The original post written way back in 2009, a place for lovers and couples in Mumbai had been one of my top visited and top commented post as well. Then came the JetPack 2013 Analytics Report which suggested that I should write more about topics that earned me most visits. Hence I am writing a place of lovers and couples in Mumbai part two. 🙂
It is simple to understand why the subject of my post. It has earned me numerous hits over past four years. In Mumbai, there is less space for romance and more for everything else. You can openly spit, shit and piss on the streets without being caught by the Moral Police. But you can’t have a private moment of romance with your partner. Many of the people had paid a fine (bribe if you may) of more than INR 1000 for not getting into an indecent behavior, but just to stop things to reach the families.
As strange as it may sound, but it is true. And yes, welcome too.
We have always heard this many times over, and in the movie Oh My God, where Paresh Rawal mouths the dialogue – “Inke yaha recession main bhi income kam nahi hoti, balki badh thi hai kyu ki log daar ke maare aur jhanjat se bahar nikalne ke liye aur zyada daan denge” (For these people, income never dips even during recession but only increases as people get afraid and donate more to get out of financial difficulties).
On the first page of today’s Hindustan Times news paper is where I found the very title of this post. It was reported that there was a slight dip in this year’s income at city’s most famous mandal, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, who hosts Lord Ganesha for 10 days during the festival. (more…)
It is another gang rape, this time in Mumbai. We have been unable to wake up even after 16th December tragedy with Damini. The recent news of gang rape in Mumbai struck me like a bolt, that too in an area like Lower Parel at 6.30 PM in the evening.
The place was secluded, the property belonging to erstwhile Shakti Mills, and no one could hear her screams. Why in the world are we even trying them. At best, the rapists should be hanged and made an example for others – do it and you meet the similar fate.
I think a lot of this has been said in the news channels, papers, internet and almost everywhere and was deciding against writing one, though my heart and prayers go out to the victim and her family.
The reason I why was forced to write about was the claim made by Hindustan Times in today’s Mumbai edition. Even though the Police never said that the accused had raped many other women before, the paper went ahead and added that the accused have raped four other women (rag-pickers). (more…)
The recent tragedy at Dharma Ghat has brought forth the long standing issue of deaths on the tracks. The tragedy, which killed 37 people (mostly women and kids), is currently marred in the blame game between the Railway Board, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP).
Apparently, people flocked Dharma Ghat because the day being last day of the holy month of Sawaan or Shrawan. The local train arrived at Dharma Ghat was over crowded due to this event, and the Railways were aware of the crowd turnout. The railway station does not have a Foot Over Bridge so the passengers are forced to cross the tracks.
As per their plans, all trains running that stretch were supposed to run max at the speed of 80KMph, however this was not informed to the driver. This would have helped to slow down the train in a timely manner and accident could have been averted. So clearly, the blame is on Railway Board.
Call it the Call of Duty or Meeting a Beast. You can pick one, but both, I did with pleasure.
The new IndiBlogger meet in Mumbai had something never seen or experienced before at any previous meets. As with every IndiMeets, I set off on my trusted and abused TVS Wego from Dombivali to Andheri Chitrakoot Grounds via Mankhurd for a stopover at my in-laws. Oh yes guys, I recently got married to my love of my life.
Riding the Wego with Pillion for 36 Kilometers and then solo for the next 24.7 KMS was as always pleasure. For me, this was kind of an extreme drive (ride if you so wish) through horrible traffic as always. The longest I have ridden is for 125 kilometers, but more on that in an upcoming post.
The Backdrop stage
IndiBlogger has been an extended family for me. Almost all meets in Mumbai and you can expect me to be there, standing with the IndiTeam and running around. Well, you are forgiven to think I am part of the IndiTeam! I get those feedbacks from people about the meet thinking I am from the IndiTeam, even after I told them many times over in the past meets that I am not part of the IndiTeam itself.
I have to agree to what Karan Thapar says in today’s HT Mumbai edition. The issue and all the protests are to seek justice is a phenomenal feat, but the main point is its men who rape. And because the teaching at home is not in the right direction.
A boy is always seen superior to the girl, and this naturally induces the tendency for them to loose respect for women. This applies to the parents. It hurts, but its a fact in India. It applies to our society, who become the protectors of the western beliefs at the same time continues to see women as a thing to play with.
Why does our society start bitching when a girl is seen with a guy, even though it is really possible that guy can be a cousin, a good friend? Why does the society start behaving protective instead of being Proactive? Educate your sons to value women, and daughters to value men. Never demean either in front of the other. And this goes out to all mothers too. Not all may be doing it, but still there are and which is why incidents still happen.
Dowry, one of the main reasons why fathers and other family members do not want a girl child. Other thought is since the girl is not going to be with family after marriage but boy will. In a word girls are always called ‘paraya dhan’.
Stop this my fellow Indians. Lets value humanity more than money, gold or anything immaterial. Its not worth it.
Often when elections near, you get some cheer! Here, have some beer!
Beginning Wednesday, the price of petrol will fall in Delhi by Rs 2.22 a litre and by Rs 2.34 a litre in Mumbai.
It is not very clear from all explanations we have got why this price dip now? The Minister of State for Petroleum RPN Singh states that the dip is in line with the crude oil prices and not a political decision. Ever since de-control of petroleum prices, this is the first time ever all three PSU petroleum marketing companies have reduced prices. I still have my own reasons to believe that it is not the prices; it’s the votes that have forced the dip.
While last time around, the oil marketing companies had asked the media not to go by the international crude oil prices but see Indian crude baskets. The minister vehemently defended saying Oil companies have turned up to the media and have made it public that they will not make any profits. Pressure from all corners, including its strong ally, forced government to take this step.
According to a report by a leading Indian News channel, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Petroleum sells most of its refined petroleum products out of India, which means its products, are exported rather than used for the domestic consumption. I am not sure about the authenticity of this news report, but if it is any true, I need to understand why?
Globally, crude oil prices have gone up to 110$ per barrel from 80$ per barrel last year. At the same time, Rupee has depreciated against $ to reach Rs. 50 per US Dollar. This hike is caused by reduction of crude oil supply from Libya and other factors. The linked excel sheet will give you a prospective about how the Crude Oil prices have fluctuated.
Now with decontrol is in place, we have to get used to see frequent changes in prices which will reflect (according to Ministry and Oil companies) true value of a one liter of petrol that goes into your vehicle.
Psychological Factor for our domestic market is any hike in fuel prices will in turn inflate prices of all essential commodities. Irrespective of the fact that hike might only be affecting Petrol. We all know that India’s transport sector relies on Diesel for transportation and any rise in petrol should never affect the prices for this sector. But eventually it does. Something I do not understand is how we can allow this to happen when diesel is still subsidized and we, the tax payers pay for it.
Costly Reality: A Full-scale book in Mumbai costs anywhere between Rs. 15 to Rs. 70 depending over the quality/brand etc.
Something that began as an Award winning Idea from an inter college contest will now end up benefiting more than 15,000 underprivileged children. Its my esitmate considering a child is given atleast 10 books and not as the news paper said which was 1,50,000 students for 1,50,000 books. Around 2,500 students from various colleges have made over 1, 50,000 notebooks by using the leftover pages from books collected as part of the eco binding project.
Mumbai University now will be distributing them to underprivileged students in Maharashtra, for Free! (Source Idea: DNA Newspaper, Daily, June 4, 2011, front page, bottom | Edited to breif)
I wanted to blog about this. Why not? Not because I want to blog about what I find in news papers, but this is a good deed. If we can all start a movement like this in many cities, I think we will be hitting a double whammy.
By doing this, we can start a culture of better utilization of paper and there by, saving more trees from being cut down.
Second, it will be greatfully helpful for the underprivileged and give them an opportunity to learn and be less bothered about the cost of education. Even though the Government Schools provide education with very very low to no fees at all, underprivileged families have to spend on the note books, text books etc. This may help them at least save little money and less worry about this cost.
If any one is interested in collaborating, please do let me know.
These pictures tell you the carelessness towards the saving of Electricity that we pay for, as part of our taxes every month. Why are using CFLs at our home to save energy when the BMC / Reliance Energy or the concerned authorities can waste it just like this? Yes, we do use CFLs because it saves us money. But why cant the government or government appointed agencies not save money too? After all, its coming from our pockets. Tax Payers.
Street Light and its misuse: You can see the Sun right in the middle, denotes Mid-noonStreet Light and its misuse
This has to be dealt with very very seriously. I tried calling the Reliance Energy Calling via your customer care took ages as it asked for a customer a/c number which i don’t have as I don’t stay in the area where they provide power services. Finally, I sent a mail to their email address (energy.helpdesk @ relianceada.com). Will wait now to hear from them. The Request number that I was provided by a return mail is: DWML11091353
In the evening when I left from office at 8.30, surprisingly the Street lights were off!! This certainly was absurd to know that the whole day when sun was glowing hot, the street lights were full and working. But at night, when they are actually required to work, they were switched off!
Update: 09 May 2011
I am yet to get reply from them, however today too I saw the same wastage of energy. I will be observing this stretch of the road for some days to come and will keep updating this post.
Update: 11 May 2011
They did reply today but the request number is different from what I received in the first mail. May be the request number changed when I sent three mails in all. I don’t mind it as long as action is taken.
Reply from Reliance Energy:
Sub: {DSTL11000313} [REPLY2] Response to your e-mail dated 06/05/2011.
Dear Customer,
Warm Greetings from Reliance Energy!
With reference to your e-mail dated 06/05/2011, kindly note that the matter has been forwarded to relevant authorities for appropriate action.
Further necessary contact on the matter would be made by the respective authorities, as required.
Warm regards,
Customer Service Team
Reliance Energy
Yesterday as I was walking in Vashi on the way to meet a friend. While on the way I saw this wooden machine that extracts sugarcane juice. Obviously surprised, since it is something I have never seen before. This device is manually operated, with more than 95% of the motor made of wood.
As I was walking through the by-lanes to go somewhere, I saw them. It was a boon for me on a hot and humid day, with no other shops in the area to quench my thirst. I had one glass of the juice, and I should tell you that it was the best Sugarcane juice I had ever had in Mumbai.
Best sugarcane juice, ever!
The centerpiece crushes the canes in-between and extracts the sweet nectar when the axle is rotated. In fact, this is a complete retro way of making the sugarcane juice, with the machine hosted on a wooden cart, with wheels to boot!
The sugarcane juice is available with ice as well, however I would not recommend it. The ice used by many such shops and stalls or moving machines like these is not made of purified water. It also ruins the original taste. You would not add ice to a glass on wine, would you?
The couple who operates the wooden sugarcane juice machine
You will often only find Sugarcane Juice stalls operating the cane crushing jaws using an electric motor. In the place where I live, there are around seven of them as I remember and I had been at each of these shops.
All these stores use the latest crushers which are an operated by electric motors. They also add a small bell around the cylinders, traditionally tied around the neck of the bull (the workhorse). Every time you hear the bell ringing, you know a sugarcane juice stall is around the corner.
Hence, to find a new, but old way of extracting the juice was refreshing to see and experience. Of course, the vintage appeal should increment the whole feeling, and it does. The taste is something that will remember for years to come!
Reliving memories
I was able to relate the taste of my childhood days going to ‘Aaraatu,’ a traditional mela in my hometown Alleppey, in December every year. As kids, we all used to flock there and buy popcorn and black sugar canes and eat it rather than drinking the juice, a luxury in those days.
The chunks were cut painstakingly by my father once we are back home. It was a celebration as a kid, and every year I used to look forward to visiting the mela. How exciting isn’t it? The humble sugarcane juice can remind you of happiest of your memories from the past!
The family tradition
I interacted with the husband-wife who operated this wonder engine. The couple is from Allahabad, and wooden Sugarcane juice machines are still prevalent in those areas. It is a tedious job, and they love doing it. It is tiresome because the couple has done all the pushing.
The machine in their hometowns operates with the help of bulls. These bulls walk around, with bells around their neck making them ring. They work the lever, which helps crushes the canes to extract the juices between two cylinders.
The husband says it is their family tradition, and that they would try to do as long as they can. He does not think the future generation will keep the tradition alive. Are the days gone when something advanced makes you love the tradition even more?
Kudos to the couple, who are doing their best to bring the tradition to the cities like ours.
Update: You can see such machines in Maharastra as well, specifically Devlali, Nashik, and around Shirdi.
The exotic taste of Sugar cane
Sugarcane Juice Machine, completely made of wood except for nails and bearings extracts the sweetest juice I have ever tasted.
For Rs. 7 a glass, this was undoubtedly the best Sugar Cane Juice I have ever had. It may be the wood, or the cane itself; I may never know. One thing is for sure, some of the best tasteful experiences I have enjoyed in a long time are the ones made traditionally. The modern advancement does not provide the same essence to the food or the juice in this case, like the old one.
Add to it, the exclusivity of rarely seeing the wooden Sugarcane juice machine is the most redefining luxury moment for me. Something that even my parents have not experienced, given how old this process and the tool has been!
Kudos to the couple, who are doing their best to bring the tradition to the cities like ours.
Edit: Updated the article to reflect improved grammar, post framing and of course, the full resolution pictures.
I had read in the Mumbai Mirror about this initiative called Meter Jam.
Because strikes need a strike back! We’re tired of meter that always reads more than it should, drivers who refuse to ply and demand return fare whenever they want. And if all that wasn’t enough, now we have to deal with strikes too, any time the ‘unions’ decide!
Everyone is holding the janta to ransom. How much more will we pay? It’s time to turn the tables.
So on 12th August, shake your head and say NO if an auto driver offers a ride!
Meter JamMeter Jam
Very true to the core, this initiative is much appreciated for all the trouble we face in our day to day lives. Everyday I have to travel by rick and each day, I get a different meter reading. On an average, I have to pay Rs. 40 for one way travel but at times, the meter reading exceeds it and I end up paying Rs. 75!!
When I question it, he directly shows the meter and there is no way I can protest. The police too are hand in glove and others of the same fraternity rush to rescue. With this, you hardly have a voice to speak up to. While I go back, I have to ask atleast 10 to 12 Rickshaws to know if they can take me or not.
According to rules, they have no option to say no to any distance which is permissible according to RTO regulations. There are a lot of cases where Auto / Cab drivers are come up with innovative ideas of avoiding ferrying passengers.
There is a sect who are also on the softer side, who asks us to think why would a Auto Rickshaw driver earning in ’10s would not ferry any passenger. Well, to all of those who think this way, come to my place and try to hire a rick.
However today I saw a lot of people ferrying ricks, a lot of professionals doing the same. Its not because they don’t care, its because they don’t have an option.
For example, for me to get into a BEST bus from Kanjurmarg is next to impossible. I see a lot of people standing on the foot board and traveling since there is no way to get in. The buses are jam packed already. What Meter Jam should also have promoted it as a protest against the government utilities too, and not only against the Rickshaw walahs and Cab walahs. This way we could spread the message that we need better transport alternatives than facing these rowdy rickshaw walahs and cab walahs.
I hope more protestants join the force and get along with this initiative.
Its been some years now that we are facing this linguistic divide. Tamil Nadu being the first state to give its regional language more importance than the National Language. This still consider that Tamil should have been India’s national language as against Hindi.
However atleast in the name of their language, they had not beaten anyone who reside in their state. Their obsession was only with their language being recognized than not accepting people who dont know the language.
A similar but deadly event similar to this one is what Mumbai is facing now for some 20 years. The son – of – the soil funda is just getting wee bit over. The fact that two sicons of one family are now fighting for the same people from different parties makes things complex. Its very risky to step out today knowing that Rahul Gandhi is visiting Mumbai and he is threatened by Shiv Sainiks goons. The Sainiks & MNS goons have much more control over the Mumbai than even Mumbai Police.
