<h2>Waking up to freedom</h2>
<p>A toddler yawns and looks on as the mother buys a tricolour t-shirt for Independence Day at New Mill Road on Kurla West.</p>
<h2>He&rsquo;s not got the moves</h2>
<p><img title="Is he for real or is that a statue? " src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2023/aug/dos-aug-fifteen-b_e.jpg" alt="Is he for real or is that a statue? " width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>Is he for real or is that a statue?&nbsp;</em></strong></p>
<p>A live statue has become a stop-and-stare/selfie point at Shivaji Park, Dadar. This is a young man who said his name is Rahul, and that he is 32 years old. Planted on the spot, Rahul stands absolutely still at the Shivaji Park from 12 pm to nearly 10 pm daily. You can spot him near the Samartha Vyayam Mandir. Dressed Independence -Day style, there is a speaker by his side belting patriotic numbers. Standing stock still, he simply murmured &ldquo;yes&rdquo;, when this diarist asked him: &ldquo;Are you real?&rdquo; He barely moved his lips to answer when questioned about his name and age, as he did not want to shatter the statue persona. Passers-by dropped some money as a contribution into a little tin placed near him, and he did make a slight gesture of thanks if you looked at him. He was getting many stares, all a mix of curiosity, amusement and surprise bordering on shock too. Kids posed with him, sometimes grooving to the music. The guy without the moves is certainly causing many to stop in their tracks on the choc-a-bloc promenade that lines the Park. As for the numbers belting out, we feel the Govinda-Karisma Kapoor song: What is your style number? What is mobile number? What is your smile number, karoon kya dial number? can be altered to: What is your immobile number?&rsquo;</p>
<h2>Azadi from mobile and the Internet</h2>
<p><img title="A student from the CCDT with a message about social media" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2023/aug/dos-aug-fifteen-c_e.jpg" alt="A student from the CCDT with a message about social media" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>A student from the CCDT with a message about social media</em></strong></p>
<p>At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus yesterday, 16-odd students from Dharavi held placards with special Independence Day messages, but with a twist. Commuters were greeted with messages that read: Spend time with your family this Independence Day, and not with your phone. An initiative by the Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT), this group was creating awareness about the hazard of mobile phone overuse and spending hours watching reels or browsing the internet. &ldquo;The compulsion of picking up the phone or scrolling through one more reel is the same as the compulsion of picking up another glass of alcohol as an addict. We feel that alcohol addiction is as dangerous as mobile addiction, but it&rsquo;s not about the substance, it&rsquo;s about the compulsion that creates an addictive trait in us acting as a gateway,&rdquo; Deepak Tripathi of CCDT told this diarist. The students spoke about how their studies, mental health and family life were affected due to continuous scrolling on social media.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sea and smile</h2>
<p><img title="Sea and smile" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2023/aug/dos-aug-fifteen-d_e.jpg" alt="Sea and smile" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>Sea and smile</em></strong></p>
<p>Photographer Ujwal Puri had a moment that he may never forget &mdash; two of his photographs are now on permanent display at INS Mumbai, the destroyer class battleship. The shots capture the Queen&rsquo;s Necklace in the day and night, and are placed in the lounge and the galley areas. &ldquo;The Indian Navy wanted Mumbai&rsquo;s photographs on the ship, so that when they are away at sea, they can look at these images, and remember the city,&rdquo; Puri told this diarist. The photographer was also felicitated by Indian Navy officials on board and given a tour of the battleship. &ldquo;I will never forget this moment. It is a matter of honour my photos will set sail with the ship,&rdquo; Puri signed off. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
<p><img title="Ujwal Puri" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2023/aug/dos-aug-fifteen-e_e.jpg" alt="Ujwal Puri" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>Ujwal Puri</em></strong></p>
<h2>Bandra&rsquo;s talent</h2>
<p><img title="Bandra&rsquo;s talent" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2023/aug/dos-aug-fifteen-f_e.jpg" alt="Bandra&rsquo;s talent" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>The first day of The St Andrew&rsquo;s All Bandra Parish Talent Contest was held at St Andrew&rsquo;s Auditorium last Sunday, and is the precursor of performances set for August 20 and 27. The team wrapped up singing and musical categories with over 90 participants taking the stage. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great opportunity for youngsters to participate and build skills. Our youngest winner [third place in singing] is four-year-old Aalia D&rsquo;Costa (right) accompanied by her father on the guitar,&rdquo; a representative shared with this diarist.</p>
<h2>A paw-some idea</h2>
<p><img title="People with their pets at Paws in the Park 2022 edition  " src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2023/aug/dos-aug-fifteen-g_e.jpg" alt="People with their pets at Paws in the Park 2022 edition  " width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>People with their pets at Paws in the Park 2022 edition &nbsp;</em></strong></p>
<p>If you&rsquo;re a pet parent, here&rsquo;s some good news. Today, Goodman pet chemist and supply store is organising Paws in the Park, a free anti-rabies vaccination at Parel&rsquo;s Mumbai Veterinary College. The day-long event has received 3,000-plus registrations already. &ldquo;We believe in the power of knowledge and we&rsquo;re dedicated to effortlessly spreading awareness about rabies. Our informative sessions, talks by experts and engaging interactive displays will inform the public about the risks tied to rabies. It&rsquo;s not just about awareness, it&rsquo;s about inspiring action,&rdquo; Vipul and Vishal Patil of Goodman told this diarist. They are hoping that their collaboration with skilled veterinarians and like-minded organisations will help make a tangible difference.&nbsp;</p><p>
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