Customer delight

"We are not talking to each other, but we don't mind posing for you" This could be one of the captions that I could think of after clicking this sunset picture at Colaba.

They were actually posing for me, because after clicking when I started walking, they too started walking with me. Sunset is a good opportunity to click good pictures, like these kids having a lively chat while the sun goes down.

While clicking I saw this lighthouse, which came into existence in  1770.  This is situated at the prong of Colaba.

When the Portuguese occupied the island of Bombay in the 16th century they built a watchtower on the Old woman's island (Colaba)

Later it was. modified into a lighthouse by the British in 1770. It was further improved in 1800 by a powerful wick lamp.This was the first major lighthouse in British India followed by one in Madras in the same year.

After many changes in the lamp, in 2008 it got its present 70 Watt metal Halide lamp.
Not much has changed in the Marinedrive area of Mumbai. Like this font from the 50s still stands as a sign board in the area.

Some of the buildings with rounded corners which I have seen in the early 60s, still stands.

The heritage structure next to Churchgate station stands in all its glory with the tricolour and the ever present yellow taxis of Mumbai justapositioned in the front. Incidentally I found that the taxis are cheaper than the Uber.

Years have gone by but the buying and selling power of this simple flower lady remains the same (not far from the Sensex office)

The bus service by BEST keeps improving as the years go by. Like they have seperate lines for gents and ladies (ladies from the front)

In the bus I was highly impressed by the conductor's interaction with the passengers, always jovial and happy, cracking a joke here and there. One lady did not know where to alight, but had the address on her phone. The conductor took the phone from her and had a look at the address. Then he opened google map on her phone and fed in the location on the map. From the route he got the stop which was closest to her destination and issued a ticket accordingly. All this with a smile. I would call this as customer delight.

Little Bridge

Like they say “If the packaging is right, half the work is done” I was impressed by the packaging of these products displayed in the shop Little Bridge 

Had been to this shop a few days ago and was impressed by the items that were on display. 

I noticed some products from Two Brothers Organic Farms.

This organization (Two Brothers) helps farmers in and around Maharashtra to produce farm products and diary products that are free of chemicals. They even go to the extent of using bullock carts in the farms (in place of polluting tractors and trucks) 

The price is also comparable, as I know the price of these cakes that are available in Pune. Good to know that Pune products are sold in Mumbai

I tried out some of these dhoklas and samoosa and I must say that the dhoklas were real soft and tasty. (I was told that they supply Parsee food too)

The Cheese Garlic Bread and the Choco Chip cookies were aesthetically displayed, and within easy reach of the customers.  

Located in a quite nice place, I found that the shop had opened early, even before the other shops opened in the area. 

The customers started trickling in and by the time I left I found that the shop was almost full.

The shop is funded by CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Over the last decade the CSR has moved considerably from voluntary decisions at level of individual organizations, to mandatory schemes at regional, national and even transnational levels. 

Probably the CSR has seen something good in the Little Bridge as it helps many deserving people who man the shop as well as the suppliers.

 It is located in Bandra (Mumbai) and in case any one wants to reach them, they are available at +91 8928665818

The wall clock in the shop says it all, Attitude is everything  

How to find great shots while on the road

Took part in a blogging competition at Dreamstime and got the first prize. The topic given was “How to find great shots while on the road” Reproducing the blog here.

Great shots happen when you least expect it. So whenever that inner instinct tells you “this can be a good shot”, just grab the camera and click.

Rule number one, never click when the vehicle is on the move and you are driving. It can instead be a good opportunity to take pan shots (videos) if you are the co driver and the road is smooth. If you are in the car and while taking photographs, make it a point to roll down the window. A piece of glass in between your object and the camera reduces the quality of your picture.

Recently I had been to Bhigwan (in western India) with my friends to click photos of the Flamingos.  On the way I saw an assortment of birds fishing in the shallow waters and it was perfect against the rising sun. I requested my friend to pull over for a few minutes and clicked these pictures  

On the way back I saw this truck being loaded with sugarcane. It occurred to me that this could be a good picture to show how things got transferred from the farm to the factory. The bullock cart added to the effect. I took the pictures from the car.  

Once while travelling in the Nilgiri hills, we turned a curve. It was a neat perfect curve and I got out of the car to take a picture. The white lines and the wet road added to the effect. 

On the road, does not mean being in a car. I was in a buggy in Bruges when I saw this lady opening up her flower shop. Buggies on cobblestones can be very shaky especially when you are trying to click. Luckily for me the buggy momentarily stopped and I could click this. 

Always be on the lookout for something unusual, like this car I saw in Mumbai, in front of the Taj Hotel. It looked like all the crows were waiting for the driver to take his seat and start the car so that they could go for a spin. A rare sight and worth a click. At times like this you don’t have the time to set up the camera and wait for the perfect light. You just click before the moment vanishes. 

While on long drives, do stop in between to stretch your legs. And while you relax just look for the smaller creatures that make this universe spin in a balanced way. They are beautiful and fascinating to watch and in the process one learns to respect and give space to every creature on this planet.

Annual Day

The thrill of being in a different era, the era of the Peshawas, or so it seems from the expression on this boy’s face. 

These children were taking part in a dance show and it’s a first time that they are on stage. 

Three dressed up for three plays, all from different era 

It was good to see the kids tying their own ghungroo and getting ready for the dance  

I saw the Lezim performed by this group at three different places, (twice in Mumbai and once in Pune) but the best coordinated movement was here on stage at the Annual Day function.

Sharing the water bottle while waiting for their call.

This little guy captured everyone’s heart with his depiction of Raj Kapoor’s  song Mera Joota Hai Japani

There was this little girl who had to spin round and round holding the dia (lamp) in her hands. After the spin, she was feeling giddy and everyone thought she would fall, but she stood her ground and was steady till the curtains closed. Here she is doing another skit to the tune of “ata majhi satakli”

The school ensured that all the 43 students were on the stage doing something or the other as per their capacity. Liked the idea of the seniors giving a helping hand wherever required.    

Each one gave their best and the parents were thrilled to see this new avataar of their kids.