promotionPHOTO FEATURE/AIRPORTS/NOVEL AUTHORITY AND ASHOK OF INDI LAVASAA SHUTTERBUG MOMENTS Novel and Ashok Lavasa’s unique photography exhibition vividly brought out relationships in nature SIMRAN MISHRA Ajit Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation appreciating the display during the Exhibition ature photography tends to put a premium photographers, the Lavasas’ sensitivity and passion was on the aesthetic value of the image more than reflected in their work – mountains, waterfalls, the setting other types of photography. It is the ideal mix and rising sun, trees, monuments and men formed a part of between enjoying the wonders of nature, being their landscape. outdoors and giving vent to creative expression. Every facet of nature was explored – whether it was the NIn the Capital recently, two photographers, Novel, and Ashok stripes of a zebra, the spots of a giraffe, lions on a tree the eyes Lavasa, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, carried forward of birds in bliss or flapping their wings in the sands of a desert. their journey of exploring nature through a photography This time, the couples’ Stand & Stare Collection offered images exhibition, ‘Mates and Moments.’ of Mates & Moments, which encapsulated relationships in Inaugurated by Vice President Hamid Ansari, the Open nature vividly. Mates in many moods, mountains in majestic Palm Court Gallery at the India Habitat Centre was recently isolation and moments that live in memory – all these witness to a unique photography exhibition that celebrated were captured in moments of splendid irony and pleasing the many facets of nature. The event marked the presence tranquillity. Elaborated the couple, “In these times of tension of many dignitaries, including Ajit Singh, Hon’ble Union and turmoil, it is tolerance, togetherness and tenderness Minister of Civil Aviation; Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief that will take us to the other end. Companionship is part of Minister of Haryana; Ajit Seth, Cabinet Secretary; all of whom Nature, compassion brings beings closer and together they appreciated the exhibition display. Though not professional create indelible moments.” 52 INSPIRATIONALINSPIRATIONAL DESIGNDESIGN IS THETHE ULTIMATEULTIMATE LUXURYLUXURY Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana, seems to be enjoying the photos taken by Ashok Hamid Ansari , Vice President of India, inaugurated Ajit Seth, Cabinet Secretary, in an animated conversation Lavasa and his wife, Novel Lavasa a photography exhibition, ‘Mates and Moments.’ with Ashok Lavasa, Secretary Civil Aviation, GOI The photograph of the Berlin Wall dominated the gallery as Administrative Service and is currently posted as Secretary, being the thematic symbol of the exhibition, which depicted Civil Aviation, in Government of India. Both have a Masters two countries that once stood divided by an artificial barrier, degree from Delhi University in English Literature and also a but now stand united as mates, with one single moment Masters degree in Business Administration. determining the destiny of millions. While Novel has written occasional pieces on their travels, Yet another photograph marks the recreation of those her husband’s first book, “An Uncivil Servant,” was published that perished in an accident in Sweden, in 1628, when a in 2006. They have participated in various exhibitions and war ship named Vasa sank within minutes of its launch. A have also had solo exhibitions in different cities. The last fearsome war machine with 64 guns and 450 men, many of exhibition of their photographs, ‘Inward Eye,’ was held in them soldiers, it was salvaged after 333 years, in 1961, and is 2010, in New Delhi. now preserved in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. Commented the savvy bureaucrat: “Photography and The Lavasas are compulsive travellers, love music, river literature are very close to my heart. You can always find time rafting, trekking, racquet games and reading. Novel Lavasa for something you are inclined towards. A photograph can worked for State Bank of India for 28 years, is now an be clicked even while taking a morning walk; it is displaying entrepreneur growing exotic vegetables in a poly house, the photos that take time. We’ve been working on this organises adventure camps for women and is also a CSR exhibition for over a year; we had to select 50 photographs Consultant. Her husband, Ashok Lavasa, is in the Indian out of 35,000.” February 2014 | www.lifestyleliving.in 53.