EXPERIMENTERÉ

“Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.” — Anonymous They say, what a nice picture, I'd say how nicely a picture is taken. So, what is a nice picture?  On the occasion of #worldphotographyday, myself a small learner and observer of life, who happens to document them, as is, it is, ofcourse there would be a story hidden, behind each photograph.  As a child, I was never to be seen in pictures, because yours truly was a defacto family photographer. Those days, analog camera, the roll and printing and subsequent Joy and excitement enveloped the printed versions, #matt finish... It's like the pre instant maggi time, where a picture equalled to hard toil, sweat and dirt, like giving a birth. Don't want to sound like a dinosaur, in 2020, I do not have a camera. Just a mobile phone. My last spoil was a Samsung #s10, and happy so far. Graduated from rigid and  fixated Microsoft  Nokia to flexi and modern Android. Hmm. Th...

Leading from the front Mamata Banerjee has reinvented West Bengal to take it to the top of the SKOCH State of Governance charts in 2018. In the process, from villages to cities, Panchayat offices to chief minister's office, West Bengal has witnessed a governance transformation. India is a land of contradictions. Digital goes hand in hand with agrarian; and modern looks well matched with traditional. And one state that seems to reflect this fabric of India in recent times is West Bengal. Clad in a white saree with blue border and the quintessential blue slippers, the leader of West Bengal is known as Mamata didi. A stranger to Mamata Banerjee’s stature wouldn’t believe in the grit she holds within but holds she does, and she holds steely determination and firebrand social activism. Leading from the front, Mamata Banerjee has reinvented West Bengal and in the process, from villages to cities, Panchayat offices to chief minister’s office, the state has witnessed a governan...

In a recent press note, FICCI recommends, that being vigilant (about everything) is going to decide how India defeats Corona, in this #covid19 health battle. As MHA issued guidelines, on easing lockdown wef August 3rd. FICCI beleives, that vigilance is the core thing. The body recommended, to ease prohibitions in aviation, sports, schools and tourism sector. As the world continues to battle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that a strategy of long-term total lockdown is simply unsustainable for most economies. As lockdown orders continue to be enforced in many parts of the country, businesses and livelihoods are under tremendous pressure due to the collapsed demand, layoffs, and wage reductions. Towards this, the Government of India has proactively responded to the concerns raised by both citizenry and industry to enable staggered reopening of the economy. As we approach the end of ‘Unlock 2’ on July 31, 2020 and prepare ourselves for ‘Un...

In a giant leap, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany has offered to join hands with the government of India along with the World Bank In its efforts to provide for an social protection system catering to the needs of especially urban poor and vulnerable groups such as migrant workers in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic. As an emergency support measure, a fast disbursing loan in the volume of EUR 460 Million (Rs 3893 Crores) has been committed to support India's move towards a systematic social protection scheme. The salient features of the intended system based social protection are: ·         develop systems and processes which will allow coordinated action across ministries and states ·         achieve a good balance between social assistance and social insurance programmes ·         allow for portability of ' in kind benefits' which could improve outreach to vulnerable groups e.g.  ...

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines today, for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. In Unlock 3, which will come into effect from August 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments.  Salient features of the new guidelines Restrictions on movement of individuals during night (Night curfew) have been removed. Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5, 2020. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19. Independence Day functions will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols, e.g., wearing of masks etc. In this regard in...

Travel and tourism is one thing that was the biggest hit in the Covid 19 pandemic in year 2020, which they say was supposedly a 'boom' year for the shipping industry. My personal experience in Fiji, and coming home was something. I can tell you, how difficult it can become, if you Outside your home country. Coming home and restricted, largely. Coming back to cruise ships. I used to see the Pacific Explorer tucked at the Port of Suva.  Even if the tourism business is under  pressure ahead of the crucial summer season in the northern hemisphere (Europe and America). Th risk of catching coronavirus, social distancing rules at sea is as good as a log and adds pressure. The ships across the world are merely marooned by a shore or a harbour. Mostly appear ghostly (can imagine though). Thousands of people got laid off in a swipe. Carnival - 32,000 waiting for repratriation, Royal Carribbean - 26000, out of 77,000 (rest assured remaining shall go home sooner)....

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