MEMORIES

To the dear ones, to the one's who touched lives, to the one's who made a difference

[anuradhapandey]

Bombay in transit.

[anuradhapandey]

Mumbai Monsoon Part 2

The Rickshawalas in Mumbai get the most flak from people due to the Monsoon. Yesterday the Rickshawala said to me, "I'm going to drive slow because it's pouring really heavily"

I was glad to hear that because it means that there was some care and some thought for the safety of the people in that Rickshaw. Not all humanity is lost after all

[anuradhapandey]

Monsoon in Mumbai Mumbai as a city is just not getting better. There's chaos of all kinds, frustrated people, traffic, fights, cursing the city time and again and the list goes on. But in between all this, when it's night time. And the roads are slightly emptier than before and tired people are heading home after a yet another hard day in this city, Mumbai calms down. The rains may not but the people start to calm down and somewhere in between that, we find beautiful moments like this. Which makes the whole city seem not so bad. #MumbaiMonsoon

[anuradhapandey]

"Everything and everybody is on the move in every direction. There is no place to stop, no place to dawdle, You either moved on or got moved down."

‪

[anuradhapandey]

Men are like wine.

[anuradhapandey]

Mumbai 2/2

Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan

This song my Mohammed Rafi captures what most people feel about the Mumbai city. Most people, me included have a love/hate relationship with this city. There are days when the city embraces you with open arms, then there are other days when it rejects you in the most brutal manner. There are days when you feel like this one big happy family, while on other days you feel the loneliest person in the crowd. At the end of the day, I think, we always come out stronger.

So no matter how many times the city has brought us down on our knees, it has always helped us stand back on our feet. The city is a perfect example of how life works, isn’t it?

[anuradhapandey]

Mumbai 1/2: It is usually said by the people that once you’ve lived in Mumbai, you cannot live in any other city for a long time. Honestly, I couldn’t agree more.

Mumbai, for me, is not just a city. It is a feeling. rather, it’s an experience. i couldn’t comment whether good or bad, but I will definitely say this: This city will never disappoint you. It would always give you something essential that you would take away. Something that would either hit you deep in the gut or calm you down. Something that would linger in you for a long time. It will always give you a memory.

[anuradhapandey]

I took a trip with my family to Jammu last year, to visit the famous Vaishno Devi shrine at katra. I couldn’t help but wonder what were the hopes of the millions of people who visited the shrine. Perhaps, there was a sense of deep faith into something beyond them that bought all these people together to pray. In a country like India which is deeply rooted in it’s culture, faith doesn’t just remain a factor of belief. It seeps into our daily lives and becomes a part of the tradition that we follow. The various fables that we listen to as kids about the mighty gods and goddess becomes a strong pillar of belief system for some.

Maybe, it is this sense of tradition that brings so many people together every year where they walk 20 Kilo meters up and down the hill to visit the shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi. The journey comprises of constant chanting and cheering to showcase the spirit of the devotees. All barriers are broken when one visits a place like this which is why the old and the young participate with the same enthusiasm.

For me, it was a good opportunity to spend some time with the family, and meet an old friend.

[anuradhapandey]

Words fails when the eyes can speak

[anuradhapandey]

The girl who stopped waiting

 She kept looking at the door, hoping that someone would turn up. She peeped outside to see if a shadow was visible or a faint sound could be heard. She waited. Time and again, nights after nights, she waited. She waited for the lost opportunity, she waited for the last visitor, she waited for hope, she waited for time, she waited for a hand, she waited for a laughter, she waited for a song, she waited for a story, she waited for a touch, she waited to trust, she waited to hear the footsteps, she waited for the light, she waited for a friend.

Then one day, she stood up and walked out of the door. She was the girl who stopped waiting.

[anuradhapandey]

MEMORIES turned 2 today!

[anuradhapandey]

HOLI 2014!

The time spent with family and friends always remains embedded in my mind, especially if its a festival because it is this time of the year when the whole family comes together just to celebrate. It is this time of the year when love and affection are visible without any effort.

This little one enjoyed the wholehearted love and attention of everyone this year!

[anuradhapandey]

A friend who I am glad I accidentally stumbled upon

A friend who knows my wildest secrets and yet doesn’t judges me

A friend who pulls my leg the most yet saves my day

A friend who has been there no matter what

A friend who inspires yet acts very modest about it

A friend who knows just how to spread happiness

A guy who is simple and one of the best people I know

He is my best friend- Naidu

[anuradhapandey]

I have a special place for sunsets and silhouettes. They somehow connect so much and bring out the beauty that is simply breathtaking. This photograph was taken in Viman nagar, Pune just when the sun was about to set. Somehow, the tin sheds of the slums and the sky merge and bring out something different. Something serene and beautiful.

[anuradhapandey]

Massoorie: the place that made me fall in love with travelling

I happened to visit Massoorie with my friends during our stay in Dehradun. The crazy zigzag road, the fascinating stories, the car drive, the loud music, it all looked like a movie scene where four friends are travelling and having the time of their lives. But this wasn't a movie scene: This was happening

Massoorie, the queen of the hills stunned me with its beauty. The clean roads, the small shops, the green mountains captivated me asking me to stand there and adore them for as long as possible. Our cameras became a medium of registering the beauty for forever in my mind.

We took a trek to the highest point in Massoorie known as the “Chaar Dukaan” which actually meant four shops. The cold wind on my cheeks blowing away my long hair from my cheeks, hot tea in my hand and the breathtaking orange sky dancing in its own patterns just made my day. I had seen sunsets before, but this was different. At that moment, I felt alive and I realised how I want to be surprised my life.

Massoorie will always have a special place in my heart because this was the place that made me realize how beautiful some unexpected things can be.

[anuradhapandey]

Diwali 2013

Diwali has always been a time for me when the entire family comes together to celebrate this day with fun frolic and laughter. Its the time when the responsibilities are shared. My dad cooks whereas I help in the decoration, my brother for once leaves in nuisances outside the home and participated in whatever is being done.

I've always enjoyed Diwali as a child because of all the lights and colors that brightens the day. Moreover, i couldn't help but notice how much traditions has been carried forwards through generations in this one festival. 

this year it been about coming back home after 2 months and just being there with family and friends. However, a thought crossed my mind that day. I realized this is the time of my life which will never change. I know for a fact I will always come back home and be with my family on Diwali. this is something that gives me strength to go on in life because no matter what changes, this won't.

[anuradhapandey]

MEMORIES turned 1 today! :D