Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Tales

Make your ride matter
BREAST CANCER affects millions of women across the world. The Estee Lauder Companies (ESC) Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign (BCA) is a worldwide philanthropic effort that supports breast cancer awareness through education and fund raising.

The Bandra Worli Sea Link was illuminated as part of the BCA's Global Landmarks Illumination Initiative in 2012 and 2013

The BCA Campaign was started in India in 2006 when the ESC partnered with the Women's Cancer Initiative - Tata Memorial Hospital and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Mumbai, to host an intimate fundraiser event. The hotel and sealink were illuminated in pink as part of BCA's Global Landmarks Illumination Initiative.

This time, ESC has collaborated with Uber, where for every Uber ride taken after entering the contribution code UBERBCAINDIA in the app from October 9 to 22, both companies will contribute R10 each. This donation will support the Women's Cancer Initiative - Tata Memorial Hospital's efforts to evolve breast cancer treatment and awareness.

Get into Garba mode
It's time to get into the Navratri vibe, and singer Parthiv Gohil's new song called Garabo sets the mood in traditional form. The hymn is supposed to symbolise the divine power of women, and is dedicated to goddess Shakti.

A still from Parthiv Gohil's video

The video, also directed by the singer, showcases the traditional steps of dancing in a circle around an earthen pot that is lit from within to represent the power of the womb.

Jitish Kallat in Austria
Contemporary Indian artist Jitish Kallat has done the country proud yet again. The artist has created a permanent public sculpture in Stockerau, Austria titled, Here After Here After Here.

The sculpture is 6m tall and 17m wide. The sculpture looks like an unending loop of stretched traffic signage. Placed at the junction, it is a symbol of Stockerau connection to places all over the world such as Marrakesh, Mumbai, Beijing, New York, Paris and Taipei.

Sneakers. Okay. Please.
We've heard of many quirky-themed get togethers but a ‘Sneakers Only' party? That was a first. Organised by city-based bariatric surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala and the CODS (Centre of Obesity and Digestive Surgery) team on World Obesity Day (October 11), this unique do, saw close to 50 participants - mainly patients who have undergone weight loss surgeries in the last two years - participate in dance routines, exercises, games and even a treasure hunt, running across a 4,000 sq ft Lower Parel gym.

(From left) Dr Muffazal Lakdawala with TV actor Kavi Kumar Azad and other patients at the Sneakers Only party. Pic/Tushar Satam

And guess who was spotted at this fun afternoon? Actor Kavi Kumar Azad a.k.a Dr Haathi from the popular TV show, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Having shed close to 80 kilos, thanks to the surgery, Azad huffed and puffed along with other participants in his sneakers. He admitted to wearing sneakers for the first time as he usually heads to his set in his car wearing just a lungi and slippers. Talk about role play.

Streamy in India
With online entertainment industry blowing up in the past few years, it was about time an award was launched (considering we have award ceremonies for everything).

Digital entertainment company Culture Machine, in partnership with Tubefilter and Dick Clark Productions, will bring the localised version of the popular international Streamy Awards to India.

It honours YouTube, Facebook, and other online video content creators. The awards show will be produced for audiences in India and South Asian territories including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. It's going to get streamy out here!