The city — sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
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Don't remember Sarita for Incheon
Not many athletes have the courage to refuse a medal (bronze) when at the podium, but she did. But Laishram Sarita Devi even gained nine kilos to move to the 60kg category in boxing. Why? MC Mary Kom — the poster girl of Indian boxing — had become a force to reckon with in the 51kg category; hence, Sarita needed to beef up to create a space of her own. The world knew about Mary, courtesy her exploits at the London Olympics (bronze), but Sarita’s tale remained untold.
Suprita Das, in her book titled Shadow Fighter, sketches a vivid account of the pugilist who dodged bullets after the medal controversy during the 2014 Asian Games at Incheon. Sarita had challenged the referee’s decision that was later rejected by AIBA.
Eventually, she — along with her coaches — faced suspension. The book delves deep into situations that made her tougher — from visiting her ailing father in a hospital in shifts to wearing gloves in a state infested with strikes and blockades. It also talks about her romance with husband Thoiba Singh, who had written a letter to Sarita congratulating on her success, after a magazine article.
She couldn’t crack the Rio code but Sarita is a fighter; she stayed back to cheer for the other Indians at the qualifier at Astana (Kazakhstan). “Every day, I went to cheer them during their bouts,” she says in the book. This one is bound to pack a punch.
My god, she’s funny!
Pic/Sneha Kharabe
We love Vir Das’ expression while flipping though pages of his sister Trisha Das’ debut title, Mrs Draupadi Kauravas that was released at an Andheri cafe-bar over the weekend.
Boulder, books and desi vibes
An offshoot of the largest free literary festival in the world, the Jaipur Literature Festival, returned to Boulder, Colorado for a two-day gala affair from September 23-25.
William Dalrymple, Suketu Mehta and Devdutt Pattanaik
The colourful literary rendezvous featured speakers from across the spectrum, including Indian writers Suketu Menta and mid-day columnist Devdutt Pattanaik, comic writer Nick Sousanis, poet and writer Tim Z Hernandez as well as William Dalrymple.
We couldn’t play fly on the wall but going by the tweets and posts by some of the speakers, it sure rocked America booklovers.
Welcome this Grandmama to Juhu
After comforting foodies in Dadar and Lower Parel neighbourhood with yum Rajma Chawal, Mac & Cheese and punchy mojitos, Grandmama’s Café will pitch its third outlet in Juhu, starting October 11.
Sip the Anti-Ageing Caipiroska at the new Juhu outlet
This date is special because it marks the Pritam Group-owned café’s first anniversary. With an indoor and an al fresco section, the new, 4,500 sq ft outlet will offer the café’s signatures and cocktails (currently, served only at the Lower Parel branch). Plus, it includes a banquet area where you can host private parties.
What’s cooking in Bandra?
This diarist recently learnt that the China Gate group of restaurants, which owns city favourites such as Global Fusion and Tap, has shut down the Bandra outposts of two of its restaurants, Bora Bora and Hometown Cafe.
In their place now stands a multi-cuisine restaurant called Magazine Café (also a China Gate property) , which features not just North Indian, Mexican, Chinese and Continental food on its menu, but also three bars and a dance floor.
Too much competition or the Bandra curse?
Lagaan 2.0
Social media has predictably gone berserk about the possibility of war between India and Pakistan in response to the Uri attack. Last weekend, director Shirish Kunder, whose takes on current issues are witty and sharp, took to Twitter to introduce a poll.
Shirish Kunder
The question: How should India & Pakistan resolve their Kashmir conflict? The three options were War, Talks and a Lagaan-type cricket match. And Twitter showed its sense of humour, 2,315 votes later by choosing the third option. Well, cricket has worked in uniting the two countries before.
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