Fortune Resort Bay Island, Port Blair

I pulled out this picture after much searching as soon as I read the news that eminent architect Charles Correa is no more. While we have all seen some of his great creations such as the Gandhi Memorial at Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad; we happened to stay at Fortune Resort Bay Island at Port Blair when we visited Andaman Islands. This hotel has been designed by Ar. Charles Correa.

There is a fond memory associated with this visit which is connected with Ar. Charles Correa which I must narrate. Our son Aalok who was 9 years then learn to swim in the little pool of this hotel. We kind of liked the place but Aalok had some suggestions to make. I told him that if he would write down his suggestions on a piece of paper, I would arrange to send them over to the architect who designed the hotel. Aalok did write down his suggestions with a pencil on a piece of paper he could lay his hands on.

Thanks to Ar. Arun Ogale, I could get the email id of Ar. Charles Correa and I sent the scanned copy of Aalok's suggestions to him. We were in for a surprise when Ar. Charles Correa replied after a couple of weeks (with an apology for the delay) and appreciated the suggestions made.

Again thanks to Ar. Arun Ogale, we managed to meet Ar. Charles Correa when he was in Pune for a lecture and he did remember the young boy who had sent him suggestions about the hotel he had designed. He was very humble and warm when he interacted in person with the little boy who had grown up a bit by then.

Feel sad that he is no more. We have lost a great mind and an eminent architect.

Marriage invitation on the wall at Jaisalmer - 1

Marriage invitation on the wall at Jaisalmer - 1 What a tradition this is. Paint the invitation for an important event such as marriage in your family right on the walls of your house. Invite the world at large. It cannot get more open and generous than this. A fascinating cultural tradition seen on the walls of homes at Jaisalmer . (Jaisalmer, Rajastan , 2014)

Tabo monastery entrance

Tabo monastery entrance The feeling is of sheer awe when you are entering a structure which was established more than a thousand years ago and is in continuous operation. Visiting ruins dating back to few thousand years is one thing but entering Tabo monastery established in 996 was a different feeling altogether. Tabo is the oldest continuously operating Buddhist monastery in both India and the Himalayas . ( Spiti , 2013)

Goan house

Goan house Noticed this pretty house somewhere on the outskirts of Goa while driving. It was so charming that I had to stop by and take pictures. Climbed the steps to check in from close quarters but the closer view was not all that charming. Despite that, the impression of this house remains etched in my mind.

My pictures with their little stories

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