Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

An almost Maria moment at St Michael's
Yesterday, Mahim's St Michael's Church was packed with devotees for the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor. It was a special morning mass, with Cardinal Oswald Gracias serving mass.

Maria Susairaj

Soon, a buzz filled the air that Maria Susairaj of the Neeraj Grover murder case fame was among the congregation. In October last year, the Kannada actor was in the news for allegedly duping a few pilgrims. She is believed to be a staunch devotee of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor.

After being released from jail in 2011, Susairaj had headed to Mahim church, and was later spotted at the weekly Wednesday novenas. And so, yesterday, a photographer was spotted near the altar, feverishly hunting for Maria through the crowds to grab that all-important frame.

As he whispered to a colleague to check if it was indeed Maria, parishioners around shushed them angrily, while the Cardinal, some say, looked mildly startled at the goings-on during mass. Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.

Fast friends

Pic/Satej Shinde

Activist Anna Hazare looks suspiciously as actor Tanisha Mukherji tempts him to a selfie. The two were present last evening at the poster launch of a film based on the activist's life.

When Rajdeep met Virat
When one of India's most followed journalists tweets a photo with India's cricketing flavour of the season, it's bound to get noticed.

Recently, when Virat Kohli was in the capital for an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, the latter paid the highest tribute to the Indian Test cricket captain, when he tweeted after his interaction: ‘....the modern master of the game @imVkohli. Talks cricket with same passion as he plays!'

Raining stories and music
Last weekend, 40 Mumbaikars were treated to an engaging session of chai, coffee, music and instant noodles by Raahgeer (a city-walk organisation) in an intimate and beautiful setting at the New Vasantashram boarding house at Crawford Market.

Pic/Atul Kamble

While Kabir Mridul (seated on the ground) of Banjara Storytellers enthralled the audience with stories of Saadat Hasan Manto, the fellow members - Arpit Mehta (left, on pianica) and Ankush Gupta (on guitar) - synchronised their tunes with Mridul's pitch.

Later, playback singer Ayush Maan crooned some popular Hindi film songs. "It was a great experience. The soulful stories, music and piping hot vegetable Maggi proved to be the perfect antidote to the torrential rains outside," says Deepa Nandi, founder of Raahgeer.

This Friday, Nandi has organised another music session at the same venue, that will see gigs by singers and flautists, who are often spotted in Mumbai's locals. "The idea is to offer a platform to showcase their talent," adds Nandi.

Indians not cool
The international go-to magazine for men with swagger and style, Esquire is out with its July edition which pays tribute to the 25 of the coolest sportsmen ever. With the all-time King of tennis cool, Bjorn Borg on the cover, and a headline that read: ‘What, no Beckham?' our curiosity was piqued.

Sir Vivian Richards and Imran Khan were the lone cricketers on the list

We were also keen to check if any of our cricketing gods had made it to the elite list - one that included the likes of Fred Perry, Muhammad Ali and Ayrton Senna. Sorry folks, there were none.

Interestingly, only two cricketers made it to suave list, and we couldn't agree more with the final names: the Caribbean's biggest sporting legend, Sir Vivian Richards and the dashing Imran Khan from closer home. Few will dispute that the two spelt style on and off the field.

For daily iftaar
If you have been wondering what to make for iftaar today, and throughout the holy month of Ramzan, your search ends here. Every day, Dr Izzat Husain, an expert of Mughal cuisine and Unani medicine from Lucknow, posts a recipe that's easy to make and will make a light meal to have after a whole day of fasting.

Dr Izzat Husain

This is the first time that he took to social media. The khajur (date) milkshake which he posted, sharing that it reduces blood pressure and improves bowel improvement, caught our fancy. The jamun and almond juice, he said, offered an instant energy kick and was rich in vitamin E.

When we didn't see a recipe posted yesterday, we called to inquire. "I have not posted anything today. Aaj mein thoda busy hoon (I am a bit busy today)," he quipped. But, he recommended we try the Khatta Gosht recipe he posted on Sunday. "It is really different and easy to make.

When I post these recipes, I keep a few things in mind. For instance, it should be easy to cook, since those who fast are tired at the end of the day. And the dish should be easy to digest," says Husain, advising us against eating acidity-inducing capsicum. "Try rose petals, though. They are a mood elevator."