What’s life without a Bluetooth Speaker?

It is hard to imagine what’s life without a Bluetooth Speaker? I think the biggest chunk of time one spends talking on the phone nowadays is via Bluetooth paired ear buds, neckbands or headphones. The range of devices available is mind boggling. Really, what’s life without a Bluetooth Speaker?

A few years ago I had a Bluetooth headphone. I thought I’d listen to music on it during the morning and evening commute in the Delhi Metro. I tried it but found it was too heavy and had to turn the volume up to overcome the ambient noise.

Over a period of time lighter variants have come up. The noise cancellation feature enhances the listening experience by not allowing in the ambient noise. This is useful when travelling by a noisy mode because music does not have to compete with the ambient noise. I have tried this feature in a pair of headphones but it causes discomfort in the ears after some time (at least to me).

Another useful feature is Active Noise Cancellation in the microphones which can be useful in conference calls. This is supposed to prevent the distracting background noises from going through the microphone. I must say I have tried it in a few headphones without much success. Wonder if the more expensive models do a better job of this.

Over the years we have a collection of a few Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, headphones and a neckband in our household.

The Bluetooth version keeps changing and backward compatibility helps. I’ve not tried if all the laptops and mobiles are compatible with all of the audio devices.

Each family member has their own preference. If one is borrowing from another member of the family, it is best to unpair the device after use.

The Best Mobile Phone for Photos is the One in Your Hands!

I sometimes take photos of celestial bodies. While using my DSLR I wonder about shooting with a mobile phone and have realized that the best mobile phone for photos is the one in your hands!

This photo of the Hunter’s Supermoon in Delhi was taken using a Canon 100D camera with a Canon 200mm f2.8 L USM lens. This is a prime lens which means that the focal length is fixed. The lens is solidly built. It does not have Image Stabilization.

It is solid in feel and renders great colours. The wide aperture of f 2.8 enables shooting in low light conditions. It is useful in early mornings and late evenings when the little light is available       or in overcast conditions.

The lens weighs approximately 750 grams and can feel like a burden when carried for long periods.

This photo was taken on 18 Oct 2024.

Image of Hunter’s Spermoon in Delhi, 18 Oct 2024

Canon 100D is a DSLR camera. Now, the trend has shifted to mirrorless cameras. I did want to buy a mirrorless camera, however, at that time not many lenses were available for mirrorless cameras. I think the lens can be used with a Canon mirrorless with an adapter. This can result in cost savings though the adapter weighs approximately 100 grams.

Nowadays mobile phones are used all pervasively for photography. The photo quality is great for use in the smaller viewing formats.  The more expensive phones have great photo and video features.

The best mobile phone for photos is the one in your hands!

Music in the Park organized by SPICMACAY on 30th March 2025

I visited Music in the Park organized by SPIC MACAY in March this year after 20 years.

It was as amazing an experience as earlier.

The performance was wonderful. The event organizers had done a great job.

Nehru Park is a central location making it easily accessible.

I attended the performance by:

Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan

Violin: S Varadarajan

Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh

Here is a video clip of the performance.

Here are a few photos

Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh

Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh

Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh

Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh

Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh
Music in the Park 30th March 2025, Delhi. Vocalist: Sanjay Subrahmanyan Violin: S Varadarajan Mrindagam: Neyveli B Venkatesh

Jungle Safari in Sariska Tiger ReserveAlwar (Part 2 of Delhi to Sariska Tiger Reserve)

A year ago we went on a jungle safari in Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan. It was an excellent trip.

This was my first trip to a Tiger Reserve. We saw many animals and birds in the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

Here is a video of the animals and birds we chanced upon.

Click this link to view Delhi to Sariska Tiger Reserve – Part 1

Primary Colours in Painting, Monitors and Printing

I re-discovered primary colours a few days ago. In school we were taught Red, Yellow and Blue, RYB, were the primary colours. The primary colours in painting, monitors and printing are different. Red, Yellow and Blue, RYB, are the primary colours in painting. Digital monitors have Red, Green and Blue, RGB, as the primary colours. In printing the primary colours are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, CYMK.

I experimented with these colours. I coloured OKTATA according to the 3 different methods of classification.

OKTATA in RYB – Red, Yellow, Blue

OKTATA in RGB – Red, Green, Blue

OKTATA in CYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Delhi Pollution is Choking

The pollution levels in Delhi shot up in the past few weeks. This is an annual happening. Delhi pollution is choking. It makes it difficult to breathe. It is unadvisable to exercise outside in the mornings. Running nose, itching eyes, coughing and sneezing are common.

A few years I had recorded the Sound of Pollution

I had hoped the situation would improve as time passed by. It hasn’t.

I looked up the pollution level at AQICN.com today and the picture is alarming. The pollution levels are attributed to many causes. Many steps have been put in place to tackle the situation. But it persists. Year after Year. Delhi pollution is choking indeed!

Delhi to Sariska Tiger Reserve – Part 1

Recently we made a a trip from Delhi to the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan. This video is about the places we saw on the way.

I will post another blog about the wildlife we saw in the Sariska Tiger Reserve.

COVID WORKERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE NATION

COVID WORKERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE NATION (April 2020 Quiz Series Continues in May 2020. This is Part 3 of the Series)

Dear OKTATA.COM readers,

The Lockdown has been extended today. COVID workers are the backbone of the nation. They are battling the Coronavirus day and night: health workers (doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers and many more), police, social workers, airline staff, transport workers, railway staff and many more.

[contesthopper contest=”2366″]

What should I do to Win in the April 2020 Quiz Series Part 3

Guess this Hindi song and win great prizes in the April 2020 Quiz Series

Click Enter to Win and Leave a Comment with your answer.
First 50 Comments in each quiz in the April 2020 Quiz Series will receive a prize!! Refer to the Official Rules.

बूझें ये गीत और जीतें एक शानदार ईनाम !
क्लिक करें ‘एंटर टु विन’ और लीव अ कमेंटसेक्शन में अपना उत्तर दें.
अप्रैल 2020 क्विज सीरीज में हर क्विज में पहले 50 कमेंट ईनाम पायेंगें !!
ऑफिशिअल रूल्स देख लें.

You can contribute to the COVID 19 relief operations by participating

OKTATA.COM is my hobby and I would like to contribute to the COVID 19 relief operations through this. You can contribute to the COVID 19 relief operations by participating in this contest. I will contribute the same amount to the relief operations as paid to the WINNERS.

Prizes in the April 2020 Contest Series

A Gift Card worth Rs. 10/- of an online shopping portal will be given to a each winner. Should this not be possible an alternative gift of similar value will be provided..
हर विनर को Rs. 10/- का ऑनलाइन शॉपिंग गिफ्ट कार्ड मिलेगा। किसी कारणवश यह नहीं हो पाया तो लगभग इतने ही मूल्य का कोई और गिफ्ट दिया जायेगा.

Here is the link to the first quiz in the April 2020 Contest Series: https://oktata.com/contribute-by-participating-in-the-april-2020-quiz-series/

Here is the link to the second quiz in the April 2020 Contest Series: https://oktata.com/the-way-out-of-the-lockdown-in-the-april-2020-quiz-part-2/

The WINNERS of this Quiz are: Poonam Verma, Girish

The song is: Taakat watan ki hum se hai

The Way Out of the lockdown in the April 2020 Quiz Part 2

The Way Out of the Lockdown in the April 2020 Quiz Part 2

Dear OKTATA.COM readers,

The roads are fast with little traffic. We must develop a sense of purpose to see us through the Lockdown. That, I think, is the way of of the Lockdown in the April 2020 Quiz Part 2

[contesthopper contest=”2366″]

What should I do to Win in the April 2020 Quiz Series Part 2

Guess this Hindi song and win great prizes in the April 2020 Quiz Series

Click Enter to Win and Leave a Comment with your answer.
First 50 Comments in each quiz in the April 2020 Quiz Series will receive a prize!! Refer to the Official Rules.

बूझें ये गीत और जीतें एक शानदार ईनाम !
क्लिक करें ‘एंटर टु विन’ और लीव अ कमेंट सेक्शन में अपना उत्तर दें.
अप्रैल 2020 क्विज सीरीज में हर क्विज में पहले 50 कमेंट ईनाम पायेंगें !!
ऑफिशिअल रूल्स देख लें.

You can contribute to the COVID 19 relief operations by participating

OKTATA.COM is my hobby and I would like to contribute to the COVID 19 relief operations through this. You can contribute to the COVID 19 relief operations by participating in this contest. I will contribute the same amount to the relief operations as paid to the WINNERS.

Prizes in the April 2020 Contest Series

A Gift Card worth Rs. 10/- of an online shopping portal will be given to a each winner. Should this not be possible an alternative gift of similar value will be provided..
हर विनर को Rs. 10/- का ऑनलाइन शॉपिंग गिफ्ट कार्ड मिलेगा। किसी कारणवश यह नहीं हो पाया तो लगभग इतने ही मूल्य का कोई और गिफ्ट दिया जायेगा.

Here is the link to the first quiz in the April 2020 Contest Series: https://oktata.com/contribute-by-participating-in-the-april-2020-quiz-series/

The WINNERS of this Quiz are: Shobhit, Sathyaprakash, Arun kumar, Mohd Saad

The song is: Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi