4 Awards for Surat..!! Hurray!!!

Mayor Ranjit Gilitwala and Municipal Commisioner Ms. S.Aparna receiving the awards from Hon Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh

Surat Municipal Corporation created history by bagging 4 of the 10 awards in various categories amongst 63 cities of India under the JNNURM scheme. The awards were received by Muncipal Commisioner S.Aparna, and Mayor Ranjit Gilitwala from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. SMC also got a cash prize of Rs. 1.2 Million.

SMC received the awards in 4 categories
(1) Best Performing JNNURM City
(2) Best Improvement of Financial Management
(3) Best Inclusive Pro-Poor Project implementation
(4) Best implementation of Seven Points Charter of Govt of India

"This is a moment of pride for Gujarat and Surat.. This is a morale booster , and we will strive to work harder in achieving further goals" says Municipal Commisioner S Aparna.

Police Lines

A familiar sight for Surtis ... Police Quarters at Athwa Lines being brought down to make way for the spanking new Jilla Seva Sadan

ASSJPSDS Chowk

Adhyasthapak Shashan Samrat Jainacharya Pujya Shri Dharmasinhji Swami Chowk.....Whew!!!
Thats the new name for "Navsari Bazaar Char Rasta" guarded by the Lion!!

Ram Rahim...

Navsari Bazaar... evening. Couldnt resist noticing Ram and Rahim outlined beautifully against the setting sun!

Surat By Night

Surat Skyline by night...

Piplod - Chandni Padvo

Piplod area on Chandni Padvo the night after Sharad Purnima ... Surtis from all over town are seen sitting by the roadside with family and friends enjoying "Ghaari" and "Bhusu" till late at nite... (Pic Courtesy Times of India, since I couldnt make it there..)

Zampa Bazaar - Ramzan 2009

Zampa Bazaar comes alive during Ramzan and becomes a hotspot for Non-Veg lovers...

Rangooni Paratha's being the speciality of Ramzan in Surat being fried

The master maker of Rangooni Paratha's... this is how it starts being made..

Voila!! Delicous Rangooni Paratha in full steaming glory!

Sagrampura Kailashnagar Fusion Ganpati...

Sagrampura - Kailash Nagar Ganpati... Its a tradition in Surat to depict Lord Ganesha in various avatars...

Lovely fusion of Lord Ganesh in Lord Krishna's avatar replete with Radha!

Learning young... Nanpura

Couldnt resist clicking a lovely sight of toddlers from school in Nanpura Opp T&TV School. The teachers had brought the class to pray to Ganpati Bappa, and were teaching them how to hold their hands together... most were yelling "Ganpati Bappa Morya"!!

Janmasthami @ My Home..

A view of Janmasthami decorations at my home... I love decorating the temple every year on Janmasthami,

Surti Janmasthami'09

Come Janmasthami, and most Surat bazaar's spring up with vendors selling a kaleidoscopic of clothes for Lord Krishna's Birthday.. Fondly called "Laalo" and his clothes "Vaaga". Most homes have a small diety of "Laalo" whom they worship and pamper like a child.

Janmasthami... and "Matki's" are synonymous, and so are the Govinda's with their Lezim's. Teams of boys go all around Surat, create a human pyramid and break the "matki" to be rewarded with money inside it.

Bhagal Area on Janmasthami evening... Surti's buying decorations for their temples at home.

62nd Independence Day...

Bhagal Char Rasta.. just opposite the only underground public urinal in Surat... Morning on 15 Aug'09

The tricolor evokes amazing patriotism in us Surti's and flag sellers do a brisk business all over Surat.

Azad Hind Fauj...

Gopipura - Subhash Chowk has the distinction of having a unique traffic island, a tribute to Netaji Subhashchandra Bose.

The Seal of the Azad Hind Fauj (I.N.A) finds pride of place in the centre, proudly proclaiming "Ittefaq Itemad Kurbani"

Timeless Sign....

All Surtis would recognise this signboard instantly.... its the one you would find as you peep from the train window, and joyously know, you have finally arrived... HOME !!!

Transition in Nanpura......

Automobile generational transition early morning in Nanpura Timaliyawad.. Couldnt help noticing the contrast between the old and new!

Barsaat Mein...

Kids enjoying the downpour today morning... Barsaat mein, Tak Dhina Dhin!!

Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat...

The home of renowned Gujarati Poet ...Kavi Narmad located in a street in Gopipura called Amliran Sheri...

The house is now maintained by Surat Municipal Corporation as part of Surat's Heritage.

A view of the entrance to the house which once upon a time housed Surat's famous Kavi Narmad, after whom Surat is fondly called "Narmad Nagari" A fitting tribute to a local legend.

Ambaji Road...

For the local Surti... Ambaji Road in Gopipura is a revered street, what with quite a few temples located on the same road. The name is derived from the biggest temple on this road dedicated to Goddess Amba.

Chowpatty Swimming Pool...

Municipal Swimming Pool right next to Chowpaty on Athwa Lines... Many a Surti has learnt to swim and float here... Also a famous landmark with its uniquely designed gate. Also houses the Community Service Centre now.

Live....

TV Channels started the "Live" and "Breaking News" concept... and our own Surti farsan guys took it to heart.. Here's a Farsanwala selling "Live" Dhokla's and Idlas