People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): our days

We meet amazing people in our life.
Though strangers they are
but bear character of profound depth and diversity.

Their story quote with photograph 

makes it magical-reality,

as if this being an incredible act of 

freezing a fleeting moment.

Portrait of strangers, inhabitants of a state, 

vibrant monologue of human life, 

to share herewith !!

"This was the shallowest place I use to cross this hilly river."
"And then on 10 miles journey on foot to the school with no slippers."
"Which class do you passed?"
"Only 9th. I was unable to continue due to poverty. Things were so different then in 1981."
"Your kids?"
"My daughter is studying in 9th class in a Government High School just near to my home."
"Things have changed so much!!"

Dhola Ram, 49 years, Saraitikra near Ambikapur

"This is all I had from the paddy crop this year."
''And land you own?"
"Three acres for a big joint family."
"Do you plan for the next crop?"
"It depends, if water supply is provided in the canal by the government, then yes."

Lallu Ram, Saraitikra near Ambikapur

People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): democracy royale

We meet amazing people in our life.
Though strangers they are
but bear character of profound depth and diversity.

Their story quote with photograph 

makes it magical-reality,

as if this being an incredible act of 

freezing a fleeting moment.

Portrait of strangers, inhabitants of a state, 

vibrant monologue of human life, 

to share herewith !!






"Please vote for our party candidate."
"For your better amenities and services by Municipality council."
"That is what democracy is, it empowers all, children, women, backward classes and everyone."

T.S. Singhdeo, ex Maharaja (King) of Surguja State, canvassing for his party candidate in Municipal election

T.S. Singhdeo, ex Maharaja (King) of Surguja State, canvassing for his party candidate in Municipal election

People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): herbal man and palmist lady

We meet amazing people in our life.

Though strangers they are

but bear character of profound depth and diversity.

Their story quote with photograph 

makes it magical-reality,

as if this being an incredible act of 

freezing a fleeting moment.

Portrait of strangers, inhabitants of a state, 

vibrant monologue of human life, 

to share herewith !!

========================================== 

"How do you cure the bone fracture cases?"
"It's simple herbal treatment."
"I bring herbal plant parts early in the morning from forest, make a paste of those parts on a grindstone with my own hand, apply that paste around that concern part of the person with a bandage around and prepare a drink of the same potion for the patient."
"And how much time a fractured bone takes to heal?"
"Only three days."

Lallu Ram Rajwade, 
Saraitikra, near Ambikapur

"You have 'Trishul' (a trident spear which is the main emblem of the Hindu god Shiva) in your right hand."
"And what does it mean to.."
"You must do some temple-offerings on some suitable auspicious day in time to come."
"Or else..?
........ (silence and smile).

Anjani Kumar Tripathi with Maheshwari Pandey, 
Pahadgaon, near Ambikapur

Luke Somers: photographer of conscience

The year 2014 showcased cruelty unhindered, unmasked !!

Killing choreographed for maximum brutality !!

Those who tried to show the conflict were 

the photographers of conscience,

they too were blown like Anja,

lost mental balance as Jason,

and now one more as Somers.

Mr. Somers, 33, was killed during an attempt to rescue him in southern Yemen. He had been missing since September 2013, when he was taken from a street in Sana, the Yemeni capital.

Born in England and raised in the United States, Mr. Somers went to Yemen to teach English, but ended up covering a wave of protests against the government in 2011. He photographed major events in Yemen for the likes of Al Jazeera, the BBC and The New York Times, but he also wanted to capture the concerns of regular people, friends said.

Photo from Luke Somers’ 
Facebook page

Before moving overseas, Mr. Somers attended Beloit College in Wisconsin. He graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. 

A girl, her face bare in a sea of veiled women protesting against the government, looks at the camera and flashes a peace sign with her fingers. Jubilant crowds celebrate the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to a Yemeni woman for her pro-democracy work. A small boy from the Houthi minority walks alongside his father, an AK-47 rifle slung over a tiny shoulder.

The images, published online by Al Jazeera on Saturday, capture moments of turmoil in Yemen as the Arab Spring swept the region, but also the people who were of particular interest to a young American photojournalist, Luke Somers.

thankfully acknowledge:
story credit: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/us/luke-somers-remembered-as-journalist-dedicated-to-yemens-story.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone

picture credit: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2014/12/pictures-luke-somer-work-al-jaz-201412610410897469.html

for news update: http://abcnews.go.com/International/american-hostage-luke-somers-killed-us-rescue-attempt/story?id=27397528

People of Chhattisgarh (छत्तीसगढ़िया): village down foothill

We meet amazing people in our life.

Though strangers they are

but bear character of profound depth and diversity.

Their story
quote with photograph 

makes it magical-reality,

as if this being an incredible act of 

freezing a fleeting moment.

Portrait of strangers, inhabitants of a state, 

vibrant monologue of human life, 

to share herewith !!

========================================== 

"Yes, I have crop field, but it's all up to God."

"If it rains, then we do it."
"It is like famine."

Raja Dashrath Pando,
Pando hill tribe
Pandonagar, near Ambikapur

"What's your age?"
"105 years or more, don't remember now."
"What are your best memories?"
"He came to us (Rajendra Prasad, first President of India, in 1952), gave me cloths, Sari, ration (food grains), Nagar (bullocks & harrow tool), three Chhind (leafy roof top) homes to each of us."

Gendi Bai,
Pando hill tribe
Pandonagar, near Ambikapur

"I'm in this Krishna temple since I was 11 year old."
"King brought my father-in-law as priest for worshiping. He passed away. My mother-in-law arranged my marriage."
"Do you remember him?"
"No, I haven't seen him."

Maheshwari Pandey, 
Pahadgaon, near Ambikapur

Rastrapati Bhawan (Presidential Residence): Remembering President Dr. Rajendra Prasad

On 3rd December 2014, Indian remember their first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad on his 130th birth anniversary by paying rich tribute to his contributions (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963).
But there is a place in Chhattisgarh state of India, where he is remembered in a very personal and melancholic mix.

It was 22nd November 1952, when then president Dr. Rajendra Prasad visited and stayed one night in this small village Pandonagar, all inhabitants were most ancient tribe 'Pando', whose home were no more than few huts made of 'Chhind' leaves.

Since then, these 'Pando' tribe men/women of Pandonagar wait for the day of 3rd December of each year, to celebrate with fan fare and enthusiasm. Memories passed from their ancestors adds to their pride by decorating the same cottage where he stayed one-night, calling it Rastrapati Bhawan (Presidential Residence).

So there is two Rastrapati Bhawan (Presidential Residence) in India.

The one is well known residence of the President of India in New Delhi, which is an architectural marvel, to which everybody knows.

And the other one is the less known Rastrapati Bhawan (Presidential Residence) where first president of India stayed just for one night and made such a change of hearts of these tribe men/women as they still continue to keep this place close to their heart and memory, which is in Pandonagar village (Surajpur, M G Road, Near Silphili), 12 kilometers from Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, India.
   

A village road leading to the Pandonagar, with a bill board proudly announcing the privilege of the first stay of the first Indian President to their village.

The board near to the residence states that President Dr. Rajendra Prasad came along with Surguja King Mr. Ramanuj Sharan Sighdeo on 22nd November 1952.

Paint and decoration of the Rastrapati Bhawan (Presidential Residence) for the day of 3rd December 2014 is in full swing, as I visited this place just a day earlier on 2nd December 2014

On left corner in following photograph is the tree of 'Khair' (खैर/कत्था)  Acacia catechu planted by the President Dr. Rajendra Prasad then in 1952 in his visit of this place.

Following is the memorable photograph of his visit, showing President Dr. Rajendra Prasad with Surguja King Mr. Ramanuj Sharan Sighdeo.

A small library room attached within this residence, which awaits more addition of books and references related to Dr. Rajendra Prasad so that visitor could know about him and his rich contribution to Indian history of his time.