A Place With Devotional Ambience : Sethani Ghaat, Hoshangabad
Dear Friends

Sethani Ghaat is a holy place of central India. This is constructed along the banks of Pious River, Narmada* at Hoshangabad (M. P, India). Sethani Ghaat is believed to be constructed some time in nineteenth century. This is one of the largest Ghaats of India. The Ghaat was built by Jankibai Sethani of the Sharma family of Hoshangabad and thus it is named after her. This Ghaat is beautifully planned. The ambience of Ghaat becomes heart touching when devotees in large number gather here at evening prayer (Aarti) and offer “Deepaks” (small lamps) in holy waters. One can witness different religious activities here throughout the day. A number of celebrations take place at Sethani Ghaat on the auspicious occasion of “Narmada Jayanti” (Magh Shukl Paksh Saptami - between January and February). Thousands of devotees reach here on this occasion and have holy dip in the waters of Narmada.
Hoshangabad is well connected by road and rail from the state capital of M. P, Bhopal and is about 70 km from it. The city is well connected by rail with all major cities of India as well.
(* River Narmada’s origin is Amarkantak, which is situated in the Mountain range of Vindhyachal and is about 45 Miles far from Hoshangabad.)

(Text and Photographs: Dr. Pankaj Sharma)

A Soulful Photo Artist : Threesh Kapoor, AIIPC

A Soulful Photo Artist : Threesh Kapoor, AIIPC
Born in Almora (Uttarakhand, India) on 7th May 1952, Threesh Kapoor got attracted by the Himalayas since his childhood. His photographic journey began at very young age when he determined to capture gorgeous Himalayan Peaks through his camera. He has widely travelled from Ladakh to Tibet. Always armed with camera, Threesh never feels tired of travelling. He has photographed diverse moods of the snow covered mountains. He has captured people, places and culture of mountain regions as well.
Threesh is a social worker too. He loves working for poor and deprived people of the society by organizing free medical camps, providing help to school going children and teaching photography to the youth of the Uttarakhand. He is actively involved in the promotion of Arts.
There are many awards and honors to his credit. India International Photographic Council has honoured him with its Associateship (AIIPC) in the year 1996. He has been honoured with “Life Time Achievement Award” by Lucknow Camera Club in the year, 2007 for his valuable contribution to the art of Photography. More than 500 of his works have been exhibited in the exhibitions at National/International levels. He has organized his solo exhibitions and workshops in Mumbai, Bareilly, Lucknow, Jamshedpur, Patna, Dhanbad, Kolkata, Delhi, Nainital etc. Threesh has been invited to judge a number of photography contests. He has contributed photographs for over 28 books. He has represented India in “Pengyau International Photography Festival” organized in China.
Presently, he is Dy. General Manager in State Bank of India and on deputation Chairman of Uttaranchal Gramin Bank.
---Dr. Pankaj Sharma

Rain Causes Traffic Jam In Delhi

Delhi witnessed heavy rains and strong winds on the eve of 21st August-2009. This gave relief to the people of capital from heat. Indraneel Sen of Delhi has tried to highlight a different facet of this rain. There was a complex Traffic Jam for a while. Here are a few photographs of this Jam sent by Indraneel Sen. These photographs were clicked at Sriniwas Puri fly over around 8.30 p.m.

-----Dr. Pankaj Sharma

Celebrate 19th August As “World Photography Day”

19th August is celebrated as "World Photography Day" all over the world every year. Most of us await the day with great enthusiasm and celebrate this day by organising photo exhibitions, competitions, lectures, workshops, seminars etc. But very few of us know why 19th August is celebrated as World Photography day. In fact the first announcement of a photograph was made on 19th August, 1839 in France. Arago on 19th August, 1839, made the presentation to the French Academies des Sciences and Academies des Beaux Arts, which described Daguerre’s process; he discussed its evaluation, predicted its brilliant future and offered its free use to the world (PSA Journal article, January-1989, 150 Years of Photography, By: Mr. George. E. Helmke, FPSA). In this way, the details of photography process were made public.
The India International Photographic Council (IIPC), New Delhi, under the guidance of its founder, Mr. O. P. Sharma, the world famous pictorialist of India, contacted many distinguished photographic luminaries, important ones in the field of photography art and photographic organisations of different countries to set a day to be celebrated as World Photography Day every year. The response was very satisfactory and the proposal was accepted in different countries. India International Photographic Council started celebrating World Photography Day on every 19th August from 1991. So, let us take oath to celebrate "World Photography Day" every year on 19th August with all of our friends and colleagues. This will be a true tribute to the pioneers in the field of Photography Art.

-----Dr. Pankaj Sharma

Independence Day

Dear Friends,
It is a matter of great pride that we have completed 62 years of our independence. Independence means a lot for the citizens of any country. Cervantes has rightly said, “A little one’s own pocket is better than another man’s purse.” Independence is a feeling that gives us confidence to step forward in order to make efforts for the progress of our family, society and above all for the development of our country.
We can not even imagine a joyful and flourishing life without independence. Independent India has given us a lot in every sphere. In return, we Indians should take pledge to do our best for the progress of our country. Jai Hind……..
---Dr. Pankaj Sharma

Digitally Created Images

Dear Friends,

Here are some digitally created images which are based purely on my imaginaton. Please have a look. --- Dr. Pankaj Sharma