Concealing Glow

Exams are always a pain, especially when you're give the timetable just one week ahead and then you scramble for your books and barely manage to finish the syllabus the night before.

Sometimes in life nothing seems to be work out no matter what you try or how hard you work. I know this is something I've said before but it's exactly how I've felt for the past few weeks/months. However, ever so often I'm reminded of God's love and grace. Ever so often there are little things that remind me of how beautiful life is and keep me carrying on.

Someone called me a tree-hugger before as a joke but I think that might be true to a certain extent. The world around me fascinates me and God's creation is just amazing! Today's picture is another reminder of that. We were returning home after a rather not-so-exciting trip to the hills and the driver suggested we make one last stop before the final leg of the journey.

After much deliberation we agreed and I'm so glad that we made this stop to take in the view. The sunset did look amazing as we were travelling but I'd never seen this view before. The previous times I'd been here had been really cloudy and you could barely see a few meters ahead of you so this view was stunning to say the least and I hope the picture does it justice.

Things might not always be going the way you want to go or how you want them to be but you've always got to remember that clouds move and eventually they part enough to let the sun shine through and when it does you realise that it's going to be OK because at the end of the day you have a God who loves you and cares about you and only wants what's best for you.

Now I should start studying to tomorrow's paper and stop boring the few of you who actually take time to read my blog. Thank you guys! :)

Morning Fire

So we just finished a short film for an upcoming inter-college competition.

I went out one morning to shoot a timelapse for the film. This is what I was greeted with. It was absolutely beautiful!

I can't share the film at this time because of the competition rules but once the competition is over I'll have the link up on my profile across various social media platforms.

God's creation really is wonderful so the theme "Hidden Scenic Beauty of North Bengal" was just perfect.

Looking Through

I thought I'd share an iPhone photograph today instead of one from a dSLR. I'm busy with examinations and haven't been able to use my camera a lot lately.

Btw here is a really great video I saw today. It's called "Look Up" (That link should take you straight to it). It's a little less than 5 minutes long and it well worth the time. Definitely a must watch.

Six Days You Shall Labour

Today's post is like a "Part 2" in that it is like a continuation of yesterday's post.

I got today's title from Exodus 20:9 which says, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work."
I found this to be apt for these tea garden workers because they work really really hard six days a week. They get only one day a week off which is usually Saturday.

I do fell sorry for them because they are not really paid well. As I mentioned yesterday some are paid a little over a dollar per day and others depending on how much they can pluck. Even if they are able to pluck a lot the rate per kilogram is still low.

I've had a few interactions with these people and they are really cheerful and even though they have large families they try and send each on of their children to school. Unfortunately some drop out of school and work as child labourers.

Remember who I said yesterday that I didn't want to anger their supervisor? Well turns out he is a really talkative man. He saw me taking pictures and started walking towards me. His eyes never left me. He stopped me as I was leaving and asked me why I was taking pictures. When I said it was a hobby he didn't say much else but then went on to ask me about 50 questions about various schools in the city. He took away more than 15 minutes of my time. Thankfully I made the best of the awkward silence that soon followed and took off on my bicycle :D

Anyway here is another picture of a lady plucking tea leaves. Notice the large heavy sac-type bag on her back. This is where she collects the plucked leaves.

I'm sure you are totally bored by now so I'll leave it at that.
Have a great day folks and enjoy the last day of the month.

In All Labour There Is Profit

If you've been following this blog you'll know that I occasionally go on bicycle rides and take pictures. I usually take pictures of birds, animals, plants...nature in general because I choose to go at a time when most people are away at work or are having lunch at home or are taking a siesta.

There is a tea garden on my usual route and usually there is no one there working so I was surprised when I saw these women (and some men) plucking tea leaves. Yes, this is indeed the first step before the leaves are processed and this isn't as easy as it looks.

Usually it is the women who pluck leaves and the men work inside the factory or as manual labourers elsewhere. The only man you will usually see at a tea garden is the supervisor or a photographer like me. Plucking tea leaves is an art in itself. You can't pluck any leaf on the tree (yes, they are called tea "trees"). I'm pretty sure they pluck only the tender leaves. I know this because I once did a project for school on the process of making tea.

These women (and the occasional male member) really go through a tough time. They have to work really hard in the sweltering heat and even when it rains. They wear about four thick layers of clothes from the waist down (including a plastic sheet) to protect themselves for the various dangerous creatures that lurk in these plantations. I can't even begin to imagine how hot they must feel. They do all this for really really low wages - most are paid a little more than a dollar per day! Some are paid according to the amount they pluck. The leaves are weighed and then the pay decided at the end of the day.

One fact of note is that they work with complete focus. There is very little interaction except during breaks or when they see a weirdo like me pulling out a camera. They noticed me from afar. I stood at a distance taking pictures and when they noticed me they came together and started pointing at me and talking and smiling. I didn't want to get too close because the supervisor was nearby and I didn't want to irritate him.

Today's title is a quote from the Bible. It is taken from Proverbs 14:23 which says "In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury."

Have a great day :)