04 November,2026 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Satej Shinde
A host of sparrows perched on a tree branch at Bandstand in Bandra
Did you know that the late journalist and editor Pritish Nandy was born into a Bengali Christian family in Bihar? Were you aware that television journalism guru Prannoy Roy's mother was Irish/English? Or India cricket captains like Vijay Hazare (deceased) and Pune-based Chandu Borde are Christians?
(From left) Dr Louis D'Silva, the author, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, and Fr (Dr) Sajith Cyriac, Chief Editor of St Pauls Publications, during the book release function at St Pauls Media Complex, Bandra, on Saturday. Pics/Special Arrangement
We discovered all this in a book called Christians in India: The Nation's Vital Asset (St Pauls Publications) edited by Dr Louis D'Silva. The eponymous book was released by Cardinal Oswald Gracias at St Pauls Media Complex at Bandra last Saturday.
The book is a heavyweight (roughly two kgs) literally and metaphorically, and the task of profiling accomplished Christians was embraced by Bandra resident Dr D'Silva across 16 years. For this diarist, the book provided a pleasant recall of famous names who we don't hear too much of, now. Singer Mervyn Rufus, who was known as India's answer to Elvis Presley.
We availed of an early bird offer on Sunday, but R700 is the printed cost. If you too would like to discover more such insights, pick a copy from Title Waves bookstore in Bandra.
Ankita Nikrad and Akshaya Naik in the play Bags of Gags. Pics courtesy/Rupesh Tillu
What happens when a clown has no words but a bag full of tricks? Theatre artist and actor Rupesh Tillu explores this in Bags of Gags, a 60-minute comedy production. Scheduled for November 21 and 22, it will be presented with Clowns Without Borders and will feature actors-turned-clowns Ankita Nikrad, aka Clown Mindy, and Akshaya Naik, aka Clown Gundi.
Rupesh Tillu
"The story follows two vagabonds who share a friendship and travel together. Their bag is full of surprises, and every time they open it, they discover something unexpected, as does the audience," said Tillu. For details, visit @rupesh_tillu.
Director Vikram Phukan gave this diarist quite the immersive tour of Mumbai's lesser-known queer history back in 2024. Phukan's passion to bring queer stories to the fore hasn't dimmed, we learnt.
Stills from the play Where is SSS? (left) and Light in My Eyes (right) that will be showcased at the festival. Pics courtesy/Vikram Phukan
The new Bambai Zara Hatke theatre festival curated by Phukan, and presented by Gaysi is set to hit the ground running on November 27. "Queer stage works have always existed, but we lacked a dedicated platform to present them.
Vikram Phukan
The recent Satrang Mahotsav in Pune inspired us to take the plunge, and bring a three-day festival to the city. We're planning a line-up of old and new shows," he revealed, while giving us a sneak peak.
Young adults speak to residents while surveying neighbourhoods. Pic courtesy/Blue Ribbon Movement
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is testing an AI-powered surveillance system to catch and deter illegal garbage dumping in public spaces. Complementing this effort, the Blue Ribbon Movement, a non-profit organisation, is set to continue its Community Connect Fellowship in 2027.
Pankhuri Jain
The initiative has previously engaged young people aged 18 and above in addressing civic issues. "Over three months, the fellowship reached 3600-plus Mumbaikars, identified over 1400 civic issues and delivered infrastructure fixes, benefiting over 3 lakh citizens," said Pankhuri Jain, programme manager of Community Connect.
