pity the con...

Future of the workplace: During a full day seminar last Saturday at Pune, a wide range of discussions and workshops revolved around the “ Future of the Workplace ”. Reproduced below are some learning’s and insights from the workshop. It is required for us as HR professionals to be proactive in managing these changes at the workplace. The current demographics of the workforce is dynamic and 4 generations co-exist . It is projected that over the next decade the workplace would undergo a massive change. While the routine activities may continue as it is there is a possibility that the workplace definition may undergo a drastic change. Virtual teams, borderless offices, 24X7 accesses are some of the aspects that most organisations would move to. Outsourcing and contracting may gain popularity. The concept of a long term job would be replaced by “ Project / Task / Activity ” based hiring. The “Appointment letter” would give way for a “ Commitment Letter ” – this would bind the employee to...

Stop to smell the roses It was the 80’s and I was proudly showing off my pocket transistor to my friends, a gift I had just received. Back then, only those who had uncles in the gulf owned such luxuries. Every Wednesday I would tune into a sweet voice “Jee haa Dostoon… mein Ameen Sayani aapka humsafar Binaca Geetmalamein aapka swagat karta hoon” (Friends, I am Ameen Sayani your host tonight welcoming you to Binaca geetmala) I can never ever match his style. Sports commentary was the other favourite programme which my friends and I would remain glued to. “The outfield is rough, score 3-1 Salimulah   passes the ball to Kalimulla, the two brothers playing to the midfield, Kalimulla passes the ball to Salimulla; Salimullah passes the ball to Kalimulla, Kalimmula to Salimulla and that’s a goal Oh it’s an offside the goal is dissallowed , the players fume in disbelief . 30 seconds left for the match to finish. Germany appears to be going comfortably into the finals.” We enjoyed g...

The "pay it forward" tree Trevor McKinney, an 11 year old in Las Vegas, was given a class project by his social studies teacher Eugene Simonet. Eugene was a loner and was different; he had burn scars on his face and neck. The project – he had to come up with a plan that would change the world through direct action. Do you think it is possible for one idea to change the world? When Abhishek Bachchan mouthed the words “An idea can change your life”, for a mobile ad, he was not referring to what I am about to share with you. On his way home from school, Trevor notices a homeless man, and decides to make a difference to his life. He comes up with the plan to "pay it forward" by doing a good deed for three people who must in turn each do good deeds for three other people, thus creating a charitable pyramid scheme. He takes the man home, much to the displeasure of his mother, Arlene. Trevor developed his logic based on a simple concept. When someone does you a favour...

Na biwi na bachaa, Na Baap bada na bhaiyya ... the whole thing is that ki bhaiyaa subse bada rupaiiya! The world we live in goes crazy for money! Be it the Peon, the Librarian, Passport officer... you will find them everywhere! Politicians, historians, sociologists have always propagated the fact that “youth” can fight corruption. I beg to disagree… youth cannot fight corruption; it must begin with you and me irrespective of age. An analysis of corruption would lead us to the biggest devil that is the root cause… Money. The need feeds the greed! Imagine a world without money! A world so free that we would not need lockers, locks, gates … everything would be free in the true sense. I know this sounds ridiculous, unrealistic and crazy! I have been a victim and I have seen many who have gone through the pains. As I was contemplating a conscious choice to fight back, an IDEA struck me! An idea that can change the world, it is not the mobile company that I am promoting here... What if t...

5 feet 7 inches, 47 kilograms, skinny structure and thick glasses! This is not the image you would have in mind for a model! The young boy however had a dream! A dream to be a model! I know we would roll on the floor laughing. But this boy was determined, after his daily shower, he would spend time looking into the life size mirror, striking poses. As a child, he was very cute and the apple of everyone’s eye! But his wonderful world came crashing down as he was diagnosed with Myopia – short sightedness. His confidence took a beating and he went into a shell. Those days a muscle building equipment under the brand name Bull worker had just been launched in India. – At school and college, he would be teased as the ‘before’ Bull worker man. He however just wanted to be a model, to show the world that nothing is impossible! How many of us have faced such challenges in life? Gyaan gurus have written books about how to be successful, but this young boy did not believe in reading those books! ...

The unusual applause and the cheering provided the final thrust.... August 2005, as nominations for the second edition of the Mumbai Marathon were invited; I decided to take part in the 21 kms run! I was an athlete at school, but for almost a decade, I had never participated in any event that involved extensive body movements ;-), not even lifted a two-pound dumbbell at the gymnasium. Many were sceptical about my crossing the finish line. There were questions and doubts in my mind. To add insult to injury, I was asked to visit the London office in December 2005! Biting cold weather made it impossible for me to even trudge/move out for a walk...I had given up hope of participating. “There is always some light at the end of the tunnel”... , I kept telling myself. During one of my late evening walks, I happened to be at “Lilywhites” the largest supermarket in London! As luck would have it... they had a 70% sale on all items! As Paulo Cohelo said “When you desire something, the entire univ...