My pictures with their little stories

Life as seen from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - 5, part of photo essay by Milind Sathe Life as seen from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - 5, which is part of my Photo Essay : Life as seen from Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Looks easy, but it is not This woman from Kumaon hills makes it sound so easy, but it is not... more in my blog post   See my blog  - My pictures with their little stories 

Mountains in Sikkim - 1 This was a day when the visibility was low, it was foggy and all grey. We were on our way to Nathula from Gangtok and the views of the Himalayan mountains and valleys were truly spectacular, despite the grey tones.  ( Sikkim , 2017 )

Mountain roads in Sikkim As we were heading to Nathula from Gangtok , the views of the mountain roads in Sikkim were spectacular. Several army establishments dotted the landscape alongside the winding roads. Many of these roads are maintained by  Border Roads Organisation , known for their indomitable spirit.  (Sikkim, 2017)

Rural Life in Bhutan - 1 Countryside, mountains in the background, fields and rustic people was the quintessential rural Bhutan.  So many picture postcard views this country has to offer. (Bhutan, 2015)

Mountain ranges and forest near Jalori Pass, Himachal Greens with a small tinge of yellow, olive green, dark green, dark green turning blackish, add a tinge of blue, grey, smokey and then it is infinity.  What a colour palette that is. These are the mountain ranges seen from near Jalori pass in Himachal. These are the moments when even earth seems infinite. (near Jalori Pass, Himachal , 2014)

Setting sun at Shoja, Himachal This moment was an unexpected gift from the sun, the clouds, the mountains and the GOD. What more can I say. This was the same evening when I was walking towards village Shoja and this play of light was unfolding right in front of me. I spent as minimum time as I could in handling the camera as I would have missed those precious moments of looking at this divine phenomenon and experience it with all my senses. (Shoja, Himachal, 2014)

Just before sundown at village Shoja This was the moment when different shades of browns and greens could still be seen with the inclined rays of the setting sun being threatened to be cut off by the high mountains behind which the sun would soon disappear. Soon it will be different shades of black that would start dominating. It will be difficult to distinguish dark green from black. That moment has started to creep in. (2014)

At village Shoja, Himachal It was a fascinating walk through Shoja in Himachal, a village on the edge of the mountains. All houses with slate roofs, close knit to be available for each other at a shout and living together with their cattle. To be on the edge all the time is something urbanites cannot imagine. The slate stone shines when the sun rays fall upon it at an angle. From a distance, this is quite a view.

Tea is ready Each morning at the Ranikhet camp in Kumaon was a treat. They have this rustic place with wooden benches and tea is ready with crisp toasts (which only go well with chai) first thing in the morning. Can there be anything more pleasurable than soaking in the early morning sun, sipping chai while you look at the valley below from the mountains ? The chai, the morning sun and the tranquil surroundings make you thank the almighty for blessing you with this wonderful morning.

Going to school in the mountains Special admiration is due for the children in the mountains. Many of them have to trek significant distances to go to school.  Children in the cities cannot even imagine the kind of hardships these children have to go through.  Over the last so many years, in my numerous travels in the mountains, what has amazed me is the happiness that radiates from the faces of these children despite the hardships they have to undergo in their day to day life.