The city — sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
When Mumbai runs for a cause
The 18th edition of the Terry Fox Run (India) will be held on the February 21 starting from Nariman Point (Air India Building). The run is being organised by the Terry Fox (India) Committee and expects participation from 7,000-10,000 school students.
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Children at last year’s edition of the Terry Fox Run. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi
Also called the Marathon of Hope, it is a non-competitive event where students and individuals from all walks of life raise money for cancer research amongst children. Proceeds will be donated to Tata Memorial Hospital.
Mumbai’s drive to fight cancer has made it to the top three cities in the world when it comes to donating generously towards cancer research through the Terry Fox Run. Way to go, Mumbai!
Goodwill hunting
When we first heard the news, we crossed our fingers. Robin Chaurasiya’s NGO Kranti that works with children from the red-light area of Kamatipura, has been shortlisted among the top 10 contenders for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2016.
A few girls from NGO Kranti during a trip to the US
The prize was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to highlight the important role teachers play in society. Now in its second year, and widely referred to as the Nobel Prize for teaching, the US$1 million award is the largest prize of its kind.
Robin Chaurasiya
“It’s not just the money that’s important. In fact, if we win, I want to share the amount with all the other nine contenders. One of them is a woman from Pakistan, who is teaching girls in Afghanistan,” Chaurasiya told this diarist. At the Kranti School in Vakola, marginalised girls learn not only mathematics, science, and language, but are also encouraged to change the world.
“We try to teach them how to be happy and not necessarily to hanker after high marks. Our sessions include meditation, general writing, going through the news, solving puzzles etc. Every day has a different theme,” she explains. Previously, the NGO was in the news for trying to retain a home in Mumbai for these girls since landlords and societies did not wish to house kids of sex workers.
“We have a better landlord now but we still get a lot of complaints from the society and continue to live in fear. We need to have a place and community centre of our own from where no one can throw us out,” shares Chaurasiya, adding, “We hope that the award helps us in our most important goal of changing people’s minds about sex workers. We are grateful that an informal educational set-up like ours is being recognised.” Thumbs up!
Jackie’s dad is the coolest
Pic/Sameer Markande
Jacqueline Fernandez’s father Elroy showed up to support his daughter at an event in an Andheri cinema for her forthcoming film. We loved the tattoo on his hand, by the way.
Stardust moment with Bowie
Never mind if you missed Lady Gaga’s tribute to David Bowie at the recently-concluded Grammy Awards nite. All those who grieved when Bowie passed away last month have reason to cheer.
David Bowie
This Saturday, you get the chance to groove to the sounds of the guru of offbeat funk and cool. The True School of Music’s talented students will pay tribute to Bowie. Participating bands include Major Tom, The White Dukes, Tripping Scarlette, Two of a Kind and Bowiefinger. Take a bow, Ziggy Stardust.
Slam dunk time with Shaw
Three-time NBA champion (2000-03) with the LA Lakers and Big West Player of the Year (1988), Brian Shaw will be in the city next week. The NBA legend will be in India, for a three-city tour, we hear.
Brian Shaw #20 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California in November 2000. Pic Courtesy/ Robert Laberge /Allsport
Currently an NBA TV analyst, Shaw was one of the best players of his time before he moved to coaching 2005 onwards. The current rumour is that he has shown interest in coaching the New York Knicks and is under consideration.
View from the other side
Former Union minister of Finance, P Chidambaram is ready to spill the beans; this time, as a member of the Opposition.
This soon-to-be-released book, Standing Guard: A Year in Opposition (Rupa Publications), claims to be a potboiler of politics and personalities, with plenty of potshots at the ruling government.
The Lalit Modi-Sushma Swaraj nexus, banning of books, emergence of khaap panchayats and the killing of rationalists and scholars are some of the concerns that the Congressman raises in the book. Let’s see if it lives up to its hype, Chidu.
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