DURGA PUJA CELEBRATIONS IN DELHI
Dear Friends,
Here is a report by Indraneel Sen which throws light on "Durga Puja" in Delhi.

-- Dr. Pankaj Sharma.
Durga Puja was celebrated with high spirit in Delhi. Chittaranjan Park, which is better known as second Kolkata, was the centre of this puja. Other important areas were Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, Safdarjung Enclave and Pusa. The notable feature of this year's Durgapuja was the 100th celebration of Puja at Kashmeri Gate. It began its innings here in the year, 1910. With the starting of the Durga Puja, there was an immense excitement among the craftsmen and artists to give an excellence to their art works. Children were very much excited about Puja and moreover about their colourful dresses. Age was not a bar for the celebrations and the people of every age had a great zeal in their hearts. Different varities of famous Bengali sweets were on the stands. Pandal-decorations were quite attracting this time. The devotees meditated, danced and enjoyed the ambience of the occasion at worship places. The traditional Sindoor Khela was also performed by the married women. The curtain came down today, i.e. the Dashami (28th September, 2009) when the idols were immersed at the Wazirabad Ghat at the banks of the Yamuna river. To conclude, during the time of immersion, the chants came out," Asche Bochor Abaar Hobe" which means, “the Pujas will come up in the next year again”.

(Report and Photographs by- Indraneel Sen, New Delhi)

A Gifted Lens-Man : Bhabani Prosad Mondal
Dear Friends
Born at Ichapur, 24 Parganas North (West Bengal, India) in 1960, Bhabani Prosad Mondal had a deep inclination towards arts since his childhood days. He started clicking with his Canon AE-1 in the year, 1985. Participating in national/international level photography competitions became his passion, but after 11 acceptances and one medal he stopped doing so due to some personal reasons. In 2005, Mr. Debidas Banerjee inspired him and he, after a long period, restarted his participation in these competitions and thereafter never looked back. Today Mr. Mondal has more than 1000 acceptances and 100 awards to his credit. He likes to shoot almost all subjects but children and colourful birds are his favourites. He uses a Canon EOS 30 D SLR camera. Mr. Mondal is a gifted lens man and is full of infinite enthusiasm.

---Dr. Pankaj Sharma

Small Creatures

Dear Friends
Small creatures have their own world which is unique in itself. Most of us do not try to see their world. I have attempted to highlight their incomparable world through my camera. Here are some photographs of different small creatures.

 --- Dr. Pankaj Sharma

A Committed Wild Life Photographer : Hira Punjabi
Dear Friends,

Hira Punjabi (Thane, India) is a renowned wildlife photographer of India. He had deep inclination towards photographing nature right from his childhood. Soon he developed his hobby and started shooting wild life and nature devotedly. He concentrates himself on wildlife photography sincerely. Presently he is associated with many organizations related to nature and wild life. Hira photographs for the cause of protecting endangered species of animals and birds and beautiful places. He believes “Even a single picture can revolutionize the mind of the people.”Hira’s works have been featured in the publications of Bombay Natural History Society and WWF. A number of his photographs have been used in different posters, calendars and greeting cards. Hira regularly contributes his articles and photographs to reputed magazines such as Sanctuary, Asia, Hornbill, Mistnet, Hemisphere (Singapore), Lonely Planet Publication (Australia), Better photography, Namaskar (Air India), National Wild Life Magazine (USA), Nature’s Best Magazine (USA) etc.Hira has won many awards and Certificates of Merit in photography competitions at National and International levels. More than 500 pictures taken by him have been exhibited in All India and International photography exhibitions.

---- Dr. Pankaj Sharma.