Monday, April 2, 2007

The Church (Provided by Rachu - My Bride to Be)

St. James’ church, Kashmere gate, Delhi



St. James Church which is the oldest church in the capital, was built in 1836 and the construction on it was said to have started as many as eight years before it was completed. The builder of the church, James Skinner, who was of mixed parentage with his father being Scottish and his mother, a Rajput. He was brought up in India. During the first part of the 19th century, when James Skinner was very much a part of Delhi, there was a lot of social interaction between the British and the Indians. It is said that Skinner who was in the army was lying wounded on the battlefield when he took a vow to build a church if he survived where the British could pray on Sundays. Although it is built in the classical renaissance style, it does not follow the strict classical rules. It is said that Skinner got inspiration for architecture of the building from the classical style of the church built in Sardana by Begum samroo. Though not much is known about the architects, there are references to Robert Smith and de Bude. Though the building does not fully resemble any church, yet its design is very close to other churches in the world. The dome interestingly is very similar to the dome of Florence Cathedral in Italy which was the first renaissance structure anywhere in the world. The church is designed in a cruciform plan with the entrance being towards the west and the altar towards the east which is the standard norm in most churches the world over. Porches on the north, south and the west provide the building with three entrances with the central portion of the church being an octagon with circular columns supporting the dome. The main seating arrangement is in the central portion of this dome. The church was badly damaged during the Mutiny of 1857. The dome was pitted with holes and the ball and cross were used by the sepoys as targets for firing practice. But the structure was later repaired by the British restoring it to its old glory and shape. Some of the decorative elements interestingly have a Mughal influence and these are more prominent and visible in the base of the dome as also in the steps leading to the church. A floral pattern in marble on the riser of a front step is one of the few surviving examples. In the original plan, the portico seen on three sides also existed on the fourth or east side. The vestry was also on the east side behind the altar which confirms that the church was absolutely symmetrical from outside.





Friday, March 30, 2007

NMC Abu Dhabi



NMC Abu Dhabi is a premier private hospital in the UAE. Established by Dr. B. R Shetty it caters to the health needs of locals and expats alike.
I started my work in Radiology Department on June 24th 2005. A most rewarding experience both academically and financially.
The Radiology Department offers the world's best in its state-of-the-art equipment in the Multi-Slice Spiral CT Scanner, patient-friendly MRI, Bone Densitometry and Digital imaging of X-Rays.