My pictures with their little stories

Draft beer at a Bengaluru pub Beer guzzling happens at an industrial scale in some of these pubs at Bengaluru. Great atmosphere to be in, huge energy of the young available on tap. They must be discussing movies, politics and not to forget start-ups in the current age. If cafes were the addas of yesteryears, it is surely these pubs which will churn out new ideas, enterprises and may be youth movements. Must thank Sonali and Gautam Khot who not only pointed us to some of these energetic places but also joined us in the last two years. (2015)

St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai It was during one of those not very defined walks in the area around Flora Fountain , that I discovered this almost 300 year old church. In fact, Churchgate station derives its name from this church. One of the gates in the fort which the East India Company had built to protect their settlement was the entrance to the St. Thomas Church. It was called Churchgate. That is the reason the entire area towards the west of the church is called “Churchgate” even today. For more information on this, click here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Cathedral,_Mumbai

Wrinkled beauty from Sangla, Himachal Came across this remarkable lady at the temple at Batseri in Sangla valley , Himachal . She was among the group of village women watching the ceremony of the Devata being taken out from the temple which happens on very select occasions during the year. Her sharp features along with the lines on her fair Himachali face with those deep eyes made a compelling visual. (2010)

X class steam locomotive of Nilgiri Mountain Railway The X class steam locomotives which are Swiss make, are a looker and they look as beautiful from whichever angle one views them from. The golden star on the black circular area right in front gives the loco a character and an imposing presence of its own. (2007)                      Here is my blog post on Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Black Beauty up close The X class steam locomotives that power trains between the stretch of Coonoor to Mettupalayam of Nilgiri Mountain Railway are wonderful machines which are kept running by equally wonderful technicians of Indian Railways who work diligently at the steam loco workshop at Coonoor. Unlike the Light and Sound shows at various archaeological sites, watching these beauties is a Sight and Sound show. Mechanical engineering at its best ! Any youngster who watches these Swiss origin machines up close is bound to be inspired to be a fine mechanical engineer or a technician. (2007)                        Here is my blog post on Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Nilgiri Passenger at Katti railway station Nilgiri Passenger at Ketti railway station on the Ooty - Mettupalayam line. This station like others on this line are beautiful little structures and retain the old world charm. Life is easy and slow here and the only semblance of any hustle bustle is when a train arrives. Here the engine driver is ready to exchange his token and the green flag of the guard will go up soon. (2007) Here is my blog post on Nilgiri Mountain Railway

The Man and The Machine It is the love, care and dedication of the technicians at the steam loco workshop at Coonoor that has kept these beautiful X class vintage steam locomotives running on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway . Whoever I spoke to at this workshop - the technicians as well as the engine drivers, they were all proud of the fact nowhere in the world you can find such relics from the past up and running. (2007) Here is my blog post on Nilgiri Mountain Railway