Design Inspired by Birds and Nature - Graphics for T-shirts

I have been traveling this summer. It has also been a time to explore, retrospect, look around and get inspired, with things and nature around me, for some of my designs. In my previous post, I updated about this design Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers T-shirt. This graphic was designed for nature lovers and people who love birds. It presents a flock of birds, a swarm of Swallows flying. 

As the inspiration for this t-shirt is birds and nature I thought of preparing a video along with the inspiration. Like we were discussing earlier, flying birds have also been a symbol of freedom and independence. This video on YouTube channel of A Blaze By SK is a humble effort to present the inspiration, design and the the t-shirt. 

All this was executed during my travel and stay at different places, without any studio and on the go. I hope you will enjoy it and ignore the errors and shortcomings in this video compilation. 

This design is currently available on t-shirts (more coming soon) in fits for men, women and youth/ kids in 10 colors - black, navy, royal blue, baby blue, cranberry, kelly green, dark heather, heather blue, purple and orange. These t-shirts are currently on Amazon USA, UK and Germany, and more regions should be added soon:

Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers T-shirt: Buy on Amazon USA

Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers T-shirt : Buy on Amazon UK

Schwarm fliegender Vögel Schwalbenschwarm für Naturliebhaber T-shirt : Buy on Amazon Germany

Please do let me know your feedback and comments. Would love to hear from you.

Do like, follow and share: 

www.facebook.com/ABlazeBySK 

www.instagram.com/ABlazeBySK 

More updates coming soon on the website of A Blaze by SK.

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*Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase by clicking the links or the image links in this post.

Freedom and Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers

Freedom and independence have often been symbolized by flying birds. 

It just so happened that while the United States was preparing to celebrate Independence Day to celebrate the publication of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776, I was working on this design of flying birds, which someone suggested that I design 😊. It was submitted and was under Amazon's review. During this long weekend, while many were enjoying this federal holiday and long weekend, I saw that this design's review was complete and was live.

Sandy Hook Beach - view of New York Skyline
and Birds on the beach 

While we were relaxing at the beach with sun, sand, birds and nature on the Fourth of July, someone was working. After my beach visit, I saw this design Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers was live and t-shirts were available on Amazon USA. This graphic was designed for nature lovers and people who love birds, depicting a flock of birds, a swarm of Swallows flying. What greater sense of freedom than seeing the free birds flying high.

Check out this Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers T-Shirt on Amazon USA. It is available in fits for men, women and youth/ kids in 10 colors - black, navy, royal blue, baby blue, cranberry, kelly green, dark heather, heather blue, purple and orange. I will update once this design is available in other regions on amazon.

Update about the availability of this T-shirt:

Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers T-Shirt on Amazon USA

Schwarm fliegender Vögel Schwalbenschwarm für Naturliebhaber T-shirt : on Amazon Germany

Flock of Flying Birds - Swarm of Swallows for Nature Lovers T-Shirt on Amazon UK

Please do let me know your feedback; like, follow and share: 

www.facebook.com/ABlazeBySK 

www.instagram.com/ABlazeBySK 

More updates coming soon on the website of A Blaze by SK.

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*Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases if you decide to make a purchase by clicking the links or the image links in this post.

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Beach Visit, Fireworks and 4th of July 2021

United States celebrates Independence Day on the Fourth of July. It is a federal holiday to commemorate the publication of Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in1776. This year I happened to be in New Jersey, visited the Sandy Hook beach and watched the fireworks. 

4th of July, 2021, was a family time at the beach, building sandcastle with kids, collecting sea-shells and enjoying the fireworks at New Jersey.

Photos: Seema Kumar

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SK Easel N Arts - Art Classes

When I was in India, I was teaching art and design courses at higher education institutes. After I came to US, I had been receiving suggestions from friends and family to provide art and painting lessons. With COVID-19 keeping people indoors and classes being conducted online, I have been interacting online with students and friends who needed some art sessions. Eventually, I started SK Easel N Arts ( FB Page, Instagram Page ) with the aim to provide art and design lessons (currently online), support with portfolio development and custom art. Working on it one step at a time. Here is an update about the most recent sessions that are currently ongoing.

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Spring is beautiful. When fresh buds bloom, nature comes to life and earth is alive with greenery and beautiful flowers, it is joy and beauty all around.

Spring is an apt time for new beginnings full of color, art and fun. Let us get inspired by the spring season and bring out the artist within us.

"SK Easel N Arts" presents online “Scenic Spring” Art Sessions. Choose your sessions and decide your own fees. Click the link below or scan the barcode in the image to register for the online art sessions and get more details:

Scenic Spring Art Sessions by SK Easel N Arts - Signup Form 

Date and time has been provided in EST (Eastern Standard Time) but sessions are open for anyone globally; please do check your local time. For questions, or for custom art sessions, please feel free to email:

SK.easelNarts@outlook.com      |     SK.ArtClass@outlook.com

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Please do like, follow and share:

https://www.instagram.com/SKeaselNarts     

https://facebook.com/SKeaselNarts

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"Design, Creative Expression and Covid-19" Webinar

I was invited as the resource person and speaker for the webinar on “Design, Creative Expression and Covid-19” organized by The Department of Fashion Design, The School of Science and Humanities at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. E-Certificates were issued to the participants.

Date: 4th July -2020
Time: 10:00 A.M – 11.00 A.M

As the title mentions, this talk was about Design, Creative Expression and COVID-19, discussion about these aspects and how they culminate. 

My areas of research have been Design, Creativity and Creative Expression in relation to the psychology of creativity, fashion design and the digital versus manual mediums of design. The talk touched upon art while discussing creative expression, however, this talk was more on the creative aspects for designers and the challenges as well as opportunities, specifically in the context of fashion industry. 

I will not go into the details but with the participation in hundreds, question-answer session, response and feedback was great and it was a great experience for me as a speaker. There was a lot of curiosity around the concepts and discussed. The organizing team was very cordial and I am very thankful to them for organizing it and bringing together so many participants during such challenging times. I am thankful to all the participants and for their questions, participation as well as the great feedback they provided. Thank you. 

Things I Learned on My Job - As an Employee

I have been an employee for several years now, as well as a freelancer and a small business entrepreneur. Over the years, I have heard good and bad opinions about "jobs" and "businesses." While both have their pros and cons, hearing about the frustrations of being an employee and things that one does not enjoy in a job is quite common.

I have been pondering the positives and negatives of jobs and businesses, employment versus entrepreneurship. The list below has been saved in my drafts for quite some time now, and when I came across it recently, I thought, "Let me complete it and post it." This post is only about jobs, not for the purpose of any comparison, just some things that I learned as an employee.

Things I learned on my job:

1. Discipline: Wake up on time, reach the office on time, meet the work deadlines and complete the work on time. Yes, this applies to anything that you do, but jobs demand it. You get paid for it, and you are evaluated for it, your boss may be keeping an eye on you to do this efficiently. You need discipline to do this and keep doing it day after day, year after year. Yes, jobs do teach you discipline.
2. Punctuality: Not all organizations allow you flexible work hours or are lenient about your work timings. One of the first things that become a daily habit is time and punctuality. Some organizations deduct your salary or mark you on half-day leave if you turn up late by 15-30 min. However, not only because of fear, if you are a sincere employee, or just because it is something expected of you, you tend to get into that habit of being punctual. 
3. Keeping ego in control: One of the most important things that I learned was to keep my ego in control. I am an employee getting paid for my work, and I might as well perform and be happy. All anyone cares about is the job getting done, and a job well done always brings personal satisfaction, whether appreciated by employers or not.
4. The value of money: I have realized the value of money. Yes, money is not everything, but without money, you cannot do what you need to do or want to do; you cannot feed yourself or your family; you cannot pay your bills. The bottom line is that it taught me the value of money. I also learned how much effort goes behind earning that money that you need, even for basic survival, leaving aside pursuing personal interests, passion, hobbies, and indulging in luxuries. 
5. Multitasking: Do one thing at a time. Yes, it increases your focus and makes your work perfect. The current job culture does not allow that luxury all the time. Some of the jobs that I have been in required me to be on the phone work on emails, complete filing, and sort through a multitude of things, all at the same time. Sooner or later, jobs teach you to multitask. Good or bad, it often becomes a part of your life.
6. The importance of work-life balance: Your job is very important, and your work and clients are important. However, your family and your life are even more important. One cannot be sacrificed for the other. You need the job to keep your family, and you need your family to help you do the job efficiently and productively. Family is there by your side after retirement, through job changes and on your rainy days. I have worked like a workaholic and like crazy and have seen how it affects your health and family life. It may be okay for a short duration once in a while, but not on a regular basis or as a habit. The importance of work-life balance should never be underrated. It is important and there are no two ways about it.
7. Savings: Jobs come with a paycheck, usually some fixed part and, for some people, maybe some variable part. You may be rich month after month till you keep getting your paycheck. The day the paycheck stops, you start wondering what's next. Saving for a rainy day, retirement, family, sickness, vacation or anything else becomes an important aspect to be considered while you are earning. I have had my rainy days. Even if you are not a financial wizard, you need to save month after month from the same paycheck you receive every month while you have it. Even to generate passive income, you need either money or time. There is no magic wand for money. 
8. There are no free lunches: Everything comes at a price, be it time or money. Even if it may seem that organizations are providing some things for free, it is not free. You work for them, and you spend your time, effort, and energy toward making that organization successful. It may be their positive work culture, good organizational ethics, employee retention plan, and many other things. It is good on their part. But any job is a give-and-take relationship; they will only give you if you are giving something to them. Remember, it ends when you are no longer with that company.
9. Love what you do: Do what you love, but more importantly, love whatever you do or whatever you have to do. At the end of the day, it should result in inner satisfaction, not turmoil or dissatisfaction. As they say, be dissatisfied enough to improve but satisfied enough to be happy.
10. Jobs don't last, but human relationships do: Many companies I have worked for moved or closed or merged with another company. Mergers and acquisitions are not uncommon. I am still in touch with many of my ex-colleagues. Some turned out to be very good friends later on even when we did not continue to work together. Jobs don't last, but human relationships do.
11. There are no perfect jobs; satisfaction is in the job done perfectly: There are no perfect jobs but satisfaction comes from any job done perfectly - or as close to perfect as possible 
12. No one is indispensable: One of the hard facts you learn over time is that however much you or your work may be in demand, however perfect and recognized you may be in your field, you are not indispensable. Every employee has a place in an organization, but there is no one who cannot be replaced for work purposes. People come and go, but the show must go on. 

Learning is a process that never ends. Every experience in life teaches us something if we are willing and open-minded to learn. Every coin has two sides, and every 24 hours has a day and a night. Job or business, it is a means to an end. Fulfillment and satisfaction from a job well done are what matter the most to me.

Another Series of Wall Paintings at Chennai Central Railway Station by NIFT, Chennai, 2016

One year after I completed the wall paintings at Chennai central Railway Station in February 2015, it is good to see another series of wall paintings done by the students and faculty of National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai done in February 2016. 

When I was contacted for the painting this time by Chennai Central authorities, I was out of India. While next series of more art work and murals were being planned at different railway stations within Chennai along with other faculty and students of NIFT, Chennai, I had to go out of India. Though I missed to be physically present this year, it is really good to see that my effort was recognised and Faculty and students of NIFT, Chennai, were again given this opportunity for creating art in the public spaces of one of Chennai's prime locations. 

Am very happy to see that the first year (Foundation Programme) students and team NIFT, under the guidance of their faculty Mr. V.R. Karthikeyarayan and Mr. Thomas Samuel did this wonderful, colourful series of paintings at Chennai Central Railway Station. And it is always good to see something good that you started, continues to grow and spread. I am sure that more good work is about to follow. Hope it becomes a legacy :)

Kudos to the creative and hard-working team of NIFT, Chennai.

Photo and Video Courtesy: Students of NIFT, Chennai

Update: https://swachhbharat.mygov.in/activities/wall-painting-chennai-central-station-niftchennai-1

www.seemakumar.in

Felicitation by Chennai Division of Southern Railway for Wall Art at Chennai Central

Felicitation of NIFT Chennai faculty and Director by Chennai Division
of Southern Railway for Wall Art at Chennai Central

Continuing from my previous post Wall Art at Chennai Central Railway Station in News, here is an update. On 9th July 2015, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) organised a felicitation ceremony for the painting. Felicitation by DRM, Chennai Division, Southern Railway, for mural painting at Chennai Central Railway Station covering a total wall area of about 900 sq. ft., as three parts of the wall, with three different subject matter, started 31st Jan and completed 23 Feb 2015. The DRM felicitated the Artist (me) and the Director of NIFT, Chennai, Dr. Anitha Mabel Manohar for supporting this voluntary initiative of mural painting at Chennai Central Railway Station.

As mentioned in my last post, I was invited by Southern Railway, Chennai Division “to create art work at Chennai Central Railway Station to improve the aesthetics and visual appeal of the heritage structure”. This was under shramdaan for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Given below are some more visuals of the painting.

The first day - blank wall before stating the mural painting.

Part 1 of Wall Painting at Chennai Central -
inspired by Banana plantations of rural India

Part 2 of Wall Painting at Chennai Central -
inspired by geometric non-objective art

Part 3 of Wall Painting at Chennai Central
- inspired by lines

Wall Art at Chennai Central Railway Station in News

Wall painting at Chennai Central Railway station had kept me so busy, along with office work and other things, that this post has been long overdue. Well, just wanted to share regarding this recent wall painting project which I was working on. I was Invited by Southern Railway​ (India)​, Chennai Division, “to create art work at Chennai Central Railway Station to improve the aesthetics and visual appeal of the heritage structure”. This was ​to be done as a voluntary service (shramdaan​)​ for Swachh Bharat ​(Clean India) ​Mission​ that has been launched by Indian Prime Minister​.

I started painting on a blank wall on 31st January 2015. Many people passing by stopped to talk and ask about the painting. The News 7 (Tamil​​) TV Channel approached me for an interview when I was painting the first part of the wall at the station on 4th Feb 2015 and featured about the painting in their 7 pm prime time news on the same day. This news clip Swachh Bharat Mission: Woman artist beautifies Chennai Central Station available online on this link and you can see below as well.

The New Indian Express, in it's supplement 'City Express', Chennai, Saturday, 7 February 2015 published about the wall painting that I was doing at Chennai Central railway station in their article NIFT Professor Paints a 'Clean Picture' at Central. Even though they got my designation wrong (should be Associate Professor, NIFT), thanks to the newspaper for recognising the effort. 

News about wall painting in the New Indian Express' 
supplement 'City Express', Chennai, 7th Feb. 2015

New Indian Express' supplement 'City Express', Chennai, 7th Feb. 2015, writes
about Chennai Central wall painting by Seema Kumar, Associate Professor, NIFT

The mural painting was done as three parts of the wall, as three different compositions from 31st Jan to 23rd Feb 2015, not each day during this period as I also had classes and office work to take care of. Although it has been physically very tiring but mentally a very fulfilling activity. Here are some photographs showing the entire stretch of the wall, the three parts, and each of the parts separately, as well.

Overall view of the painted wall at Chennai Central Railway Station
Artist: Seema Kumar, Associate Professor, NIFT

Painted stretch of the wall at Chennai Central Railway Station

The wall painting and NIFT was mentioned again in another article Railways Opens up New Platform for Artistic Palettes, published by The New Indian Express, in it's supplement 'City Express', Chennai,19th February 2015, where the focus was on the effort taken by Railways. During the same time when I was invited from NIFT, Chennai, for working on the Chennai Central wall painting, other initiatives like the Chennai Street Art Festival was going on supported by Southern Railways' Chennai Division, about which this article mentions, though both were different initiatives.

News about wall painting in the New Indian Express'
supplement 'City Express', Chennai, 19th Feb. 2015,

There is a lot more if I start writing about my experience at the station while doing the painting, or sharing the photographs of different phases, but maybe in later posts. Do share your views and feedback about this wall. Hope it helps to motivate people and travellers crossing the Chennai Central Railway Station to keep the surrounding areas clean and beautiful :)

Completed wall painting at Chennai Central Railway Station
Artist: Seema Kumar, Associate Professor, NIFT 

Update: 

http://seemakumar.blogspot.com/2015/07/felicitation-by-chennai-division-of.html

http://seemakumar.blogspot.com/2016/02/another-series-of-wall-paintings-at.html 

Good Bye 2013

It will not be an exaggeration if I say that the year 2013 has been life-changing for me and my family. I moved out of a city where I have been settled for more than a decade for a completely new city, a local language completely unknown to me; quit a job where I had been for half a decade to join my alma mater NIFT (same parent Institute but a different Center) as Associate Professor. My husband got transferred to the same city and my daughter changed school. It has just been a few months that we moved to a rented apartment here, so kind of still in the process for fully settling down, exploring and getting used to the new city. A lot more remains to be explored. My last few posts on this blog have been about my life in this city.

This new year 2014 will begin in a new city for us, working in our new offices (no holiday). I wish everyone a year full of happiness, love, laughter, joy, peace and prosperity. 

Photographs from a Botanical Garden - 1

One day, I was talking to my little daughter, student of grade 2, and realised that she does not get to see birds and animals in the concrete jungle of metropolitan cities where we live, other than the zoo. She gets very few opportunities to go to rural and natural surroundings and that may not be enough for her to recognise birds, animals, plants and trees, etc. As children, in smaller towns, we were much closer to nature than we are here.

One fine morning in early March, we decided to go for bird-watching at sunrise. I took my daughter along with my cousin and mother-in-law to a nearby botanical garden. It was a pleasant weather, neither hot, nor too cold. Saw a few birds, the names and details of which were given by my cousin who is a research student in Environmental Sciences. However, I enjoyed seeing and taking photographs of some flowers, plants and trees. Posting a few photographs here and more in next email. I have also posted some photographs on my facebook page.

Sunny Orange Flowers

Pretty Pink Flowers

'Holi', the festival of colours was just around the corner.When I see the 'Palash' or 'Flame of the Forest' flowers, they always remind me of the Holi season and how as children we used to try making colours using the flower petals.

The fire red 'Palash' or 'Flame of the Forest' flowers

Photos: © Seema Kumar
Camera: Nikon D5100
Date clicked: 3rd March 2013
http://www.facebook.com/seemakumar13 

Lalyog - Specialised Yoga School for busy corporate guys & Ladies/ Children

As a young student, when I saw my brother Ashish suffering from Osteo Arthritis and 24/7 of excruciating pain, it was really sad. He was so young and doctors told him he will not be able to lift heavy weights, or do tough excercises. There seemed to be no cure. He did not accept it .. did not agree to what the doctors told him. It was not in him to give up without fighting. Even as a young student at IIT, Delhi, he went for Yoga classes, meditation and made sure not a single day was missed out. His dicsipline was admirable and so was his enthusiam. And today noone can say he ever had Osteo Arthritis.

It was late night and he was still not sleeping, was sitting upright and unable to even lie down. Was not well and was not able to breathe properly. We consulted doctors. They suggested inhalers. It was some form of Asthma. He did take inhalers, but no, that was not what he was going to do all his life like the doctors suggested. How can he live like a patient all his life? He fought again.. and won. He does not need inhalers any more !

He and his wife are both trained at different places for Yoga and meditation and they practise regularly with discipline. I have often wished that I had the same discipline towards Yoga and excercise. Even though I myself have learned Yoga, like all busy corporate people, even I have the excuse ... where is the time for all this.. at least not for daily practise !

We all are at least aware about the benifits of Yoga and regular excercise. So it was good to know that Ashish and Sarika have started Lalyog - Specialised Yoga School for busy corporate guys & Ladies/ Children.

This is what they have to say about it:

"Many corporate/ other busy people since several years have been expressing their eagerness to learn Yoga but couldn't do so due to lack of time because all courses elsewhere are of about a week at least. Capsule Course at Lalyog is a 4.5 hrs (it's a one day 4.5 hrs course) complete course covering important Pranayamas, Aasanas, Bandh, Mudra and Meditation and will suit busy men and women. Owing to more than 7 years experience in this field, we can assure that there is no such course available anywhere else in India! We both would be the trainers for this unique course."

"There is a specialised course named Weekly Course which is only for Ladies and Children (less than 10years) which will extend for 5days in a week. Sarika would be the trainer for this specialised course."

If you want to do the course in near future, you can contact on the numbers given at the end of this post. Given below is a brief about 'Lalyog' as given by Ashish:

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Lalyog : gateway to a sound physical, mental & spiritual health

YOGA:
Yoga is our yog i.e. union with our soul! Does this statement excite you? Union with our soul is possible only after attaining a sound physical, mental and spiritual health. Hence, whether you want to be physically & mentally fit or you want to move up the spiritual ladder in your life, you ought to get excited because you’re at the right place – Lalyog!

SPECIALITY:
At Lalyog, we have two types of courses each having detailed teaching of important Aasanas, Pranayamas, Bandh, Mudra and Meditation – without all these five elements, learning of Yoga is incomplete which is exactly the case with most courses elsewhere.

COURSES:
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Course: Capsule Courses (Two per week of 4.5 hrs each)
Days & Timing: Saturday & Sunday: 7.30am – 12noon
For Whom: For busy males & females who have lack of time

Speciality:
· No such course available anywhere else
· Personalized training – only about 5 people in a batch
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Course: Weekly Course
Days & Timing: Monday – Friday, 10.30am - 11.30am
For Whom: Only for Ladies and Children (below 10yrs)
· Specialized course for Ladies & Children by a Lady Trainer
· Personalized training – only about 5 people in a batch

Speciality
Anybody can choose either the course on Saturday or Sunday; however, only ladies and children (below 10years) can do the Weekly Course. The courses would be conducted in South Delhi.
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TRAINERS:
The trainers are Ashish Lal (B.Tech. from IIT Delhi) and Sarika Lal (M.Sc. in Life Sciences) and have more than 7 years of experience in all the 5 elements of Yoga. They have been trained from the Yogis of most prestigious Yoga University in India – Bihar School of Yoga as well as from other prestigious organizations viz. Art of Living, Vihangama Yoga Sansthana and Vipassana Meditation. They’ve cured themselves of incurable diseases like Osteo Arthritis (endured 3 years 24/7 of excruciating pain) and Asthma (took inhalers twice daily for several months) after being confirmed incurable from AIIMS and Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, New Delhi!

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF YOGA:
Stress release - mental and physical, very essential in this modern world.
Prevents/ cures/ reduces the suffering associated with problems like – Arthritis, Asthma, Obesity, Depression, B.P. (high/ low), Diabetes, Gastric disorders, Cardio-vascular problems etc. Surprisingly, the benefits are infinite because Yoga works on each and every used/ unused cell of your body!
Develops positive attitude towards goals of life via physical, mental and spiritual growth.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Mobile – 9811800120, 9213753803 & 9213196487
Landline – 011-40560820
Email – ashishlal_iitd@yahoo.com

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Foggy 'New Year 2007' in Delhi and NCR

View through the tinted glass of my office on the afternoon on 1st Jan'07

Welcome 2007 !

The new year came with a foggy night and foggy morning on New year in Delhi and NCR. The fog was so thick that it felt as if it was still early morning or late evening. At such time one feels like staying indoors in the warmth of one's home. But we had to come to office, and we had the New Year snacks at office.

Is that the Sun or the Moon ? Photo of 1st Jan '07 afternoon at about 3:45 pm, Gurgaon.

The sun was not visible. When I went out in the afternoon, it was visible for a short duration and that, too, it looked like the moon and not the sun. Here are some more photos on Flickr, taken by me on 1st Jan.'07, of the fog.

Foggy afternoon at Gurgaon, 1st Jan'07

The buildings next of our office building, which are very clearly visible on normal days, were barely visible though the thick fog today. So the New Year started for me with work.. and fog. Should I interpret it that beyond the fog, there are bright and sunny day waiting to unfold in the days to come :) ?

So, another year has gone by and a new year has come - with new hope and expectations, and with the unknown. I have been greeting people on the new year with the following wish (adopted) which I liked and the same I do to all of you out there .. and for myself, too.

"All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do,
All that you hoped but did not will,
All the faith that you claimed but did not have,
May you have all these in the coming year. "

Are metropolitan cities safe from corruption and bribery ?

This is a continuation from my last post. When I applied for my passport in mid 2001 at Mumbai, my only aim was to have an identity proof in Mumbai, as I had been studying and then working there. I had completed one year in a working women's hostel while working and they could provide me the necessary residence proof (the most important document !).

After applying for the passport at Mumbai, I waited for the police verification but none happened. I was told by my room-mate, who was working for a travel agency who organised package tours for international trade-fairs, etc., that I myself needed to go to the police station to get the verification done. She was well aware about these procedures regarding passport and Visa because of her job.

After some time passed, one evening, after office, I personally went to the police station with all my documents to get the verification done. I was told by the concerned police officer to fill a form and bring certain documents. I took everything the next time. The concerned police officer again asked me to bring some other documents and photograph. Again I took it the next time. My room-mate told me I should just pay him something and my work will get done. The police officer did not ask me anything openly and I was not willing to offer anything as I had all the relevant and correct documents. Why should I pay him for something that was his job and on top of that they had not even come for the verification. Now I don't remember exactly how many times I went to the police station, and that too, alone, after office, and how many phone calls I made to the police station get the police verification done. Finally, I was told that the police verification was complete and was forwarded.

Again some time passed and no passport came. A few months had passed since I had applied for the passport. In the meanwhile I got a job in Delhi and I moved to Delhi. Still no passort came.

One day, after hearing this story about my passport, an acquaintance gave me the pamphlet of Directorate of Public Grievances, (Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India). This is "an administrative mechanism which facilitates individual citizens in obtaining fair and objective dealing of certain types of their unresolved grievances with specified Central Government Departments/ Organizations, in certain situations."

He asked me to send a written complaint here, which I did. I got a reply from there which asked me to furnish certain documents, which I did. I got a phone number of this department and an e-mail ID of the concerned authority. He asked me to fill the passport application form again and submit at the Delhi passport office. The passport application fees when I had applied in Mumbai was Rs.300/- and now when I was in Delhi, it was Rs.1000/-. However, I did not need to re-deposit any fee and although I had not completed a year in Delhi, still I was told to apply. This time the police came for verification promptly and did not even hint about any money in the form of bribe. My passport finally got made with Delhi address ... after about a year of my initial application.. without paying any bribe!!!

Ultimately, I stood my ground and did not pay any bribe. But I could do that only because I was in no urgent need of the passport. I have seen police verification happeneing of so many other family members and friends and everyone has paid to the police during verification - not because there was something illegal, or something was missing, but only because it has become a norm to pay the police - they ask either directly or indirectly as if it is their right and the only thing that is up to you is how much you can negotiate about it and finally how much you pay them.

Another episode relates to the registration of property. When I bought my house and went to get it registered, I had to pay a certain percentage of the property's registered value at the registration office- again, not because there was anything illegal in the property that I was buying, but just because it is a norm. My peoperty dealer had already told me about it. The officials there openly asked for it and said it was a 'fees' for them and the money gets distributed throughout the hierarchy. I did speak out there, too, but there was nothing much that I could do in this case.

Property deals are generally quite infamous for the corruption, bribery and black money involved. But it was amazing to see how even an important international identity like a passport can be made just by paying some money to the police !! But slowly, I guess, we become immune to these kind of things ... we just take these things for granted and we don't even think of raising a voice againt it. We talk about corruption and bribery that is prevalent in remote areas, in states like Bihar and UP, but what about our capital city and metropolitans like Mumbai ? Are they any less ? Are we safe from this kind of corruption and bribery while living in these metropolitan cities ?

*NOTE : Just in case it is of any help to anyone in need, the website of Directorate of Public Grievances is http://dpg.bharatsarkar.nic.in/