With Ramzan, Dr Ambedkar Jayanti, Good Friday and Easter festivities, the last week of April was all about festivities and community joy. Here are our top features of the week covering the celebrations in the city
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As we look forward to Ramzan Eid and people are managing to keep up with the fasting days, health experts share nutrition tips to maintain while fasting during summer days. This week of April was also about enjoying the long weekend brought in by back-to-back festive days. For Mumbaikars, we bring in a list a weekend get-aways recommended by city travel enthusiasts. While travel season is at its peak again, our feature on ‘Guilt Vacation Syndrome’ looks at while people feel guilty about taking breaks from work.
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In an exclusive chat with Mid-Day Online, Mumbai-based comedienne talks about her latest special and how women writers approach storytelling versus their male peers. On the Dr Ambedkar Jayanti and Easter, families from Mumbai share how they bringing in the festivals this year. For the National Poetry Writing Month, young writers talk about their process of publishing one poem for each day of the month. In the third part of our exclusive series ‘Shelf-Life with Mid-Day’, we visit a Vasai book stall managed by Kuldeep Kolhe, who shares what keeps him connected to the book-selling business.
Nutrition tips for Ramzan: How to healthfully navigate fasting in the holy month
The holy month of Ramzan brings with it a great deal of devotion, strength, discipline, and patience. The devout fast the entire day, not eating or drinking anything from sunrise till sunset. Fasting during the hot summer days can be extremely challenging. If you follow a restrictive diet or have diabetes, fasting during Ramzan can be tricky. Health experts share nutrition tips to help you keep your health in order.
What is ‘Guilty Vacation Syndrome’? The silent epidemic affecting working Indians
Nearly three-fifths or 58 percent of people worldwide felt vacation deprived in 2021, according to the Vacation Deprivation Report 2022 (VDP), recently published by online travel platform Expedia. Working individuals commonly experience guilt over taking days off and Indians are among the worst affected in the world by this feeling. A fear of missing out, job insecurity and the pressure to always be productive discourage office-goers from using up designated leaves.
Sumaira Shaikh talks about her hometown Dongri and the comic wisdom of women writers
Mumbai-based comedienne Sumaira Shaikh is on a high after the release of her first hour-long comedy special, ‘Dongri Danger’ (2022). It was well-received for its poignant humour which really spoke to viewers. In an exclusive chat with Mid-day Online, the Mumbai-based comedian spoke about her latest special, misconceptions about her neighbourhood Dongri and how women writers approach storytelling versus their male peers.
Feeling travel-ready? Mumbaikars share their personal favourite weekend getaways
Since the pandemic has somewhat dissipated, everyone has been planning and looking forward to an escape to their favourite travel destination. There are a plethora of options, including a quick weekend getaway to a quaint city near Mumbai, an adventurous trip to the snow clad hills in the north, or the pristine beaches and palm trees in the south. Whether you wish to take a journey with your friends or your partner, or if you wish to unwind or indulge in adventure sports, take a cue from these three travel enthusiasts from Mumbai who share their most treasured getaways.
Of remembrance, food and joy: How Mumbaikars are celebrating Dr Ambedkar Jayanti this year
The streets of Mumbai have brightened up with shades of blue and white and larger-than-life banners of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar meet our eyes in every nook and corner. After two years of subdued vigour, the city is gearing up to celebrate April 14, the 131st birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, also known as ‘Ambedkar Jayanti’ or ‘Bhim Jayanti’. From family meets and community events to distributing food and books, here’s a glimpse of how families are marking the day.
What is #NaPoWriMo? Writers tell us what goes into publishing one poem every day
The internet and social media in particular, offer a canvas for aspiring artists to express themselves. NaPoWriMo is one such space for creative experiments. Halfway into the National Poetry Writing Month of April, participating writers are still diligently composing at least one poem a day, without putting their pen down. Mid-Day Online spoke to aspiring poets to know their #NaPoWriMo writing process.
Bound by books: This Vasai bookseller has beaten odds to push students to read
When Kuldeep Kolhe lost his job due to the economic crisis in 2008, the future looked uncertain. Nallasopara resident Kolhe has seen several hardships in his life. When the first one struck during the recession 14 years ago, he found his true calling in selling books. Now, despite pandemic setbacks, the 39-year-old continues finding hope in the printed page.
Easter 2022: Mumbai's Catholic community revel with in-person mass, food and drink
Like many other festivities in the last two years, Easter celebrations for the Catholic community haven't been the same. People were neither able to attend Easter vigil in church nor were they able to celebrate the occasion -- which marks the Resurrection of Christ, according to the Bible -- with their family and friends. With restrictions lifted and travel possible, three Mumbaikars share how they are looking forward to celebrating the festival this year with family, friends and lots of local delicacies.