You have to forget who you were to redefine who you are,” states Arvind Kumar Upadhyay. The 69-year-old ‘struggler’ was once a regular presence in the boardroom of textile corporations. Now, he joins fellow Gen-Z actors from Versova in auditions. Upadhyay’s journey and second innings will be among the many that will find centrestage at the Suno Sunao Sunday Mano open mic, for people above the age of 55, in Bandra this Sunday. The event is helmed by Do With Lit and Gen S Life, a platform aimed at enabling self-dependence among senior citizens online and offline. Meenakshi Menon, founder, Gen S Life, shares, “The general perception is that older citizens are a burden. You stop contributing. This is completely false. As seniors, we need to recognise that the narrative needs to change.” A moment from a previous event A serial entrepreneur, 66-year-old Menon experienced this narrative in close quarters. “It was in 2023, when I stepped into a high-end electronics store to buy an iPhone. The salesperson, though kind and perhaps not knowing better, suggested that I should buy something less technologically complicated.” It was a reminder of how people on the wrong side of 50 often find themselves patronised. “As a society, we are all guilty of this. We often tell our parents ‘Be careful. Slow down.’ You are coming from a place of love, yet, your words slowly chip away at their confidence.” This, combined with the awareness of vulnerabilities and social perceptions further prevents many seniors from enjoying life. “Yet, we have no EMIs, no responsibilities or even inhibitions, sometimes. But we need to learn to live life again,” she declares. Arvind Kumar Upadhyay during a rehearsal Few manage to do it with ease. Take Dr Jashodhara Purkayastha. An MPhil and PhD, the former teacher signed up to sing at the open mic through Instagram. “For four decades, my world had revolved around teaching and academics. I now do things that make me happy,” shares the 68-year-old Mira Road resident who has recently pulled her husband into her singing adventures. Upadhyay agrees. He adds, “To keep yourself young, you need to be busy at your own joys. I remember the hesitation in my mind when I first signed on for an acting class. But I realised quickly that I cannot hang on to my CEO past and expect to learn new things,” he shares. Kailash Koppikar at a performance It will be a new adventure too for Kailash Koppikar. The 58-year-old public relations professional has been working on his stand-up sets since January this year, though always for a younger audience. Having opened for familiar names like Punit Pania and Akash Mehta, Koppikar admits, “I would often be among the oldest performers on stage. It was not easy, but you need to muster up courage. You need to believe that you have more to offer. I have been backstage, and most comics treat me as one of their own,” he admits. Menon hopes that more such events will restructure a change in perception. “These social barriers need to be broken, It is important to build activities and avenues that are specifically designed for this generation in order for that to happen.” Swapan Purkayastha with wife, Jashodhara ON May 18; 4.30 pm AT Jashn Studios, Off Linking Road, Bandra West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 349
16 May,2025 09:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarIt's been 100 years since The Great Gatsby was first published, but the echoes of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal classic still ring loud and clear — whether in terms of its exploration of the quintessential American dream or its exquisite portrayal of the Roaring Twenties. Indeed, the Jazz Age novel has inspired designers across the ages, including Ralph Lauren, Joseph Altuzarra and Miuccia Prada, while leaving a lasting imprint on the very definition of ‘dressing the part’. “What makes The Great Gatsby such a lingering influence on the world of fashion can be attributed, in part, to how cleverly it depicts fashion as an expression of both individual personality and social status. The 1920s were also a transformative time. Women had gradually begun to eschew the corseted, overly structured and columnal silhouettes of the 1910s in favour of looser clothing that revealed their arms and legs. This was also a period marked by important social change — women were entering the workforce, and had earned the right to vote. The spirit of emancipation reflected in their wardrobes, which became more androgynous. And then, there was the unmistakable rise of flapper fashion, which has its roots in jazz music and dance,” shares Niti Gupta, luxury fashion curator and founder of The AFRA World. She and celebrity stylist Mitali Ambekar share how these trends can be reimagined and woven into more contemporary sensibilities. Skip formality with suits with wider styled lapels. Pic Courtesy/@mohit Rai on Instagram; (right) Leonardo DiCaprio’s streamlined casual suit defined his role as Jay Gatsby. Pic Courtesy/Perioddrama style on Instagram Past meets the present “Channelling Gatsby in 2025 is all about balancing vintage charm with modern minimalism. It is less about recreating history and more about reimagining it to fit the modern aesthetic,” notes Ambekar. She recommends pairing statement pieces with modern basics to incorporate the best of both worlds. A good way to go about this is with a timeless little black dress (also a 1920s phenomenon), which you can update with a fringe or beading, or wide-leg trousers paired with a silk blouse. While feathers may have been a hallmark of the ’20s, a more contemporary invocation is with feathered trims. You could also wear pieces with tonal sequins and incorporate drop waists into your more structured looks. “A big part of the roaring Twenties glamour was in the fabrics, which embodied the movement and the showmanship of jazz music and dance — velvet, lace, satin and metallic, all evoke the glamourous playfulness of the times,” Ambekar suggests. Khushi Kapoor sports a shimmer dress; The feathered trims and shimmering sequins are hallmarks of 1920s fashion. Pic Courtesy/Babeyond official on Instagram; Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan. Pic Courtesy/Perioddramastyle on Instagram Dress it up While the flapper dress is an immediate go-to when referencing Gatsby chic, Gupta recommends mixing it up with other ‘20s hallmarks. “The flapper dress is characterised as having a knee-length skirt and loose fit, which allowed for more freedom of movement. These dresses are often made from lightweight materials such as chiffon or silk. A draped dress with tassels is another fun way to embody the decade. The movement that comes from the beading on the sleeves and skirt make it a party must-have. A lace sheath dress is both versatile and flattering, while a shimmering sequin dress is equal parts fun and head-turning,” she suggests. Hemlines that end just above the knee, looser silhouettes and dropped waists are the way to go in terms of fit. A cloche and a bejewelled headband (above) can stylise the look without making it feel costume-like. Pic Courtesy/Shalini Passi on Instagram; (right) ↑ Parul Gulati’s sequins recall the signature movement of the Flapper attire. Pic Courtesy/gulati06 on Instagram A dash of sophistication The ’20s were as refreshing for men as for women, with suits becoming less formal and more relaxed. The pinstriped suit rose in popularity, worn with shorter jackets and wider lapels, says Ambekar. Silk was also a coveted fabric, especially as an indicator of wealth and status. A silk shirt is an easy way to add sophistication to your outfit and can be paired with suspenders for a retro throwback. Don’t forget to throw on a silk tie — a slightly narrower width of 2-2.5 inches is perfectly indicative of the era. For even more flare, swap your regular tie with a bowtie, especially when dressing for a formal event. Mitali Ambekar and Niti Gupta All in the details Art Deco earrings, a beaded clutch or headband and a cloche hat can transport you back in time, without making your outfit seem too costume-like, says Ambekar. She also recommends updating your make-up with brushed brows, soft matte lips and slicked back hair or soft waves. Of course, the super-short bob that’s all the rage these days was the look to go for in the Jazz Age. If you can’t commit to lopping your mane off, Ambekar offers a faux bob style. For your final touch, replace your strappy sandals with T-straps, Mary Janes, slingbacks and pumps — these styles were typically favoured for evening wear, especially for the kind of parties hosted by Jay Gatsby, Gupta signs off.
16 May,2025 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulChasing childhood idols Prasanna Singh, 51 software engineer Axl Rose - RightBass guitar - Wrong1987 - RightNot sure - Wrong1985 - Right3/5 AS someone into a lot of hard rock and metal, Guns N’ Roses was a band I grew up listening to. It was one of the most popular bands of their generation. This is my one great opportunity to see them live. Although, Axl and Slash have visited in the past, it is not the same as having all of them play together. The music, particularly the old albums, still resonates with me. I have most of their albums on CDs Yes, some of us still have CDs [laughs]. From Appetite for Destruction, Use Your Illusion I and II, although I was not too keen on the Spaghetti Incident. Chinese Democracy is good but it is not their best. An open-air concert in Mumbai in May is never too enticing. But a GnR concert with Slash, Duff Mckagan together is an opportunity I could not miss. My GnR picks. Used to love her. You could be mine. Nightrain. Rocket Queen. Mr Brownstone. Yesterdays Beyond generational divide Avrinil Nandi, 27 product developer Axl Rose - RightRhythm guitar - RightNot sure - WrongSweet Child O’Mine - Right1985 - Right4/5 MY first initiation into Guns N’ Roses was during my college days. We had a band at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Andheri, and had just roped in a new guitarist. We would listen to rock, but were more Hotel California than hard rock. He [the guitarist] introduced us to Slash’s wild Sweet Child O’ Mine solo, and we were blown away. I liked the crunch in Axl [Rose’s] voice, a la BB King. I tried modelling my voice around it, exploring high octaves. I always thought they were far ahead of their time. My favourite remains Appetite for Destruction. I think it was one of those pure music moments. Chinese Democracy and Use your Illusion are better produced, but this one had every member going all out. Though I am not big on concerts, I secured my tickets for this one the minute they were released. My GnR picks. This I love. Chinese Democracy. 14 years. Estranged. Locomotive. Prostitute. Coma Also Catch A rare listening session brings the authentic vinyl sounds of the band’s iconic 1987 album, Appetite for Destruction, plus a fun voting for your favourite album in the lead up to the concert. ON Today; 4.30 pmAT Adagio 72, 4, Postal Colony Road, Chembur.LOG ON TO @adagio72 on Instagram (To RSVP)
15 May,2025 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThursday Screen timeScreening: Victoria by Sivaranjini J talks about the problems faced by a young beautician, Victoria, after she elopes with her boyfriend.TIME 7.30 pmAT G-5/A, Laxmi Mills Estate, Shakti Mills Lane, Mahalaxmi West. LOG ON TO district.inENTRY Rs 249 Friday Pic Courtesy/Ferry Ki Sawari Easy breezyTour: Cool down this summer with this breezy idea. Ferry ki Sawari, a Vasai-based ferry tour service, offers rides for anybody who wants to enjoy a boat ride. ON Monday to Sunday, 5 pm to 6 pm, 6 pm to 7 pm, 7 pm to 8 pm AT Vasai Ro-Ro Ferry, Police Colony, Naigaon West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com Pic Courtesy/Asia Society India Centre Reshaping society Talk: Asia Society India Centre is organising an evening with Aruna Roy (below) in conversation with Paula Mariwala. They will talk about how individuals can change and reshape society and what role empathy plays. TIME 6.30 pm AT 3rd floor, Queens Mansion, Ghanshyam Talwatkar Marg, Azad Maidan, Fort. LOG ON TO @asiasocietyic Shilonda Trail at Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Pic Courtesy/SGNP Walk with natureTrail: Take a break from the scorching summer, and be a part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s serene nature trail at Shilonda. TIME 6.45 am MEETING POINT Cycle stand, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East. CALL 7738778789ENTRY Rs 450 Saturday Pic courtesy/Lalit Parimoo on Instagram Parents’ decision Theatre: The Father is a play about the conflict between two parents over the education choice of their child. It is written and directed by Lalit Parimoo.TIME 7.30 pmAT Chaubara, Veda Factory, Aram Nagar Part 2, Machlimar, Versova, Andheri West.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 300 Sunday Pic Courtesy/Small World Mend the brokenWorkshop: The Japanese Kintsugi workshop by Small World will teach you how to join back broken vases and pots using golden joinery techniques.TIME 1 pm AT Shop 2A, Vasvani Chambers, Birla Opus Paint Studio, Dr Annie Besant Road, Municipal Colony, Worli. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 899 Pic Courtesy/Lalgudi Krishnan on Instagram Melodious eveningMusic: Sway to a musical evening as music maestros Lalgudi Gopala Jayaraman Radhakrishnan and Vijayalakshmi Srinivasan play the violin. The session will also have dialogues with the artists. TIME 5 pmAT 241- Urvashi Building, Petit Hall, Nepean Sea Road.CALL 9819907310FREE Pic Courtesy/Medium-Sized Improv on Instagram Just for laughsComedy: Turn your Sunday into a laughter riot with comedy collective Medium-Sized Improv’s performance of improv comedy. TIME 8 pmAT Godrej Dance Theatre, 196, NCPA Marg, Nariman Point.LOG ON TO ncpamumbai.comENTRY Rs 450 (members) Rs 500 (non-members)
15 May,2025 11:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiRemember the good old days when three-metre tall elephants with straight tusks walked around us? You wouldn’t, unless you’re a secret time traveller from the Pleistocene era in the late Ice Age. While these elephants of the Stegodon ganesa species went extinct nearly 20,000 years ago, a forearm fossil of the species will find temporary abode at education platform India Study Centre’s upcoming experiential exhibition. Archaeologist Dr Prateek Chakraborty from Deccan College, Pune is just one of the experts urging Mumbaikars to come witness these rare markers of the planet’s history this weekend. Fossils of the extinct Indian hippopotamus. Pics Courtesy/Paleontology laboratory, deccan college Dating back to thousands, if not millions of years ago, these fossils are not just dusty artifacts reserved for academicians, says Chakraborty. For instance, did you know that cuddly and equally ferocious wild hippopotami once thrived in India? “The ones you see in zoos and sanctuaries today are native African species. The Pleistocene era hippopotamus that lived in the Indian subcontinent went extinct between 22,000 and 15,000 years ago. It looked considerably distinct,” he reveals. Just how distinct? The exhibition has a rare fossil of its jaw on display to help you join the dots. Fossils of a stegodon, the predecessor to the modern elephant Vikram Rao, a city-based engineer and collector, will contribute to more than one third of the exhibits on display, and he’s coming slinging guns. The highlights from Rao’s vast weaponry collection are the double edged khanda swords of the erstwhile Rajput warriors. So dear were the khanda swords to the Rajputs, that they were annually revered and found a place even in countless royal rituals. Rao’s extensive collection of maps and lithographs from the East India Company archives will piece together the complete picture of the Colonial era. A collection of minerals, including (centre) a wulfenite specimen Not all tales told at the exhibition are as old as time, though. Rao remembers frolicking in the lanes of Chimbai village in Bandra nearly 45 years ago. “I was all of 14 years old when I chanced upon a stone that piqued my interest. I brought it home and preserved it. It was only when I deep-dived into archaeology less than a decade ago, that I realised it was a memorial stone from hundreds of years ago,” he chuckles, adding, “I’m looking forward to answering all the questions people have about these stories.” Vikram Rao guides visitors at a previous showcase These larger than life fossils, battle axes, and World War 2 samurai katanas might dwarf the exhibition’s target audience — children. But those who fancy stones, like the young Rao, won’t be complaining. Dr Praveen Henriques, a veteran geology professor from St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), and his team of postgraduate students, will decode any rocks, stones and minerals you bring to their table at the showcase. Prateek Chakraborty While the collaborative effort by the experts is laudable in itself, we think credit is due to the young volunteers playing their part. Dr Henriques’ students will find friends in Mumbai University Geography Department’s Dr Aparna Phadke’s team of student volunteers helping visitors read marine maps and topographical charts through a vintage stereoscope. While we’ve never looked into one, Phadke says the device presents 3D images that simplify the mysteries of geography. Perhaps if we look long enough, we will finally find what this city has been excavating for, all this while. Khanda swords ON May 16, 17, 18; 10 am to 7 pmAT Prabodhankar Thackeray Sports Complex, Navpada, Vile Parle East. LOG ON TO @instucen on Instagram (for more details)ENTRY Rs 50 (free for children below 10 years old) A stereoscope. Pic Courtesy/Aparna Phadke
15 May,2025 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleHaving moved four homes in my two-year-long stay in Mumbai has made me realise that interior décor has to be practical and sustainable rather than pretty. But that doesn’t mean compromising on your aesthetic. Fitting into this thought is this website’s metal posters. Made from stainless steel, the package comes with a wall protector panel, a strong magnet and the metal poster that can be easily assembled. LOG ON TO metalpop.in
15 May,2025 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaBlack grouse and the lek When it is mating season for the black grouse males, they gather in a flock at fixed spots between March and June and wait for the first light. This phenomenon is called a lek. At the break of dawn, the males dance and sing for hours, preparing for the females to arrive. When the females do, frequently from their neighbouring flocks, they leap into the air with what Ridley calls a ‘flutter-jump’. This is accompanied by a call that sounds like a “Tshu-wee”; it’s between a sneeze, a hiss, a squawk, and a screech. In the dark, these black grouse males are identifiable through their white bottoms, which resemble chrysanthemums. Riddle of the ruffs Ruff. Pics Courtesy/Youtube Ruffs are birds found across Eurasia. Ridley spots them in Arctic Norway. They look rather Elizabethan because of the ruff of feathers around their necks that act like ornaments. Ridley notices that each male ruff is distinct; no two wear the same outfit. Their feathers can vary in colour; they can have different patterns (flecked, plain, striped). Their head tufts can be of a different colour and pattern as well. Additionally, they have wattles around their eyes and beaks that can be shades of red, yellow, or orange, setting them apart from their fellow ruffs. Peacock displays Peacock plumage. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Ridley visited North India to confirm peacock behaviour and patterns. He notes that in peafowls, males display when a female approaches, but they do not follow it when it leaves. Females enjoy their freedom and wander about. Males are territorial among themselves, and stick to their own patches and spots. During displaying hours, when a peacock observes a peahen approaching, it makes an alcove in a bush and faces away to conceal a part of itself. When the peahen is close enough, it puts on a show by turning around and displaying all its feathers in full glory. Curlews and composers Long billed curlew. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons To Ridley’s ears, curlews sound like trained western classical singers during their mating season. They sing complex songs, and their crescendos are joyous. Ridley compares their call to genius composer Beethoven’s phrases. A curlew’s ode to joy begins with a slow single chord like that of a cello. It then rises and speeds up till the chords break into a “rich bubbling trill”. Much like humans, curlews prefer pure notes over squawks and harmonies over disharmonies. They are nature’s composers and share ideas of beauty in music with humans. Matt Ridley Shape-shifting lophorinas Vogelkop Superb Lophorina. Pic Courtesy/Youtube The super-black feathers of the Superb Lophorinas contain deep, curved cavities that capture all light and release none of it. With no reflected light, the male appears as though it vanished within its feathers during the display. We can only see two little dots (its eyes) and a fluorescent blue-green smile. It bounces back and forth on its log, to impress the female, with loud clicks. Available: At all leading bookstores and e-stores Cost: Rs 599
14 May,2025 09:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Nandini VarmaWhy the name Queer Rated Comedy? — is the first question we ask city-based stand-up comedian Navin Noronha as he speaks to us on a late morning call, fresh from his foreign tour. “That is a pun on curated comedy, which is what most comedy gigs are,” he quips. From what started as Zoom call sessions with openly out comedians during the Covid-19 pandemic to touring Indian cities with all queer line-ups — Noronha has charted quite a journey with the show. Aayushi Jagad, Navin Noronha, Ritushree Panigrahi and Madhvendra Singh “When you travel to Australia, Europe or the United States of America, you can see how queer comics flourish there. In India, there is obviously a lack of representation. The idea was to create an inclusive environment where these brilliant artistes can test their material. Over time, you notice how everybody is bringing different perspectives to the table, and developing their own content, which is lovely to witness,” Noronha tells ahead of another set of Queer Rated Comedy that he is hosting alongside fellow stand-up comics Madhvendra Singh, Ankur Tangade, Ritushree Panigrahi and Aayushi Jagad at a Bandra venue.An extension of the ongoing exhibition, To Make a Home With You curated by Mihir Thakkar that explores the human need for acceptance, comfort and belonging, for the queer community as well as allies, the stand-up show seeks to build the momentum for the evening on a similar idea, seasoned with humour and punctuated with anecdotes. “It is amazing to host an event that is solely based on queer comedy. Contemporary art should provide an immersive experience to people, which is what the comedians in the show will try to do with their sets,” elaborates Ayesha Parikh, the curator of the gallery. Ankur Tangade For Tangade, a Dalit, queer stand-up comic and the co-founder of Blue Material, an all Dalit line-up of stand-up comedians, the journey has been one of accidental discoveries. “Comedy happened to me by chance. I used to watch a lot of live comedy, open-mic events and felt that I can do this too. When I had just started performing comedy, I noticed how everybody in the room would be an upper caste person. For a long period of time I tried to follow the same pattern of comedy, in the hope of being relatable to the audience,” she recalls, adding how exploring her sexuality pushed her to talk about her own experiences. “It’s quite funny actually; I would make these jokes on stage as to why women are hitting on me, and if I am giving them queer vibes, and cut to now, where I openly talk about my pansexuality,” she explains. Travelling from her home in Beed to Mumbai this weekend, Tangade will explore the nuances of her identities and their interplay in the context of a small town to the metropolitan audiences of Mumbai — an idea that also informs the material of Ritushree Panigrahi. “My set is all about the experience of being a transwoman, in my personal as well as my corporate life,” Panigrahi shares. From finding humour in corporate spaces to talking about her gender identity, the HR professional’s journey from starting out with small gigs in Bhubaneswar to touring India and hosting many sets with this show is full of personal wins and sheer talent. “Though my family has been supportive of me, there is still a strong homomisic mindset that guides people’s prejudices. Hopefully, with awareness this will break” she explains, while also telling us about the AQA or Ask Queers Anything, a unique feature of the show where the comedians, armed with wit will answer questions related to the LGBTQiA+ community. ON May 17; 7 pm to 8.30 pm AT Art and Charlie, Pali Village, Bandra West. LOG ON TO www.artandcharlie.com (for tickets) COST Rs 350
14 May,2025 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Divyasha PandaMuseums are important in chronicling a city’s history and shaping its culture. Avid Learning, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Modern Art and Kala Ghoda Association, will be organising a panel discussion titled What Makes a Museum: Reimagining Spaces and Redefining collections. Aparna Andhare is an independent art historian, curator and writer, who is one of the speakers at the session. She speaks about the core topic of discussion, “This session promises to bring diverse viewpoints, and across practices shaping museums today. We are going to talk about making and running museums, the ways in which various narratives are collected and retold, how museums build communities. We will also discuss the future of museums, and how the mandate of museums continues to evolve from repositories of the past to institutions that look into the future.” Aanchal Malhotra, Svabhu Kohli and Aparna Andhare Museums need to stay relevant to the current times and constantly evolve. Speaker Svabhu Kohli, a multidisciplinary artist and visual researcher, feels that museum spaces need to adapt to modernisation. They say, “It’s not just important — it’s imperative. For museums to remain relevant and reflective of contemporary society, they must embrace inclusivity not as a performative gesture, but as a core value embedded in their structure.” Aanchal Malhotra, oral historian and co-founder of the Museum of Material Memory echoes Kohli’s thoughts. “For a museum to remain relevant and meaningful, it must attempt to be more inclusive in representation and methodology — this requires listening to communities that populate and visit the museum and giving space to oral testimony and alternative storytelling.” ON May 15; 6.30 pm to 8 pmAT National Gallery of Modern Art, Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall, Fort. LOG ON TO avidlearning.inFREE
14 May,2025 09:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Minal SanchetiAs Mumbaikars like this writer cling on to the trademark ‘spirit of Mumbai’ to brave the sweltering heat, urban gardener Chetan Soorenji has found relief in a passion of a different kind. A tall rooftop draped in lush passion fruit vines watches over Soorenji’s home in Chembur; he suggests you stand under it someday. “When I first planted passion fruit in 2017, I was surprised by how well it grew in Mumbai’s hot and humid conditions. The thick growth has significantly cooled down summers for me in the city,” he smiles. Chetan Soorenji Fruit of labour If you grew up believing passion fruit was an ‘exotic’ fruit that was too cool to share the same table as the humble apples and oranges, the pulpy fruits are actually more familiar than you think. Known as Krishna Kamal locally, the passionflower has been long known among farmers as a supplementary crop. “Most plant species in India bear fruits in the summer or winter seasons. The pre-monsoon and monsoon phase is dubbed the dearth period in horticulture. Passionflower, and subsequently passion fruit, makes for the perfect filler,” Soorenji reveals. Bees arrive to pollinate a passionflower; Passion fruit in the home garden; The fruit consists of a tangy pulp and a spongy white pith Birds and bees Soorenji’s garden is home to more than just the seasonal fruits. “I was surprised to see pollinators like bees of the Apis cerana indica (Indian hive bee), and Apis dorsata (Indian rock/giant bee) species, and butterflies like the Acraea terpsicore frequent my rooftop garden once the flowers bloomed. Soon, my garden had turned into a micro-ecosystem,” he recalls. An aerial view of the garden Pollination, aka the most vital step in reproduction for flowering plants, is the reason any flora thrives in the city, Soorenji tells us. The gardener recently turned to beekeeping to house these pollinators, and even launched his own line of natural honey. “But I have had to slow down after a heavy construction project was undertaken outside my home. You see, the bees like some peace,” he sighs. With a surplus of the fruits of labour, some buzzing company and a cool rooftop arrangement, it’s no surprise that Soorenji has now formulated a passion fruit wine to drink it all in. “Passion fruit wine has distinct sweet, fruity notes, and can be made by beginners without complex equipment,” he assures us. Sounds like one spirit of Mumbai we’re ready to get behind. LOG ON TO @forestgardenmicrofarmsindia on Instagram Passion fruit wine INGREDIENTS. Passion fruit pulp. Sugar (to taste). Yeast (1 tsp). Water METHODAdd the pulp, yeast and water to a container and mix well. Add sugar as per taste and the sourness of the fruit. Let the mixture sit for a month for primary fermentation. During this period, swirl and stir the mixture once in two days. After a month, transfer the mixture to a bottle for secondary fermentation. During the five to six-month long process, rack the wine. Racking involves straining the mixture until no visible sediment remains. The more you rack the wine, the smoother it will be. For a pleasant taste, rack the wine until it achieves whiskey-like colour and consistency. Before you grow Passion fruit vines can grow in testing conditions, but only with due monitoring and caution. Soorenji shares tips to consider before you sow the seed . Unlike many fruiting plants, you cannot plant a passion fruit sapling once and reap its benefits for decades. They usually have three-five year cycles after which they die. The climbers are highly susceptible to pest attacks. Home-made kitchen composts can help your climbers thrive. In the flowering season, the plants are vulnerable to fruit fly attacks. Consult an expert to learn more about pheromone traps
14 May,2025 09:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIt was well past midnight when Virar-based 37-year-old businessman Chirag Chauhan shook his wife Neha awake. “We had just gone to bed after a tumultuous Saturday, although I kept checking my phone for updates. The official handles on X were all quiet, which I found very strange. I was quite convinced that something sinister was afoot,” he reminisces. His concerns about being the latest victim of the incessant news cycle (or social media algorithm) were further substantiated when he checked his phone’s digital wellbeing feature. Chirag Chauhan “While, on an average day, my screen time is about three-four hours, this figure has now gone up to 12 hours! I was shocked to find how hopelessly addicted I’d become to my phone,” he adds. And although Chauhan may have caught on to his doomscrolling, many others like him continue to continually hit refresh on their apps, eager to devour every bit of information that comes their way. A phenomenon that rose to prominence during the pandemic, doomscrolling continues to be one of the primary ways that many people deal with stress and the fear of the unknown. Decode the currency of information “While doomscrolling is often described as the cycle of refreshing endlessly, scrolling compulsively and staying tethered to every alert, update and speculation, it is not just a digital habit; it is a nervous system response to collective uncertainty, grief and helplessness,” notes psychologist Namrata Jain. She further explains that doomscrolling is our attempt to create predictability in a world that feels unstable. As human beings, our brain seeks information to feel safe, as a survival instinct. But when the exposure is constant, overwhelming and devoid of resolution, this instinct becomes dysregulating. Namrata Jain Interestingly, this behaviour does not only impact those directly affected by the conflict. Jain points out that people across the nations are experiencing vicarious trauma or the emotional residue of bearing witness to the suffering of others. Through endless digital exposure, feels of fear, anger and grief are internalised, often subconsciously. “What many of us don’t realise is that doomscrolling has now become a performative form of empathy. There’s a growing and understandable guilt around switching off. Many people feel that disengaging from the news is equivalent to disengaging from suffering. This guilt-traps people in a cycle of overexposure — staying informed to prove that they care. It is compassion that converts into self-flagellation,” she says. The third layer, as Jain describes it, is emotional displacement. For people already living with unaddressed anxiety, helplessness or emotional distress, war coverage becomes an outlet to project and channel those feelings. It gives form to an otherwise invisible inner turmoil, offering a clear narrative of: ‘This is why I feel unsafe.’ The price of screen addiction Post-Operation Sindoor, my social media habits have transformed dramatically. I’m constantly hooked to my phone, eager for updates. This has had an impact on my physical and mental health. I find it hard to fall and stay asleep. My deep-seated fears combine with overthinking to make me restless. More recently, the alternating ceasefire proclamations followed by attacks create and magnify my sense of distrust,” shares 31-year-old Soumita Saha, a singer-songwriter. Chauhan echoes her concerns, also sharing that the presence of fake news further adds to the frustration. “By the time the news has been verified, the damage has been done. We’re left wondering what to do… Do we do anything at all? What’s going to happen? What is even true?” he laments. Soumita Saha Rakesh Raghuvanshi, CEO and founder of Sekel Tech, observes, “Economic incentives drive the fake news ecosystem. Content creators earn revenue through clicks, views, and engagement metrics on major platforms, regardless of accuracy. During crises such as military tensions, audience attention spikes dramatically while critical thinking often diminishes due to heightened emotions. The information vacuum during developing situations creates opportunities for speculation and fabrication to fill gaps faster than verified reporting can. Algorithm-driven platforms reward sensational content that generates strong reactions, not necessarily truthful content. Low barriers to entry in digital publishing mean anyone can create convincing-looking ‘news’ without journalistic standards or accountability.” Rakesh Raghuvanshi “Over the last few days, I’ve come to realise that even the sources we believed were trustworthy are falling prey to fake news. Now, from a customer’s point of view, we can spend several hours believing what these sources say, only to be dismayed when the news is proved false. To safeguard against this, I advocate what I call a Zero-Trust Policy, a concept that’s borrowed from cybersecurity best practices. Just as you wouldn’t trust a QR code or message implicitly, don’t take any news at face value. Remember that your social media algorithms only push more of what you are already viewing, while taking zero responsibility for the veracity of the content,” warns Gautam S Mengle, security awareness strategist at CyberFrat, a firm that specialises in cybersecurity awareness, education and advisory. Gautam Mengle He also warns that the consumption of fake news does not just affect your sanity or peace of mind; it also influences your decisions or your actual actions that could include being drawn into fraudulently seeking funds in the name of relief to families of the martyrs or towards the upgradation of the armed forces. “It is a very real outcome and one that can only be addressed by changing your consumption patterns at the source,” Mengle signs off. Find your calm Disrupted sleep, chronic worry, irritability and even physical symptoms such as headaches or gut issues can result from screen exposure or media saturation. Jain suggests a few strategies to cope with doomscrolling: 1 Choose one-two reliable sources. Check updates at a fixed time (e.g., 10 am and 6 pm). Avoid news before bed. 2 Set locks or use apps that lock applications that you are addicted to or doomscroll on. 3 Disable breaking news alerts, instead opt for intentional checking rather than reactive scrolling. 4 After news exposure, intentionally engage in a grounding activity — deep breathing, stretching, sipping a warm drink or stepping outside for five minutes. 5 Mute accounts that sensationalise. Prioritise fact-based, calm reporting. 6 Remind yourself that staying online 24/7 does not change the outcome. But attending to your well-being allows you to show up in more sustainable, meaningful ways for yourself and for others. 7 Talk about it: Process it with someone you trust or a therapist to reduce its hold on your attention. 8 Use breathwork, cold water on your wrists or hands, or use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique (name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell and 1 you taste) To calm your urges 1. Delay the impulse: Tell yourself, “I’ll check in 15 minutes”. Often you will notice that the urge passes.2. Substitute behaviour: Keep a book, activity or playlist handy to redirect the habit.3. Remind yourself: “My grief is valid, but my survival does not depend on my vigilance.”
13 May,2025 10:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Anindita PaulADVERTISEMENT
