The way foreigners perceive India is so different. What may look normal, ordinary or everyday to us, is so interesting for the expatriates,” says Arathy Madappa, Senior Manager — Operations, Global Adjustments, a relocation service for the expatriates of India.
Headquartered in Chennai, the organisation helps the expatriates make India their home. For the second year in the row, Global Adjustments organised Beautiful India Photo Competition for Expatriates, Bangalore edition. The only photo competition for expatriates in the country, it’s an attempt to see India through the eyes of other nationalities.
“Expats love photography. They capture images and give such interesting captions, which I feel will help us Indians review our own culture. The photos never cease to amaze us.
The response and the enthusiasm displayed this year has been stupendous,” explains Arathy, adding that Bangalore has an expat population of 20,000 approximately.
Unlike the 120 in 2006, the competition received 200 entries this year from nine nationalities — French, Czech, Germans, Americans, Belgian, Dutch, English and Australians among others. All the participants were given three week time frame to click colour photographs anywhere in India.
The jury panel for the competition, comprising Albert Bruner (CEO, BIAL), Rashmi Bismark (president of the Bangalore Expatriate Club) and Fiona Caulfield (founder and CEO, Hardys Bay Publishing), came together on September 11 to choose the best photographs for the exhibition with the award ceremony to be held soon.
The winners will be awarded under four categories — faces, places, cultures & festivals and into India. The judges have also selected photos for humour category and the best caption.
In all, the 16 winners will be receiving awards in a ceremony organised at The Park on September 29. Also, 202 frames in colour will be on exhibit that one can peruse after a fashion show by designer Namrata G.
To be choreographed by Prasad Bidapa, one will catch the expatriates walking the ramp. Moreover, a photo exhibition will be held at the Leela Galleria on October 1 and 2, displaying all the entries for public viewing between 11 am and 5 pm.
