MY FAMILY – MY WORLD !

Family life is bliss! And `happy family’ life is the delight.

I used to push and bend my life like most of us do. In spite of the fact that we do hear a lot from the wise that let life take its own course and one must take life as it comes. At one stage, I thought it was all weird thinking and not practical. Why shouldn’t one bend it like we like? Well, there is truth in that that we should bend it like we want, but are unable to decipher the codes of life accurately, thus the result is a mismatch. I think, the twists and turns of life bring a lot and life has a lot to offer, but we deprive ourselves much of happiness in life with our pushy attitude. Now, I understand what it means. Have a direction, be focused on it, one should do one’s work with passion; be rest assured one will get rewarded.

MY MARRIAGE
In the true Indian culture, marriage has the status of `sacred institution’. And house of a happy family is considered as a temple. We have to understand about what marriage is and what is the role of a life partner. Most of the time, our expectations are out of proportion from our marriage. Anyway, when I met Rajbir I had no plans to get married ever. As we worked together on the mission to educate people about snakes and snakebite, I found her to be a good human being, which I consider to be the best quality of a `life partner’. I proposed her for marriage, which she neither declined nor accepted. She told me that it may not be possible, as she is from a very religious Sikh family.

As its often said `marriages are made in heaven’. Probably, I agree to that. We wouldn’t have been married being from different religions, in normal course of life. The biggest surprise was unfolding soon, as Rajbir’s father suggested Rajbir to propose me for marriage, which is a very unusual thing for an Indian father, that too being a Sikh. On one of her trips to her home town, her father Sardar Avtar Singh, discussed with Rajbir about what marriage is and what kind of life it brings, how one has to live as married and all the related aspects. At the end of the discussion with her, he suggested her to find out if Capt Suresh could be interested in getting married to her. It was the most pleasant surprise for Rajbir, as well as me, of our life time. He also had no conditions about anykind of issues, like most parents have. His point was that one should get married to a good human being and where you gel with each other and agree about the ways of working and living.

I consider Rajbir’s father as a real PhD about life, he understands the real life and the practical aspects of it, whereas I find most educated people having turbulent family life, as they do not understand the nitty-gritty of happy family life.

Finally, on April 23, 2000, we got married  in a simple and Spartan ceremony defying the custom of ostentatious and lavish functions. By mutual agreement, we spent the money so saved for the Snake Cell.

MY WIFE
I often say that if there is something good which could happen to me, is that I am married to Dr Rajbir Kaur. A very fine human being and has really shown me in life about how to be courteous and respectful to even a simple pedestrian on the road, while I am driving. I confess that in India we have no respect for others while we are driving. I am proud of being an Indian, but we do have this serious flaw.

I never forced Rajbir to join me for any of my activities, she has taken everythnig herself, like `water and milk absorb each other’. She loves being on outdoors, she loves to maintain her household herself, unlike others she has no domestic help. Rajbir is a qualified homeopath and most people wonder why she is not practicing her medicine. Her reply to all is that she wants to have a happy family life, which is the best practice and leads to contentment.

MY CHILDREN
Sukhmani, our daughter is about 5 years and our son Chirag is about 3 years. Our strong family values include, grooming of children in the best possible manner to make them good human-beings, unflinching faith in God and in ourselves and leading the children by example. We try to follow traditional Indian culture and values with slight adaptation for the modern times.

We sincerely believe that travel is one of the best forms of education for the children and for ourselves. Our extensive travels far and wide have only further reinforced this belief. In 2003, when Sukhmani was only six months old, we travelled for six months and 12,000 kms by road. In 2004, we travelled for four months in Rajasthan and Gujarat again by road, stopping frequently wherever we found audience for nature related lectures or subjects for photography. Our travel to Egypt with our children is unforgettable and a unique experience to them as it was to us.

Our deep faith in God, combined with our confidence in ourselves and our well-wishers help us lead a contented and happy family life. Happy in the thought that there are people who care for us in the Heavens and on earth, and in the satisfaction that we try to selflessly do what we can for Nature.

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“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - St. Augustine

I love travelling!

My father has been my best teacher and trainer, before I set out on `solo flight’ in life. In fact, he taught me more than what the Indian army could about how to live with self-esteem and honour. He grilled plenty of civic sense first and made me good human being. He has been my trainer for developing my personality through various ways. I am amazed how he learnt all that, as he has been only a school teacher of a government primary school, where there is no scope of any exposure to an atmosphere which could instill this kind of character or personality in a teacher.

Its my father who initiated me into travel and active outdoor life. His perception about life has been far beyond average Indian parents. Its with this outlook that he trained me to be prepared to take on life on my own without any kind of external support, which most of other Indian kids always depend on their parents for every small thing. Unlike Indian parents, he had set a deadline for me to become self-reliant to earn my living. I still hear echo of those words often – Suresh, do not think this will go on forever, as fun while living on father’s money. He further said very firmly that he will not support me beyond 20 years of my age and he made it very clear to me in just few words. Often, Indian parents keep supporting their children all their life, keep interfering in their personal life often. They keep their kids under their own `protection umbrella’, so much that they never grow out of this `parental cocoon’. Now, I realized that how lucky I am to have father who groomed me well to be self-reliant. He made me bold to make my own decisions. My father supported me for whatever best education, diet, basic amenities he could afford. But he never asked me about which subjects I have opted for in college and he let me have freedom to set my own course in life. When I had just stepped into my college (S.D. College, Ambala Cantt.) for graduation in arts stream, at the same time I was also contemplating for professional colleges which could guarantee me a job after I complete my education. In those days, there weren’t much wider options for jobs and professional courses as are nowadays. My father told me that he is not going to impose any of his choice of profession or any professional education on me, I was free to make my own decisions. All this training took place so smoothly and quietly that I never realised, it made a me a man.

Since, crime was less in those days, life was much safer for a 15 years old boy, I travelled alone for long distances in overnight trains. Soon after I passed my tenth class, I travelled alone to other cities to seek admission in professional courses; travelled by overnight trains alone, explored life and liked it, made my own arrangements for travel and stay. It was unheard of  an Indian family, extending freedom to explore life to a raw lad of just 15. This phase changed my life and was a silent turning point in my life and attitude, changed perception to a great extent towards every aspect of life. Basics of cooking were taught to me at home, respect for elders drilled, respect for the system and the society was a must, teachers were the most respected, etc. Also, my father always encouraged me to buy good books other than text books, which was not a common practice around me. After exams, I was given money to fund my small projects i.e. I made my own guitar, a small television which was fitted with a slide projector (projector was made by me with local lenses), etc.

I remember, eversince I started walking, my father used to take me along for morning walks, exploring old buildings, temples, grave-yards, mosques, culture, jungle, etc. We used to walk long distances, go on bicycle trips, made me self-reliant, inculcated self-confidence in me, as a routine. He also motivated me a lot about the value of good health; its my father who could convince me so well against smoking that it had everlasting impact on my mind. In fact, my father encouraged me for anything good in life, never discouraged even if it had cost him extra money.

All these had prepared me to become a good traveller and fired quest for wanderlust, adventure and to enjoy the wonders of nature from close. I was enticed by the Indian army with the opportunities it offers to travel and pursue adventure, partly the influence of army cantonment in my town. My father never forced me to join the Indian army, but he had won my impressionable young mind with the library books about `war heroes’ of India. All things put together, these developed a very strong desire in me to join the Indian Army, not for a job but it was to be a soldier and had no second option in my mind.

I strongly believe that travel shapes one’s character and personality, inculcates a great amount of self-confidence, one starts respecting all cultures and religions, becomes more civic, makes you humble, realise the value of every small thing, one starts to respect even the smallest denomination of currency, fuss about anything is defused, respect for life and all the living things – making you a good human being above all.

I have been lucky to have got married to my `lady love’ Dr Rajbir Kaur, who is a Sikh by religion, but we both respect humanity and life more than religion. I never imposed anything on my wife, she took to traveling like `fish to water’ and that was a great asset to both of us towards a happy married life and towards our family. I have met some men who love traveling but their wives hate it; I think they have no idea how much of great fun of real life they deny to themselves and this makes life very drab and dull for both.

Its very easy to enjoy life – just be a good human being. And travel does that !

Blessed are those who love travelling !!!

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Snakes, however, play important environmental roles in the fragile ecosystems and can play a very important role in agriculture. They control the population of harmful rodents and pests, thus helping people. Though sometimes dangerous, snakes can be useful, and, as any living creature, they have the right to exist.

In spite of being the most dreaded animal, snakes evoke curiosity like no other animal on earth. I have observed that people love to look at snakes, even when they scream and shiver with the sighting of a snake. Snakes have always been on the centre stage of special attention in the folklore and mythology, all over the world. On seeing a snake, reaction varies from screams, detestation, advocating the extermination of snakes from earth, worship, urge to touch and feel, etc.

Snakes never harm you, unless they perceive threat from you, when you move too close or you step on them. They are like a naked electrical wire, maintain distance and you are safe; both are very useful to us.
Basically, it’s the lack of information which leads to fear and chaos. I have experienced that if people are given the right information, their fear will be reduced and the confrontation will be converted into being more friendlier.

My mission is to remove the fear of snakes from the minds of people and save the snakes. The Snake Cell is a unique step in this direction and undoubtedly has been effective, so far.

MISSION: SAVE INNOCENT SNAKES AND IGNORANT PEOPLE, WITH MY CAMERA

MISSION: SAVE INNOCENT SNAKES AND IGNORANT PEOPLE, WITH MY CAMERA

We all know that `an image is worth thousand words’!  I say that a good image is worth million words! Isn’t it?

So, I decided  to accomplish my mission by educating people about snakes and snakebite, basically to make them comfortable with the presence of snakes, through good quality photos. I strongly felt that good photos will project snakes as beautiful creatures and handsome, thus hoping that the hostile attitude of common man may get friendlier towards snakes after seeing their beauty through my photos.  So far, I have been encouraged by the remarks and comments of the viewers of every quality snake image I have shown to public through my websites, blogs and others forums on internet.

I am sure, this endeavour will save the snakes from being misunderstood, as most dreaded animals. There are reports that in pre-independence India, British government promoted extermination of venomous snake species from certain areas, though it turned out to be a futile effort. This indicates how hostile we can be against innocent creatures, without even making an attempt to understand our neighbours,  who cohabit this beautiful planet Earth. I do not blame the commoner squarely, as he struggles to muster for basics for his living. It’s the government agencies who have to organise the right type of educational material and effective strategy, which has had glaring failures in the field of  `nature conservation education’ so far. For the will to do quality work is missing at all levels in the government department of wildlife.

My endeavour will be to bridge the gap between  `INNOCENT SNAKES, IGNORANT PEOPLE’, through well written literature containing good information about snakes alongwith good quality images; common man needs it the most, to join hands to `SAVE OUR BEAUTIFUL PLANET’.

Finally, I said, “What the heck, why I can’t do photos of snakes, so what if I am poor at this stage, if I start now then one day I shall create good snake photos”. That was enough to motivate me. I started trying my hand with snake photography, while using rescued snakes,  and as the time passed by, with practice I started getting reasonably good photos, ever since I have been improving. I am happy with the results.

Here, I would like to advise you to be careful about buying any camera equipment `on line’, especially the one you have not used before, one must refer existing users of equipment, first. I bought Canon macro lens 180mm L series and a 2x converter to compliment it, alongwith a Canon Ring Flash MR 14-EX. Soon, after some photography with snakes, I discovered that ring flash had no role in snake photography for me. Also, I realised that snake photography can be done with other lenses i.e. tele lens, wide angle lens, etc. Most people think that snake photography means macro lenses.

Now, I love doing snake photography, though I have a long way to go, before I can make my snake photos stunning for quality. I am dreaming to do some quality shots for the `snakes & snakebite poster’, which should be able to attract and stop any onlooker with its quality of images and get them read the text.

In the past, whenever I posted my snake photos on my Flickr account, I used to get mails from viewers, who were curious to know how to go about snake photography. And I was quite surprised that there wasn’t much on the subject on the net. Therefore, I decided to publish about this subject on the internet, in stead of writing individual mails. Be rest assured that I have explained all about snake photography on my own blog and websites, as much as I know, nothing has been hidden. I love to share my experiences and knowledge with everyone. So, this will be a sincere  endeavour to disseminate knowledge about snakes through my Canon.

Snake photography is not at all difficult, provided you know the snakes well (like you are supposed to know your subject well, in any branch of good photography), one should have a competent snake handler for the snake shoot, follow the safety instructions, suitable camera equipment, etc.

Many Flickr viewers have commented on my snake photos there that I am gutsy, bold, brave and what not. I do not agree with all that. Fact remains, when you know about snakes well and about the consequences of snakebite, you are more scared and respect snakes more ! Its a matter of practice and knowing your subject, keeping in mind the safety.

Good discipline is the key to snake photography!

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Nile is a dream river for every visitor and photographers love to photograph everything around this great river.  Egypt presents the visitor with many striking contrasts, particularly in its landscape and in the ancient, Christian and Islamic elements of its heritage. Signs of Westernization and tradition are sometimes found in startlingly incongruous juxtaposition, bur more usually the new is adapted to blend harmoniously with the old.

Nile – the great river which flows down its entire length has united Egypt, and which indeed is the creator of the country. Without the Nile, Egypt would not exist.  The great majority of its estimated 80 million live along the banks of the Nile River, in an area of about 40,000 square kilometers (15,000 sq mi), where the only arable agricultural land is found. And cultivate the land as their ancestors have done for thousands of year. This narrow, fertile valley is flanked by the desert- a desert which is always threatening to take over the cultivation. Today, controlled by dams and barrages, the Nile no longer floods the country every year. The building of the High Dam at Aswan flooded the whole of the Nile valley between Aswan and the frontier with Sudan, creating Lake Nasser. Preserved from the threat of devastating floods, Egypt is now protected from the dangers of famine by the regulation of the water.

Egypt has a landscape which is surprisingly varied, but all of the terrain derives from a combination of water and sky, cultivation and desert.

Dervish Dance/ Sufi Dance Video

MORE INFO ABOUT EGYPT

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They Fascinate, They Repel
Some Pose Danger, Others are Harmless
They are a beauty from Nature’s Parlour

‘What man does not understand, he fears, what he fears he destroys…’  Snakes are a victim of this mentality of man, as man has been impotent to understand true power and humility of this divine animal.

Snakes are considered by many, as perhaps the most dreadful of all animals that co-inhabit our planet. Fear about snakes prevails due to the total ignorance about these graceful, agile and useful creatures. In India, snakes are part of our mythology, yet, first reaction on seeing a snake is panic, fear and thought to exterminate the species. Non-poisonous snakes do not pose any major problems for humans besides fear and sometimes being pests. Lack of basic knowledge about snakes, leads to `fear of the unknown’ and then panic, which further leads to disastrous results.

Snakes, however, play important environmental roles in the fragile ecosystems and play a very important role in agriculture. They control the population of harmful rodents and pests, thus helping people. Though sometimes dangerous, snakes can be useful, and, as any living creature, they have also the right to exist.

There are about 255 species of snakes in India, of which about 52 are venomous and only four pose threat to human beings, as they are found in the vicinity of human settlements, especially in rural areas which are agricultural and have rats in abundance. The four venomous snakes are called Big Four - Cobra, Common Krait, Russell’s Viper and Saw Scaled Viper.

Know About Snakes & Snakebite