Today, August 19, is the day of the photographers, recognized all over the globe as World Photography Day. And one should not be surprised to know that our bureaucrats have succeeded rather too well with the camera and lenses. The day brings out hidden talent among people, and makes them realise their passion for photography.
A number of civil servants also pursue photography and have a deep interest in it.
We at Indian Masterminds spoke with a few of them and got to know about the importance of photography in their lives.
THE CONNECTION
A 2004 -batch IAS officer from Nagaland cadre, Dinesh Kumar Abusaria is one of the civil servants who has a keen interest in nature and wildlife photography. Currently posted as Director, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, he said “Photography is a creative occupation which helps people in connecting with nature, wildlife and other beautiful things present in this world. It actually develops our connection with the outside world and helps us in living the moment.”
He added, “While working in Abu Dhabi for three years in Indian Embassy, and during my stint as an IAS officer in Nagaland, I got an opportunity to visit a lot of places which I found very aesthetic. Soon photography became a passion as I started capturing beautiful moments which I relive while seeing the photographs.”
Here are some pictures clicked by IAS officer Dinesh Kumar Abusaria.
A PASSION CREATED DURING SERVICE
Another bureaucrat who has a hidden talent of clicking beautiful pictures and calls himself an ‘amateur photographer’ is IPS officer Sukirti Madhav Mishra. Despite having a busy schedule as a bureaucrat, Mr. Mishra has several interests/hobbies which he follows apart from serving the people of the country. One of them is photography.
He said, “I always had a knack for clicking photographs and learning more about it. I believe I am an amateur photographer. I mostly click photos through my mobile phone as I feel that the best camera is what you have in the moment. Through photographs, you can re-live a moment in future, which is incredible. One can click a picture which can evoke various emotions later on in life.”
“My place of postings also has a role in my passion. I was posted in places like Prayagraj, Lucknow, and Varanasi which are a photographer’s paradise. I was serving in Prayagraj during Kumbh so I got a chance to click first hand pictures. Similarly, Varanasi always give you a frame for pictures, you just have to press the camera button. The heritage of Lucknow is also very picturesque,” he added.
Here are some pictures clicked by Mr. Sukirti Madhav Mishra.
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
On World Photography Day, IFS officer and a keen wildlife photographer Dr. Saket Badola says that capturing stills was always his interest, but he developed a different level of passion for wildlife photography after he joined the forest service.
“One of the seniors once told me that every individual who has little bit love for photography should visit forest. The forests are pool of charismatic sceneries. I already had this advantage and I love forest. I want to go back in the jungle again & again, as many times as possible. And in all these visits my camera has been the permanent member of my kit. This habit has given me a lot of opportunities to freeze some beautiful & unique things I saw. With photos, I can relish those moments for my entire life. So, photography has been acting like a medicine for my soul”, said Dr. Saket Badola.
He also says that it is difficult to click pictures while you are on work. “Sometimes you come across scenes that are scintillating and you don’t want that your camera stops. However, at times the work takes precedence over photography”, said the officer.
Dr Badola is currently the head of TRAFFIC, WWF India.
Here are some pictures clicked by Dr Badola.
We have also compiled a series of tweets of civil servants observing the occasion of World Photography Day.
