Mumbai Musings

One Man's Rain, Another's Disaster

Just two days after temperatures touched 38 degrees in Mumbai after a rather pleasant winter spell (yes, by our standards), it has been raining with lightening and thunders for three days in a row. While Mumbaikars, always game for sudden showers, were enjoying the extended winter and sudden drizzle, those in other parts of the state are in a state of shock. At least three died in Nasik and Yawatmal due to lightening and electrocution. Farmers across the state are reporting severe losses to Mango, Grapes and other rabbi crops such as Wheat, Jowar and other pulses. Farmers have had a tough year already with insufficient rains and subsequent hailstorms. Reports of increasing number of suicides in Marathwada (not Vidarbha, the most suicide-prone region) are already doing the rounds. The state government has asked for help worth Rs 4000 crore. However, it will take time before exact damage of this spell of rains can be calculated and perhaps, the previously sanctioned relief may just reach the farmers. We will of course complain when the prices of mangoes shoot up beyond belief in a month's time.

Another Dead End? 

The demand for a CBI enquiry in Comrade Govind Pansare's murder is growing louder among the Left circles and activists. After the call for "bandh" on Feb 22 was successful in several parts of the state, many opposition parties have declared support including the Congress. The Hindu also reported CPI leader Bhalchandra Kango as saying, "Nineteen Leftist and progressive parties have formed 'Movement Against Social Oppression.' We will hold a mahamorcha on March 11," after the CPI in Kolhapur passed a five-point resolution. Once again, the Sena has criticised CM Devendra Fadnavis for Pansare's death and general "no change" in condition of the state through their party mouthpiece Saamana. Not to be ignored are the comparisons between killings of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar and Comrade Pansare and general frowning upon the ones who point these out.

On The Collision Path

INS Sindhughosh, a kilo-class submarine collided with a fishing trawler, resulting in minor damage and a little more speculation. After a few fatal incidents involving submarines, any report of an accident related to submarine leads to some panic. However, the submarine, which was part of an ongoing exercise routine, is back in the dock for further repairs. Inquiry has, but of course been instituted, NDTV reported, "This is not the first time INS Sindhughosh has been involved in a collision. In 2008, the submarine collided with a foreign merchant vessel, MV Leeds Castle, while it was trying to surface in the seas about 740 km from Mumbai." Awaiting inquiry reports.

Marine Dive

While we are on the subject of the sea, here is some good news. One, the iconic Taraporewala Aquarium on Marine Drive will be open to public anytime now. It was closed for over a year for revamp and renovation. A popular picnic spot for school children and a must-do thing on Mumbai sight-seeing tour, the renovated aquarium, though still not very impressive compared to the famous international ones, is expected to cheer many. Newspapers reported that several types of fishes died while the Rs 20 crore renovation was underway. Be that as it may, many more varieties are expected in the coming weeks and summer vacation should be more interesting this year.

And if a trip to the aquarium doesn't impress you, here is something that will stun you. Gaia Reloaded, an exhibition at Gallery Beyond in south Mumbai by Preethi Kannan wherein she explores the environmental degradation through her surreal paintings of the underwater life. Seven detailed paintings and two installations have images such as fish with wheels from wrecks, shark with rusty objects in its transparent body, each forcing the spectator to think of the damage that remains unseen and unnoticed. It is on till March 26. 

Elephanta Excited

Whatever the budget analysis for the industries, common man and the poor may be, there is one cheerful development, if it does happen. The new budget accounts for refurbishing of a nine selected heritage sites, one of them being Elephanta Caves, just off Mumbai Coast. At 9 nautical miles across the sea from the Gateway of India, the caves, also known as 'Gharapuri' are home to the 7th century, rock-cut cave temple, dedicated to Shiva and many more carvings. It is also known for its annual cultural festival. However, it is more infamous for the tardy journey by the not-so-well-maintained ferries, where foreigners are harassed at times, lack of facilities at the site and inadequate help in terms of access and moving around. Whether the helipad plan works out or not is another matter, but tourists — domestic and international — will be thrilled if some of these problems are sorted out. 

Big Bucks For Finding Penny

Mumbai Mirror reports about an African grey parrot, which has been missing since a month from 123 Sterling Bay, the Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry mansion. Anyone who finds Penny, as the parrot is called, will be rewarded with Rs 20,000. "The notice, which has been posted in several prominent SoBo institutions, including the Willingdon Club, does not contain the name of Penny's owner only that the blackbilled bird went missing from Sterling Bay. Several calls to the numbers on the leaflet went unanswered...Penny is very close to her owners and was very witty. She picked up words and sentences repeating it like any of us," the staffer said. However, none of them are clear as to where Penny disappeared. "It is quite likely that she flew away when the cage was left open. The entire property was searched, but there was no sign of her," the staffer said, adding she might have flown out of the property into the adjoining Raj Bhavan compound, home of governor Chennamaneni Vidyasagar Rao. It contains a mini-forest," reported the daily.