I am a really clumsy fellow. Ask my brother who refuses to give me a watch or a pair of glasses to wear. As he quite rightly points out my rate of destruction/loss is about 2 watches or spectacles/year. In a now usual occurrence I lost my new pair of glasses on the Austrian Airlines flight from Mumbai to Vienna. It was a very pleasant flight and I was able to sleep for a long time which probably accounts for it slipping off without my notice.
Anyway, my clumsiness has always made me incredibly cautious when I am in museums and OT's. So, when I read about this I can only shake my head and sympathise. I cant imagine the reaction of the curators,they must be furious and helpless. I am sure breakages in museums must have happened in the past, but its just the first time that I have come across a report.
This happening in England I can just imagine the conversation
Curator : " Gosh! Are you all right, sir"?
Man : ( embarassed) "Yes,yes...I dont know how it happened. I am so sorry"
Curator :(clipped tones)"I hope you are not hurt,sir. Its rather dangerous when one does not tie their shoelaces. I always make sure to tie mine"
Man: "yes,yes. I cant imagine how it happened.Oh, I feel awful. Is there anything I can do"?
Curator: "No thank you,sir.I only hope that you have not injured yourself. Its not very often that we get a Qing vase,so I dont suppose we can do much about it. Please make your way to the front of the museum where we have a first aid kit".
Tuesday, January 31
Thursday, January 26
Academic Apartheid
This notice issued by the Maharashtra HC is a very important subject and I am really glad that the judiciary has taken note of the issue.
Every year schools across the country divide their students depending on their academic abilities(see examination marks,not mensa quizzes). I first noticed this in Delhi. Delhi Public School(DPS) RK puram had 18 sections in their class XII from class A - R or something insane like that. Of course, you got into division A only if you secured really high marks in your class X exams. Then you are among the privileged bunch of kids who the school believes is destined to greater things,namely competitive Class XII final board exam marks.
I have always felt that it changes the pysche of a child quite drastically especially when he is 15 years old. I am not against competition in school. In fact I think it should be encouraged, fair competition is important. It binds students together and pushes them towards becoming better.
But, if I had a very close friend who suddenly moved up the academic ladder and got shifted into another section because teachers beleived that he is a better student than me, I might(at age 15) get some serious inferiority complexes. Of course, I am pretty sure that our friendship would go through some pretty rocky times.
These special "ability" section of kids get extra coaching to make them perform better and bring accolades to the school. This is serious discrimination. Why should anyone get more or less of the facilites that they pay for simply because they appear to be more intelligent? I have always thought it is a really unfair system and it needed to be impressed on school authorities that it should not be allowed.
I am really glad that someone has brought this to the notice of the relevant authorities and I can only hope that this judgement from the bombay HC echoes across the country.
"Education is one of the few things a person is willing to pay for and not get"
Every year schools across the country divide their students depending on their academic abilities(see examination marks,not mensa quizzes). I first noticed this in Delhi. Delhi Public School(DPS) RK puram had 18 sections in their class XII from class A - R or something insane like that. Of course, you got into division A only if you secured really high marks in your class X exams. Then you are among the privileged bunch of kids who the school believes is destined to greater things,namely competitive Class XII final board exam marks.
I have always felt that it changes the pysche of a child quite drastically especially when he is 15 years old. I am not against competition in school. In fact I think it should be encouraged, fair competition is important. It binds students together and pushes them towards becoming better.
But, if I had a very close friend who suddenly moved up the academic ladder and got shifted into another section because teachers beleived that he is a better student than me, I might(at age 15) get some serious inferiority complexes. Of course, I am pretty sure that our friendship would go through some pretty rocky times.
These special "ability" section of kids get extra coaching to make them perform better and bring accolades to the school. This is serious discrimination. Why should anyone get more or less of the facilites that they pay for simply because they appear to be more intelligent? I have always thought it is a really unfair system and it needed to be impressed on school authorities that it should not be allowed.
I am really glad that someone has brought this to the notice of the relevant authorities and I can only hope that this judgement from the bombay HC echoes across the country.
"Education is one of the few things a person is willing to pay for and not get"
Wednesday, January 25
New Malaria Drug recommendations
WHO has announced the halt to monotherapy with Artemisinin derivatives and issued guidelines to pharma companies to market only Artemisinin combination therapies (ACT's). This is because of the increasing worry of drug-resistant parasites in South-East asia and Africa,although artemisinin is the only anti-malarial drug to which resistance has not been reported.
I think this is probably a good move by the WHO however, it has its own problems.
One is the perennial issue with the UN agency. It can only issue guidelines but cannot enforce drug companies to stop the production of monotherapy drugs.
Second, you cannot issue directives today and expect companies to stop their manufacture tomorrow.It would not be commercially viable for the company and therefore would only lead to resistance on the part of the companies.
Thirdly, you must first attempt to educate health professionals about these guidelines. Provide evidence to support your view and thus exert pressure on the pharma companies using their customers. In India today if you were to be treated at a private clinic in a rural district you might get monotherpay simply because your doctor does not have information about such guidelines. WHO must try and remember that it is a health organisation and it must include all health professionals in their efforts to solve problems. Monotherapy with Artemisinin is also about 8 times cheaper than using ACTs and therefore its eradication will require external funding close to $300-$500 million.
This is an important step in fighting malaria but like any leader,WHO must beware leaving its friends too far behind.
You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership
I think this is probably a good move by the WHO however, it has its own problems.
One is the perennial issue with the UN agency. It can only issue guidelines but cannot enforce drug companies to stop the production of monotherapy drugs.
Second, you cannot issue directives today and expect companies to stop their manufacture tomorrow.It would not be commercially viable for the company and therefore would only lead to resistance on the part of the companies.
Thirdly, you must first attempt to educate health professionals about these guidelines. Provide evidence to support your view and thus exert pressure on the pharma companies using their customers. In India today if you were to be treated at a private clinic in a rural district you might get monotherpay simply because your doctor does not have information about such guidelines. WHO must try and remember that it is a health organisation and it must include all health professionals in their efforts to solve problems. Monotherapy with Artemisinin is also about 8 times cheaper than using ACTs and therefore its eradication will require external funding close to $300-$500 million.
This is an important step in fighting malaria but like any leader,WHO must beware leaving its friends too far behind.
You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership
Re: [Tootles] 1/25/2006 03:43:09 AM
Dear Buchu,
I think you are quite right regarding the model we follow and the lengths news media today will stretch to be able to run any story. In my opinion thought the turning point in the state of affairs in our journalistic history was the introduction of 24 hour news channels.
If you watch DD national, their reporting of news is restricted to half an hour a day which allows them to focus on important issues with tickers running snippets of other news headlines. However, when you are forced to produce news for 24 hours, there is only a limited amount of relevant, important events that occur in a day and therefore the need to look for alternative stories. Therefore, in the vein of Gustav Graves(Die Another Day)you either create your own news or manufature news out of any event. News is a funny word. Anything can be news. To me, you having icecream with your friends is news but is it really important for me to broadcast it nationally? Similarly, Akshay Kumar walking into Crossroads to buy a Tanishq diamond for his fiancee might be news, but is it of any importance to anyone other than the individuals concerned? I am not saying that covering self-immolations, protests or even NGO events are unimportant but to spend a chunk or your programme live in Renaissance(club in Mumbai) is not really news!
I also attribute another reason for this indifference and the general drop in standard of both print and visual media. Mushrooming of news channels has lead to a huge demand for personnel and this demand is not being met by trained or specialised individuals and I think this is why we are bombarded with such sub-standard presentation and ungrammatical language in our news day in and day out.
Sorry for the rant, but you have to see it to believe the kind of rubbish that is being printed and broadcast everyday. I pick up HT and TOI and by and large I only use it to pass my time while drinking my morning coffee. I would prefer an asterix comic to TOI anyday!
I think you are quite right regarding the model we follow and the lengths news media today will stretch to be able to run any story. In my opinion thought the turning point in the state of affairs in our journalistic history was the introduction of 24 hour news channels.
If you watch DD national, their reporting of news is restricted to half an hour a day which allows them to focus on important issues with tickers running snippets of other news headlines. However, when you are forced to produce news for 24 hours, there is only a limited amount of relevant, important events that occur in a day and therefore the need to look for alternative stories. Therefore, in the vein of Gustav Graves(Die Another Day)you either create your own news or manufature news out of any event. News is a funny word. Anything can be news. To me, you having icecream with your friends is news but is it really important for me to broadcast it nationally? Similarly, Akshay Kumar walking into Crossroads to buy a Tanishq diamond for his fiancee might be news, but is it of any importance to anyone other than the individuals concerned? I am not saying that covering self-immolations, protests or even NGO events are unimportant but to spend a chunk or your programme live in Renaissance(club in Mumbai) is not really news!
I also attribute another reason for this indifference and the general drop in standard of both print and visual media. Mushrooming of news channels has lead to a huge demand for personnel and this demand is not being met by trained or specialised individuals and I think this is why we are bombarded with such sub-standard presentation and ungrammatical language in our news day in and day out.
Sorry for the rant, but you have to see it to believe the kind of rubbish that is being printed and broadcast everyday. I pick up HT and TOI and by and large I only use it to pass my time while drinking my morning coffee. I would prefer an asterix comic to TOI anyday!
On 1/25/06, Buchu <noreply-comment@blogger.com> wrote:
i can't agree more.
the whole thing sounds graphic and awful.
but apart from the individual features of this case, do u think that in the new post 90s liberalized india, with the growth spurt of TV channels, channels will basically do ANYTHING (not unlike american tv that is) to secure viewers. i know i'm setting up a strawman here- the western style media...but there is a part of me that thinks that this is symptomatic of a post 1990s india. maybe i'm wrong...
--
Posted by Buchu to Tootles at 1/25/2006 03:43:09 AM
Journalistic voyuerism
I usually dont react to all the injustices happening around India everyday. I realise that living in India and especially Mumbai you develop a veil of indifference to these acts and atrocities. Its only when I left the country and now have come back do I notice and observe these issues.Even then, I usually only vent my anger and frustration with friends.
However, I was very distressed to observe this news report. Last night, every single news channel in India( and there are a lot of them) carried this story under various names. "Silent Spectators" was a very apt title for this report.It concerned a Congress party worker in Patiala who immolated himself to protest against his shop being seized and closed down. The pictures were very graphic and the TV crew present were able to film the whole scene, about 30 seconds worth of footage from the point he set himself aflame,the few unsuccessful attempts by individuals to douse the flame to him being taken away by the police to a hospital.Every single news channel ran this story, every one of them.
However, the story was introduced with the caption, "Man sets himself aflame and police constable watches". Now, I do not disagree with the message being sent here. The police and passersby were completely indifferent to the entire scene, BUT(and this is what incensed me the most) WHAT WERE THE JOURNALISTS DOING? Are you so desperate for a story that you cant even prevent and save a life? How dare you blame people for being indifferent when you are guilty of doing exactly the same thing? Is filming the story of a desperate man resorting to suicide more important than saving his life? If you see the footage you will understand what I mean - the film crews manoeuvres themselves to be able to get the best shot. There is a man ablaze with his relatives screaming for water,crying for help and all you can do is film it to show on prime time TV? What would you do next, film a rape scene to prove that it is a reality? The man in question has been charged with attempt to commit suicide, why isn't everyone else present there charged with assisting his suicide attempt?
Are we reducing ourselves to such base levels of sensationalistic journalism that we cant make out the trees for the woods? Woe be it the the trees burn and no one cares for then soon the woods will no longer exist!
I must admit I am ashamed of what is happening to TV journalism in India today. I can only hope that there is some outcry against this incident.
However, I was very distressed to observe this news report. Last night, every single news channel in India( and there are a lot of them) carried this story under various names. "Silent Spectators" was a very apt title for this report.It concerned a Congress party worker in Patiala who immolated himself to protest against his shop being seized and closed down. The pictures were very graphic and the TV crew present were able to film the whole scene, about 30 seconds worth of footage from the point he set himself aflame,the few unsuccessful attempts by individuals to douse the flame to him being taken away by the police to a hospital.Every single news channel ran this story, every one of them.
However, the story was introduced with the caption, "Man sets himself aflame and police constable watches". Now, I do not disagree with the message being sent here. The police and passersby were completely indifferent to the entire scene, BUT(and this is what incensed me the most) WHAT WERE THE JOURNALISTS DOING? Are you so desperate for a story that you cant even prevent and save a life? How dare you blame people for being indifferent when you are guilty of doing exactly the same thing? Is filming the story of a desperate man resorting to suicide more important than saving his life? If you see the footage you will understand what I mean - the film crews manoeuvres themselves to be able to get the best shot. There is a man ablaze with his relatives screaming for water,crying for help and all you can do is film it to show on prime time TV? What would you do next, film a rape scene to prove that it is a reality? The man in question has been charged with attempt to commit suicide, why isn't everyone else present there charged with assisting his suicide attempt?
Are we reducing ourselves to such base levels of sensationalistic journalism that we cant make out the trees for the woods? Woe be it the the trees burn and no one cares for then soon the woods will no longer exist!
I must admit I am ashamed of what is happening to TV journalism in India today. I can only hope that there is some outcry against this incident.
Monday, January 23
Cricket
Dhoni is our new man! He seems to love the subcontinental pitches. Anywhere the bounce is true and he can swing through the line, he just jumps at the chance.
Tendulkar walked although he wasn't out technically. The slow-mos showed that Tendu's glove was off the bat when the ball should have snicked it. So, although he was technically not out, I am pretty sure that Simon Taufel wouldn't have picked it up.
This of course followed a really stupid shot by Yuvraj which I am sure would be enough reason for Calcuttans to start clamouring for Mr. Ganguly's inclusion in the next test. Tendulkar BTW ran Dravid out just when Dravid looked like he was going to go on to score a big hundered.
Anyway, enter Dhoni and Pathan - our new blood.Pathan is a lovely batsman who plays textbook strokes. His trademark has to be his cover drive.He plays it without the imperiousness of ert-while Ganguly or the flamboyance of Kambli but reminds me of the grace of Gower.
Dhoni on the other hand often reminds me of Symonds! He looks rather primal- like a medieval warrior especially with his helmet on. He usually bludgeons the ball to all parts of the field and plays the test match like an ODI. Sometimes he does play some the textbook drives but usually just swings the bat through the line of the ball. Its the first time I have watched him bat and I must admit I am very impressed with him. He took the advantage away from Pakistan by scoring really quickly. I suspect while Tendulkar was around he was asked to stay put but the moment Irfan came in he really opened his shoulders.
3 massive sixes silenced the crowd and the Pakistan team taunts.
They have avoided the follow -on and Dhoni has got his century!! Yes!!
Enough cricket chat..signing off on the note that Federer has the first set and seems like he is going to win in straight sets against Tommy Haas. Haas was supposed to give him a good fight but although the points are very competitive and the level of tennis is really high, Haas cant seem to be able to convert the break points. I wish he does win or at least pus Federer to the limit. With everyone else out in the draw, there doesn't seem to be anyone to challenge Federer. Score there is 6-3,3-0 Federer.
Hingis is on the warpath. Thrashed Stosur. Women is more interesting because everyone in the top 10 are at a similar level. Women's tennis will be well served to do away with the first week of any grandslam.
Tendulkar walked although he wasn't out technically. The slow-mos showed that Tendu's glove was off the bat when the ball should have snicked it. So, although he was technically not out, I am pretty sure that Simon Taufel wouldn't have picked it up.
This of course followed a really stupid shot by Yuvraj which I am sure would be enough reason for Calcuttans to start clamouring for Mr. Ganguly's inclusion in the next test. Tendulkar BTW ran Dravid out just when Dravid looked like he was going to go on to score a big hundered.
Anyway, enter Dhoni and Pathan - our new blood.Pathan is a lovely batsman who plays textbook strokes. His trademark has to be his cover drive.He plays it without the imperiousness of ert-while Ganguly or the flamboyance of Kambli but reminds me of the grace of Gower.
Dhoni on the other hand often reminds me of Symonds! He looks rather primal- like a medieval warrior especially with his helmet on. He usually bludgeons the ball to all parts of the field and plays the test match like an ODI. Sometimes he does play some the textbook drives but usually just swings the bat through the line of the ball. Its the first time I have watched him bat and I must admit I am very impressed with him. He took the advantage away from Pakistan by scoring really quickly. I suspect while Tendulkar was around he was asked to stay put but the moment Irfan came in he really opened his shoulders.
3 massive sixes silenced the crowd and the Pakistan team taunts.
They have avoided the follow -on and Dhoni has got his century!! Yes!!
Enough cricket chat..signing off on the note that Federer has the first set and seems like he is going to win in straight sets against Tommy Haas. Haas was supposed to give him a good fight but although the points are very competitive and the level of tennis is really high, Haas cant seem to be able to convert the break points. I wish he does win or at least pus Federer to the limit. With everyone else out in the draw, there doesn't seem to be anyone to challenge Federer. Score there is 6-3,3-0 Federer.
Hingis is on the warpath. Thrashed Stosur. Women is more interesting because everyone in the top 10 are at a similar level. Women's tennis will be well served to do away with the first week of any grandslam.
Sunday, January 22
22/1/06 - Sunday. A perfect Mumbai day
My day is ending on a great note. I am sitting in the drawing room watching TV ( the movie without a Clue),using the wireless network we set up earlier in the week after spending the perfect mumbai day.
The morning began with a sumptuous south Indian brunch. We had invited old neighbours for lunch. They are gujarati and love my mom's south indian cooking.So we had a great brunch - masala dosa, rava idli, sambhar, coconut chutney, coconut rice, curd rice(my neighbours favourite) and fantastic mouth-watering hot jalebis from Jalebi Center.
Of course, the drone of the Indo-Pak cricket match was constantly in the background. Everyone in my family watches the boring cricket including my grandparents. My grandad gets really angry when we change the channel to watch other sporting events. Today being an exceptionally good day for sport - India-Pak with Afridi going mad, SL thrashing Aus and the Aussie Open had some great upsets. Roddick out to Baghdatis. Roddick did not really play very well at all. It seemed like that he did not have enough confidence to go for his shots. With his forehand he was attempting to rally and keep the point going against Baghdatis. It was amazing how players play so poorly when low on confidence. Ivan Ljubcic is the exact opposite - there isn't any other player on the tour who is on a bigger high. He has won the Paris Masters, Davis Cup and then the Chennai Open before coming to the Aussie open. He beat Tomas Johannsen in straight sets as easily as Federer would beat leander Paes!
Coming back to cricket in my house, things havent changed since the last 10 years.We still eat and watch cricket and once in a while you will find a serious conversation being interrupted with "oohs" and "aahs" and exclamations like "great shot" or"class". Even today, when I return to Wallace I feel like I am 10 years old.
So, after gorging ourselves on some great food and decent cricket,brother dear and I decided to go for a walk to the Flea Market in Ballard Estate as part of the Mumbai festival.So,I bought a churchgate return for Rs.8/- (there was a time when it was Rs.4/-) and for old times sake ran down the footbridge to catch a local that was just coming in. We reached churchgate and walked towards Flora Fountain and Akbarally's. Dear Brother who is now attached to senior consul needs white shirts. So, Akbarally's it was! For some reason I always remember Akbarally's with softie icecreams. I had the distinct impression that there used to be a machine in the store, but it seems I was wrong.
Post crash course in cotton varities by bored floor staff we settled on a shirt and left to walk past Horniman circle and towards Alexandria Gate and Ballard estate in seaerch of the Flea Market. It was to be open from 2pm to 3am.
While looking for the market, we found Ballard Bunder, right opposite the Port Trust building and the War memorial. Its a lovely place with a reasonable well presented history of Mumbai.Its great to see the map of Bombay before reclaimation started. If you want to have a look at the gaping hole that existed right in the heart of present Mumbai this site has a few maps. Anyway, it was lit and looked very nice. In my 20 years of living in Mumbai I have never seen it. I wrote a long comment in their guestbook suggesting that they showcase it better during the rest of the year. We then found two nice parsi ladies who were also out on a Sunday evening in search of the elusive flea market. They informed us that the BMC hadn't got permission to have the market. Of course, no one bothered to inform the rest of the world.
Similarly, INS Vikrant was the scene for a wine-tasting event and we thought we might pop in and have a look. However, again Mumbai Times failed to m mention in their write-up about it that it was by invitation only.
Anyway after this rather pointless walk we decided to head towards regal to explore the idea of watching a movie. With our choice restricted to a slightly scary and dubious "Things to do before I reach 30" and a depressing "15 Park Avenue" we ventured instead to the food festival on the pavement opposite V&A museum.
D introduced me to American Corn(Makhai/Bhutta) in Delhi and I introduced it to dear Bro. He liked it and which made us bolder as we decided to walk down marine drive from Churchgate to Chowpatty. It was a long walk and although we thought of sustenance in the form of Croissant, I was reluctant to spend 30 bucks on a really bad chocolate croissant.
Past Gaylords, rustoms and pizzeria we reached marine drive. Walking along marine drive brought back memories. Marine drive hasn't changed at all. Sunday evening is still the time when everyone comes out to meet friends. Its a free sitting place and their are very few of those left in Mumbai.
We then took a train from marine lines to charni road and then spent 15 minutes trying to cross the street because my comrade-in-arms refused to use the footbridge. So,we waited for 10 minutes for the lights to turn red and then crossed right in the middle of the road.
Chowpatty - that for which Mumbai is most famous.Bhel puri on Chowpatty - the ultimate tourist thing. So we had some bhel puri from Bhim Singhs thella. Its definitely not recommended. Instead I would recommend Badshah's stall,especially for his pani puris.To top of the day, we had mango kulfi from Kulfi center opposite.
Now,if you are lucky enough to come to Mumbai and not find me here, this is one place to which I would definitely recommend a visit.
Dont leave Mumbai without having some of this guys kulfi. Its mind-blowing yaar!!
Then the train ride back and with a satisfied sigh slipped into my sleeping bag(the sleeping bag is another story - as soon as my brother realised that I will spending the majority of my time in the UK, he decided to do away with the second bed in the room to accommodate his guitar equipment. I ask you, is this the way you treat your brother???)
The morning began with a sumptuous south Indian brunch. We had invited old neighbours for lunch. They are gujarati and love my mom's south indian cooking.So we had a great brunch - masala dosa, rava idli, sambhar, coconut chutney, coconut rice, curd rice(my neighbours favourite) and fantastic mouth-watering hot jalebis from Jalebi Center.
Of course, the drone of the Indo-Pak cricket match was constantly in the background. Everyone in my family watches the boring cricket including my grandparents. My grandad gets really angry when we change the channel to watch other sporting events. Today being an exceptionally good day for sport - India-Pak with Afridi going mad, SL thrashing Aus and the Aussie Open had some great upsets. Roddick out to Baghdatis. Roddick did not really play very well at all. It seemed like that he did not have enough confidence to go for his shots. With his forehand he was attempting to rally and keep the point going against Baghdatis. It was amazing how players play so poorly when low on confidence. Ivan Ljubcic is the exact opposite - there isn't any other player on the tour who is on a bigger high. He has won the Paris Masters, Davis Cup and then the Chennai Open before coming to the Aussie open. He beat Tomas Johannsen in straight sets as easily as Federer would beat leander Paes!
Coming back to cricket in my house, things havent changed since the last 10 years.We still eat and watch cricket and once in a while you will find a serious conversation being interrupted with "oohs" and "aahs" and exclamations like "great shot" or"class". Even today, when I return to Wallace I feel like I am 10 years old.
So, after gorging ourselves on some great food and decent cricket,brother dear and I decided to go for a walk to the Flea Market in Ballard Estate as part of the Mumbai festival.So,I bought a churchgate return for Rs.8/- (there was a time when it was Rs.4/-) and for old times sake ran down the footbridge to catch a local that was just coming in. We reached churchgate and walked towards Flora Fountain and Akbarally's. Dear Brother who is now attached to senior consul needs white shirts. So, Akbarally's it was! For some reason I always remember Akbarally's with softie icecreams. I had the distinct impression that there used to be a machine in the store, but it seems I was wrong.
Post crash course in cotton varities by bored floor staff we settled on a shirt and left to walk past Horniman circle and towards Alexandria Gate and Ballard estate in seaerch of the Flea Market. It was to be open from 2pm to 3am.
While looking for the market, we found Ballard Bunder, right opposite the Port Trust building and the War memorial. Its a lovely place with a reasonable well presented history of Mumbai.Its great to see the map of Bombay before reclaimation started. If you want to have a look at the gaping hole that existed right in the heart of present Mumbai this site has a few maps. Anyway, it was lit and looked very nice. In my 20 years of living in Mumbai I have never seen it. I wrote a long comment in their guestbook suggesting that they showcase it better during the rest of the year. We then found two nice parsi ladies who were also out on a Sunday evening in search of the elusive flea market. They informed us that the BMC hadn't got permission to have the market. Of course, no one bothered to inform the rest of the world.
Similarly, INS Vikrant was the scene for a wine-tasting event and we thought we might pop in and have a look. However, again Mumbai Times failed to m mention in their write-up about it that it was by invitation only.
Anyway after this rather pointless walk we decided to head towards regal to explore the idea of watching a movie. With our choice restricted to a slightly scary and dubious "Things to do before I reach 30" and a depressing "15 Park Avenue" we ventured instead to the food festival on the pavement opposite V&A museum.
D introduced me to American Corn(Makhai/Bhutta) in Delhi and I introduced it to dear Bro. He liked it and which made us bolder as we decided to walk down marine drive from Churchgate to Chowpatty. It was a long walk and although we thought of sustenance in the form of Croissant, I was reluctant to spend 30 bucks on a really bad chocolate croissant.
Past Gaylords, rustoms and pizzeria we reached marine drive. Walking along marine drive brought back memories. Marine drive hasn't changed at all. Sunday evening is still the time when everyone comes out to meet friends. Its a free sitting place and their are very few of those left in Mumbai.
We then took a train from marine lines to charni road and then spent 15 minutes trying to cross the street because my comrade-in-arms refused to use the footbridge. So,we waited for 10 minutes for the lights to turn red and then crossed right in the middle of the road.
Chowpatty - that for which Mumbai is most famous.Bhel puri on Chowpatty - the ultimate tourist thing. So we had some bhel puri from Bhim Singhs thella. Its definitely not recommended. Instead I would recommend Badshah's stall,especially for his pani puris.To top of the day, we had mango kulfi from Kulfi center opposite.
Now,if you are lucky enough to come to Mumbai and not find me here, this is one place to which I would definitely recommend a visit.
Dont leave Mumbai without having some of this guys kulfi. Its mind-blowing yaar!!
Then the train ride back and with a satisfied sigh slipped into my sleeping bag(the sleeping bag is another story - as soon as my brother realised that I will spending the majority of my time in the UK, he decided to do away with the second bed in the room to accommodate his guitar equipment. I ask you, is this the way you treat your brother???)
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