Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier

Pic/Atul Kamble

All aboard!

Sixty-year-old Bharat Baria's walker doubles as a perch for his hen and a canopy for his cat as he makes his way through Churchgate

The human cost of war

Journalist and author Meher Pestonji has been out and about in Mumbai lately, engaging in discussions about her newly-released book, Being Human in a War Zone. The compilation of 14 short stories delves into what it means to be a human being caught up in the reality of war. Pestonji tells this diarist that the inspiration for her book originated from online poetry evenings she participated in during the pandemic. "Large parts of the world today are caught up in conflict of one kind or another. During these sessions, I got to know people from all over the world in a different way - the way they write, the way they think, and their own journeys." Pestonji started having conversations with her friends about their personal experiences of war. "Reading about incidents like wildfires in Greece, for example, and knowing how it impacts your friend's lives is completely different." Pestonji's conversations led to the stories in the book, like that of a musician from Ukraine who'd experienced the jarring reality of being a first-hand participant in the war, and narratives of several other refugees.

The kindest cut of all

Hairdresser Thomas Fernandes, known by the nickname Thompsun, will be giving free haircuts on the first Sunday (September 10) and last Sunday (September 17) of the Mount Mary Fair. Thompsun places the barber's chair just outside his salon, called the Thompsun Hair ‘n' Makeup Studio at Chapel Road in Bandra west. It is en route to the fair and he offers his services to passersby, which includes the fair's visitors Thompsun had done the same last year as well, "but this time, I have six trained students with me, so it is going to be more extensive. This is my way of giving back and saying thanks to God," he says. So, who says the best things in life are not free? When you get a mood enhancing haircut, isn't that the best one?

Let it show

Arundhati De-Sheth

Some of the finest jewellery pieces from across the country will be on display at Pundole's in Ballard Estate this coming week, as part of Arundhati De-Sheth's new show, Gilded Age. De-Sheth, a jewellery advisor and expert on contemporary fine jewellery, has put together over 250 pieces, which will be on sale from September 7 to September 9. "I have always admired the elegance of an older time, when people dressed up with grace and finesse. Beautiful hand-woven textiles were elegantly worn by women and men alike. Jewellery was key in the attire and always accounted for, even before garments were selected," says De-Sheth. While this year's show, she says, isn't about old jewellery, it will hark back to our heritage. "The goal is also to keep it relevant, so that it looks elegant without it only appearing as a status symbol. They are not generic." The prices, she says, begin from over R1 lakh, but are not prohibitive. There are only a few that are very high-value. "The jewellery will also be openly displayed, because I like people to touch and feel it, and understand why something is more expensive. The pieces are all going to be open for them to experience."

English test coming up amidst media scrutiny

England skipper Jos Buttler. Pic/Getty Images

Defending champions England cannot be ruled out when it comes to turning it on again at the ODI World Cup in India later in the year. Since they lifted the biggest prize in 50 overs cricket by beating New Zealand in the final of the 2019 edition, they have won 18 of their 36 games. Fifteen were lost while three ended with a no result. England will get some good ratings when it comes to pre-tournament talk - far better than what they got when they exited early in the 1999 World Cup - which was hosted by them. Alec Stewart's team were accused of being "guilty of wrecking English cricket" in a tabloid headline. And Arjuna Ranatunga (who himself had failed to defend Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup title), wrote in his The Guardian column (as reported in the 2000 edition of Wisden): "What is so wrong with English cricket? The answer is simple: Everything." Let's say the Poms, as some Aussies like to refer to them as, have their task cut out. England play four ODIs against the touring New Zealanders soon which means they'll get a good look at their first opposition of World Cup 2023. England led by Jos Buttler could come close like they did as finalists in 1979, 1987 and 1992 or even flop in Indian conditions. We'll know for sure in two and a half months.

The sea needs our love

Zia Hajeebhoy

Mumbai's Byculla Zoo hosted the second edition of its "seamposium" on Saturday, bringing together environmentalists and ocean experts, like Zia Hajeebhoy, director of yachting company Aquasail, who is on a mission to create "love for the sea." "We have one of the longest coastlines - over 8,000 kms. If you love the sea, you'll respect the sea, and if you respect the sea, you'll want to save it. And if you save it, you'll save the planet," she tells this diarist. Also present was environmentalist Lisbon Ferrao, who has been conducting beach clean-ups across Mumbai. "Plastic trash from the United Emirates, New Zealand, China, and Vietnam washes up on our shores. Then, there is oil, which prevents mangrove seeds from germinating, and gets into the shells of crabs and other marine life," he says.