Old and elderly women in India

These are photographs of old and elderly women photographed on the streets of India. None of these women were seen begging. It is known that the poor elderly have a difficult time in India, often abandoned by their families because of poverty.

This portrait of an old woman was shot in the forest of Matheran. The picture was shot on a cell phone, a Sony Ericksson which has a decent camera function. The woman's eyes seem clouded, perhaps with cataract. She could barely see. Her skin was leathery, her hair uncombed and a piece of cloth over her head protected her from the sun on the hills of Matheran. She was wandering about alone, looking for firewood. She was not a beggar, nor a destitute, just poor.

This picture was taken in a town in North India. The woman seems partially dressed and poor, but she was not begging, but she was possibly a beggar or destitute.

This photograph was taken in Puducherry in South India. The woman was resting on the streets and was probably a poor saleswoman.

The photograph below is part of a larger photograph. The old woman villager is resting in the shade of a vegetable cart, to protect herself from the harsh sun of Rajasthan. She is wearing a large nose-ring. Her large and chunky jewellery is very much part of the traditional dress amongst tribals in that region.

This photograph juxtaposes women from two different backgrounds. Taken in a busy cloth market in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, it shows a middle-class woman looking at the wares in the cloth shop. A poor scraggly woman passes her by, shivering in the cold winter of Ahmedabad.

Related Images: Old Women Destitutes and Beggars or  Destitutes and beggars - portraits of old men or
Urban women workers carrying loads on their heads or Women construction workers in India or an elderly
Woman Gardener in India

Hong Kong Skyscrapers

These are photographs of the skyscrapers in Hong Kong.

This is a photograph taken at dusk and you can see Hong Kong buildings silhouetted against the dull  sky.

In this picture you can see the tall skycrapers of Hong Kong in the foreground and in the distance too. There is a bay inbetween. These look like residential buildings mostly.

A photograph of the Hong Kong skyline.

Related Images: Hong Kong skyscrapers by night
You might also like Skyscraper Sketches or Skyscraper silhouettes and illustrations
Or Shanghai skyscraper sketches and silhouette or the Shanghai Skyline by night.
More: Beijing photographs and skyline.
For skylines of different cities of the world try the label: Skylines.

Small Retailers in India

Small retailers or what can be called Mom and Pop Stores or Kirana stores are the life of retail in India. They dot the country, in small towns, villages and cities. They are of all shapes and sizes, catering to the rich, the middle class as well as the poor. They create entrepreneurship opportunities for the common man. They are to be found at every corner in most cities, walking distance from residential localities.

These are a row of shops in a crowded streets. They often call themselves "General Stores" and by that they mean that generally everything of daily use can be found here! This means goods ranging from food grains and processed foods to stationary items. These are not self-help shops but have several people behind the counter who offer immediate service.

This is what the inside of a general store can look like. It can be crowded inside, and impossible to step in. The shop-keeper is the only one who can find what you want! These are often called kirana shops.

This is a small store which calls itself a supermarket, catering to the middle-classes. In a way it is although it is cramped and crowded inside because it is a self-help store which stocks daily-use items.

Another small store calling itself a "convenience mart" for the better-off.

This shop is a general store or kirana shop. It sells the same thing but is located in a poorer locality. Goods may not be always genuine (adulterated?) but they are certainly cheap.

A small general store in a poor locality.

Pictures of supermarkets in India: Supermarket pictures - crockery, tomato puree, coconut milk, cheese and butter or Juices and Milk display at supermarkets in India

Other related photographs: Vegetable Markets in India or For Sale Signboards in India or Crowded market places in India or click on the label Retail

Pune Municipal Corporation Buses

These are photographs of the old PMT buses (Pune Municipal Transport now known as the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd or PMPML). This is the public transport service provider for the city of Pune and Pune Metropolitan region. The service is inefficient and inadequate. These are the old models of the buses although you still see them many have been replaced by newer ones. However frequency of the buses is wanting.

These photos have been shot near at the Swargate crossing in Pune, which is a major bus hub. Commuters can be seen in the windows of the bus.

This is a new bus of the Pune Municipal Corporation, one with the new name as well. The driver of the government bus can be seen as well as a commuter at the window.

You might also like Waiting at a bus stop in India or people lined up in a queue in Mumbai for a bus: Bustops in India or Taxis and auto rickshaws crammed with people or Families on two-wheelers
Or photos of trucks or Fire Station and Fire engine

or Accidents scenes - overturned and smashed vehicles photos or check all the pictures filed under the label Transport.

Women in Burkhas - Silhouettes

These are silhouettes of Muslim women in burkhas.

This image is of three women walking briskly, clad in burkhas or burqas. The woman on the left is not in full burkha. Her face is left uncovered.

Here you can see two Burkha clad women with their husbands, all silhouettes. The men are sitting down and their wives are standing in front of them. One of my favourite pictures.

A half figure of a burkha-clad Muslim woman. Her full face and body is covered, except for her eyes.

This one is a slightly different version. The Muslim woman with the burkha but her full figure is shown here in the graceful dark robes.

Related Images: Silhouettes of Mosques or Women in burkhas or burqas - photos or More Silhouettes of people and places of all types including monuments and people at different activities.

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Gandhian principles explained by the Wheel of Life

The word "Wheel" is associated with Mahatma Gandhi as he used the spinning wheel as a symbol of freedom (from British Rule). A Wheel of Life exists in Buddhism as well, said to be made by Buddha himself.  The Wheel of Life depicted here has nothing to do with any religion, whether Buddhism or Hinduism. It simply stands for Gandhian principles and the Gandhian way of life. It tells us about Gandhism in a nutshell.

The wheel explains what it means to be a Gandhian with Truth or Satya and Non-violence or Ahimsa at the core of existence. Love, Strength, Food and Knowledge are in the circle after that, next importance. Subjects which are important after these basic ones are Sociology, the Art of Teaching, Health, and Economics. After these basic values, one has to give importance to larger societal issues like Cleanliness and Hygeine, a Casteless Society, Mother Tongue, Upliftment of Women, Equality, Village Development, Service to Harijans, and  Nai Talim which can loosely be translated as 'Basic Education for all.' However for a more holistic meaning try the wiki.

The use of Khadi is also given importance although it is not relevant today. It was more important during British Rule when Indians were forced to buy cloth made in England. Hindi propagation is also given importance, and this was considered important by Gandhi to unite the nation at that time. This is less relevant today as people have realised that adoption of Hindi can lead to giving less importance to one's own mother tongue, although not many Hindi speakers share this view.

Interestingly service to Harijans and other castes has been clubbed with upliftment of women. Women have been considered the lowest caste in India, unworthy of equal treatment to men.

This has been put up in Gandhidham, Ahmedabad, where the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram is. I have changed the colors of the background as the original framed picture was rusty and discoloured.

Please click on the picture to see a bigger image of the Wheel of Life.

Read his famous sayings which have been framed and put up at Gandhidham: Mahatma Gandhi quotes

More related photographs: Postcards written to Mahatma Gandhi without an address or Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhidham in Ahmedabad - Portraits and Paintings or  Free Images of the Indian Flag

For drawings and sketches of Mahatma Gandhi (with the spinning wheel): Mahatma Gandhi spinning wheel drawing and sketch or  Sketches and drawings of Mahatma Gandhi or check out Mahatma Gandhi's wax figure at Tussauds: Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi together at Madame Tussauds London

Travelers or men with bags

These silhouettes of men travelers are based on photographs taken at an airport. All are silhouettes of a man with a bag or a back pack. Men or all ages and shapes with  bags. Some of these travellers are in a hurry to reach their airplane, another man is sauntering around the airport, and still others have their suitcases already checked in.

This is a silhouette of young man sauntering along with a backpack at an airport.

A silhouette of another another young man, barely in his early twenties striding towards the aircraft. In this right hand he is carrying some leaflets or brochure and a bag is hanging loosely from his hands, its strap touching the floor.

A silhouette of an Asian middle-aged man walking at the airport.

A silhouette of a young man in casual clothes walking with a backpack at the airport.

A silhouette of an older man dressed in a jacket and tight pants and pointed shoes, carrying a backpack.

Silhouette of a man walking at the airport with a backpack and briefcase. He is wearing a jacket.

You might also like more silhouettes of men with bags: Men with luggage or travel trolley bags or try
Travelers or Women with bags Silhouettes  or for silhouettes of women walking: Young Women Walking Silhouettes
More: Silhouettes of activities: Silhouettes of people skating
Silhouettes of old and elderly women from India: Old woman silhouettes
Or click the label "Silhouettes" for all types of silhouettes including those of monuments and places and people.

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Two-wheeler rush at petrol pump

At times there are queues at petrol stations, specially when it is known that the petrol price is going up...or there is a strike by petrol pumps or delivery trucks. During rush hour petrol stations are usually crowded anyway, with several two-wheelers standing neck to neck.

Petrol has become expensive and you can see it on the face of this motor cycle rider as he counts his change.

Related Images: Petrol Pump

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Dollar Notes - Free Images

These are photographs of American dollar notes or American currency against a white background. The first photograph shows two hundred United States Dollars (100 USD) alongwith a fifty dollar note (50 USD). Cut-out against a white background.

This is the photograph of the hundred dollar notes and the fifty dollar note from the back.

This is a series of one dollar notes. One United States Dollars (1USD)

Inexpensive shopping in Bangkok

Indra Market in Bangkok, Thailand, is a good place to buy goods at a reasonable rates. Value for money. Good garments at a cheap price and lots of variety and low prices. Stylish clothes, shoes and costume jewellery. If you are anywhere near Indra Square don't miss this market!

This is the exterior of Indra Square.

A peek inside the market. The shop-keepers are polite.

The MBK market or mall is talked about a lot, but we were disappointed. Not only is it full of fake goods, the goods are defective in many cases. Worse, the shopkeepers are rude. We were witness to several fights, started by the shop-keepers themselves. MBK, though conveniently located, is a market to avoid unless you are ready to ignore rude and indifferent behavior. But why do that when Bangkok has so many good markets! Mind you this behavior is not because of bargaining of otherwise interacting with the shop-keepers. They just yell at you if you touch any of their goods. Or sit on a stool outside their shop because your feet are killing you. Or if you are lucky, they just completely ignore you if you ask them the price of anything! We sure were glad to leave that place and never will we ever go their again!

This is the interior of the MBK market.

A corridor at the market. Go to this market if you are desperate for fakes but beware, the fakes are so badly tailored that they won't last long so its not value for  money.

If you want to see malls and markets in India try the label "Markets"

Palm Plantations of Malaysia

Malaysia the second largest producer of palm oil in the world and the world's second largest exporter of palm oil. More than 60 percent of the palm oil is exported. The Malaysian economy is heavily dependent on the palm oil production. 

These photos were shot through the double glass window of an airplane.

Here you can see how widespread the palm plantations are. Almost every available land space is taken up by the palm trees.

The palm plantations are everywhere, stretching from end to end.

Another look into the distance, a binocular view.  The palm plantations are enclosed in a circle against a black background.

This photograph was taken through the glass window of a moving car. A close-up of the palm trees.

(larger versions of all these photos are available with me)

Related Photos: Sugarcane fields in Maharashtra (India) or Rice fields near Chennai (India)

Pork Steak

This is a photograph of a mouth-watering chunk of cooked pork meat or pork steak. A large piece of roasted pork, looking golden and richly flavoured. In the background the fires of the kitchen oven are burning adding to the warmth of the picture. Slivers of pork have been cut from the browned pork steak.

Related Images: Chinese cook making barbecued meat or Photos of frying in hot oil or Fried and roasted insects in China or Tandoor Oven, tandoori rotis and cooks.

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Photographs of brown and black bees

Typically, bees are seen to be hairy and fuzzy with yellow and black stripes, but they can also be dark brown, black or even a metallic green and blue, with stripes of many colors. These photographs are of a black bee with brown wings on a spider lily flower seen in the rain forest of Malaysia.

This is the same photograph made into a coloured illustration, on photoshop.

Illustration of a black and brown bee on a white flower.

Related Pictures: Big black fly with red eyes or Cobwebs or Spiderwebs or Fried and roasted insects

Canopy Walk in the Tamen Nagera Rain Forest

The 45 meters high and 510 meters long walkway is the longest canopy walk in the world. It is in a place called Tamen Negara in Malaysia's thick rain forest. As you walk across the forest canopy you are actually walking along the top of the trees, and can the rich and diverse flora and fauna. However as they do not encourage you to stop along the way, not even to take photos, stopping to view is not so easy. Besides stopping can also result in you losing your balance and if you do, the canopy swings or you can trip. It is quite safe though due to the high ropes.The canopy walk is closed in the rainy season which is in winter.

The canopy winds its way across the trees and one gets a feel of what monkeys feel like as they hop across from tree to tree! A distance of at least 10 metres has to be kept between each person walking along the canopy in case the canopy swings.

Here is part of the long canopy. There are several sections, some long, some short, some steep.

Here you can see how narrow the actual path is. A little to the left or the right and the canopy swings wildly. Most people are able to keep their balance though and it is a cakewalk for children!

This is where the canopy walk becomes a ladder! Its fun!

Flyover construction

Everywhere one goes there is contruction going on in India. Flyovers, bridges, buildings and roads. It gets messy and difficult to move around. One hopes that this frantic construction activity of a nation being built ends soon and we get spanking new cities!

Here is an earth mover or a type of construction crane below a flyover bridge, picking up heavy construction material like rocks and stones. 

This is an image of a flyover being built in Mumbai.

This photograph is not strictly of a flyover construction, although it is of a type of bridge between the sea and the land, called a sea link. This one connects Worli and Bandra in Mumbai. This photograph was taken from a spot near Dadar beach and shows the sea link being constructed. It was taken during the sunset and you can get a picturesque view.

A closer look at the Bandra-Worli sea-link when it was being constructed and this view is from the bridge itself. The authorities had opened up one side while construction was still on.

Related Pictures: Road Construction in India (concrete roads) or Buildings under construction or Road being surfaced with tar or Earth Movers
Images of workers at construction sites: Working without protective gear or  Workers taking a break or
Women construction workers in India

Or for the complete Bandra Worli Sea-Link Mumbai photos, sketch, silhouette and painting.

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