Hope lies eternal- An Unforgettable episode at La Musee National de la Legion d honneur, Paris

La Musee National de la Légion d'honneur

Inside the Museum

If someone asked me if I liked writing or photography better, I'd be hard pressed for an answer. The fact is that I really cant decide .

It goes without saying that I love my cameras a great deal too and cant imagine going anywhere with at least one, if not two of them.

Continuing in my series of Sights and sounds that linger, here's another one which Id truly classify as 'unforgettable'

It was my 9th day in Paris and I'd clicked hundreds of photographs. Many of them had already been downloaded onto my flash drive but the last couple of days pics hadn't. Add to it, the wonderful photographs that I'd just managed to click at the Musee' D' Orsee, including original artworks by artists  like Van Gogh , Monet and  Rembrandt and you will get the picture.

I'd just stepped out of the Muse D Orsee when I saw this interesting looking building. A closer inspection revealed it to be another museum and I briefly debated- should I, shouldn't I ? You see, I'd planned to walk to Notre Dame for the evening mass and it was already 430 pm and it was a longish walk.But then I decided to take a quick look around because I didn't want to lose the opportunity.

I'm so glad I did because the experience was just wonderful!

The permanent collection of the National Museum of the Legion of Honor  includes decorations and medallions awarded to military officers and civilians from France and other countries, hundreds of paintings displayed in a portrait room and ephemera dating back to the Middle Ages. The museum explains protocol that dictates how, where and when badges, ribbons and medallions shaped as fleurs-de-lys, rosettes, stars, crosses and other medallions are worn. Only the president is permitted to wear the Royal Collar and, in fact, it is a crime in France for anyone other than the owner to wear any of these 

Looking at the time, I realised that it was high time I started walking towards Notre Dame otherwise I'd miss the mass. Heading towards the cloak room, I freshened up and briskly started the walk. Halfway there , approaching Rive Gauche, I decided to click some shots of the majestic auction houses that displayed beautiful stuff in their show windows and that was when I stood horror stricken as I realised that I didn't have my camera on me!In the very next moment I realised that I must have left it in the cloak room and felt a rush of tears well up..But I also knew that I had to make  dash back there and hoping against hope I did just that!

I haven't run or jogged in many years but that day I did it. It was cold and windy  and I was tired but I guess fear lent me wings. I covered that distance kin about three minutes whereas the walk so far had taken me 15.

I entered and headed towards the counter and the Concierge there just smiled and held up my camera . "Is this what you are looking for? he asked and I almost burst into tears of sheer relief. Apparently, another lady had used the rest room and having discovered my camera, had handed it over to the desk immediately.

I thanked him and the other concierge also came up and handed me a bottle of water. All he told me was that one really didn't need to worry in Paris, anything lost usually got found.

I walked out into the cold air with a smile on my lips and a song in my heart, I reached Notre Dame in time for the service as well. But that is another story ..

For another day...

Sights that linger and the sound of the violin

Orchestra at a Metro station, Paris, Nov 2012

There are some musical instruments and then there are some others.

One of my personal and perennial favourites is the Violin, often truly called the 'King of the Orchestra'. Going back in time and recalling the effect of it's music on my mind, I clearly recall numerous moments, some of them in some of my all time favourite movies, Thorn Birds, Gone with the wind, Love Story, Dr Zhivago and Junoon, where the violin has been magnificently used to convey a 'completeness and range of emotions, love, tenderness, pathos, sorrow, or then quite simply, happiness and joy.
The violin is a bow string instrument with four strings usually tuned in perfect fifths.It is the smallest and highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which also includes the 'viola' and 'cello'.Usually, however, the strings are not plucked; instead a bow is passed over them to make them 'vibrate'.

No instrument can do all the violin can do.At different times these are some of the emotions that I have associated with the violin. It has made me feel sad, or then, at other times, warm and good all over. 

By playing slowly or fast then faster,it has sometimes made my heart feel a whole host of emotions that are sometimes quite difficult to define. Because there are simply just so many of them.All at the same time, or then, one following the other, in rapid succession.

I'm sure I'm not the only one and what are  the chances that you feel the same way too...?

At times like these, I simply let the music flow over me, taking it in, and can't help but marvel at the skill of the player whose music has such a major impact.

Sights that linger

En route to Notre Dame, Paris, France

I've just returned from a trip to France and finally managed to download the photographs that I've been taking during that trip.

I know that most of you will probably laugh but I've got almost 2, 000 pics in a span of less than a fortnight!But I'm not complaining- at all in fact because that is the biggest  advantage of Digital photography as we've now come to call it. In fact, I'd probably go a step further and use the Twitter hashtag term of 'IPhoneography' as its now one of the highest trending words in twitter parlance ...

Just outside Notre Dame

I plan to review all the pics that I've taken and categorise them as deliberately and efficiently that I can, but am well aware that its not going to happen overnight.But in the meantime, I will sneak a look at the folder titled 'France 2012' every now and then and pull out a couple of pics that I can look at and enjoy.

And who knows, but probably manage to tell you folks a story or two as well?

So these two pics in this blogpost  are what I clicked one lovely evening while walking from the Musee D'Orsay  to Notre Dame, a route that took me past Rive Gauche and Pont Neuf among other Paris landmarks. It was a fairly long walk and I could have chosen to take the Metro( three stations away) or even a cab, but I deliberately chose to walk. That way I actually felt and experienced the essence of the place and  even as I write this, I can recall the stirring of the trees in the breeze, the lights coming on in the stores and best of all, the experience of walking past the River Seine!

Magical, was it? Yes it was .... 

So here it is-a sample of my series of blogposts to follow- ' Sights that linger"

 

26/11- Four years later

Today as we mark four years of the worst terror attacks that India has ever witnessed till date, many people, including the families of victims are still searching for answers to the reasons how and why.While its true that the only surviving terrorist was finally hanged a few days ago, I'm convinced that only a full fledged explanation to India by ;Pakistan will in some small way, help in mitigating the terrible trauma that was inflicted on one country by its immediate neighbour.

I'm using this opportunity to revisit a  couple of blogposts I'd written around that time and as I looked over them, I felt the very same horror and anguish I'd felt on those days,

Pic courtesy-BBC News

The first one
              
60 hours, 183 dead, and over 300 injured. The visible evidence of what has raged in Mumbai.

But what of that which is not visible, things that will remain under the surface and continue to smoulder...un-observed.

Until a tiny spark will light up the fire, once more, perhaps?

Many questions raised, some answers provided.

But the main one, as yet unanswered .How were 12 terrorists able to hold the whole of Mumbai to ransom, and where did all the ammunition come in from?

Someone....somewhere will have to provide these answers..

The second one-

Sooner, rather than later-(1/12/2008)

Today, we have a new Home Minister, and the Maharashtra CM has resigned, along with his Deputy.

The NSG finally has helicopters, and hopefully many more in the near future.

The two year old son, of a young Jewish Rabbi cries in confusion, having lost both his parents in a hail of bullets.

The ashes of the 183 dead people still smoulder...

Kerala CM Achutanandan vents his spleen on the slain hero,Maj Unnikrishnan's father, saying that if t had not been for him, even a dog would not have visited that house.

Some BJP leader objects to women "wearing lipstick and powder "and participating in a candle lit vigil, in the wake of this horrendous tragedy.

Can't help but wonder, what will tomorrow bring?

The third one

Sunday, December 7, 2008

And so, towards the future..

It's been just over 10 days since tragedy struck Mumbai.
And it's a whole 'new India' that has literally woken up to that fact....


I rejoice in the fact that it's all sections of society, as well as all age groups that are involved in this silent, peaceful awakening.

In the aftermath, so many truths have come to light.

The most critical being the fact that there were security and administration failures.And repeatedly at that.


Then the fact that various politicians attempted to capiatalize on the situation, in ways that are crude and difficult to believe, even today.

Top of mind-remember Narendra Modi and his 1 crore rupees?


This is the time when all responsible Indians need to step back and think.

And think, long as well as hard.

What is the India that we would like to have? One that our future generations will be able to truly and proudly move many, many leagues further?


Or back into a regressive, and terrible situation where some of our own countrymen, will have to fear for their lives as well as their families?


Such as what happened to the Sikh community in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's murder?

The horrors of that clearly and deliberately orchestrated pogrom return to haunt us, even today...

The saving grace that I clearly saw, was yesterday, the 6th of December.

When possibly few, if any, newspapers remembered to report that it was the Anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition...

So-There is definitely hope for this great country, India. 

If only we all take control and follow through with our individual bit of responsibility

Parenting in today's high tech driven world

I've thought about this very often, and this was really the case when my daughter was growing up.

Working in a full time job which left me mentally and physically tired at the end of the day I tried my best to spend 'quality' time with her, particularly our evenings in the 'Jhoola park'. But I must confess that my attention wandered and many times, work called,  intruding in my personal time and space.

She must have been lonely but my daughter never really complained- at least not openly. Hats off to her and her patience!

But life has a strange way of coming up with reminders and that can happen in the most unexpected ways. Just the other day, we were sitting at a little restaurant that we frequent on the weekends and I saw a father and his two young daughters come in. They settled down comfortably in a quiet corner and placed their orders. Some conversation was exchanged between the father and his daughters at that stage but that was really it!

For during the entire duration of that lunch all that the father did was focus on his phone!

Whether he was receiving or making calls, or simply looking at photographs or playing games,  it was very clear that this father paid far more attention to his phone than he did to his daughters. As for the two little girls, they remained quite busy and happy- first taking out their hand cleaner to clean their hands before starting their meal, then enjoying their chicken and french fries. All the while, they chattered with each other almost incessantly in a way that made me realise that this behaviour of their father's was probably quite routine and they had learnt to deal with it.

But I dont know why I felt saddened- was it a reminder of my own behaviour of a few years ago, or the realisation that today's children have learnt to deal with so much more than the previous generations?

Or was it quite simply the fact that the lure of this ever developing technology is making us into far more casual parents than our own were?Finally of course, each person has a choice- but in a long time I've felt touched enough by a topic to write a new blog post...

Hobbies, interest groups and life changing moments

I love interacting with people who share my hobbies - so I have an online group of photography enthusiasts where we share our photographs, then  comment on and critique each others work.

Then there is the 'real people' photography group where we go out on regular photo expediotions.

I also have a Bridge group where we meet and interact on a regular basis and play Bridge. Ditto for a Flower arranging and a painting group. And then I have a couple of online groups where authors from all over the world share their thoughts and ideas. Each of these groups has helped me evolve as an individual and I've learnt a great deal from all these people and I hope that in some way, I've been able to reciprocate too.


Today's story is about one of the Books and writers groups where I started a discussion board last month.The topic-"For many authors, their first book is closest to their heart. What about you? "

I got numerous responses and while I will name some of the authors, I wont name the others.One of the earliest responses, "On a personal level, yes. It was the most touching and the one which has left its impression upon me for the rest of my life. When you attempt to reconstruct your family's history you have to remember all elements of its history both tragic and hilarious whether you wish it or not. But the tragic elements have far outweighed the hilarious ones, unfortunately.."

Then there was this one-"I quite agree. Starting college at age 52, my first book came from my final research paper, for my final class, for my BA degree in 2006.Four years later, I expanded this 5000 word paper into a 70,000 word book for my first MA in 2009. While at the same time, my second bookcame from my thesis for my second MA in 2010. Everyday life is providing the content for my third book, to be out soon. "

Here's the most amusing one-"My first book is closest to my waste basket!"

After a couple of days and many more responses later, it  was time for me to chip in- which I did by saying-

"Thank you all for sharing your thoughts.I 've frequently debated this with some friends and colleagues.My first book, 'A Safe Harbour'is based on so much of my own career in advertising, and inadvertantly, the joys and travails of the job have crept in. Will go through all your links and posts in detail and would be happy to hear from more of you!

Then followed many more responses..in pretty much the same vein as mine

Faraaz Kazi-"That's true. Truly Madly Deeply will always hold a special place in my heart".

Mary Jane Clayton-"Yes, my first book, Brittany's Rose, truly is closest to my heart. It's about my granddaughter who lost her life to leukemia. It's about how believing in the unbelivable leads to healing. After 20 years of writing in my journal about coiencidental events, I finally learned to give them meaning. My hope is that these amazing messages from my granddaughter will help others who are still grieving a loss to find peace of mind.."

And here's the one that I could truly classify as one of my 'life changing moments'-a response from an author called Elaine Benton ( but before that this is a short bio of Elaine's).
Elaine was born in England, diagnosed at the age of five with Gaucher disease; a rare inherited disorder, for which there is no cure. At the age of 44, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Battling two diseases, Elaine's writing is inspirational and quite extraordinary. Elaine's book "Parkinson's, shaken, not stirred" is a collection of poems offering support and comfort to fellow sufferers and caregivers, relating to their daily struggles. From personal experience she has written with stark honesty and humour, something patients and doctors rarely get to read which has captured world-wide attention,giving a fresh perspective from the patient's view--http://www.amazon.com/Elaine-Benton/e/B0081JP8EK

Elaine Benton
( pic courtesy Elaine's Amazon page)

Elaine Benton-"I have to admit that my first book is very close to my heart. I put my heart and soul into it and it is about my personal experience of suffering chronic disease, whilst maintaining a cheerful and positive attitude. I am almost finished my third book, and know all too well about agents rejection letters, and as I'm running out of time, self publishing was the solution for me.

When one of the others on that panel debated the concept of 'self publishing' her answer truly moved me-

 "I quite agree that many of the great writers were penniless, or had to wait years until their works were finally recognised and published. You are correct in saying that "self publishing" as great as it is offering many people who do have talent the ability to get their books out there in some form, there is no doubt that an established publishing house taking on one's book is, as you put it, in an entirely different galaxy. I write because I love to write, believing I am writing something of value that is unique. I am not writing to become rich, and have so far not made a penny, and this does not bother me. I write because words seem to come from my soul and I want to get them down on paper, so that those who could gain support/comfort would not feel alone in their daily struggles. Some of us are not afforded, good health, time and money required to travel this route. I have contacted many publishers, but due to being in poor health, time is of the essence here, and eventually I self published simply because I am running out of time. I have had no help as regards contacts with publishers, and have barely enough energy to finish my third book and continue to write my daily blog that is being followed by fellow sufferers and care givers around the world. There is nothing I would love more than to have a publisher take me on. This is the number one item on my "bucket list", so if you or anyone out there reading this message would like to take a minute and visit my site https://www.amazon.com/author/elainebenton and if after reading, you feel you know of someone who may be interested, I would be eternally grateful.

Wishing you all a great day. "

Elaine.


Could I say any more than that?

Suffice it is to say that I havent used my blog to publicise any other author but this is a blog post with a difference.Do check out Elaine's blog, and I know, you will emerge as different person.

Pretty much in the same way as I did....

RIP- Rani ( Guddi) Bhuaji

Early this morning at 445 pm IST, my Guddi Bhuaji passed away in Toronto.

She had been ill with pneumonia and in hospital for the last six days and from what we understood, the family was prepared for the worst. 



A prolific painter



Last evening, I called my cousin Leena( her daughter) wanting to find out how she was doing. Leena asked me if I wanted to talk to her- telling me to say whatever  I wanted to- you see she couldn't speak any longer, but she was fully capable of hearing and comprehending. All I could say was "I love you Bhuaji" and even across the thousands of miles that seperated  us, I could hear the hissing of the hospital machines as they worked in the background. There was of course, no response from the other side, but I knew that she could hear me. I then handed the phone over to my daughter Neha and asked her to speak as well. Neha told her exactly the same words and them we were back on the line with Leena, who just asked us to pray for her.She also told me that she had heard and understood me and lifted her hand in acknowledgement.

 That was something so moving that I cried right there and then.

Then Leena and I told each other "I love you" and that moment was heartbreaking.Seperated by thousands of miles, bound to each other by a person who we were slowly, but surely losing, yet unable to do anything about it....



An uneasy night followed and I tossed and turned- afraid of what the next morning would bring.The fears were justified, for we learnt that she had passed away peacefully in the hospital. The time was 445 am IST. From what her husband, my Jeet Uncle  told my father Harnam  ( her older brother) he was with her in her room the whole night, the family having finally gone home.  She was having trouble breathing and he knew that she was in a great deal of discomfort.Having refused to go onto a ventilator to help her breathe easier for the last six days, it was a very, very painful time for her and he was aware of it. As he described it, he strated praying that she would have an easier time and it was almost as if someone or something had heard his prayer for she seemed to be breathing easier. And all the while he sat there holding her hand.....



Rani( Devinder ) Luthra-RIP



Then some time later, he realised that she was silent...not breathing.

And just knew...

Calling for help was the logical next step and when the medics arrived, he learnt that he was right- she was gone.. Thankfully, the end had been calm and peacaeful and as we say in Punjabi, " Santan wargi maut aaye" (she died like a saint does)

A loving wife, mom and grandmom, (2010)


The cremation is set for tommorrow, Sunday and I am well aware that the whole community that she was such an integral part of will be there. As I will too, in my thoughts and heart.

I could go on and on  about my Guddi Bhuaji who is no more.But right now, all I can and will say, "RIP Bhuaji, we love you forever...."

From 'A Safe Harbour' to 'A Full Circle'

  This blog is 4 years old today.Its a good feeling and Im happy to have got this far!

  I actually started this blog on the day 'A Safe Harbour' was launched in India and named the blog accordingly.

Since then, I've used it to express my thoughts and opinions on just about anything!Ive also used it to share my passion for photography with all of you and I hope to keep on at it for as long as I can.

I'm currently writing my fourth book, 'A Full Circle' which is a sequel to 'A Safe Harbour and it will be released early next year.

As I sit looking at the typewritten pages where the lives of Trishala, Sanjeet, Aafreen and Madiha continue, I recall so many, many things...

Some good and some not so good.

But top of mind , I recall wondering whether I would find a publisher...at all!

Can't complain, life has been good on the writing front and I hope I continue to fulfill the faith that my publishers and my readers have shown in my work so far.

So heres a very big thank you all those who believe in me and my work and I promise, there's more of it to follow.

For more details on my work please click on -

http://www.sunainasernaahluwalia.com/

Que Sera Sera, Losing it, then finding it

I firmly believe that what is meant to be, will be.

Or looking at it another way, if you were meant to lose something you will, and if you were meant to find it, you will!


Some time back, I lost a part of my antique earing, one which had been gifted by my mother and which originally belonged to her grandmother.You see we were going out to a Diwali party and there was no way that I could figure out where I could have dropped it.



What will be.. will be

So I did the best that that I possibly could under the circumstances.
I tried to put it out of my mind and almost did.Until minutes ago when our cleaner just brought that piece and holding out his hand and asked me if I had dropped it.

I saw it twinkling as he held it out and my heart skipped a beat, then two..then three.

For it really was the missing piece of my ear-ring.

Phew! Did that feel good?Am I relieved?

Yes on all counts!

It could have fallen anywhere , in the car, in the lift, in our friends' home, on the road-but look where it was all this while...in the guest toilet, right here in our own home!

So as I started by saying, I firmly believe that what is meant to be, will be.

'Que Sera Sera'...   

An evening walk

There are days and then there are other days. Some which are hotter than the others, or certainly more humid!

June, July and Aug are particularly hot here in the Gulf and sometimes September too.But for those of us who choose to walk during the late evenings, there really aren't too many choices. One either walks or one doesn't.

And if one doesn't , then one tends to lose out on the only 'real' activity for the day ( particularly given the fact that we are merely sitting at our desks or commuting during the rest of the day. Top that by eating three meals and you'll soon get the picture.

Then of course, there's the very real issue of ageing, along with the other more deadly one- socialising- which includes the occassional bingeing and sometimes that extra glss of wine. Result- a whole lot of added calories.

So coming back to where I began- either one walks or one doesn't. And I'm sharing my tweet ( sent out late last night) with all of you.

"One really has to be a glutton for punishment to walk in this weather. And yet I did!"

Euphoria that I did it- topped all other feelings!

And at the rate I'm going these days, I have no plans of quitting my evening walk.For more updates, do check this blog out same time, next week.

RIP- Maeve Binchy

(Pic courtesy BBC Website)

I normally go straight to the BBC website every morning and catch up on all the latest news. Today, I was in for a real shock for this is what I saw...

"Best-selling Irish author Maeve Binchy has died aged 72 after a short illness."

And here's the link that said it all

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19057922



'Binchy, born in Dalkey, Co Dublin, has sold more than 40 million books. Her works were often set in Ireland and have been translated into 37 languages.

They include The Lilac Bus as well as Tara Road and Circle of Friends, which were both adapted for screen.Binchy trained as a teacher before moving into journalism and writing, publishing her first novel - Light a Penny Candle - in 1982.

She had written the novel in her spare time from her day job as a journalist at The Irish Times.


In a 2001 interview with the BBC, after she had won the WHSmith Book Award for fiction, Binchy described the five rejections she received for her first novel as "a slap in the face".


Binchy had sold more than 40 million books worldwide She said she was glad she persevered and sent the book to a sixth publisher."It's like if you don't go to a dance you can never be rejected but you'll never get to dance either," she said.

The author said that her secret was to write the way she spoke."I don't say I was 'proceeding down a thoroughfare', I say I 'walked down the road'. I don't say I 'passed a hallowed institute of learning', I say I 'passed a school'.


"You don't wear all your jewellery at once," she went on. "You're much more believable if you talk in your own voice."


RIP Maeve Binchy- Like countless readers and admirers of your work, I will miss you.....

The window with a view


 Recently we spent some time in Himachal Pradesh in India. One place in particular is very high on our list of favourites, Mashobra. 

There were days filled with warmth and sunshine and then there were the cold, wet and windy days. 

And the rainy days were ones that I spent at my favourite spot at the window, watching the valley below. Hours when I could just relax and unwind for there seemed to be no rush to go anywhere. 

I could also indulge in my passion for photography and even though I've probably clicked this same spot and view below at least fifty times, I've no regrets.

For I've enjoyed myself thoroughly each time I've done so.

My Window With a View 




The view on a rainy day

 

So here they are, two of my current favourite shots- my window seat and the view that I looked at . Am fairly sure you will like them too! 

The magnificent Royal Opera House, Muscat

The Royal Opera House, Muscat (ROHM) was inaugurated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said last October and in his inaugural speech, he outlined his vision for the same. The essence of what he said can be simplified to mean that since Oman had played a significant role in various cultural fields in the past, it was now time for it to cap that rich march by adopting the concepts of international culture and by effective contribution to its promotion. To that end, it will be the ROHM that will showcase Oman’s creative and cultural heritage and provide Oman with a gateway to the international arena in the very real sense.







We've been lucky enough to visit the Opera House on more than one ocassion- the first, for a  wonderful show featuring the Whirling Dervishes and a more recent 'Open House'. On each of these ocassions, we've been struck by the excellence and detailing thats gone into making this place the superb piece of architectural  and cultural hub that its meant to be.

Here's a very real recommendation- do check it out folks,  at the very next opportunity that you get. Its truly one of those places that will stay in your mind and heart forever!

Re-visiting my Blog on St. Patricks Day

Its been a while since I blogged,so I just decided to re-visit this one.

No particular reason, but just the determination to be more regular than I've been in the last few months. 



Twilight Hues



Looking through the various photographs I've clicked and posted over the last three odd years, these are just some that caught my immediate fancy.

Matrah Souq , Muscat

So here they are...served up just for you folks.

Father's Love

A very happy St Patricks Day to all!



sunaina4's photostream

sunaina4's photostream on Flickr.

Just thought of sharing some pics taken by me in Oman..Hope you like them....

Finding 'Darshana'

Whenever I start work on a new book, it doesnt take me much time to outline and then define the key characters in terms of their physical and menatl make up.Thereafter, starts the process of making them become real people who live,  eat, shop, laugh and cry just like all of us do.

For An Autumn Melody, I'd created a character called Darshana, who is the main protagonist of the book.That name had just popped up into my head and I'd gone on, filling in all the details over the course of the book.

I'd never met a Darshana in my life and and it was so nice- just to be able to keep on making up and telling Darshana's story...

The book was published by Rupa publications and released in India in September 2011 and in Oman in October. The book has been well received and I'm happy...

On the 8th of  December we were attending WGOs Crystal Ball at Shangrila's Bar Al Jissa Hotel. Seated at a  table for 12, we knew most people.But there was one couple we didnt know and as we sat down we introduced ourselves to them.

I said, "I'm Sunaina", to the lady in a blue dress.

She smiled back at me and  replied- "I'm Darshana...."

Many hours and the entire evening later...we are bonded...

I guess this has to be...for life....