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So, this is what i've heard...
Actress Swara Bhaskar seems to be sharing a juicy secret with Soha Ali Khan at an art exhibition in Kala Ghoda on Friday night. Pic/Tanvi Phondekar
Kainaz Jussawalla
Let everyone read!
IT'S rare to have first-time writers come up with brave book projects. So, when former journalist Kainaz Jussawalla informed this diarist that a Braille version of her debut collection of short stories, Coffee Days, Champagne Nights and Other Secrets, was also available, it piqued our interest. Kainaz, who works as cabin crew with an international airline, also teaches English at the National Association of the Blind. "The students would always get excited on hearing a good story. It's then that I decided that if I write a book, I'd also release a special copy for them," she said. For the Braille edition, Kainaz shortlisted three "happy stories" from the book. Fifty copies have already been distributed across India. Attagirl!
When dreams become real
After impressing MasterChef judges with her culinary skills, Kirti Bhoutika (in pic), is set to join restaurateur Zorawar Kalra's Massive Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. The home baker from Kolkata will debut with Farzi Cafe. For now, she won't go about creating a special menu, but will be trained in the kitchen by sous chef Kunal Patkar. "I'm trying to strengthen my knowledge about the workings of the culinary world as much as possible. I've been a home-chef in the past, before I participated in MasterChef and have not had a lot of exposure to the restaurant industry," she says. While she's thrilled about learning new dishes, Bhoutika is looking forward to learning the ropes of working and managing time efficiently in a professional kitchen. "I am very excited about this phase of my professional journey," she gushes.
Rajdeep Sardesai
Rajdeep's cricket book is gathering steam
On his recent visit to Mumbai, television biggie Rajdeep Sardesai walked down from his Colaba home (he lives in New Delhi now) to visit Nari Contractor, 83, at Cusrow Baug for some facts and anecdotes to include in his forthcoming book on Indian cricketers. For example, cricketers who played in the Contractor era got Rs 250 per Test.
Going by his Saturday Facebook post, Sardesai, the son of former India batsman Dilip, enjoyed his chat with "Nari Uncle" and when Rajdeep was all set to leave, Contractor reminded him that there are only five survivors from the 1961-62 team that toured the West Indies where he was hit on the head by Charlie Griffith.
Contractor, the captain for that tour before MAK Pataudi took over, did not play for the country again.
There are, as Rajdeep listed, six surviving members from that tour — Contractor himself, Chandu Borde, Salim Durani, Bapu Nadkarni, Farokh Engineer and Erapalli Prasanna.
For those interested in a list of departed members of that team, here it is: MAK Pataudi, Vijay Mehra, Vijay Manjrekar, Vasant Ranjane, Dilip Sardesai, Budhi Kunderan, Ramakant Desai, ML Jaisimha, Polly Umrigar, Rusi Surti and manager Ghulam Ahmed.
Old cricketers.... one never tires of reminiscing about them.
Jaya Ramchandani
Space for all
We don't need too many excuses to make a trip to Goa. Just one, art, will do. Two years ago, The Story of Light Festival, which had 62 works and events connected to science, nature, cosmology and history was held in Goa. 'The Story Of' Foundation is now back with a new edition of the festival, this time themed around the philosophy, politics and perception of space. It's one of those rare festivals where art and science meet, and the foundation has finalised 53 proposals from across 19 countries. The Story of Space will be held across locations in Panjim from November 10-19, but for now it is looking for patrons to crowdfund it with R11 lakh on www.ketto.org. "This is essentially a community-led service for the community, and we're trying to keep the festival format free and accessible. So, the support is critical," says Jaya Ramchandani, one of the festival organisers.
Riding the wave
When we bumped into firebrand journalist and author Rana Ayyub at a cafe in Bandra last week, she seemed to be in high spirits. And why wouldn't she be? She told this diarist that she and her book, Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up, are now headed to Canada for a 10-city tour. And that she is super excited at the thought of meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who will be appearing at one of the events. "It's just done phenomenally well," she smiled. She also told us that she is soon starting work on her new book, which will be a memoir of sorts, and hopes to have it ready by the end of the year. We wish her the best of luck.
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