29 December,2015 09:04 AM IST | | Krutika Behrawala, Suprita Mitter and Fiona Fernandez
The city — sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
Waiting for Pope Francis
Last week, this diarist had dropped by Prem Daan, one of the homes set up by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, at Airoli. The otherwise calm space was alive with music, dance and laughter as residents of this shelter for mentally unstable women and young girls were in the middle of a Christmas party.
(Left) Mother Teresa, (right) Pope Francis
"They're having a lovely time," informed Sister Mira, mother superior. As chatter veered towards the news of the Mother's sainthood, the cheery nun was thrilled. "It's the best Christmas gift! Now, we must pray that Pope Francis comes to India.," she trailed off, carrying along her broad smile. We look forward to hearing the radical, globe-trotting Catholic pontiff speak his mind in case India makes it to his itinerary.
Devgn's got the moves
Pic/Nimesh Dave
Actor Ajay Devgn was spotted on his arrival at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport yesterday.
Take a bow, Lillete!
Lillete Dubey's Primetime Theatre Co turns 25, and its founder, Lillete Dubey is inviting audiences across Mumbai to watch some of their most acclaimed and popular plays that include nine award-winning productions and two new additions (watch out for their first children's play, The Dancing Donkey).
With powerful scripts, pathbreaking playwrights and some of the most talented actors from the Mumbai stage, don't miss a month-long theatre rendezvous, starting January 15.
Three woofs for mid-day and WSD!
With the year coming to an end, The Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) themed its Heart Of Giving Calendar 2016 to celebrate the power that comes with the act of sharing. For eight weeks, mid-day and WSD gave you the opportunity to be a part of this project.
Week 8 Winner: mid-day reader Kavita Ravichandran shared this frame of a stray who lives near the Ghatkopar (E) railway platform. "She is probably the most renamed dog in Mumbai. She has been called Sheela, Laali, Rani and of late, she's known as Maureen, after a new restaurant that opened in the area. People here will vouch for the fact that she is a loving and affectionate dog. When I pass by the road, and she wants to be petted, she will lead me to that platform, wagging her tail and keep checking if I am still following her or headed towards that platform," shares Ravichandran.
We were overwhelmed with response. Photos of friendly street dogs or cats from your neighbourhoods brought smiles, with warm stories behind their names, touching anecdotes and tales about their traits. Every week, we printed the best photo selected from these entries. The photographer of each frame was gifted a WSD Calendar 2016. Bow wow to 2016! You can continue to mail your photos to wsdindia@gmail.com
Of marijuana and gay encounters
In a recent web video series, titled UnBlushed, Culture Machine has actress Nimrat Kaur getting candid about topics from feminism to Article 377, and her possible gay encounter. Nimrat, for the first time, reveals her possible gay encounter with a co-artist in New York.
In a video that is bound to create a buzz, the actress, admits to experimenting with marijuana and also talks of her father's unfortunate demise at the hands of terrorists. "Shooting for Unblushed was an interesting experience as I was put in a spot, which was exciting.
Some questions stumped me! But in the spirit of being candid, I felt that I could talk about these things and go on record about them," she shares. The series features women celebrities who are unapologetic, brave and beautiful. The third installment will feature actress Kalki Koechlin.
Juhu's gaothans will get a makeover
The next time you step into Juhu gaothan, you may walk through an entrance arch, spot an artificial well (used for traditional weddings), a community newsdesk or read the area's history on a board, thanks to a Gaothan Beautification Project launched by the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP).
A life-size crib at Old Kurla Gaothan. File pic
Initiated with an aim to preserve East Indian community's settlement sites, the MGP has picked Juhu Gauthan No 2 and 3 as the model and aims to set up at least five of the 10 listed parameters by next year, through funds received from the local MLA. Celebrating culture with local festivals and following traditional practices of rearing pigs, hens and ducks are also encouraged through this project.
