Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Not on my watchA watch repairer is engrossed in work at his shop in FortTies that protectMoments from Vrikshabandhan 2024 PICS COURTESYYOUTH FOR AAREYThe importance of protecting our forests and other natural resources tends to get sidelined by our endless pursuit for materialistic desires that puts these woodlands at a greater risk of extinction The relentless efforts of Youth For Aarey a community of urban dwellers and tribals striving to protect Aarey Forest through initiatives such as Vrikshabandhan ensure a thriving ecosystem ldquoWe tie rakhis made from natural materials like flowers seeds and recycled paper to preserve our natural reservesrdquo Aparna Bangia founding member who started the first Vrikshabandhan in the forest told this diarist Check out youthforaarey for more detailsMake a changeStaffers outside the Powai venueWhen Mirchi and Mime a fine dining restaurant in Mumbai specialising in modern Indian cuisine and served by over 27 speech and hearing impaired staff recently announced the closure of its Powai and Thane outlets on Instagram loyal customers flocked to share their disappointment First opened in 2015 the restaurants offering a creative twist on traditional dishes along with its staff consisting of servers bartenders and cashiers winning the hearts of its customers with their sheer determination and hard work had people flooding the chain for 10 yearsRaja Shekhar ReddyAppreciating the efforts of his diligent staff Raja Shekhar Reddy coowner of the restaurant shared ldquoYou donrsquot have to spend extra money or efforts to make this world a better place Working with deaf and mute is not difficult itrsquos just differentrdquo he added requesting the corporate world to encourage people with disabilities by creating more opportunities for them to make them feel loved just like anyone elseG for Going desiSarah Todd and chef Yogi PICS COURTESYSARAH TODD ON INSTAGRAMLess than two months after celebrity chefrestaurateur Sarah Todd revealed her love affair with piping hot adrak chai and pakoras on a monsoon day to this midday diarist during a stopover in the city we have a new contender on the cards At an upcoming fiveweeklong Indian popup in New South Wales Todd will bring a nostalgic jugalbandi of Indian flavours to the fore with a familiar star on the menu mdash Peanut Butter and Parle G Lassi mdash inspired by the humble popular biscuitHosted at Derrelrsquos an AngloIndian restaurant in Camperdown New South Wales the popup will be joined by chef Yogi and feature other desi classics like Ghost Chilli Chaat and Bhatti da Murgha with a hop glaze For those who prefer a flavourful buzz wersquore told a Sydneybased breweryrsquos imaginative curry leafinspired Extra Pale Ale XPA beer should do the trick Cheers to the chefrsquos desi spiritVersovarsquos new rising starsA previous acting workshop by Dev Fauzdar PIC COURTESYNATYAKIRAN MANCHWith 16 yearsrsquo experience of running the Natyakiran Manch theatre group in Versova director Dev Fauzdar inset knows a thing or two about shaping an actor Fauzdar will spill these secrets at a threemonthlong acting workshop in Aram Nagar beginning todayldquoFour elements make a good actor mdash body language emotion voice modulation and characterisation the art of making a character your own We will borrow heavily from Natyashastra to get budding actors ready for the stage as well as camerardquo he told this diarist While the actors learn the ropes the city can sit tight for a new production by the students as the culmination of their training in October Those keen to learn more can log on to natyakiranmanch_mumbai on Instagram