Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Pic/Atul Kamble

High net worth

A youngster jumps high to return a volleyball during a game at Shivaji Park on Tuesday.

Mollem activists seek justice

Youngsters stage a protest in Goa to save Mollem, in December last year

The threat that the Mollem region in Goa faces from government-approved infrastructure projects is something that the youth and citizen-activists from the state and beyond, have been protesting for a while now. But all their pleas have fallen on deaf ears so far. Hoping that at least the Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bodbe responds favourably to their concerns, a group called My Mollem penned an open letter to him when he was visiting Goa last week to inaugurate the new high court there. "The letter was handed in a booklet that had artwork created for the campaign, and photographs of protests," said Trisha Dias-Sabir, who's part of My Mollem. But they haven't received any response yet from the CJI either, she lamented.

A new colour code

Starting with blue for boys and pink for girls, intrusive ideas associated with colour are often introduced in childhood. A new children's book, Mix & Match, by Gaya Books India aims to tackle that in an innovative way. "Through its story and activities, it's aimed at teaching children to appreciate the sea of colours in the human race, equip themselves to be responsible individuals and to see beauty in everything around them. Mix & Match is for children over 18 months old and has a delightful short story, colour-wheel lesson and a sticker sheet activity," founder Gayathri Shantaram said.

Bandra's Divine wall of fame

Church Street near Bandra's Chapel Road is sporting a 22 feet-high mural of Vivian Fernandes, the rapper more popularly known as Divine. Artists Sunil Sanjeevan and Narendra Kamble have created the mural. "I went to the same college as Divine did, and he was a part of my extended friends' circle. He may not recognise me today, but he is an inspiration for a generation of artists like me. Today, he has changed the face of Indian hip-hop," Sanjeevan told this diarist. The walls of Chapel Road have always showcased murals, with many dedicated to Bollywood celebrities. However, Sanjeevan emphasises that his muse is a living example of the heights that passionate youth can reach. The duo began the mural eight days ago, and is currently adding the finishing touches.

Canton calling in Pali Village

Indians might be more comfortable tucking into a samosa with milky chai for breakfast. But Cantonese folk in places like Hong Kong have a tradition called yum cha, which involves pairing tea with dim sums early in the morning. That concept has now been introduced in Bandra's Pali Village, after an eatery called Yum Cha House opened its doors for patrons yesterday. It's the brainchild of chef Vikram Arora (in pic) and Pranav Rungta, who have previously launched Indian eatery Tamak in the same suburb. Arora told this diarist that the menu features various dim sums that are steamed and fried, dishes such as roast chicken and aromatic duck with pancakes, and a wide selection of teas, of course. "We will also introduce a set menu once we are clear about the lockdown rules," he added.

City bars face money worries

Many bars are struggling to pay to renew their excise licences. Representation pic

There's bad news for restaurants and bars that serve alcohol in Mumbai. The last date for renewing excise licence fees is today. Considering the enormous losses that these eateries have been facing due to the pandemic, a delegation of the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association had previously met with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and State Excise Minister Dilip Walse Patil, requesting them to allow for the payment of the fees, which amounts to '7 lakh, in two instalments spread over three months. "We were told that the file has been sent to the State Finance Minister Ajit Pawar. People are not in a position to pay this large an amount. The night curfew is almost like a lockdown, anyway, and there are many bars that might have to shut down if they don't get any relief," AHAR president Shivanand Shetty told this diarist. But late yesterday, he heard that the finance department has rejected their proposal. Another delegation will now meet Pawar directly to plead their case. Let's see how this situation pans out.