<h2>Prayer in motion&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-over-17000-attend-mount-mary-fair-thefts-reported-amid-festivities-23594207" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mount Mary Basilica </a>sees a steady flow of devotees during the ongoing Bandra Fair that concludes tomorrow</p>
<h2>Too many cooks made the day</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/sep/Seniors-eat_e.jpg" alt="Seniors raise a toast to good times at the event. PIC COURTESY/GENSLIFE" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Seniors raise a toast to good times at the event. PIC COURTESY/GENSLIFE</em></strong></p>
<p>Thirty senior citizens from across Mumbai had their plates full and hearts fuller on Tuesday. A potluck organised by <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-prabhadevi-station-revamp-begins-but-pedestrian-crossing-remains-unclear-23594539" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Prabhadevi</a>-based senior citizen wellness platform Gen S Life saw the participants share home-cooked meals between deep conversations, reminiscent of school &lsquo;dabba parties&rsquo;. &ldquo;Senior citizens often struggle with finding a sense of belonging in their own neighbourhoods. Our participants had great fun tucking into the fare, but it was the friendships they made along the way that really brought it all together,&rdquo; founder Meenakshi Menon told us. After the seniors raised a toast in large numbers at the introductory session, more potlucks across the city will soon follow, this diarist was assured. &ldquo;Participants only need to show up with their simple homely food. The rest of the magic is in the company they find,&rdquo; Menon added. Those keen to join can log on to @genslifeofficial on Instagram.</p>
<h2>Equal playing field</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/sep/SAHA-practice_e.jpg" alt="A previous beach workout session organised by SAHA in Aksa.  PIC COURTESY/@SAHAtogetherness" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A previous beach workout session organised by SAHA in Aksa. PIC COURTESY/@SAHAtogetherness</em></strong></p>
<p>Cricket fever is in the air but we suggest you also pay heed to this unique cricket tournament where neurodivergent and specially-abled children from four special schools from Mumbai will slug it out for the SAHA Premiere League title on October 11. Organised by city-based neurodiversity assistance group, SAHA, the matches will be held in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/cm-devendra-fadnavis-sets-december-2028-deadline-for-mumbai-s-borivali-thane-twin-tunnel-project-23579263" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Borivli</a>. Co-founder Aarti Parikh told us, &ldquo;It had been on our mind for a while, since SAHA often conducts outdoor activities and workshops. Our initial idea to host a cycling ride was scrapped due to the rains.&rdquo; The organisers have begun a readiness programme to help participants train and prepare for these matches.</p>
<h2>Gum&rsquo;s the word for Ehsaan</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/sep/Ehsaan-1_e.jpg" alt="A young Ehsaan Noorani (right) features in the vintage bubblegum advertisement aimed at teenagers. PIC COURTESY/EHSAAN NOORANI" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A young Ehsaan Noorani (right) features in the vintage bubblegum advertisement aimed at teenagers. PIC COURTESY/EHSAAN NOORANI</em></strong></p>
<p>IF Ehsaan Noorani (below) wasn&rsquo;t a modern-day guitar wizard, we&rsquo;re sure he could&rsquo;ve built a solid career onscreen. The musician recently shared a throwback to a Crackies chewing gum advertisement that he starred in as a teenager in the &rsquo;70s.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/sep/Ehsaan-2_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>&ldquo;I was probably in ninth grade back then. A close family friend Rehaab Kamte, who also features in the advertisement alongside me, roped me in as the male lead. I didn&rsquo;t really have to audition for the role. The job was easy, to be honest &mdash; I had to strike a pose and have fun in front of the camera,&rdquo; Noorani walked this diarist down memory lane over a call. Dare we ask how much the impromptu gig fetched the veteran musician? Something to the tune of R150, Noorani laughed. How much is that in 2025 money, by the way? Go figure.</p>
<h2>In the wrong slot</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/sep/Metro-tickets_e.jpg" alt="(Left) Tickets tucked in the gaps on the walls; (right) a ticket collection box" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Tickets tucked in the gaps on the walls; (right) a ticket collection box</em></strong></p>
<p>AS the escalator climbed out of the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-metro-line-3-marol-naka-braced-for-aqua-line-surge-23407907" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Marol</a> Naka Aqua Line Metro Station (Gate A1), this diarist spotted a strange aesthetic addition to the marble walls alongside it. A number of used ticket stubs seem to have found their way into crevices alongside the escalator. Unless it is a planned design, we can only assume it is the work of extremely lazy commuters who cannot drop it in the box meant for this purpose. It&rsquo;s time Mumbaikars step up their game. This is poor form.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Nothing to hide</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/sep/Ganesh-Murali_e.jpg" alt="Ganesh Murali Iyer plays the synthetic mridangam. PIC COURTESY/Ganesh  murali Iyer" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Ganesh Murali Iyer plays the synthetic mridangam. PIC COURTESY/Ganesh Murali Iyer</em></strong></p>
<p>After featuring on Ed Sheeran&rsquo;s newest album Play, percussionist Ganesh Murali Iyer is already hungry for more. At a popular benne dosa restaurant in the western suburbs this weekend, he will join fellow musician Ravi Iyer in introducing patrons to his new synthetic mridangam that ditches the use of animal hide. &ldquo;In that sense, the choice of instrument is as novel as the venue. I&rsquo;m excited to show people that classical music can take the sustainable route as well,&rdquo; he shared. Those interested to join the sonic experiment can log on to @ganeshmuraliiyer.</p>

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce: The Mount Mary Basilica sees a steady flow of devotees during the ongoing Bandra Fair that concludes

Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

In Photos: Mumbai gears up for Navratri and Durga Puja festivities

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Prayer in motion

Too many cooks made the day

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Mumbai Diary: Saturday Dossier

Prayer in motion

Too many cooks made the day

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