The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Pic/Sameer Markande
Earning its stripes
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A pooch makes sure to observe pedestrian discipline at a busy intersection on the Kurla-BKC freeway.
Step up, make a difference
“When we talk to youngsters about climate action, our conversations are often focused on what they can do individually. We want to move to a stage where we provide them with means to think about systemic change for climate actions to happen. Policies play a very important role. However, the policy-making process is often not well understood. Few youngsters know that the participation of citizens is invited by the government to make policies together.
There are also several platforms available to facilitate such participation,” shared Arpita Bhagat, campaign lead at Ministry of Mumbai’s Magic. Accordingly, they’ve launched a programme to help the youth, especially from underrepresented communities, to participate with the government in the civic decision-making process. Their Step Up policy action programme is open to all Mumbaikars between 16 and 35 years, with demonstrated interest in climate change, policy action and community building. To apply, visit @mumbaismagic on Instagram.
Making waves
A still from Tanwi Battacharya’s video entry last year
The virtual water museum, Living Waters, has put out a call for applications for the second edition of their Paani Ki Kahaani fellowship. The initiative invites musicians, dancers, thespians, poets and actors to submit their proposals by August 31. “We launched this initiative last July when we realised that the performing arts were badly hit during the pandemic. We got a great response, with entries from across the world. This year, it will be more of an application-based call, where we want to know how performers will portray aspects of water. We’ll be selecting five applications for the fellowship,” said Sukrit Sen, the museum’s art and outreach co-ordinator.
Farewell, the champion Ruiaite
Nandu Natekar with Shamali Gupta at Ruia College
“Ruia College was celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012-13, and so we decided to connect with our alumni. Students of the BMM department were entrusted with making a film, Kalaeidoscope of Memories to mark the occasion. Since Mr Nandu Natekar, who was in his late 70’s at the time, was living in Pune, we decided to travel to his home to film his segment but much to our surprise, he readily agreed to drop by his alma mater,” Shamali Gupta, former head of department, BMM, Ruia College, told this diarist, after she heard the news of the former badminton champion’s demise. “On the day when Mr Natekar dropped by, younger students were practising on our badminton courts. The Arjuna Awardee played a few rounds, and shared valuable pointers with the youngsters who couldn’t believe their luck of having interacted with the former World No 3 and an Indian sporting legend,” she recalled. For the five hours that Natekar was on the campus, he regaled the alumni association about the gymkhana and the canteen being his favourite hangouts. The latter, was popular for its vada pav, and was the adda for budding musicians who sang the latest film numbers over cups of cutting chai. In the film, Natekar pays tribute to his teachers and principal who helped him in those formative years.
With Mumbai as our muse
The Things We Carry is a new oral storytelling podcast by G5A forum. They’re currently inviting submissions for powerful text-based stories. “We hope to launch the first season in October with nine compelling stories in multiple languages. For the first season, we are looking at Mumbai as a theme: its multiple layers and facets. How any normal day in Mumbai demands a certain level of resilience and yet, amidst the frustration, there are moments that make the city endearing,” said Ishan Benegal (in pic), associate artistic director.
Coffee with a conscience
Earth Cafe on Waterfield Road has now joined the ranks of eco-conscious cafes in the city by encouraging patrons to bring their own mugs instead of opting for disposable paper cups. They’re sweetening the deal by throwing in a slice of complimentary red velvet cake. “Coffee and cake are a timeless combination and, instead of discounts, we wanted to give our guests a sweet treat,” owner Vik Khatwani told this diarist.
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