Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Pic/Ashish Raje

In a different bubble

A crowd sidelines the growing anxiety around COVID-19 to enjoy a mask-free evening at Marine Drive

The legacy of a diamond

The memories of a generation took a blow with the passing of Diamond Comics co-founder, Gulshan Rai (inset), last week. Rai was behind the publication that launched some of the best known indigenous comics from Chacha Chaudhary to Billoo and Pinki among others. Manish Verma, director, Diamond Group, mirrored the sentiment by saying that it is now the responsibility of fans to take the legacy ahead. "He founded an institution that runs parallel to international comics. It is a cult for anyone born in the 1980s and 1990s," Verma added. The director noted that it is now important to add a new perspective to the legacy and carry these characters forward to entertain more generations. Abhijeet Kini, illustrator and a fan, agreed. "Diamond Comics introduced me to Indian characters along with Billoo and Chacha Chaudhary," he recalled. Highlighting the relatability of their characters, Kini remarked, "The comics have inspired a generation of writers and artists who have set these works to be their benchmark."

Also read: Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

A tall order and a very tall tree

The Peace tree as it stands near Worli

There is one thing about being the tallest. There's another thing about sending a message that seems like a tall order. It is wow-time in Worli again, as local Douglas Saldana's 68-foot-tall Christmas tree seems to graze the sky at his MIG Colony, Adarsh Nagar residence. The seasonal spectacle is drawing visitors, like it does annually.

Saldana (inset) said, "The tree with its luminosity and star at the top is literally touching the sky. It signifies peace. On top of my wish list is an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Going by the current rhetoric though that seems a tall order. The brightness stands for hope. The lights are for the souls that have perished in the nightmarish and avoidable conflict."

When all roads lead to Kashimira

A moment from the fair at the grounds

Yesterday, people from across the Thane district gathered at a church that stands on a hill between Kashi and Mira gaothans. It was Kashimira Cha Sann, the feast of St Jerome Church. We're told that the present structure is the third one, built at the same site as the previous two, and was made open to the public for worship on December 26, 1926. The first was a wooden structure built in 1595 by the Portuguese Franciscan Fathers, and later, in 1628. Though the actual date of the feast of the patron saint falls on September 30, at Kashimira it is celebrated on December 26. The feast started early with masses, including a high mass celebrated by Bishop Barthol after which, festivities continued with a fair that included rides and food as devotees thronged the church grounds from six am to dusk. Folks also set up stalls for Sukelis (dry bananas) and other traditional snacks. Parishioner Juliet D'Souza told us, "We keep one of the statues of St Jerome outside the church for all to venerate during this awaited feast. The saint is known for his Latin translation of the Holy Bible."

Green is the word

Meghaa Gupta

The second hybrid edition of the Greenlit Fest, held in Bengaluru, drew to a close last week where a new set of winners were announced. Their 2022 Honour Book awards included names such as Ranjit Hoskote (Hunchprose), Bijal Vachharajani (Savi and the Memory Keeper), Kavitha Iyer (Landscapes of Loss: The Story of an Indian Drought), among others. "Our honour book awards showcase the spectacular variety in environmental writing for readers of all ages. From an illustrated picture book on human-animal conflict to a chapter book on climate grief, there is something for everyone of every age," said Meghaa Gupta, co-founder of the fest.

Low on flamingos

A group of lesser flamingos at the site last year. Pic courtesy/Rahul Khot

December might be the month when the year slowly winds up to a close. But for birdwatchers in Navi Mumbai, it marks the beginning of the migratory season. This year though, it has had a slow start. BN Kumar, director, NatConnect Foundation, revealed that the annual arrival of flamingos in the neighbourhood has been delayed. "The flamingos start moving out of Kutch after the water becomes unsuitable for them in December and January. When you look at the sites, they are not full," he said. The reason, Kumar noted, is down to the growing pollution at the Thane Creek, which is a Ramsar site, that is a popular resting spot for the birds. "The Ramsar site is being affected by industrial and urban pollution. The Deonar site also witnesses a lot of garbage flowing in during high tide," he remarked. While volunteers are stepping up to the crisis, the director noted that efforts are needed from the Mumbai end as well to prevent pollution washing into the Creek. That's a new year's resolution the city can get behind.