Mumbai diary: Sunday Shorts

Veterans at the wheel
What does one do when one turns 95? Look for a new set of dentures? Hope that one hits a century? Maybe. The Western India Automobile Association (WIAA), which marked its 95th year in 2014, will hold a Time Speed and Distance (TSD) motor car rally for veterans between Mumbai to Mahableshwar on November 29.

Vintage wise: WIAA's Veterans rally in November is for modern cars only

The veterans have to be above 50 years or age and not have participated in a motor car rally for 15 years. The WIAA, best known for its vintage car rallies, says that this event is for modern cars and not for vintage ones. So all ye speed demons, nifty 50s and speedy 60s, 70s and more at the wheel, get ready to rally all the way to Maharashtra's own Strawberry Country. Entries close on November 15, 2014. Do rush to the WIAA office. For details call Purvi Kapadia at 9920045750.

Music, noise and god
Local trains in our city pack it all - people, sights, smells, and of course, sounds. Regardless, the less we talk about the noise inside train compartments, the better. There are hawkers, peddlers, beggars, unruly citizens, drunkards creating a scene, babies bawling due to lack of ventilation, people playing annoying songs on their cellphones, and the list goes on.

Commuters sing devotional songs inside a packed local train compartment. Pic/Atul Sangini

One can't overlook the groups of men playing manjeeras and singing bhajans in the morning. They may not have the sweetest of voices but they sing with utmost dedication. Their folksy tunes are heartfelt, but at times unbearable, too. Not every co-commuter might agree with this method of self-expressing but nobody complains. Perhaps it's better to avoid interrupting divine intervention; especially in a tolerant city like Mumbai where noise and music coexist. Like one of the crooning passengers once asked, "Why do you think train accidents rarely take place in our city?"

Coming not-so-soon: Ambrose's autobiography
Journalists who wished to interview Curtly Ambrose during his glory years were often thwarted by the West Indies pace ace's own words: ‘Curtly talk to no man'.

In his 12-year-long international career (1988-2000) in which he played 98 Tests and 176 one-day internationals for the West Indies, it is believed he gave only two interviews.

Curtly Ambrose at a press conference in London, England. Pic/getty images

Yes, he didn't and does not like talking to journalists. Even now, Ambrose, the team's bowling consultant, is not heard in the media although he did grant this newspaper an interview when he was knighted in March.

But come next year, Ambrose will please his fans with his autobiography which we hear is being written with Birmingham-based journalist, Richard Sydenham.

In the wake of the West Indies team going home due to a dispute with their Board, Ambrose will surely let us know what went on behind the scenes in the current controversy.

We can't wait till April, Amby!