Visit to Bhaktapur Durbar Square - A Melting Pot of Energy

Standing atop the bricked pavement in Bhaktapur, a locality that was UNESCO heritage in entirety, I realized that the eclecticism and verve flowing from the travelers and locals alike would funnel to converge at its Durbar, (a term used analogous to Square, predominantly in Nepal). Intricate architecture adores the landscape of clear blue skies and the Himalayan ranges in the backdrop. While recent earthquake has had devastating impact on the buildings, the resilience to overcome has been impeccable. (Read more on this at : Resonating Resilience of Bhaktapur)

Durbar Square - Melting Pot of Energy

The wooden architecture seamlessly merges with stone carving of Newari architecture. Carvings in woods speaks loads about The design and science appears as excellent to an extent it gets as clinical as it may get, with a distinct influence of the Pagoda and the Shikhar forms of architecture. This facet of the coexistence appears to be distinctly unique to Bhaktapur.

Intricate Architecture in Wood - Pagoda Style of Temples

Meticulous Wooden carving in the architecture

The geometry in the shape and design is unbelievable and so is the meticulous symbiosis of the different forms of architecture.

Outstanding Geometry of the temple architecture 

But amid all the human spirit and effort that had gone behind this marvel, there were also the remnants of the merciless earthquake. While the bricks and the walls surrounding some of the temples had been broken, the eternity of the faith in the hearts of the worshipers remained as firm as ever.

Eternity of Faith

The hallmark resilience, post earthquake, and human faith was validated in efforts to recover post the massive destruction that had impacted the country all across. Among the mountains lay the mountainous task of rebuilding and regaining through an undeterred human spirit.

Resurrection of the lost glory

It was disturbing to realize the scale and impact of the earthquake had cast on this heritage as also the amount of collective global spirit that would be warranted to regain the past glory of Bhaktapur. The Shikhar of the namesake Shikhar architecture lay amiss within the leaps of stones and the (contrasting ) human faith.

Broken Temple - An opportunity and not a lost battle

The place also derives its uniqueness from the fact that the best of different worlds merge and flow at the Durbar. Different architecture, locals and non-locals, the excellence of nature and human efforts and nature's fury and even stronger resilience.

Diversity in Unity of different forms of architecture

The foundations of several buildings were supported by logs of woods. However there was not an iota of human desperation or a lost battle. It reflected the dutifulness in the minds and the opportunities that had sprouted to revive the hard works of their Newari architecture.

An inspiring walk along the Glory to be reclaimed back

Envious space of Symmetry

Temple with Golden Gate - Taloja Temple

On the Durbar lay the golden gates of the Taleju Temple, the next stop destination.

Note:(All the images and the content above are proprietary material to the author and the author alone.)

That's The News, and I Am Out of Here...

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the blog is going on a brief hiatus, while I take off on an adventure of my own. I leave tomorrow morning, Friday April 3rd, for Peru, where I'm going to be spending 10 days on the Amazon River and in the Jungle. I'm looking forward to the break, and seeing a part of the world I've never been to before. And when I return on April 12th I hope to have all kinds of great stories, photos, and maybe even some video to share.

In the mean time, you can follow all the developing action on Everest at Alan Arnette's page, and for general information on Everest and the Poles, ExWeb is always a good bet. And don't forget the National Geographic Adventure Blog and the Outside Online Blog as well. Both are excellent sources of news on what is going on in the world of adventure.

I'll be back soon and posting new updates. Take care everyone! :)

Texperience UniverCell Sync - It's FUN, It's EASY, It's YOURS

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[The post is a submission towards the author's experience on an invited visit on August 23, 2014 , at the UniverCell Sync store (Cecil Store, Colaba) at Mumbai, an event conducted in coordination with Indiblogger.] 

The post is about the author’s experience at the store, and to some extent its review too.

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Saturday Afternoon and an Electronic Store for a review. The eclectic combination would not have appealed to me had I not visited one of the fabulous stores of UniverCell Sync in Chennai, the store's native town. In fact,  I was quite keen to visit them in amchi Mumbai. 

If you are looking for UniverCell Sync, Colaba, it is simply impossible to miss, located next to Regal Cinema, a major landmark in Mumbai. It is among company’s 9 stores in Mumbai. Interiors are functional and compact, a combination that is quite lively with some thoughtful collage. 

Smiley - Hip and Youthful - Thoughtful Collage at the Store

The collection of the products is great and their structural placement even better. What stands out for the Store is the human touch, creation of an overall Technical experience (‘Tech-perience’ as they call it!!) and the stress on the particulars. The customer management could not had been better.

Yeah - This sums it up

Tex-perience

Sync - Creating the ecosystem for the Handsets

The overall shopping experience at the store is refreshingly different and yes, highly recommended. 

My experience of the visit is divided in the following segments: Location and Ambience, Products and Placement, Customer Management and Store's USP.

They are particular about particulars

And they are unique in doing that !!

Location and Ambience:

The location is as prime as it can get. The parking is an issue though. You can't park outside the store and there isn't a valet parking either. There are a few options around for paid BMC parking, but on a day with huge rush, it'd be practically difficult to find a place.

Your Friendly Store - Next to Regal Cinema

Interiors - Compact and Functional

The Blue of the store is to get away from the Handset Blues !!

The Focus ( lights) on the right handsets

Ambience of the store is excellent. A combination of Blue and White adore the interiors, with catchy design that brims with youthfulness. The arrangement is functional and compact. The store is divided in clear segments through neatly demarcated sections and Spaces.

There seems to be a lot of thought behind the Interiors

The Brand, UniverCell is there to stay

Product Mix and Placement:

Foremost, this isn't a mobile store alone. If you are looking for smart Gizmos and synching accessories, you are just at the right place.

Right Service with the Product Mix means true Value

As soon as you enter the store, there is a section for ’Bestsellers’ that comprise of high selling products, across different price segments. Followed on the left is the 'Pedestrian' section that houses some really good handsets, largely to capture the view of the by-goers on the bustling Colaba market. It is a good marketing option to draw attention as this section is clearly seen on the Causeway. Further ahead is the 'Point and Shoot' section. There is a space that gives you the opportunity to click yourself, in some fun ways.

The Beauty across the street

It’s your dedicated space to satiate ‘selfie’ driven desires, or a hip way to click yourself through your new camera. A different concept though, and would for sure strike a chord amongst the youth. The gist is, It is ‘fun’. 

The Space for'Point and Shoot'

The Store Representative obliged me by posing in the 'Point and Shoot' space

Just next to this space is the functional demarcation for the ‘Image and Photography’ section. This section houses handsets with superior photography features. Multi brand handsets placed next to each other makes a good contention for easy and right buying choice from the customer’s perspective. My personal experience is that it’s a useful method of product segregation. A larger collection of low cost handsets could had been icing on the cake.

For a Change ... It is ....Lights, Action and Camera...

If images aren't a reason to buy your mobile phone, then Music would definitely be high on the ranks. The next section of ‘Music’ based sets is for your auditory senses. The section also has music accessories that fit with your requirements with remarkably good collection.

Play it, Live it and Own it.

If you thought that work and play could not go together, next section, ‘Work and Play’ proves you entirely wrong. The section has handsets suitable for office goers and those looking for a rich gaming experience.

Dream it, Create it abd Deliver it, That's the 'Work and Play' Mantra

Less of Work and More of Play

There is a good collection of Phablets and Tablets available with some recommended ‘Apps’. The collection is decent, if not as good as that of ‘Music’ section. Bottom-line: Less of play and more of work.

There is also a section called 'New and Noteworthy', for the handesets that are worth the attention.

Enter - 'New and Noteworthy' Section

There is a Kid section too, referred as ‘Junior Sync’ to keep your younger ones engaged and enjoy with a comfortable sitting and collection of gizmos. 

While, these sections occupy the wall adjoining spaces, the central space is the ‘Bazaar’. Mix of products, less of specialization and a great product-mix on display, making it my personal favourite section of the store.

The 'Bazaar'

Bazaar Again

For the Quiet and the Loud

Via the kids section, you can head to the billing counter, which has some sitting space and pamphlets of the Value Added Services (the USP of the store) that store has on offer.

Smiley themed  Wall in the Alley

Innovation on the Wall

Space to 'Connect'

The Billing Desk

Customer Management:

Customer Management is quite important for the store. The Marketing personnel, whom I met in the event emphasised its importance for the company. As the author visited on invitation during an event, the veracity of the claim could not be ascertained independently. But the fact that they have placed customer delight  high on priority for the store is itself an excellent indication. The focus being on establishing relationships with customers rather than a singular stand alone purchase experience with them. Indeed a welcome change in the Indian markets. The entire Hierarchy at the store right from the Customer Executive, Asst. Manager upto the Store Manager strived to ‘connect’ with the customers with their liveliness and readiness to help with a big smile. Importantly, they are well equipped technically, too, with complete and updated information on the products and accessories. The store is understood to offer paid services at the doorstep of your home too. The representative comes at your place, and helps you around with the features of your handset or any other issue regarding mobile handsets.

They Wear it on the Tee

Ummmm - Play, Live and Own your Mobile Phone

Store’s USP (Unique Selling Point):

My visit to the store leads me to draw the following inferences about the USP of the store.

Emphasis on Building Customer Relationship

The extant offline mobile purchase experience handsets largely rely on the price. While this is important, the store accentuates that point by prizing their long built relationships. The door step delivery and ‘bona-fide’ communication reposes faith in the customer to repeat his visit again.

Services that build the relationships

 Differentiating Value Added Services

UniverCell Sync delivers ‘value’ with Product and Seasonal insurance like ‘Total Insurance plan’ and ‘Free Monsoon Insurance’. Then there are support products like, ‘On the move Mobile Assistance (Toll Free number)’, ‘Pick and Drop Service’ where the representative comes to doorstep for offering assistance and ‘Mobile Healthcare’ a complete product for your handset. These concepts are novel and indeed cater to the complete needs of the user.

They Get, They Set and You Go

You have to Pick him!

Complete Maintenance, Complete Relief

Stay in Touch - Wherever, However you want !

    

      Creating a complete technology Experience

            

           The store aims at creating a complete Technology ecosystem where you can experience the                  entire gamut of features of the Mobile handset. Handset features, accompanying apps,                          accessories, that is everything related with your handset.

The Pandora Box - Sync

The Writing on the Wall - Services and Principles

Experience on the Day:

The event was well-organized and there was attendance from many fellow bloggers. The customer officers happily took the visitors, (walk-ins as well as the bloggers) around the store while also giving them ample space to be themselves.

The Verve 

and The Energy of the Event

A great experience all together!!

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[ Disclaimer : The author has not received any monetary benefits for the post. The views expressed in the review are bona-fide and personal.] 

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(Update: November 29, 2014: This post eventually won the first prize in the contest.)

I'm open to undertake reviews in future. 

Just pen me @ travelforsoulblog@gmail.com or a comment on the blog with details.

The Dancing Monks of Bhutan |Tewfic El-Sawy

My first photo expedition to the Kingdom of Bhutan was in 1999, and was coincidentally the very first formal photo expedition I organized and led. The trip was over 20 days or so, and included India (Delhi, Dharmasala and Varanasi), Kathmandu in Nepal and finally Paro and Thimpu in Bhutan.

I returned to Bhutan in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and during these years, I witnessed the immense change (sometimes known as progress) that affected the country. In 1999, there were only a handful of hotels; two of the better ones were owned by Druk Air, the Kingdom's airline. And there was no television, no easy access to the internet and the Bhutanese women in the two main cities still wore their hair in page boy cuts, and hadn't yet been influenced by the daily Bollywood movies.

In 2009, in the small town of Jakar I had the pleasure of having cups of very good espresso and cappuccino, and had a wonderful Tibetan dinner of momos. That was 5 years ago, and I gather that more "progress" has invaded Bhutan...but at least, it has been at a slower pace than in other countries in the region.

Over these four trips, I gathered quite a large inventory of photographs and I recently decided to showcase a color selection focusing on The Dancing Monks of Bhutan on the Exposure platform, joining 8 other galleries of photographs from India, and Vietnam.

As many of my readers know, tshechus are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district of Bhutan. They are also large social gatherings, and include large commercial markets as well. I've attended the large Thimpu tshechu in 1999, and even at that time, it was a tourist destination. Over my last three trips, I was fortunate to photograph a tshechu in the small village of Prakhar, and the interesting  Jambhay Lakhang.

I recall seeing a GEO magazine photographer at the Thimpu tshechu, who had gone to great lengths to set up a portable studio in a small corner of the grounds...and was photographing some of the dancers. I thought nothing of just standing behind him, and essentially 'poaching' some of the shots. I wasn't being surreptitious at all, and the German photographer didn't seem to mind...even waiting for me to finish a shot or two before asking for another dancer to pose.

It was a different world then.

Rickshaw Wallahs | Tewfic El-Sawy

I've just published Rickshaw Wallahs on the Exposure platform, with some of the photographs I made during the Kolkata’s Cult of Durga Photo~Expedition & Workshop which I organized and led in late 2011.

Since the end of the 19th century, hand-pulled rickshaws have been transporting Kolkata residents in its crowded streets. These ‘vehicles’ have remained an integral part of Kolkata’s fabric for more than 100 years. The word ‘rickshaw’ originates from the Japanese word jinrikisha. They were invented in Japan in 1860, and appeared in India a few years later.

Despite protestations, this archaic form of transport continues to be popular, despite ongoing debates regarding ethics and traffic-flow efficiency. During Kolkata's monsoon, the streets flood regularly, and only hand pulled rickshaws can carry people where they need to go. It is also regularly used by housewives for shopping, by small businessmen to carry merchandise, and by families to get their children safely to and from school.

Whilst in Kolkata, I photographed Muhammed, a rickshaw puller and to capture a few frames of him pulling it from a passenger's perspective, I sat on it. 

The sight of Muhammed straining to pull me these few meters upset me, and I asked him to stop, and got down. I suppose there is a difference between the hand-pulled rickshaws such as those in Kolkata and elsewhere, and the bicycle rickshaws in Old Delhi. I have ridden the latter; grudgingly perhaps, but I haven't felt the same way.