My Photo Journal May 2026
Some Thoughts and Some Feelings
Neera river near Shirwal is my favourite spot for photography. Spending time near rivers, streams, and canals significantly boosts mental well-being and reduces stress. Ask me! It must be boosting creativity too!! Early morning visit to a river can be meditative.
I remembered the photograph I had clicked while travelling to Jawhar in May a few years earlier. Not a single leaf on the trees. Barren!
And on the Labour Day, (or Maharashtra Day) I attended the meeting of unions at RMMS – Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh. In the seventies, this union was a force to reckon with, but it was destroyed by the textile strike in the early eighties. Skyscrapers came up everywhere as the Mill land was grabbed by real estate developers.
This photograph tells that story to me. The RMMS building in the centre is dwarfed by skyscrapers.
Thinking of industry and workers, we have seen so many changes in the last fifty years. Some happy, some otherwise.
More women are now employed in India in skilled jobs but the growth in formal, skilled salaried jobs has been sluggish compared to the last 25 years.
This I realized is a common sight, many workers were carrying heavy load to Shirwal on their bicycles, on the service road. This is a picture of exploitation.
I have a fear of heights. Acrophobia, they call it. Working at high places is much safer in developed countries; they put good scaffolding on which workers can walk. The airport workers in the pic are secured by safety belts which a minimum requirement. Workers do not have a choice of declining jobs which require working at high places.
I met him when I went for my early morning walk. He was sitting in his pickup van and playing clarinet. He can play five musical instruments. That won him a small role in a Marathi serial. He is illiterate and yet philosophical in his conversations. Music helps us realize our life philosophy, illiteracy is no bar.
And I accidently discovered this fallen leaf. It covered a footprint. I consulted AI on how to interpret the picture. It responded, ‘The leaf resting in the footprint can serve as a quiet reminder to let go of past burdens or attachments before continuing on your life’s journey.’
Wow, artificial intelligence is reading my mind!
Vivek S Patwardhan
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” All matter copyrighted.
Sir, your photo vlogs are like a breeze of fresh air on a sunny afternoon they transcend you to that moment.
Your purpose to speak about inequalities, women’s progress, workmen safety, and more is so beautifully captured.
Dear Vivek Ji,
It’s so refreshing to read your blogs.
Loved the pic of the dry leaf on the footprint and its interpretation.
Your photography and the descriptions too are also very interesting.
Look forward for more.
Best wishes,
Shikha
Rohini responds:: It can be an interpretation of महामृत्युंजय मंत्र-“ॐ त्र्यंबकं यजामहे सुगंधिं पुष्ठिवर्धनम् उर्वाऽ ऋकमिव बंधनात् ।मृत्योर्मुक्षियमाऽअमृतात् ॥ ॐ शांती शांती शांतीः हरिॐ
“We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva, who is fragrant and nourishes all beings. Just as a ripe cucumber or a leaf is effortlessly detached from its vine, may He free us from the bondage of death and grant us immortality.” Let go approach is the key
Very insightful – pictures and your comments. Huge food for thought and reflection. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Dr Patwardhan….all your writings and insights are truly profound and they ignite thinking in the reader and this is exactly what a good write up and a good mentor/ coach/ teacher is supposed to do….help the learner to pause, reflect and ignite her/his mind. Always look forward to your posts…
A friend of mine working in one of those buildings where the factories once were, narrated that she senses negative energy during the day. She feels this could be the cries and sadness of those who lost their living.
Amazing Sir ,
Very inspirational .
Keep Going Sir