For any daily user of the M-indicator app of the city’s suburban railway system, the chats can be a quirky, funny experience. Every once in a while, a message by a friendly commuter warning another about the location of a Ticket Collector on a certain station, will pop up. This is the ‘invisible network’ that artist Ranjit Kandalgaonkar refers to when addressing the functioning of the city. Having lived in Mumbai all of his life, Kandalgaonkar began documenting these little observations of the city’s unspoken rules and the people living within those invisible lines. These find their way into his latest exhibition, cityinflux that opened for the Mumbai Gallery Weekend, earlier this month. Ranjit Kandalgaonkar “cityinflux is an endeavour to document the in-between spaces that appear as an aberrant to the norm, but in fact get legitimised due to the inability of the surroundings to linearise lost but recognisable markers defining the city fabric,” Kandalgaonkar writes. City as muse “It began as daily observations; made when going about your general work. I was interested in civic infrastructure as well as the local trains. When you engage with something over a long period of time, it keeps accruing. You begin to spot anything that aligns, or seems off, or peculiar,” he shares later, over a phone call. Hygiene. Pics Courtesy/Ranjit Kandalgaonkar; Fulcrum Tracked over a timeline of two decades, these aberrations begin to offer an insight into the subliminal structure that holds up the city, and its people. Take, for instance, the walls along railway stations, he observes. “To me, they are a parallel city running along the railway lines. It is not given importance, or even thought of as a true representation. Yet, floating populations, informal labour, gather to these walls,” the artist notes. Between the lines A view of the artwork, rush hour, depicting the crowded local train experience in the city One work, Hygiene, captures the visuals of a boundary wall alongside Borivli railway station — Kandalgaonkar’s regular commute portal. “Over the years, I started observing a number of things like the barbers, or the trees that grow into them. It becomes a sign of the city’s change over the timeline,” he says. Or the piece, rush hour, an instantly recognisable emotion of the mass of people at a railway station turning into a conscious organism as they make their way into the arriving local train. The image of Raatraani is a momentous capture of an autorickshawwallah through the reflection of his rear view mirror. Raatraani and Hsg.Soc.Pvt.Ltd “The cover image is a man jumping between local trains. It was taken at Borivli station’s Foot Over Bridge (FOB). People do that often, as have I, at times. The identity of the city is revealed at this moment. These are the invisible networks that we align our lives around,” Kandalgaonkar observes. These observations first found their way to the website, cityinflux.in, created in early 2009. Still functioning, it carries a tactile rawness that is different from the flashy modern-day portals. Gallerist Ayesha Agarwal adds, “We have seen so much change in the city over the last 20 years, and that is where Kandalgaonkar’s work becomes an important body of work that speaks to the changing and developing city.” With a follow-up exhibition coming up at the gallery in March, it looks like the city’s unspoken secrets are going to find their way to Kala Ghoda. TILL February 14; 11 am to 7 pm AT Fulcrum, 116/23, Great Western Buildings, Chamber of Commerce Street, Kala Ghoda
16 January,2026 09:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarManifest your way Pic courtesy/happywagon.com This 2026 DIY vision board kit offers over 130 photos to visualise a set of goals, think about your intentions, and design a custom board that reflects yourself authentically, be it for health, confidence, or personal desires. Check out the accompanying Spotify card to help you craft an exclusive playlist of songs.Log on to happywagon.com Cost Rs 1499 Find momentum Pic courtesy/@anupamsuperstore This popular stationery store offers a smart annual planner to help you track daily tasks, goals, and habits in a fun and simple format.At Anupam Stationery Superstore, Mhatre Wadi, Borivli West.Time 9.30 am to 9.30 pm Cost Rs 950 For the tech-savvy Pic courtesy/etsy.com Yearly planners don’t have to be handwritten. Carve out your intentions with a digital vision board kit with Canva templates, which offers 200 curated ‘dream life’ images, with instructions on how to download and use, to create your unique theme and aesthetic.Log on to etsy.com Cost Rs 719 One for the girls Pic courtesy/amazon.in You might want to check out this vision board kit, which ticks all the right boxes, from images, elements, and affirmative quotes, to tips on your career, love, fitness, travel or finance goals, and importantly, self-love. Personalise the board with blank notes, and pin the sheet on your room walls, or include them in journals to creatively plan your pursuits.Log on to Funk You Store on amazon.inCost Rs 399 Peacefully professional Pic courtesy/thepikoshop.com No fuss needed with this two-planner bundle from a Mumbai-based stationery brand, which guides users (especially students, entrepreneurs, and professionals) to prioritise clarity, routine, and calm productivity. Offering a flexible start and pause options, the clean, minimal layout will help you focus.Log on to thepikoshop.com Cost Rs 1599 Aim for goodness Pic courtesy/thejuneshop.com Bring something new to your year with this limited-edition undated planner for ‘good intentions’. Aimed for those focusing on mental well-being and productivity, this colourfully illustrated monthly divider is designed with routine suggestions, habit, health, and period trackers, and a colouring spread, amongst others. Log on to thejuneshop.com Cost Rs 2199 Visualise with colours Pic courtesy/brownliving.in This vision board kit in bold sunset shades includes a guided journal, and three picture booklets with images drawing from different categories — spirituality and health, relationships and lifestyle, and passion and career. You cannot go wrong with their useful motivational stickers and spirited quotes.Log on to brownliving.in Cost Rs 2640 Simply straightforward Pic courtesy/ doodlecollection.com Goals don’t need to be complicated and layered. Keep things simple with this dateless productivity planner to help you stay organised and focused on your intentions. It includes activity prompts to prioritise tasks, monthly planners for effective goal setting, and additions, from a pocket-sized meal planner to printed motivational quote pin-up cards.Log on to doodlecollection.com Cost Rs 498 No more worries Pic courtesy/inkarto.com If you identify with the famous Walt Disney hit song Hakuna Matata, don’t miss this All-in-One yearly planner. Apart from the quote and cheerful art, it has vibrant stickers, ‘Season of My Life’ and vision board options, and an interesting ‘No Negative Self-Talk’ challenge. Log on to inkarto.com Cost Rs 1299
16 January,2026 09:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshComedy is not an easy business. Ask Daizy Maan. For the last two weeks, the Melbourne-based writer-comedian has been travelling across the length of the country. “It has been great. We opened in Mumbai, and it was my first-time doing comedy in the city. It was quite fun discovering the jokes that land, and why they work,” she admits. Maan has been to India before though. Born and raised in Melbourne, amidst a conservative Punjabi family, the journey to become a comedian forms the basis of her show, Brown Women Comedy. With the final leg in Mumbai wrapping up with a show in Khar on January 16, the producer talks us through her journey. Comedy was not high on the 31-year old’s plans. “I did not start taking comedy seriously till about five years ago. Even then, the first two years were spent producing shows,” she admits. But living in Melbourne, the art was an inevitable part of her experience with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Kru Harale, Supriya Joshi and Devanshi Shah It was during one of these festival runs in 2022 that Maan realised the absence of diaspora representation at the festival despite Indians being a large minority in Australia. “I went around attending gigs. We realised there were only three Indian women performing solo shows, as shown by a research made by Australian South Asian Centre on the lack of ethnic diversity on stage. It made me wonder if there were others of my ilk,” she laughs. That laid the foundations for the set, Brown Women Comedy. A pind in Melbourne The ‘Brown’ in the title was an identifier beyond skin tone. “I grew up in a very Punjabi home in Melbourne. My parents migrated to Australia in the 1990s, but culturally it felt like growing up in a pind [village] in Ludhiana,” the comedienne recalls. Despite her humour, Maan did not grow up idolising comedians. As the Boroondara Young Citizen of the Year in 2015, a delegate for Australia India Youth Dialogue, one would think Maan was the ideal child. “Comedy was never an obvious aspiration. The huour comes from that gap, from explaining one world to another,” she says. Finding rebels As producer, Maan used this idea to apply for funding to the Centre for Australia India Relations (CAIR), that enabled them to bring the show to stage. The show is now supported by the Australian Consulate in India, and Kommune. On Friday, the Australia-based duo of Maan and Kru Harale will join the Indian talents of Supriya Joshi and Devanshi Shah. “We first began in April at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with a set featuring Niv Prakasam and Ramya Ramapriya. The audience loved the show back home,” Maan shares. The sight of women cackling to jokes that were taboo in most Asian-Australian households only affirmed her decision to take it on tour. “I was a little hesitant about the title Brown Women Comedy in India. But then, our comedy was never about colour, but about perspective; something in contrast to the mainstream.” she says. Yet, there is a common thread that ties the squad. “You have to look at what it means to be a woman in India. Female comedians here thrive on picking up taboo subjects, and use humour to address them,” she points out. The perfect riposte, she concludes. One has to concur. ON January 16; 8 pmAT The Habitat, 1st floor, Hotel Unicontinental, Khar West.LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comCOST Rs 599 onwards
15 January,2026 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarThursdayRaw truths on stage Catch this quirky, darkly humorous musical satire, The Greatest Show on Earth. The story of a media professional involving herself in a suicide attempt uses movement, and choral speaking and song to condemn a rigid capitalist system.Time 8 pm onwardsAt Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu. Log on to in.bookmyshow.comEntry Rs 710 FridayA mindful meal Pic Courtesy/The Silver Train Experience a Royal Harvest Thali for Makar Sankranti, uniting Maratha, Rajput, and Punjabi palace philosophies, amongst others, at one table.Time 12 pm to 11.30 pm At The Silver Train, Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel. Log on to @thesilvertrainrestaurant.Cost Rs 1500 onwards (vegetarian); Rs 1750 onwards (non-vegetarian) SaturdayHunting through Bandra Pic Courtesy/Harsh Nil Join an immersive treasure hunt along the streets, hosted by Instagram community Lost Childhood Found, complete with clues, riddles, and the thrill of teamwork with new people. Time 4 pm onwardsAt Bandra (exact location shared post registration)Log on to @lostchildhoodfoundEntry Rs 333 per person (till January 16); Rs 369 per person (on January 17, till noon) Softness speaks out Pic Courtesy/Instagram Take some time out for an intimate, solo poetry evening, The Soft Girl Speaks Up, led by city-based performance poet and storyteller, Dhruvi Shah (right), who will share personal, honest stories.Time 6 pm to 7 pmAt Kitaabghar Reading Room & Bookshop, Veera Desai Road, Andheri West. Log on to @dhruvithewriter (to register)Entry Pay as you like SundayMedley of genres Pic Courtesy/ @mousumidatta_music Enjoy a fusion of melodies at this performance by singer Mousumi Datta (left), in a contemporary jazz show infused with Indian Classical music, funk, and traditional Bengali tunes. Time 10 am to 12 pm AT The Nest, Simla Nagar, Malabar Hill. Log on to allevents.in/mumbai Entry Rs 550 onwards Get your hands dirty Pic Courtesy/Roots Nature Club This immersive hands-on workshop by Roots Nature Club will introduce your children (ages 7-13) to the environment, using outdoor learning methods to teach much-needed observation skills. Time 7.30 am to 9.30 amAt Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivli East. Call 9820613334Entry Rs 3800 (plus GST) Meet Mumbai’s shore treasures Pics Courtesy/Wildnest Don’t miss this intertidal shore walk by wildlife and travel platform Wildnest, showcasing the range of marine biodiversity lying hidden in the city. Expect to spot crabs, sea sponges, or even a Dwarf Coral Star (inset).Time 4 pm (Carter Road); 3.45 pm (Juhu Koliwada shore)At Carter Road, Bandra; Juhu Koliwada shoreCall 9967056674 (to register)Entry Rs 700 (adults); Rs 500 (children, ages 4-10)
15 January,2026 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshMain chalta phirta Bombay hoon” [I’m a walking Bombay, on the move] — Saadat Hasan Manto’s famously quoted line sowed a few questions in our mind: Where exactly did one of the greatest writers of his time walk, have they changed nearly eight decades after he left his ‘second home’ for Lahore, and do they still reflect glimpses of his legacy? Zubair Azmi, director of Urdu Markaz and founder of the Bhendi Bazaar Research Academy, gives us a handy guide to Manto’s Bombay. Zubair Azmi 1 Arab Galli In 1936, a young Manto in his early 20s made his way to Bombay and settled for a compact room in the chawls of Arab Galli. Saadat Hasan Manto. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Here, he saw the intimidating, feared gangster Mammad Bhai, who is later comically revealed to be a bubbly benevolent man in Manto’s eponymous story, Mammad Bhai. Manto writes about paying nine rupees and eight annas per month for the residence. Renting a home in the evolving neighbourhood will set you back to the tune of Rs 40,000 a month in 2026. 2 Adelphi Chambers The writer’s more recognised abode on Mirza Ghalib Road (formerly Clare Road) in Byculla was a more modern, cosmopolitan locality. It is also where Bollywood greats like Ashok Kumar and Nargis visited the writer. It is said that K Asif, director of the iconic Mughal-e-Azam, also came visiting once. 3 Nagpada Garden On breezy evenings, Manto would often walk down to the Nagpada Garden to wind down, and as always, observe the people around him. The garden is now the Padmakar Tukaram Mane Garden, known for its wall mural sculpture of poet Mirza Ghalib on its façade. 4 Imperial Film Company The poster of Kisan Kanya (1937) produced by Ardeshir Irani For a brief period, Manto worked with filmmaker Ardeshir Irani who founded the Imperial Film Company (now Jyoti Studio) near Grant Road railway station. The first film scripted by Manto, Kisan Kanya, was shot in the same studio. Cinephiles will know Irani and the studio for producing India’s first sound film, Alam Ara (1931). 5 Nagpada Junction Nagpada Junction with Sarvi in view Right outside Nagpada Police Station, Manto once observed a pimp, Siraj, leaning on an electricity pole in search of his next client. Kebabs at Sarvi. FILE PIC In his extensive writings on the complex lives of prostitutes and pimps, the writer makes references to Siraj. Not far away, Manto’s go-to for his evening chai, Sarvi, remembers him with the ‘Manto Table’ to this day. 6 Minerva Movietone Zubair Azmi suggests you make a detour to the lanes of Sewri, where Manto worked with Sohrab Modi’s Minerva Movietone studio. Azmi’s grandfather-in-law Sadat Ali, who was the chief production manager would recall how the writer often accompanied him home, and excitedly requested, “Mia, kuch khilaiye.” The site of Minerva Movietone is now barren land. Meet the bhais Watch Mammad Bhai’s story unfold onstage at actor Amit Tiwari Anand’s eponymous solo play. The FTII alumnus will don multiple hats to recreate the residents of Arab Galli on the erstwhile South Bombay stage. ON January 18; 5.30 pm AT National Gallery of Modern Art, Fort. LOG ON TO @amittiwarianand ENTRY Registration mandatory
15 January,2026 09:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleSweet beginnings Gul Poli is a sweet flatbread. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Gul Poli is a sweet flatbread, which we traditionally serve during Maharashtrian Makar Sankranti celebrations. The core ingredients are jaggery and sesame seeds. Take 500 gms of ordinary jaggery, one cup of sesame seeds, a quarter cup of khus khus (poppy seeds), a quarter cup of grated dry coconut, and a quarter cup of besan (gram flour). Dry roast the seeds and coconut, mainly on pulse mode otherwise sesame seeds release oil. Roast the gram flour in oil till it changes colour. Finely grate the jaggery. Finally, mix all the ingredients together on pulse mode. There should be no lumps in the mixture. Meanwhile, knead wheat flour with ghee and salt and make a soft dough for the flatbread. Roll two small puris. Place the thick stuffing in between two puris and roll it like a paratha. Roast on a pan on low flame with ghee. Madhavi Chavan, homemaker, Andheri Peas and joy Lilva Kachori is a Gujarati snack. Pics courtesy/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS During Uttarayan, we generally prepare Undhiyu, served with fried puris and often Shrikhand. Savoury snacks include Lilva Kachori (Green Pigeon Pea Dumplings), a classic Gujarati winter delicacy. Crisp, fragrant, and mildly sweet-spiced, it is served with green and sweet tamarind chutneys and hot Masala Chai. Undhiyu is often served with Puri during traditional Gujarati Uttarayan festivities Combine flour and salt in ghee or oil until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add water and knead into a firm, smooth dough. Prepare the filling by coarsely grinding the lilva (pigeon pea) into a grainy mixture without water. Heat some oil, add cumin seeds, and eventually, asafoetida, green chillies, and ginger; sauté briefly until aromatic. Then, add the ground lilva, with turmeric and coriander powder, and salt. Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture turns dry and aromatic. Add sugar, remove from the heat; stir in garam masala, lemon juice, and fresh coriander. Allow the filling to cool. Lastly, shape the kachoris: Divide the dough into lemon-sized balls. Place the lilva filling inside and fry until they’re golden brown and crisp on all sides. Rupa Shah, homemaker, Dahisar Kheer, Punjabi-style Roh Di Kheer is eaten the next day. Pics courtesy/Amrita Kaur In the last few years, I’ve discovered the traditional Punjabi dessert, Roh Di Kheer — rice cooked in sugarcane juice. It’s made often for Lohri celebrations, kept overnight under the winter sky, and consumed the day after; the sugarcane ensures it doesn’t ferment much. As someone who loves learning the history of festival traditions, I’ve been making this dessert for quite a few years now. For a small portion, boil a litre of sugarcane juice, skimming out any foam surfacing. Once reduced to three-quarters of the quantity, add two tablespoons of soaked rice — I prefer short grain rice, but traditionally broken rice is used — along with a green cardamom. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally until the rice is well-cooked and has soaked up all the juice. Add two to three tablespoons of milk and chopped dry fruits, cook for another seven minutes, and it’s ready. Amrita Kaur, holistic gourmet chef and digital wellness content creator, Dharamsala (previously, Mumbai) Offering to the Sun God A woman cooks Sakkarai Pongal in the outdoors in Dharavi. Pics courtesy/Pooja Ashokkumar; Dinesh Devraj For Tamilian families in Mumbai and across the diaspora, Pongal begins with women making kolams in their homes and verandas, using rice paste. Soon after, the traditional pongal dish (Sakkarai Pongal) is prepared outdoors using the season’s first produce, entailing rice and lentils, cooked until it boils and spills over, which is an auspicious moment marking abundance of good things. This is followed by an elaborate vegetarian meal, consisting of the traditional use of 21 varieties of vegetables. Some households prepare them into a single coconut-based avial dish, while others make separate dishes with these vegetables, all of it always accompanied by sambar and rasam. Pooja Ashokkumar, historian and researcher, Goregaon Sakkarai Pongal Sakkarai Pongal. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia Commons Ingredients>> 1 cup raw rice>> 1/4 cup moong dal>> 1 to 11/4 cups jaggery (powdered)>> 3–4 cups water >> 3 tbsp ghee >> 10–12 cashew nuts >> 1 tbsp raisins >> ½ tsp cardamom powder >> A pinch of salt Dinesh Devraj MethodLightly roast the moong dal and wash it with rice; cook both with water until soft. Melt the jaggery with a little water, strain, and add it to the cooked rice-dal mixture. Simmer on a low flame, stirring continuously until thick. Add cardamom powder, and a pinch of edible camphor (optional) and salt. Fry the cashews and raisins in ghee and mix these into the pongal. Serve the dish hot after offering it to the Sun God. Information courtesy: Dinesh Devraj
14 January,2026 08:34 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha Ghosh | Rumani GabhareAs Bridgerton readies for a comeback with Season 4, Gen Zers and young millennials might find themselves dialling back to classic silhouettes and styles inspired by the women on the popular OTT period drama. “There is a growing fascination with vintage femininity, think flowing fabrics, corset detailings, floral embroidery, and lace that feels nostalgic yet modern,” says stylist Shikha Bhansali. Shikha Bhansali These elements are no longer reserved for special occasions, but are now being styled into everyday outfits with an effortless contemporary twist. The pastel blue, delicate floral details worn by Daphne Bridgerton in Season One instantly added softness to her look. Sleeve it up Puffy and chunky sleeves, iconic in the 1890s, and in the 1980s, seem to be making some sort of a comeback in 2026. The leg-of-mutton sleeve, also known as the gigot sleeve, has been reimagined through puffy jackets, dramatic blouses, and chunky layers. An example of this look is Cressida Cowper’s outfits, which were greatly nuanced in season three. The lacework on the gowns and puffy sleeves add a feminine touch Her dresses were simple with lace and basic detailing, but her sleeves were dramatically oversized, adding character to each look. “Today’s girls love mixing minimalism, usually pairing clean silhouettes with one statement piece like Francesca Bridgerton did in Season Three,” Bhansali emphasises. A dramatic sleeve or oversized jacket adds personality, or the much-desired ‘oomph factor’ to any outfit. Lace and corsets team-up Corsets and lace are at the heart of this romantic fashion revival, inspired by the timeless elegance of the Bridgerton era. “Corsets, once seen only in gowns and period outfits, are now being styled in modern ways — layered over crisp shirts, soft dresses, and even casual pieces to create a look that moves easily from day to night. Girls are styling them even for desi wedding looks,” Bhansali mentions. They add shape, confidence, and a touch of drama while still feeling classy and feminine. The stylist likes to add a corset over her shirts, as the look transforms seamlessly from desk to dinner. Anthony, Colin, and Benedict Bridgerton wear floral and embroidered jackets Lace, too, has become more wearable, with lace skirts paired with oversized T-shirts or sweatshirts, and lace dresses styled over trousers. This mix of delicate and bold creates a beautiful balance, making these vintage-inspired pieces feel fresh, relaxed, and perfect for today’s style. Floral designs for him Men are also embracing romantic detailing, Bhansali reveals. “I love styling men in embroidered jackets or blazers with delicate floral details — it adds the right amount of depth and softness to the look,” says Bhansali. Floral scarves and waistcoats, as seen on Anthony and Benedict Bridgerton, bring drama while complementing solid blazers. Lace pocket squares or ties add playful texture, while dainty brooches and rings complete the look with understated elegance. Complete the look Hyacinth in a dewy make-up appearance Make-up>> Dewy, glossy skin is back, giving that fresh, “glow-from-within” look seen throughout Bridgerton>> The focus is on hydrated, radiant skin rather than heavy or matte finishes>> Soft, natural glam with luminous highlights is set to dominate the coming season Footwear>> Ballet flats and Mary Janes are trending big with Gen Z and young millennials>> Bejewelled, metallic, studded and embellished shoes are especially popular
14 January,2026 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareNobody is born with hate or apathy towards animals in their heart. Children learn it from those around them,” says animal activist Akshay Ridlan. Is it possible, then, to act quicker and teach them compassion at the right time? France seems to have taken a timely step in the direction, by making pet care and animal welfare mandatory topics in school curriculum. While no major education board in India mandates such lessons, a handful of schools are going the extra mile. Ridlan is gearing to address 600 students of the Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School and Junior College in Sion’s GTB Nagar on Friday. “Children are subjected to immense stress at a very young age in today’s competitive world. This paves the way for emotions like frustration, hate, and indifference to seep in as they grow up,” Ridlan reveals. Begin with sensitivity At the session, the Sion resident will present a 20-point presentation on how to be a better companion to the city’s strays. It includes a practical guide on how to treat an injured animal, the dos and don’ts of handling strays, and the case for adoption against shopping. At the heart of it is emotion, Ridlan says. Can it be taught? “No doubt. You could introduce animals as friends that need a helping hand to survive in the city. Unfortunately, many parents do the opposite, and portray animals as intruders,” he says. Pradnya Hattiangadi. PICS COURTESY/PRADNYA HATTIANGADI, Pawfriend, Akshay Ridlan Madhavi Naik, principal of the Higher Secondary School, seconds Ridlan. “Although such sessions are conducted only once or twice a year, we’ve seen visible change. Recently, a stray dog entered our campus, and all our students and staff joined hands to provide care, find a rescuer, and eventually hand over the animal,” she recalls. Naik believes that while children learn about animals in textbooks every year, they’re seldom taught about co-existing with them. Right place, right time City-based dog trainer Pradnya Hattiangadi has been making similar annual visits to schools in and around Mumbai. She stresses on the importance of finding the right animal in cases of hands-on sessions. “Our dogs are specially trained to remain calm, and not make sudden movements that might scare children. This allows us to teach children how to approach a dog, build trust, and interact safely with animals,” she says. Akshay Ridlan However, the world outside might not be only harmless trained pets. “While defending yourself against an aggressive stray is a skill we teach older students, the younger pre-schoolers need a slightly cheerier approach. The first introduction to an animal can influence how students feel about animals as they grow up,” the trainer points out, adding that she would love to see children as young as five being taught about animal care. Textbook solution The experts agree that changing the Indian school curriculum is a Herculean task, involving appeals, letters and long waiting periods. In the meantime, they urge Mumbai schools and colleges to turn to local NGOs, rescue groups, and shelters to collaborate on extracurricular lectures and sessions. “I still get calls from students reporting or requesting rescues. “Sometimes I forget I ever spoke to a certain student, but they always remember every little lesson,” he signs off. Log on to: pawfriend.in and @akshay_riddlan on Instagram (Akshay Ridlan); @prady58 on Instagram (Pradnya Hattiangadi) Lessons from France The newly introduced daily lessons in the school curriculum in France will focus on key skills including £Feeding£Hygiene£Emotional wellbeing£Safe interactions£Empathy
14 January,2026 08:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleLet’s start with water There are many issues in Aarey, starting with accepting the objections of the tribal residents with regards to development in the region. However, if I had to pick, it would be improving the water supply. It is the most basic need for a Mumbaikar. Though some padas receive water, others still struggle to get enough water to get by. That is not too much to ask for.Manoj Dhinde, 24, musician, Maroshi Pada, Aarey Unpleasant morning views If I had the choice, I would guide them from the Aarey signal to the Gokul Anand Hotel. The service road I use for my morning walks is taken over by tour buses. There are gutkha stains, and refuse from the buses. Sometimes, the bus drivers take a bath right there. That sight is something I would like them to enjoy as well.Bageshree Satam, 63, homemaker, Borivli Join the rush hour commute I would take my representatives down the lanes of Rambaug in Kalyan to show them the condition of the roads. It won’t be a surprise because everyone has known about them. A traffic jam outside the western exit of Kalyan railway station. Pic/Atul Kamble In fact, it would be good to just visit Kalyan railway station during the rush hour to witness how the blocked roads and construction makes it difficult to access and move from one spot to another. Citizens do not ask for much, just basic civic amenities.Tanishi Masand, 20, student, Kalyan Breathless in Sion Sion has the same problem as the rest of the city — dust pollution caused by construction debris. I would like to join my representative and spend a day along the roads of Sion West, and show them how construction rules are flouted by RMC (Ready mix Concrete) trucks that pass through all day — they are supposed to move through the roads only during the night. Exposed construction debris near KJ Somaiya Hospital (right) and Air force Quarters in Sion. Pics Courtesy/Ashok Kurmi Then, there is the matter of uncovered debris across sites that add to the pollution and leads to breathing issues. I’d like them to share our experiences.Ashok Kurmi, 41, social worker, Sion Get the basics right, please Do we really need more infrastructure projects? The ordinary Thanekar is mainly bothered by traffic and dust pollution. I would take them on a walk down Ghodbunder Road, and show how the service road itself has been removed. The heavy traffic on Ghodbunder Road, and the absence of a pedestrian service road is posing risks to residents. Pic/Nimesh Dave I wonder whose idea that was? In addition to cutting down the trees, it puts pedestrians at risk from oncoming traffic. There are no footpaths. Get the basics right — roads, water supply and safety, please. Parag Phadnis, 58, entrepreneur, Thane Pedestrian-friendly walkways Thankfully, Worli is a smaller and better maintained constituency. But if I had to take my representative to a place, it would be to the connecting steps between Annie Besant Road and Pochkhanwala Road. They are not well maintained, lack proper lighting, and some are of unequal size. Everyone who has to get to Pochkhanwala Road has to use this alley: whether they are the residents of the Worli Police Quarters, people passing through the Mahalaxmi Station, or the new Aqua Line Metro Station. Apart from this, I would show them the misalignment of the zebra crossings in Worli. Maintaining walkways, and pedestrian access to roads is our main concern.Chaitanya Prabhu, 27, NGO founder, Worli Take a walk on the rough side The broken and encroached footpaths (left) force children to dodge traffic on the main road every day. Pic Courtesy/BRCF There are many places, but we wish to invite the corporator to walk even 100 metres with residents after winning elections. They will be walking on the Bhulabhai Desai Road. Pavements and side strips are encroached, and made dirty by vendors. We have been asking for a long time for encroachers to be removed, to make Breach Candy walkable again. Senior citizens and children have to walk down the main roads, and cannot use the pavements. We have broken pavements in most places, and the ones that exist are encroached.Nandini Chabria, 57, office bearer, Breach Candy ALM, core member, Breach Candy Residents Forum
13 January,2026 10:17 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarIt would be criminal to have the next James Bond walk on to the screen wearing an iWatch. Regardless of the advancement of technology, there is an aesthetic beauty and merit to mechanical watches. It is this common love that will draw collectors and curious amateurs this Saturday to a venue in Mahim. “You don’t need a Rolex to become a watch enthusiast,” shares Jude de Souza, founder, The Revolver Club, adding, “The watch club started as a space for people who are curious about mechanical watches.” Since 2022, the club has enabled enthusiasts to pick and choose from affordable finds to rare discoveries. “It led to the kind of conversations that are hard to manufacture online: collectors sharing stories, newcomers learning the basics, and people connecting over what they wear on their wrist rather than what it costs,” de Souza explains. The sessions will be helmed by de Souza, while the collectors will host conversations over their respective collections. The session on Saturday will bring to the fore collections that include watches like Omegas, Accutrons, Citizen Bullheads and Seikos. “It is about what catches your eye,” de Souza concludes. ON January 17; 12 pm onwardsAT The Revolver Club, LJ Road, Mahim West. LOG ON TO @therevolverclub (RSVP mandatory)
13 January,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarPicture this: It’s 1739, and the Marathas are firing cannonballs after cannonballs at the Vasai Fort in their spirited attempt to claim the fortress. They’re a tad perplexed, to be honest; the thick walls and angled bastions fail to budge. We can’t possibly tell if the Marathas knew, but this ordeal was (partly, at least) courtesy of Michelangelo, the same Italian artist who famously painted the astonishing frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. One of the existing bastions Known to a few, Michelangelo took a hiatus to serve as the Governor and Procurator General of the Fortifications of Rome around 1527. “Trace Italienne, as we now know the style, first emerged in the fortifications of Florence under Michelangelo. It is the same style that the Portuguese implemented in the Vasai Fort,” says independent scholar Raamesh Raghavan of India Study Centre (INSTUCEN). This weekend, Raghavan will lead a walk through the gates that once opened only after the two-year bloody Battle of Vasai (erstwhile Bassein) aka Vasaichi Mohim. See for yourself The inner citadel, one of the surviving structures inside the fort “The walls of the fort were short, reinforced with mud, and as thick as six metres. Unlike forts in the Deccan, the bastions were triangular and pointed. This design helped it sustain fire from the nearly 10,000-strong Marathas,” says Raghavan. We’re told that at times, Portuguese soldiers would use short periods between Maratha firing to repair the mud walls on the go. There’s a timely lesson to be learnt there, we think. A dated map of the fort shows the prominent triangular bastions (in pink). PICS COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, RAAMESH RAGHAVAN While most of the fort’s interiors are currently in ruins, taken over by vegetation, participants can still view and touch these walls and a few of the bastions. Some remnants of the Portuguese artillery survive, albeit far from their original condition. “In their prime, the cannons were at least thrice the size of Maratha cannons. Some of them were made indigenously in Vasai, while others were imported from Goa, or shipped all the way from Portugal,” Raghavan reveals. Maintained by Archaeological Survey of India, the fort is “not in shambles. But could use some extra care to bring it back to glory,” he admits. What’s in Vasai? Michelangelo and Chimaji Appa Raghavan believes the average Mumbaikar today is oblivious to the significance of Vasai. And he’s not talking about the time British band Coldplay brought a whole production crew to the fort to record their 2015 hit Hymn For The Weekend. “Vasai was home to Portuguese noblemen. As the base for their northern territories, it regulated much of the trade through the Vasai Creek,” he says. After all, the Portuguese vacated the erstwhile Bandora (now Bandra) and Versova to focus on protecting Bacaim/Bassein (Vasai) during the two-year siege. Raamesh Raghavan The tale of how the fort finally fell to the Marathas is a story to tell in itself, Raghavan adds. Fully aware of the strategic and cultural importance of annexing Vasai, Maratha leader Chimaji Appa (younger brother of Peshwa Baji Rao I) stood brave in the face of the Portuguese cannons, steadily denting the defence through landmines. More than anything, it was a declaration of power, the symbolic end of foreign rule and the establishment of Maratha pride. Marathi Asmita, for those keeping up with election-time lingo. ON January 18; 11 am to 4 pmMEETING POINT Vasai Fort (details revealed on registration)REGISTER 9322273136 (Drop a WhatsApp message) ENTRY Rs 1416
13 January,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
