Tiger

William Blake. 1757–1827

The Tiger

TIGER, tiger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?


In what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire?


And what shoulder and what art

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat,

What dread hand and what dread feet?


What the hammer? what the chain?

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? What dread grasp

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?


When the stars threw down their spears,

And water'd heaven with their tears,

Did He smile His work to see?

Did He who made the lamb make thee?


Tiger, tiger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

The Thinker

Quite a thinker I found in the zoo today.

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY

This is not one of my clicked pictures, but i liked this one very much and wanted to use it to wish all my friends A VERY HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY

Dev Brat's Marriage

My dear friend Dev Brat got married yesterday. Here are two pictures. Dev Brat is looking cool and the bride is looking absolutely gorgeous. Great couple. Congrats!!!!

The Pictures from NSC 2007

National Sudoku Championship 2007 Kolkata Round

TOI presents NSC 07
Originally uploaded by ranjansaras.

Wow! What an event! Awesome!

Unfortunately, though, I didn’t make the cut. It was pretty interesting, the Kolkata round of the National Sudoku Championship. The 1230 participants were divided into three groups of approximately 410 participants in each group. I was placed in Group A.

The first round comprised three puzzles. In this set, one had to first solve a diagonal sudoku and transfer four digits in the same position in the given classic sudoku. Upon solving the classic sudoku, one would have to transfer four digits in the same position in the given irregular sudoku and then solve the irregular sudoku to obtain four digits marked A, B, C and D. Interesting!

But there was a catch. All of it was to be done in just 55 minutes. Quite challenging.

I was through with the first two sudokus in the first 25 minutes; however, the Irregular Sudoku killed me. I was almost done, but time was up and I was out of the competition.

Some 50 contestants fought on the whole day and finally the top eleven were identified. They won a music system and a watch each and most importantly tickets to participate in the National Meet in Mumbai next month. I wish them all, all the very best.

Next time, I will fight again, and hope to do much better. Till then have a look at these images.

Book Fair 2007

I love reading books, all kinds of them. And the Kolkata Book Fair in the last week of January and the first week of February is probably one of those events that we Kolkatabashis look forward to; most eagerly waiting for the event of the year. An event that is more of a festival for book lovers from and around Kolkata than merely a fair.

It is traditionally held at the Kolkata Maidan, but now there is a problem. The so-called and self-proclaimed environmentalists have somehow reached the conclusion that holding a fair, a book fair at that degrades the environment around the Maidan, the heart of Kolkata.

Numerous frivolous Public Interest Litigations (PILs), further burdening our already overburdened justice delivery system, are raging in the Kolkata High Court, some seeking permission and no objection from the High Court and some others seeking a preventive order. The Kolkata High Court itself has decided that is has minimum locus standi in this regard, whereas the Indian Army, being the caretaker of the Maidan, will have to decide whether to allow the fair or not on the grounds. The extent of jurisdiction, as of now, of the Kolkata High Court is to check and minimize pollution.

Since the passing of this order, other PILs have been lodged alleging that the Book Fair, if held at Maidan will lead to various kinds of pollution in the very heart of the city. I agree. And totally so.

The same proponents, however, are willing to let the fair to be held some other place. Just like saying, let the gangrene set in the foot but please spare the heart.

The solution to the problem does not lie in relocating the fair, but in controlling the extent of pollution. Adequate safety measures and consciousness about pollution among the visitors is probably one very good way to control pollution. Come to think of it, such a solution can work wonders for a major metropolitan anywhere in the world. People should be conscious about their immediate environment, pollution and what harm is brought upon environment everyday by us. The picture of future will definitely not be a rosy one. People need to be educated in terms of being able to minimize pollution of all kinds.

Obviously, the role of the State and Central Governments in this regard is very significant. They must play a major role in educating the citizens and providing the right infrastructural support so as to actually achieve the goal of having a much greener city.

O and please involve those people who lodge those PILs. They love the environment and would love to do some 200 hours community service.

But the Governments should also take note of this situation. There is no place in Kolkata where a major fair can be held. Many fairs are held at Netaji Indoor Stadium, but they are usually of a much smaller scale. A new stadium or fair complex needs to be developed not far from the heart of the city (which is most easily accessible from all parts of the city), for the sole use of fairs. Till then control pollution, but let’s go to Maidan for the Book Fair 2007.

Press - Us Bloggers

In the last one year, blogging has caught on with many netizens. So much so that TIME magazine made YOU (bloggers) the Man of the Year. From writing a diary to actually interacting with the world, venting emotions and opinions, blogging has changed internet usage into a more meaningful avenue. Kudos!

One big source of information and news stories and their follow up is better conducted through blogs, blogs have touched our lives, if not changed them altogether. To top it all it enables learners to educate themselves and everyone to showcase their creativity.

Just the other day I was reading a couple’s blog, and how they are fighting cancer, and how their readers have stood by them giving strength and courage.

Another recent happening that has particular significance for bloggers is that for the first time ever, bloggers have been granted press credentials by a federal court in the USA.

An excerpt from another blog

"The Washington Post reports that, for the upcoming trial of Vice President Cheney's former Chief of Staff, Scooter Libby, bloggers have for the first time been granted press credentials by a federal court. Sayeth the article:
When the trial of Vice President Cheney's former chief of staff on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice opens next week, scores of journalists are expected to throng the federal courtroom in Washington, far too many for the 100 seats set aside for the media.
But for the first time in a federal court, two of these seats will be reserved for bloggers. After two years of negotiations with judicial officials across the country, the Media Bloggers Association, a nonpartisan group with about 1,000 members working to extend the powers of the press to bloggers, has won credentials to rotate among his members. The trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the highest-ranking Bush administration official to face criminal charges, could "catalyze" the association's efforts to win respect and access for bloggers in federal and state courthouses, said Robert Cox, the association's president.
[....]
"Bloggers can bring a depth of reporting that some traditional media organizations aren't able to achieve because of space and time limitations," said Sheldon Snook, administrative assistant to Chief Judge Thomas F. Hogan. Snook added that some bloggers also bring expertise that is welcome in court.”
(Copyright of the original writer, link given below)

Read here

When will we, in India, get such opportunities?

Love Flowers II

IMG_0739
Originally uploaded by ranjansaras.

More flowers clicked by me in Macro mode

Love Flowers

IMG_0582
Originally uploaded by ranjansaras.

The Eden Gardens in Kolkata have remained closed for the last two years. This has been painful for flower lovers who would usually look forward to the winter flower show at the Eden Gardens.

I would earnest urge the West Bengal Government to take some proactive steps to reopen the Gardens as soon as possible.

In the meantime, thanks to the Forest Department which has decided to beautify the city with flowers.

National Sudoku Championship 2007

I am very happy to have qualified to participate in the National Sudoku Championship 2007 for its Kolkata Regional Round organized by QUIXY and The Times of India. The regional rounds started with a qualifier on Saturday, 13th January. Four puzzles were listed and the readers were to solve these puzzles and send their answers either through email or call up their call center number.

Whereas the first three puzzles were relatively easy, the fourth one was a rather difficult one. With 75 points at stake I had spent more an hour to finally be able to solve it. Or so I thought.

And today in the morning when I received their call confirming my entry I was so happy. In fact my happiness was doubled when they also informed me that I had solved all four puzzles correctly thereby scoring a maximum possible – 160. 160 out of 160 is cool. Does an awful lot to inflate my ego. LOL

Anyways, I am heading for the Science City, Kolkata on next Sunday to participate in the regional final. I would very much like my friends to wish me luck so that I can do well and qualify for the National Championship to be held in Mumbai.

PS: If anyone is interested in solving sudoku puzzles on their computers, please write to me for some cool softwares.

Experimenting

Copy of IMG_0362.psd
Originally uploaded by ranjansaras.

Experiment - transfer of pictures/images from Flickr.com

India Gate

A ten-minute walk from Bangabhavan, where I had put up in New Delhi, passing by Max Mueller Bhavan, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Baroda House, I reached India Gate. The 42 metre tall India Gate is situated such that many important roads branch out from it. At the heart of New Delhi, on Rajpath and leading to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, it is a monument built by Edwin Lutyens in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I and Afgan Wars. However, many of these roads closer to the Gate have been closed to vehicular traffic due to terrorist threats in recent years.

The shrine itself is a black marble cenotaph with a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold the words "Amar Jawan" (Immortal Warrior). This cenotaph is itself placed on an edifice which has on its four corners four flames that are perpetually kept alive.

Inscribed on top of India Gate in capital letters is the line:

To the dead of the Indian armies who fell and are honoured in France and Flanders Mesopotamia and Persia East Africa Gallipoli and elsewhere in the near and the far-east and in sacred memory also of those whose names are recorded and who fell in India or the north-west frontier and during the third Afgan war.

The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls.

Unfortunately, during the time I was there in Delhi, the India Gate was not as brightly lit up as it usually is. Interestingly though, when I walked up to it, a bigger area was cordoned off, as the Navy Day was being celebrated. Hence I had to be satisfied by looking from a distance at one the most important, significant and beautiful monuments of modern time in Delhi.

The second image has been captured using optical zoom only. Digital zoom was not required and is usually avoided as it stretches the image and leads to poor quality shots.

Delhi Agra Trip

Well, I never much liked New Delhi and this last trip in the first week of December did not help much either. In fact, what was surprising was that winter had not stepped in. It was rather pleasant, for a change, because I have always found Delhi to be either too hot or too cold for comfort.

This trip also took me to Fatehpur Sikri and Agra, which was thoroughly enjoyable. One thing I must mention that I liked a lot in Agra was that one could book a car right outside the station and this booth is manned by Railway police. Not only that, they would give the bill to the customer, who upon the satisfactory completion of the tour would pass it on to the car owner or driver, who would in turn submit it with the Railway police to get the amount. And all the while the amount will be with the Railway police. Cool idea.

Travel guide – Book Taj Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi to Agra. Book the return tickets for the same day, unless, of course you would like to see the Taj Mahal in moonlight. This train leave Nizamuddin at 7.15 am and reaches Agra Cantt around 10.15 am. Either book a car for the trip or get bus tickets for a conducted tour of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. You would be back at the station by 6.30 pm and your train is scheduled to leave Agra at 6.50pm. The Taj Express would reach Nizamuddin around 10.10pm.

Travel tip – Do not carry any food articles, wires, cables, chargers, inflammable articles, intoxicants, and the like into any of these monuments. Carry enough water with yourself, but leave the bottles in your car/bus.

Travel request – Please keep these places clean.

I was shocked by the wretchedness and dirty pathway when I walked from the Shahjahan Garden Gate towards the Taj Mahal. The authorities must take note of such issues. Visiting such an ancient site, one of the wonders of the world, and walking through dirt and dung are not very inspiring and flattering.

Here's one picture of the Taj Mahal.

Casino Royale : A Review

Casino Royale: A Review

Brosnan is no more playing James Bond. He has been retired as 007. What was M thinking? Outrageous!

Who’s the new guy? Daniel Craig. Heard of him?????????

If you haven’t heard of him nor ever seen him, see him; see him, because he is the best Bond. The character has adapted to changes in the modern world, and has become more human. And Craig succeeds.

Popular in the world of British theatre, Craig first came into my radar in Lara Croft as Alex West. A supporting role, but well played. And now we see him in Her Majesty’s special service in the Bahamas playing poker, deciding upon his favorite drink and without Q and his gadgets. When R was introduced in the last James Bond movie, I was hoping for many more gadgets to come in. But then, this is the first Bond movie. He’s just become a double O operative. He makes mistakes, falls and fears – he’s for real. And he kills with deadly accuracy.

And beware. This Bond knows M’s name and her residence, he even knows her passwords. Yet he is human. He is poisoned, almost has a cardiac arrest, and a terrible car accident.

The script is definitely not going to win the Academy awards. But it is well-knit; it keeps the viewer on the edge of the seat throughout. It perfectly fulfils the aspirations of the genre. A suspense-filled roller coaster providing the viewers a thrill so characteristic of a James Bond movie. The dialogues are witty and very Bond – like.

And the company he keeps is bewitching. Eva Green and Catarina Murano are sizzling in this movie. Just can’t keep our eyes off them. Though Catarina (Solange) is there for a very short while, she makes her presence felt, and provides the information that leads up to one the best airport sequences I have ever seen.

Vesper Lynd is ravishing, witty and strong. We can all understand Bond falling for her. Her character develops with the movie and this is no more a mere Bond girl, but a woman of substance. A woman who has more to her than just her physical appeal.

Also a word of appreciation for Mikkelsen. Le Chifre was too good in the movie and will no more have to weep blood.

Background music, sounds, chases, emotions, kills, simplicity, wit, humour, probability, and the list goes on.

Fantastic Movie
9.5/10 Must Watch

Daniel Craig 10/10
Eva Green 9.5/10
Mads Mikkelson 8.5/10
Judi Dench 3.5/10 Love to hate u M

And someone please tell me the name of the guy (or the guy who did his stunts) whom 007 chases in the opening minutes to the Embassy and finally shoots. He, by the way, gets 12/10 for those 5 minutes.

Copyright Issues

COPYRIGHT ISSUES


Upon the advice of a good friend, I would most humbly like to request you not to use the images in this blog freely. I may not be a professional photographer, but the images are mine, my vision, my imagination, my labour, my satisfaction. God, I am selfish. Please forgive me. But please abstain from using them freely.

You can mail me at ranjan.saraswati@gmail.com to discuss issues related to use of these images.

Macro photography

Trying my hand at Macro photography. Also used photoshop to vanish the wall behind.

Uploading problem

Uploading problem


As I was planning to turn this web log into a shutterblog, I started short listing the images that could be used. Lazy as I am, it was a painstaking process and I have finalized on a few. My laziness was also preventing me from scripting much about the pictures. Upon the advice of a professional photographer, I decided to post the pictures only – without the jibber jabber, which I am usually good at. Whereas you can call it my laziness (my wife does), my photographer friend excuses because each picture usually says it all.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

However, when I started uploading the pictures, it was taking a long time. I stopped using BSNL’s broadband connection in July last year subsequent to unexplained bills, and am back on a dial-up connection at home. Waiting for a long while was frustrating enough in itself and added to that was the problem that at the end of the entire exercise the pictures wouldn’t upload at Blogger. I tried Hello and Picasa to upload too, but without avail.

The essay was going nowhere and then I decided to check up with some other friends and found that they were facing similar problems.

Actually the problem lies in the file sizes of the images that are captured in digital cameras. All digital cameras have different modes of shooting like Auto, Portrait, Landscape, etc. Whereas one can change or adjust the settings of shooting, by default the Auto mode takes up approximately 1.6MB of space. However, that is at the Better setting or Fine setting, the terminology varying between different brands of cameras. If, however, one chooses Best or Superfine setting, the captured images would take up around 2.8MB of space. This translates to the fact that ten images would eat up approximately 30 MB of space.

sighs

The problem is partially solved by shooting in Normal setting but that would compromise on the quality of the images and no serious photographer would consider such a compromise worthwhile. These images take up around 50 KB each in this setting and can be easily shared over the internet, uploaded to different sites and blogs and sent through emails as attachments.

Interestingly enough, a photo blog becomes pretty interesting if one uses a mobile phone with a camera. Though, it cannot be called serious photography by any means – composition, being the only technique required, and that too rendered meaningless in the world of cropping. But the image sizes are within controllable limits and facilitates easier sharing.

Faced with the question of shooting in Superfine, Fine or Normal settings, I have decided to continue with my passion for photography clicking Superfine and Fine images, and at times going for Normal settings. So I doubt whether this blog can be converted to a photo blog anytime soon. But I would definitely write a lot about photography. I would welcome suggestions from the readers as to how else can this problem be solved.

Playing with light

That's my nephew - Pinchoo, he calls himself! 

Poverty

Poverty struck Shankarpur
Another pic