Under their umbrellas, eh?
A band’s umbrella props typify the seasonal style at at an event in Malabar Hill
It’s double or nothing
Commuters hold up the sign for improved public transport
It’s always great to see Mumbaikars double down on issues that matter. Citizens at Chembur Law College exemplified this spirit yesterday as part of the Double the Bus campaign that calls for a relook at the BEST bus fleet. Members of the Waatavaran Foundation joined co-ordinated pan-India efforts by educating students and the general public about the need to double the bus fleet by 2030 and prioritise modernisation, safety, and accessibility. “The fleet has shrunk, and we need better public transport. The emissions from private vehicles add to Mumbaikars’ woes. We aim to engage with policymakers and the general public to find a solution,” founder Bhagwan Kesbhat told us.
Tango from Buenos Aires
Ariel Yanovsky (extreme right) conducts a session. Pic Courtesy/@arieltango
Even before the arrival of Lionel Messi, another Argentine has touched down. Tango maestro Ariel Yanovsky visited Mumbai last weekend, and even volunteered for a Milango session at Mahalaxmi on September 21. “I had met him [Yanovsky] in London, during a session. I had suggested that he should visit India. This year, he reached out. It was a delight to have him host a session and perform in our midst,” shared Kruti Gandhi, co-founder, Abrazo Tango. With a stop in Delhi next, followed by stops on the Golden Quadrilateral, Yanovsky is out for the full Indian experience, we heard.
The glow has dimmed at Light of Persia
For over six decades, Mumbaikars familiar with the Pedder Road foodie-haunt, Light of Persia, would pass by the smiling profile of Haji Safar Ali Karimi. We were dismayed to learn that the 81-year-old passed away on September 19, after years of manning the counter of the eatery popular among Mumbaikars from Raj Kapoor to Laxmikant Pyarelal, among others. “In the early years, he would wake up at 4 am to start work,” shared Mohammed Karimi, his son, who is part of the next generation in charge of the legacy.
(From left) A dated photograph of patrons at the Light of Persia on Pedder Road; Mohammed and late Haji Safar Ali Karimi (in blue) at the restaurant. Pics/Atul Kamble
Sunday mid-day columnist Meenakshi Shedde, a regular at the restaurant, recalled, “The beloved Parsi joint has fed me since I was in college. I went there recently, and remembered how many years I have eaten there at ridiculously subsidised rates — every year during the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF for Docus and Shorts) — and how generously they have served the city’s people over a lifetime.”
Mohammed added, “My grandfather and father, had seen poverty. Arriving from Iran, they started out with no finances. My father never asked for money. He would let you pay when you could. Till date, we charge minimal rates because we want to serve those who do not have a place to go to.” He loved his butter chicken, but the old stalwart had one constant. “Come over, and you will always have brun maska, kadak pav, and tea. We are Iranis, and chaiwallahs at heart,” Mohammed told this diarist.
KP regrets this inked deal
Kevin Pietersen points to one of his tattoos after winning the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in August 2005; (inset) a closer view of the tattoo marking his debut. Pics Courtesy/Getty Images
Kevin Pietersen, 45, was a cool dude since he first started playing cricket for England. He attracted eyeballs with his punk hairdo for his 2005 Test debut against Australia at Lord’s (he later admitted not being the biggest fan of it). Pietersen, now a commentator and coach, has several tattoos on his body, but went on X recently, to state that he regrets having them.
Does the controversial former England cricket captain now belong to a rare breed of regretful tattooed men? He sure does say some who have inked their skins and never regretted their decisions. All said and done, there’s no harm in rueing things. After all, what did Frank Sinatra say in My Way? “Regrets I’ve had a few.”
