Destination India: January 2009

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Vyara,Tapi District,Gujarat,India

Vyara is a city, a municipality and the district headquarters of the newly created Tapi District of Gujarat State on the Western coast of India.

Friday, January 02, 2009

Vadodara, Gujarat

vadodara 15
Originally uploaded by smit_nid.

Vadodara or better known as Baroda, has a population of 1.7 million people. It is the third biggest town in Gujarat after Ahmedabad and Surat. Vadodara is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India and therefore is considered the cultural capital of Gujarat.

The city of Vadodara was conquered by Maratha leader, Pilaji Gaekwad, in 1721 from the Mughals. The Peshwa (nominal leader of the Marathas) recognized the Gaekwads rule over Vadodara. After the defeat of Marathas in 1761 by the Afghans, the Gaekwads consolidated their control over Vadodara. In 1802, the British signed a treaty with the Gaekwads and recognized The Maharaja of Baroda.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Valsad, Gujarat

The city of former Prime Minister of India, Morarji Desai, Valsad is a city located in the southern most part of Gujarat state. Valsad is well known for its Alphonso (Haapus) mangoes and still retains this business as one of the main segments of its economy. The city has a population of 1.4 million people.

About Me

India has always fascinated me for different reasons. The vastness of its culture, the diversity of people’s opinions and the limitations of its vision. Despite our diversity, we need to have a collective vision. India is not a country of four metropolis or a couple of high-tech cities. This nation of a billion people has 29 states and 6 union territories. We have 35 state and territorial capitals. How much do we know about each of these important cities?

Professionally I am a graphic designer from Bombay, India. In 1987, I co-authored a book on Corporate India, but my desire to throw a wider net and pick up much more information remains intact. I want my people from every city and every state to write and photograph details and information that would be interesting to the viewers around the world. We have so much to talk about and so much to share - this medium and this technology can help fulfill our collective dreams.