14 August,2026 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Shadab Khan
A dog relaxes while police personnel conduct mock drills at Azad Maidan
Calling all pet parents. What if there was a way to get recognised by the photos you click of your favourite canines and felines? The Pure Dog & Cat Photography Awards offers just that opportunity for pet lovers and photographers.
Pic Courtesy/Imhof Reto; pure.dog. and.cat.photography
Founded by photographers Dimpy Bhalotia and Kamal Kumaar Rao, the awards celebrate pet photography across portrait, minimalist, street and comedy categories. Submissions are now open.
Bhalotia explained the concept to this diarist, "The awards will be judged by us, while the other categories will be judged by internationally renowned photographers. Winners and finalists will also be exhibited in India, giving photographers an opportunity to have their work seen by a wider audience." For details, log on to @pure.dog.and.cat.photography.
The cypress stands a little sadder than before. The passing of author, playwright, and educator Nisha da Cunha this week arrived as yet another dent in the nostalgic sheen of the city. The 92-year-old author, wife of legendary adman Sylvester da Cunha, and mother to author, playwright and Sunday mid-day columnist Rahul da Cunha, leaves behind a legacy of words that had an influence far beyond literature.
Nisha da Cunha. Pic Courtesy/Citizens Archive of India
Born to parents with a political legacy, da Cunha's love for reading began early. After five years of teaching English Literature in , she moved to Mumbai. She spent 25 years at St Xavier's College (Autonomus) shaping a new generation of writers, poets, and educators.
Before she briefly shared the halls with da Cunha as an educator at St Xavier's College, vice principal (Arts), former head of department (History) Dr Fleur D'Souza studied under her. "She dramatised a reading of Lord of The Flies, and brought the text and characters alive. It was so powerfully enacted through her voice. Remember, we came from the SSC Board, so it was quite an impact on us. I never did forget my first introduction to good literature, and the way it was drawn out," Dr D'Souza shared.
Despite the flair, da Cunha was a disciplinarian. Anita Rane Kothare, retired head of department (Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology) who studied under her in 1983-84 admits that despite the fear, students respected her.
Nevertheless, da Cunha left an impression on the young women students. Dr D'Souza recalled, "She would match her bindi to the border of her sari. To us girls from small towns, she was fascinating." Rane Kothare echoed the sentiment, "I was always in awe of her because of her style and control over language, and how she draped her sari."
Pic/Ashish Raje
Amish Tripathi tread new ground at the launch of his latest title, Dhruv-Tara & The Great Indian History Quiz (Westland Books) at Crossword in Kemps Corner on Thursday. While a book launch might feel like a run-of-the-mill exercise for the author, the author shared, "This is my 13th book, but my first one for children, so it is particularly special to me." To celebrate this debut, Tripathi also launched an animated trailer, giving the Gen Z in attendance a glimpse of the adventures that awaited.
Students and teachers of the new co-ed batch. Pics Courtesy/Dr Antonio da Silva High School and Jr College
Marching in step with the new age, the Dr Antonio da Silva High School and Junior College of Commerce in Dadar is departing with a 150-year-old tradition. Having been a boys'-only high school and junior college, the institution welcomed its first girl students for the new co-ed batch inaugurated on Thursday.
A view of the Dr Antonio da Silva High School
"The launch of our first co-ed junior college batch marks a proud milestone in our 150-year legacy. In keeping with the vision of National Education Policy 2020, this is a meaningful step towards inclusive and equal education. I am excited to see our students learn, grow and succeed together," shared Joseph D'Souza, chairman, Dr Antonio da Silva Trust. With 31 girls already signed on for the batch on inaugural day, it looks like there will be no dearth of applicants.
