All in a day: Things to do around the city on your Republic Day break

We’ve curated a list of talks, food offers and events being held online and around the city, which will sort out your Republic Day holiday

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Talking it out

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Mahatma Gandhi

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai is hosting two talks centred on Republic Day. The first one is by Kurush Dalal, director, Instucen School of Archaeology, and is titled Mumbai and the Independence Struggle. The second, by Faisal Devji, professor of Indian history at University of Oxford, is titled Gandhi’s Silence. Speaking about his talk, Dalal tells us how Mumbai’s role in Indian independence can be traced back to its transfer to the British and its emergence as a modern industrial city. “Though they did this to create a better-equipped workforce to suit their growing needs, it led to the emergence of a people who began to think of themselves and the possibility of their emancipation,” Dalal shared.
Log on to: @jashnmumbai on Instagram for the Zoom link

A jumbo tale

There is a fascinating story of how Peter Marmorek, a five-year-old boy from Canada, once corresponded with then PM Jawaharlal Nehru, after reading an article in which it was written that Nehru had offered to provide an elephant to the zoo in the town that Marmorek lived in. The young boy wrote to the Indian PM requesting the same, and was pleasantly surprised to hear back from him in two weeks. Two years later, there was indeed an elephant on its way to Granby, the small town that Marmorek lived in. Tulika Books has now put up a video of the narration of a picture book, Uncle Nehru Please Send an Elephant. Listen to the heartwarming tale that spans across two continents, narrated by no less than Marmorek himself.
Log on to: @tulikabooks on Instagram

Eat
Three to go

A newly opened cafe in Thane is marking the occasion with a special tri-colour combo, where they have curated three mojitos representing the colours of the Indian flag. They are also offering a discount on these drinks, to celebrate the day.
Till: January 27, 12 pm to 10 pm 
At: Captain Cool, shop no 4, Giri Heaven, Thane West
Cost: Rs 299 for the combo

Celebrating diversity

India’s rich diversity is reflected in the varied cuisine you get across the country. To celebrate this facet of the nation on Republic Day, a five-star’s delivery service, Marriott Bonvoy on Wheels, has put together four different meal boxes that each carry dishes from the north, south, east and west. The one for the north has dishes like gosht harees and veg haleem; the one from the east includes chingri malai curry and Dhakai paratha; the South Indian box has chicken pirala and bisibele bhaat among other delicacies; while the one from the west includes jowar bhakri and Goan prawn curry served with red rice.
Till: January 30, 12 pm to 10 pm
Call: 68828888
Cost: Rs 1,500 onwards

Outdoors
Wheels in motion

This one’s for people who have access to the iconic Yamaha RX range of motorcycles. The Bombay RX Club is organising a Republic Day ride, where participants will be expected to follow all pandemic-related safety measures.
Time: 7 am
Starting Point: Bombay Scottish School, SVS Road, Mahim West
Call: 9920581968

Pedalling away

Those who are more comfortable with bicycles instead of motorbikes can sign up for this cycling ride that involves a mixed experience of the city, including off-roading, hill views, beach stops, and riding through mangroves. It starts from Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali and ends at Manori beach.
Time: 4.30 pm
Starting Point: Sanjay Gandhi National Park main gate, Borivali East. 
Log on to:  in.bookmyshow.com
Cost: Rs 899

Visit
Time with Mahatma

Mani Bhavan is a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. It houses a rich repository of books and memorabilia on his life that ran parallel with India’s Independence, which makes it the ideal spot to visit today. 
Time: 11 am to 4.30 pm
At: Mani Bhavan, 19, Laburnum Road, Babulnath, Gamdevi
Call: 23805864

Sign up
An animated time

Bring children up to speed with stories about India’s freedom movement at an online stop-motion animation workshop where they will get to make their own movies themed on Republic Day. They will do so using simple everyday objects they have at home.
Time: 6 pm
Log on to: in.bookmyshow.com

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