A Purpose germinated, A Tree Planted.

To survive or to live. It is a choice really. Most of us survive; knowingly or unknowingly. Living is a different ball game altogether. It requires fight. Funny isn't it? I always thought survival involves a fight. Sri Charan could have continued working for Sony and had a regular life; a mechanical life. But 'purpose' had to interfere. He decided to take a break from work and concentrate on bringing together his passion and his duty towards the society. He birthed Clean Slate Foundation which makes films based on the stories of the under privileged children. With the help of Sony and Myrtle (another NGO dedicated to the grooming of the under privileged children), he organised tree plantation in the village of Attrambakkam, 20 kms inside a place called Thiruvallur in Chennai. Irula, a tamil and telugu speaking community was fortunate enough to be the recipient of the awareness and importance of trees and a clean environment.  

The nursery on the Thiruvallur to Atrambakkam road from where a lemon plant was bought. 

Sri Charan and Myrtle's Project Co-ordinator Mr.Williams address to the curious Irula children of  Attrambakkam

Corporate companies such as TCS (the group of 4 men, standing at the back) have made it mandatory for their employees to be involved in some form of social activity. They too were present for the planting of trees.

When Sri Charan spoke to them about wanting some actors from the group, he was told that he himself looked like one.

Most of them seemed lost.

Mr.Williams expressed that a handful of them were not willing to go to school. They were questioned about their favourite subjects and why some of them missed school.

  

The kids explore the car as we get ready to go to a nearby hotel to order some food for them

All the kids were asked to look their best for the final group photo. They were taught to sit in a disciplined manner to have lunch. 

What are kids without curiosity!

The egg biriyani bundles had arrived. None of them had washed their hands before sitting down to eat. They were made to form lines and wash hands with a soap before picking up their parcel from the bag. Quite a bunch of patient kids they were.

Some of them who couldn't finish their share were asked to share them with their family members.

Theirs is a community living. The adults take turns in raising each other's children for a stipulated period of time. The way all the domestic animals co-exist is a sight to watch a thing to learn.

Mr.Gabriel, the Project Director of Myrtle, entertained the kids with stories, morals and tamizh rhymes 

The kids use a plastic bottle as a ball to play catch and throw. 

The spot for the tree planting is getting ready. The women got the manure ready even without asking for it.

This kid was the most hyper one amongst the group. A very delightful one! 

 

The much awaited group photo with all of them cracking up at the count of 3.

The children reacting to their own group photo in the camera.

Sri Charan and the kids inaugurated the tree planting initiation by planting the lemon tree. 

The ecstatic kids waved us goodbye with loud  cheers.

Attrambakkam is still untouched with infrastructural interference. Its frightening to predict that this sight would be replaced by concrete structures in no time.

This Krishna temple was a pleasant surprise we stumbled upon on our way back from the village. We witnessed a rich sunset as we drove away with the memories of the village.

PONDICHERRY re-visited

LOCATION: PONDICHERRY, TAMILNADU, INDIA

YEAR OF VISIT: JUNE 10, 2012

It was a plan; a plan that was planned almost 8 months before it was executed. Apeetha, the one with whom I converse through silences, has been that one friend with whom I have always wanted to escape to some far away place. Everytime I visited Chennai, we would hope we would make it. But sadly, our plans seemed to be destined to remain as a distant dream. Just as we were about to give up on each other, a sudden sense of wanting took control of us and we decided to make it happen, no matter what comes our way. A night-over at her place charged us with nostalgia and we cherished each memory until our senses started wearing out. We decided to let the trip to Pondicherry complete our unfinished business (gossiping- what else?!) The reality of the trip happening did not sink into us until we got into a bus that took us to our soul city. This trip is special to me because of our togetherness, our promise, our friendship and our unexplainable love for each others silent company.

The bus stop from which you get the bus to Pondicherry is served with water for public, an act of concern by Ms.Jayalalitha (present Chief Minister of Tamilnadu).

The MOTHER ASHRAM
Someone should tell this mother-daughter duo that I am no alien.

This is definitely one of the cutest gestures I have come across! Anklets for the elephant!

Lakshmi, the holy elephant.

The text (in tamizh) translates to 'Shiva Shiva. Lord Shiva is one of the trinities of Hinduism.

Damn it! He spotted me!

Receiving blessings from her.

A beautiful detail.

Statue of the great Tamizh poet Bharathiyaar stands tall besides Bharathi park, named after him.

Both sat together simultaneously.

Bleeding sculpture?

Lazy afternoon for all

There she is, my darling Api.

Just could not get enough of her pure beauty!

Look who is with her!

FOOTNOTE: In case you missed my previous visit to Pondicherry, you can enjoy them right HERE.

Festive PUNE - Set 1

LOCATION: PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

YEAR OF VISIT: 2011

The trip was planned by my mother in a very short notice. It was a perfect surprise visit. Mother wanted to cover almost all the holy places in the city and charted out a tight plan. As always, I trusted my 'instinct', my 'eye for detail's and my 'obsession' in connecting with a city, as I got into the car with my parents. The trip lasted for less than a day. Yet, I somehow ended up clicking nearly 450 photographs of very interesting and 'irrevocable' scenes of the city. Let me warn you in advance that this only 'one' of the faces of this city.
I shall be uploading the pictures in parts for both of us to enjoy the images better.This set emphasises on the street life of the city.

Have a great stay here and catch the 'whiff' of Pune.

A buffalo is decked up and given a re-vamp as a part of custom followed during the most famous festival of India, viz. Diwali.

Some Sanskrit texts are written and etched on its hairy skin. Its horns are coloured 'saffron' plausibly because it is the colour of sacrifice.

The organic 'squares' outside the temple inevitably form the 'spill out' space or 'interaction' space for the city dwellers.

CAPTURED AT:  Dhagudu Sheth Ganapati temple.

One of the many interesting faces I have come across in my life. His deep eyes unsettled me.

CAPTURED AT:  Dhagudu Sheth Ganapati temple

The 'shlokas' are painted on the walls of the temple. In earlier days,, such holy texts were 'engraved' on the 'masonry' facades of the temples.

CAPTURED AT:  Dhagudu Sheth Ganapati temple

 The queue system like in any other huge temple works efficiently here too. Those huge decorated bells are for the occasion of Diwali.

Lord Dagadusheth Ganapati himself sits there giving darshan to people inside the temple and outside, thanks to the glass facade.

An old man tries to get a glimpse of the Lord from the street.

CAPTURED AT:  Dhagudu Sheth Ganapati temple

A lady offers auspicious flowers to the Lord.

CAPTURED AT:  Dhagudu Sheth Ganapati temple

He smears the holy ash on a devotee.

CAPTURED AT:  Dhagudu Sheth Ganapati temple

CAPTURED AT:  Dhagudu Sheth Ganapati temple

Engrossed in his own wealth.

I was fascinated by this lady's 'balancing act'!