Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

Pic/Bipin Kokate

A plank with a view

An eager exerciser conditions his core muscles as other early morning-walkers look on, at Marine Drive.

Plating generosity

Last May, Bandra-based cafe The Village Shop launched an initiative named The Good Plate aimed at feeding those whose livelihoods had been adversely hit by the pandemic. "With the first lockdown, our business was affected and our kitchen was idle. We thought of this as a good way to engage our staff, while giving back to the wider community. And so, we joined hands with various charities including the Bishop's Home in Santacruz East, Salaam Mumbai Foundation, St Andrews Church [who have adopted a few families] and Robinhood Army, to offer wholesome and nutritious food at least twice a week," shared Jennifer Mallick, the café's co-founder. With Diwali around the corner, she's decided to revive the platform to offer festive meals to those who cannot afford them. To donate to the cause, you
can message them on Instagram at @thevillageshop.

Mumbai's date with British culture

The UK's Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth recently sailed into the Bay of Bengal, in a demonstration of the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that was agreed upon by both Prime Ministers in May this year. To mark the event, they're organising a week of festivities aimed at introducing Mumbaikars to the best of British culture and cuisine. The event is being flagged off with a collaborative performance between the Royal Edinburgh?Military Tattoo and dancers from Hormuzd Khambata Dance Company at St Xavier's College, Dhobi Talao. "Rooted in Scottish tradition, the Tattoo's annual show is held on the iconic esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. I'm particularly excited to collaborate with the Indian performers and to show Mumbai a fresh side of the UK," said Eddie Seaman, a piper with the Tattoo.

Open ‘sea'son

After a six-month break, Mumbai Sea Swimmers are taking to the open seas with new gusto. "We have several beginners this time around. I think that not having access to swimming pools has greatly inspired swimming enthusiasts to explore the sea. To encourage and coach them, we're conducting introductory sessions, which will teach the basics of open sea swimming," observed Mehul Ved, co-founder of the group. Acknowledging the role of endurance races popularising running, for example, they're eager to introduce longer-format swims and conduct coaching sessions for the same. This Sunday, they are planning a swim from Sunk Rock to the Gateway of India, which Ved revealed, is a popular route for swimmers. To participate, log on to mumbaiseaswimmers.com

Slithery customer

It was slither, hither and thither at swish Malabar Hill last Sunday. A rat snake visited Acropolis building's A block garbage room, and was rescued by a snake catcher. Indrani Malkani from the building said that it was a female dhaman (rat) snake which was 5.5 feet long. Malkani added that Malabar Hill is home to several species of snakes, including cobras, vipers, dhamans and a type of tree snake. Malabar Hill resident Prakash Munshi spotted the snake, while on a walk. Munshi has his own snake story: an anti-mobile tower radiation activist, he said there was a snake outside his building at Veer Bhavan very recently. Hiss-tory is being made in one of the priciest residential pockets of Mumbai.

India's first street dance champion

Deepak Sahi (in yellow) celebrates his win at the Dance Your Style contest

At the recently concluded national finals of Dance Your Style, hip-hop dancer Nepo (Deepak Sahi) walked away with top honours. He was voted by a live audience (in studio and virtual), who watched him compete in one-on-one battles with dancers from across the country. "For me, it is an indescribable feeling to gain such exposure and appreciation. Street dancing does not have the same kind of recognition in India, as it does across the world. Being able to compete on a global platform proves that Indian dancers have what it takes and inspires the community to work harder and keep breaking boundaries," Sahi told this diarist. He will now go on to represent the country in the world championship at Johannesburg, in December.