Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Click. Talk. Think: Commuters take a break from the manic pace of the city at the Kandivali bus depot. Pic/Satej Shinde

Swiping right for friendship

With International Friendship Day right around the corner, a leading dating app has published a survey which indicates that young Indians are increasingly using these mediums to seek new friends and companionship in these isolated times. The survey revealed that nine in every 10 Gen Z users turn to their dating apps to find new people or stay connected, without worrying about romantic potential. Some of their top stated reasons for swiping include ‘making new connections', ‘finding friends in their communities', and ‘looking for fun hangout buddies'. Further, food, humour and cinema are top draws among users, with 41 per cent focusing on matches who have a shared love for food, 36 per cent on wit and 32 per cent on movie buffs when swiping. Interestingly, users have found their way around the virtual social sphere, with seven in 10 Gen Zs admitting that it is easier to make connections online. A whopping 67 per cent also agreed that meeting new people online was liberating.

Rafisaab in rewind mode

Today marks the 41st death anniversary of legendary singer Mohammed Rafi, and to celebrate his life and music, the Asiatic Society of Mumbai (ASM), is hosting a free virtual session titled Yaad Na Jaaye Beete Dinon Ki. It is a three-hour virtual event that will include songs, clippings, and facts about the singer. This musical treat will be helmed by author Manek Premchand. "Premchand will also explain certain interesting aspects of Rafi's life and work. The event will be divided as per different genres of Rafi's music including romantic, sentimental, classical, and more. It will be followed by a small talk on him as well," said Dr Shehernaz Nalwalla (inset), chairperson at ASM's Mumbai Research Centre. To join in, log on to @asiaticsocietymumbai Living on borrowed timeon Instagram.

Living on borrowed time

Across the Himalayas, unsegregated and excessive plastic waste continues to be a lingering problem. Pic/Instagram

"As a race, we've reached the point where we've already exhausted the planet's resources that are supposed to last us an entire year. The rate at which this happens is becoming quicker every year. In 2021, July 29 was marked as Earth Overshoot Day," explained Priya Shrestha, co-founder of Zero Waste Himalaya, an organisation working to raise awareness about a more sustainable way of life. To this end, they're conducting a campaign to coincide with India's Independence Day on August 15. Shrestha shared that considering the waste that is produced as a by-product of the celebrations, they're hoping to encourage communities to switch to a plastic-free format for a week, at least. To learn more, visit @zerowastehimalaya.

Music is for all

The digital medium has been a real blessing amid the pandemic, blurring borders and bringing people together. Take for instance, Dialogues Cafe, a Bengaluru-based space for music lovers that has been hosting lively musical addas virtually. Co-founder Udai Kiran said that the plan to go digital was conceived just before the world shuttered. "The online jam is a curated programme. People from all walks of life, and music spanning different genres, are welcome," he shared about their upcoming e-adda tonight. Head to insider.in if you'd like to tune in.

Support for the forgotten

As a part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Rotaract Club of Mumbai Downtown is extending its support to Help Animals and Birds Hospital that cares for injured and ill-treated stray animals and birds at Masjid Bunder. "The hospital, which is owned by Jayesh Shah, offers treatment to these animals, who are often victims of rash driving or abuse. All treatments, including operations, are provided at no cost. It is located near the station and tends to animals in the entire South Mumbai region. At present, they're in dire need of old bed sheets, towels, plastic sheets, newspapers and cotton. We're conducting collection drives for the same until August 5, to support the hospital's efforts," said Abbas Kothari, the club's president. To get involved in the drive, you can call or message 9653111364.