The city — sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce
From this world to the next
MEDHA Jalota, bhajan samrat Anup Jalota’s wife, died yesterday, in the United States (US) after heart and kidney transplants. Medha and Anup Jalota’s story was printed some time ago in this paper, through excerpts from a book called Heartfelt: The Inspirational Story of Medha and Anup Jalota, written by well-known film journalist Bharathi S Pradhan.
RIP: Medha Jalota. PIC/Om books International
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The story dealt with the optimism and hope the couple showed throughout Medha’s battle with a string of illnesses from serious cardiac problems, including a heart transplant to kidney failure, dialysis and all the complications that come with heavy medication and long-term hospitalisation. The book, published by Om Books International, is essentially upbeat and its last chapter which listed events in 2012, had a distinct cheerful air about it.
Yet it was not as if braveheart Medha did not have her dark days. On page 142 of Heartfelt, Pradhan writes, “Medha was no fool. If she confidently faced the inevitable and returned alive each time, it was with the full knowledge that her life could be snuffed out any moment, any day. ‘When I think of death, I try to convince myself that I am in transit. Isn’t that what the Gita says?’ she queried. ‘I try not to be afraid of impermanence’.” How prophetic these words read today.
Fight the fat
TODAY, on World Obesity Awareness Day, Kohinoor Hospital in Kurla West is holding an awareness forum from 3pm to 5pm at the hospital. City residents who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of above 30 will benefit the most from this forum, at which Dr Jayashree Todkar, Head of the Obesity Department at Kohinoor Hospital will spearhead the programme which will have talks and tips on how to stay fit and reduce obesity.
Entry for the programme is open to all and the hospital is hoping to help many Mumbaikars stay fit and fine. Obesity is a disease which affects more than 60 per cent of the people in Mumbai, according to a survey by a leading hospital in the city.
A little light rail
MUMBAIKARS don’t let go of their sense of humour, even in difficult situations. On Sunday, commuters on the Central Railway gave evidence of this. In addition to the usual woes caused by mega blocks and other delays on Sundays, the CST-bound fast track was disrupted due to a pantograph malfunction, in the late afternoon. One train was stuck midway near Nahur station, and eventually the anxious commuters were told that it would not go further, and they would have to alight. People helped one another and managed to leave the train without incident, though there was a lot of shouting when other trains were seen approaching, and those walking near the tracks were warned by others. An elderly woman was being encouraged by her male co-passengers to jump down, but she quipped, “My jumping days are over (Maajhe udnyaache divas gele).” Two men then helped her to alight safely. Another woman in the first-class compartment was unable to jump, so a man guided her from outside the train, to place her feet on the steps (which are almost invisible under the doorway) and she was able to alight safely. When crossing the tracks to reach the Nahur platform, a slow train was seen approaching and commuters on the platform shouted at her to stop. Then the train halted before reaching the station, and someone called out, “Come on, the train is waiting for you to cross!”
Follow the paper trail
EVER wonder what’s the alternative to the raddiwala? What can you do with old newspapers besides sell them off — admittedly for a healthy amount? If you want to use your time as well as newspapers creatively, you can join a newspaper weaving workshop, which will teach you to make useful as well as pretty things, such as jewellery boxes, out of newspaper. Several sessions of the three-day workshop, which costs Rs 1,500, will be held during December, at Matunga Road, and those interested can call Neeta Nadkarni at 9757385926.
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