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In this archive story we are meeting a Smoking man in the town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, India.
Read the background story of this archive photo by the photographer. |
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Many places in Rajasthan today have a feeling of its historic past. Historically and centred in Rajasthan, the Rajputs were once a proud warrior caste with a passionate belief in the dictates of chivalry, both in battle and in state affairs. In this photograph a proud Rajasthani is pictured in the pilgrimage town of Pushkar, a town which is located in Rajasthan, India. |
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Smoking man in Pushkar
In a silent moment on a late afternoon this Rajasthani man lits up a cigarette near the Pushkar Lake in Pushkar, India. Many of the people in this pilgrimage town are camel herders and many places in Rajasthan camel safaris are a popular tourist activity and can last from an hour to several days. The beautiful desert area around the town of Pushkar is inhabited by nomadic tribes and a camel safari can also be a cultural and photographic experience to remember.
What is ambience photography?
The Ambiance control is a special type of contrast that controls the balance of light in a photo. It can be used to balance backlit photos or to accentuate contrasts throughout your photo. Swipe right for photos where the subject is darker than the background. |
A major health concern for many years
Cigarette smoking in India has been a major health concern for many years. India is home to some of the world's highest rates of tobacco use, with more than 1 in 4 adults smoking cigarettes. The government has been actively trying to reduce the number of smokers in India, but the efforts have not been successful so far. Cigarette smoking is common among both men and women in India, with 28.6 percent of men and 5.7 percent of women smoking regularly and the highest rates of smoking are among the younger population, with about 36 percent of adults aged 18-24 being smokers. In addition, the prevalence of smoking increases with age, with the highest rates among those aged 45-59.
The availability of cigarettes is high in India
With the majority of smokers purchasing their cigarettes from street vendors. Cigarettes are also widely available in stores and at kiosks. The prices of cigarettes in India are relatively low, making them accessible to people from all income levels. The Government of India has taken several steps to reduce the number of smokers in the country. These include increasing taxes on cigarettes, banning smoking in public places and launching public awareness campaigns about the dangers of smoking. However, these measures have had limited success, as the prevalence of smoking remains high.
"A lack of enforcement and availability of cheaper, illegal cigarettes has also undermined the government's efforts. Many smokers are now turning to these illegal cigarettes as they are cheaper and more readily available. In conclusion, cigarette smoking is a major health concern in India"
Government current effort's are not enough
Despite the government's efforts, the prevalence of smoking remains high. The government needs to take more stringent measures to reduce the number of smokers in the country, such as increasing taxes on cigarettes and strictly enforcing the ban on smoking in public places. Smoking cigarettes in India has become an increasingly concerning issue in recent years. India is home to more than a quarter of the world's population and unfortunately, it also has one of the highest rates of tobacco use in the world. According to the World Health Organization, India has more than 106 million smokers, making it the second-largest consumer of tobacco in the world.
The health implications of smoking cigarettes in India are huge. Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of developing a number of serious illnesses, such as lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and chronic 'Obstructive pulmonary disease'. It also increases the risk of developing other types of cancers, including throat, larynx and mouth, as well as increasing the risk of complications in pregnancy.
Health care costs and lost productivity
The financial burden of smoking cigarettes in India is also significant. According to the World Bank, smoking costs India more than $10 billion dollars each year in terms of health care costs and lost productivity. This figure is expected to rise as more people begin to smoke and the effects of smoking become more severe. In an effort to reduce the number of smokers in India, the government has implemented a range of initiatives over the years and these include increasing taxes on tobacco products, banning smoking in public places and providing anti-smoking campaigns and education. Despite these efforts, however, smoking cigarettes in India remains a major public health issue. To tackle this problem, the government should continue to implement anti-smoking measures, such as increasing taxes and providing education about the dangers of smoking. In addition, it should look to implement more stringent regulations on the sale of cigarettes, such as increasing the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes and banning the sale of cigarettes in public places.
Ultimately, the health and financial implications of smoking cigarettes in India are significant and the government must take action to reduce the number of smokers in the country. If the government continues to implement effective anti-smoking measures, then it is possible that smoking in India may become a thing of the past.
Hindu pilgrimage town in India
Pushkar has a magnetism all of its own and it is quite unlike anywhere else in Rajasthan. It is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town and devout Hindus should visit at least once in their lifetime. The town curls around a holy lake, said to have appeared when Brahma dropped a lotus flower. It also has one of the world's few Brahma temples. With 52 bathing 'Ghats' and 400 milky-blue temples, the town often hums with 'Pujas', which are prayers, generating an episodic soundtrack of chanting, drums and gongs and devotional songs. The result is a muddle of religious and tourist scenes. The main street is one long bazaar, selling anything to tickle a traveler's fancy, from hippy-chic tie-dye to didgeridoos.
"Despite the commercialism and banana pancakes, the town remains enchantingly small and authentically mystic. Pushkar is only 11 kilometers from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag Pahar, also known as the Snake Mountain"
Spirit of Rajasthan in Pushkar
Rajasthanis are the people from the Indian state of Rajasthan. They are known for their vibrant culture, colorful costumes and love of music and dance. Rajasthanis are also known for their hospitality and warm welcome to visitors and this region of the country has a unique and ancient culture, which is reflected in the clothing, architecture and art of the people. The traditional clothing of Rajasthanis includes vibrant, colorful dresses known as 'Ghaghra-cholis' and 'Dhotis'. Women often wear intricate jewelry, such as bangles and earrings and the men often wear turbans. Rajasthanis are well-known for their love of music and dance. From traditional folk songs to the energetic rhythms of Bollywood, music is an important part of life. Dances such as 'Ghoomar', 'Kalbeliya' and 'Bhavai' are popular and are often performed at weddings and festivals.
The people of Rajasthan are also known for their hospitality and visitors are welcomed into the homes of Rajasthanis and offered delicious traditional dishes such as 'Dal-Bhati-Churma', 'Panchmel ki Daal' and 'Missi Roti'. Rajasthanis are proud of their heritage and culture and work to preserve it. From the traditional music and dance to the vibrant colors of the costumes, the culture of Rajasthanis is unique and captivating.
As a traveling photographer in India and in Rajasthan in particular, Pushkar is one of a kind with its relaxing atmosphere. Pushkar is a holy town in the state of Rajasthan famous for the Pushkar Lake, various 'Ghats' and temples spread all around the lake. The word 'Pushkar' actually means lotus flower, which is said to be the seat of Brahma, one of the Hindu holy trinity, who is worshipped as the creator of this world. The legend has it that the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where it gave birth to a lake. Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on 'Kartik Purnima', the full moon day of the 'Kartik month', generally in the month of November, hallowing the place.
Though Brahma is considered to be the creator of the world, Pushkar is the only temple of this important deity in the whole world. This is also considered as 'Adi Teerth' or 'Teertharaj' meaning ancient holy place or the most important of holy places respectively. There are not many temples built for Brahma because his influence to the daily life is considered not a big as Vishnu, who is the symbol of the preserver, Shiva, the symbol as the 'Destroyer' and Ganesh, who is the 'Remover of obstacles'. Being the 'Creator', whatever being created is already there, whereas other deities' need to be appeased so that any wishes or favours can be granted or fulfilled.
"When the Photographer visited Pushkar he also photographed the Pushkar Lake. A lake that is a beautiful, sanctified spot in the center of Pushkar. It is said to have been created by Lord Brahma and is therefore a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus and the lake is surrounded by 52 different 'Ghats' or series of steps, which Hindus use to descend to the lake for ritual bathing, especially in the month of 'Karthik'"
See this video about Pushkar in Rajasthan in Varanasi made by India To Bharat.
A Mystical Oasis in Rajasthan
"- From the moment I arrived in Pushkar, it felt unlike anywhere else I had visited in Rajasthan. This ancient city, one of the holiest on the planet, exudes a unique charm that captivates the soul. Let me share my experiences and impressions of this remarkable place. Pushkar is a beautiful small city, painted in pastel shades, with white and baby blue dominating the landscape. The numerous rooftops offer excellent viewpoints, where you can soak in the serene atmosphere. Despite its spiritual significance, Pushkar feels surprisingly laid-back – for India, at least", the Photographer says.
"- Legend has it that Pushkar was created when Brahma, the creator of the universe, triumphed over a demon using only a lotus flower. The fallen lotus flower became Pushkar Lake and to this day, devout Hindus visit this sacred spot at least once in their lifetime. The mystical vibe permeates the air, inviting introspection and reverence. Turn a corner and you might encounter a camel sauntering down the street. Pushkar seamlessly blends the spiritual with the everyday. The city's rooftops provide panoramic views of the surrounding hills, the desert sands and the bustling streets below It’s a place where spirituality meets adventure, where the mundane and the mystical intertwine. Pushkar remains etched in my heart – a memory of colors, camels and contemplation", the Photographer says again.
Read also: Bathing Ghat at Pushkar Lake
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India is a land full of stories. On every street, on every corner and in the many places in India, life is rushing by you as a photographer with millions of stories to be told. In the archive story above, you hopefully had a readable insight in the story that was behind the photo of a smoking man in Pushkar. On this website of Kristian Bertel | Photography you can find numerous travel pictures from the photographer. Stories and moments that tell the travel stories of how the photographer captured the specific scene that you see in the picture. The photographer's images have a story behind them, images that all are taken from around India throughout his photo journeys. The archive stories delve into Kristian's personal archive to reveal never-before-seen, including portraits and landscapes beautifully produced snapshots from various travel assignments. The archive is so-far organized into photo stories, this one included, each brought to life by narrative text and full-color photos. Together, these fascinating stories tell a story about the life in India. India, the motherland to many people around the world, a land of unforgetable travel moments. The archive takes viewers on a spectacular visual journey through some of the most stunning photographs to be found in the photographer's archive collection. The photographer culled the images to reflect the many variations on the universal theme of beauty and everyday life in India. By adding these back stories the photographer's work might immensely enhanced the understanding of the photographs.
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