Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier

Pic/Satej Shinde

Ready for a long wait

With vaccines being rolled out for the 18-44 age group, a young woman, who was among the lucky few to get an appointment for Saturday, keeps herself busy with a book, while waiting for her first shot at Seven Hills Hospital, Andheri East.

Baking for a cause

Twelve-year-old home baker Saachi Pasari, a student of Hill Spring International School, is using her baking skills to make a difference. Pasari, who runs the Instagram handle @les_reve_creameux, has been delivering goodies across the city, over the last one year. This time around, she is baking for charity. Pasari has curated a menu of cookie cakes and cupcakes, which you can order over the next two weekends. All proceeds from the sale will be going to Hemkunt Foundation to sponsor oxygen cylinders. "I thought of using my baking skills to help those in need of resources to fight COVID. I will be dedicating all my time towards doing a bake sale today, and on May 8 and 9." Pasari has already managed to raise Rs 1,50,000. You can send her a DM to book your cake.

Hanita's spreading the love

Singer-songwriter Hanita Bhambari has been busy this lockdown - trying to raise spirits. She has been sharing playlists that help with every mood - like, "Songs to help you feel a little less alone", which includes Champagne Supernova by Oasis, and "Hanita's daily indie playlist". She has also been doing sweet posts that say it's okay to not be okay - like "it's okay to cry post". The singer, who has built an audience by releasing music consistently in the pandemic, is making sure her users can look up to her for more than just music. And we love that!

When Australia had Darling, Sleep and others

Peter Sleep and Rick Darling

Tired of seeing batsmen blasting fours and sixes from Indian Premier League teams? Here's a blast from the past. It doesn't concern edge-of-the-seat action, but names. The 1979-80 Australian cricket team to India, led by the handsome Kim Hughes, had some interesting names. Let's start with some love because there was a Darling in the squad. Rick opened the batting in some games. There was Graeme Wood too, playing in the first two of the six Tests. Walking in to bat in the middle order was Border, the future all-time great Allan. Leg-spinner Sleep (Peter) and Hogg (Rodney) were able South Australians. Sri Lankan-born Whatmore was a peculiar name as well and although Dav didn't top the run charts, he coached Sri Lanka to their 1996 World Cup win. Australia's tour party also had a Wright. Kevin kept wickets. We've saved the most interesting name for last-Graeme Porter-who didn't end up carrying his team on his shoulders simply because he didn't get an opportunity in any of the Tests. The punsters in the media sure must have had many a field day.

A right to walk your pets

Rhea Rao with Hulk and Apoorv Kushwaha with Rio

The pandemic has brought to the fore a number of problems. One of them is the plight of pets stuck in micro-containment zones because the local administration will not allow owners to take them out to answer nature's call. Rhea Rao, pet owner and resident of Chembur, said, "Honestly, we are a very small group of pet parents and animal lovers fighting unreasonable battles on a daily basis." Apoorv Kushwaha, another pet parent, highlighted the issue when he recently wrote a letter to MP Maneka Gandhi, to get clarity on SOPs for pet owners residing in micro-containment/containment zones. Fortunately, he has received a response from the government that categorically states that the Animal Welfare Board of India makes provisions to allow pets owners to take their pets out, provided the person walking is not COVID-19 positive. Cheers to that!

From artists to friends

Harekrushna Nayak, a Dastkari Haat Samiti artist, succumbed to the virus two days ago and died. While he may appear to us to be an ordinary man, he had a special relationship with photographer Chirodeep Chaudhari. Chaudhari met Nayak while working on a Kotpad textile assignment in Odisha. "Before joining the Dastkari Haat Samiti, Harekrushna was a weaver, but after an accident, one of his legs was rendered inoperable, and he was soon out of work. He then decided to work with bamboo filaments to create various figures. Nayak was a master of the craft, and his collection included Hindu gods and goddesses, as well as animals and birds. I was so impressed by his work that I asked him to make a Gandhi out of these bamboo filaments so that I could add it to my already extensive Gandhi collection. ‘I've never made one,' he replied.

‘But I assure you that I will make one for you'." When Chaudhuri walked into the Bangalore International Centre in January 2020 for his talk about collecting Gandhi figurines, he noticed the bright yellow, near life-size figures of Gandhi. Nayak was sitting next to it on the floor, surrounded by his creations. He stood up, and they exchanged handshakes and inquired about each other's health. Then he said, "Sir, aap jaane ke pehle milke jaiyega... "Aap se baat karni hai...yeh sab aap ke wajah se ho raha hai." "It wasn't really me, I was only a catalyst. The Gandhi figure he created for me in September 2017 drew the attention of the good people at Dastkari Haat Samiti, who invited him to the Dilli Haat Bazaar a few months later. I've heard he had a successful year that year," says Chaudhari. Nayak's family is suffering financially as a result of his death. Chaudhuri immediately agreed to assist in raising funds. You, too, can come forward and help. You can DM Chaudhuri @chirodeepchaudhuri.