My pictures with their little stories

Steam locomotive of Darjeeling Himalayan railway puffing its way Sitting so close to the steam locomotive of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (we were in the first row of the coach next to the loco) meant that I perfectly understood what puffing meant.  Steam locomotive is the ultimate multimedia experience - sound, smoke, steam, water droplets, coal particles and the locomotion. Here is my blog post on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Getting ready the steam locomotives of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Getting ready the steam locomotives of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) is an extremely elaborate and long drawn process. The preparations begin several hours prior to the journey. These locomotives are vintage and this means that the loco shed technicians and the drivers need to take extra care of these locos. Here these two beauties are being readied at the loco shed just outside Darjeeling railway station . ( Darjeeling , April 2017) Here is my blog post on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Early morning at Dadar railway station Looking through this suburban train at Dadar railway station , I realised that things were happening at multiple planes - the platform beyond and another track with a locomotive there.

Early morning at a railway station The light plays out in a fascinating manner in the early hours at a railway station. There is this constant light of tube lights on the platforms and the red signals. When a train arrives, the head lights of the locomotive seem to be stationary and they pick up speed when the train starts closing in piercing the darkness around and make the tracks shine. The lights in the coaches of the trains are the additional lights which play out and then the signal lights change to green and yellow. In a large railway station, this drama gets played out every few minutes till it is morning and the train lights are no longer needed. The drama of the light piercing the darkness has ended and a new day has begun.

Selfie at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Nothing has caught the imagination of the masses more than shooting selfies. Today we have people from all walks of life shooting selfies and be in a mad race to post these on social media to receive that instant gratification of likes. In a way this is wonderful. Why should only the actors and models post their good looking faces and bodies ? Aren't we all beautiful ? The message is loud and clear. We now live in a time where everyone wants to see "khudka photu" everywhere at all times - Prime Minister with a state guest (selfie diplomacy), a cricketer after a good innings, a chef with a new creation, a guest who has just eaten it, an artist with a new painting, a musician at a concert, a surgeon after an operation, a patient as soon as the surgery is done, friends at a pub, each birthday celebration - before cake cutting, while cutting and being fed after cutting......and the list goes on. No one wants to be left behind. 

Horse mounted President's Bodyguard Horse mounted unit of President's Bodyguard - Tall members of this unit riding their beautiful and majestic horses with neatly polished gear and flags in their hands - it was a spectacular sight. ( New Delhi, January 2017 )

CO & Dy. CO of President's BodyGuards (PBG) mounted on their horses, ready to ride The CO (Commanding Officer) and Dy. CO (Deputy Commanding Officer) of President's Bodyguard (PBG) are ready and waiting with their shining swords and polished gear on their horses.  Mounted on their beautiful horses, they will soon start riding to take their pride of place in the ceremonial parade at Raisina Hill , New Delhi. (January 2017)