Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Temporary RespiteA man catches a quick nap at the desolate Lokmanya Tilak railway terminus over the weekendFor artrsquos sakeTo expand practices in the arts and encourage learning the India Foundation for the Arts is inviting applications for workshops residencies and seminars For artists working in music dance movement theatre and more a budget of R300000 has been allotted for their proposals ldquoWorkshops seminars and residencies have always been nurturing and challenging spaces for artistes to demand more from themselves and their peers During the pandemic we must be responsive to our limitations to create new ways of thinking about our collective approach towards learning We are eager to hear the views of practitioners in this regard as wellrdquo Arundhati Ghosh its executive director sharedThey are thinking of usThis illustration by Charlie Mackesy features characters from The Boy the Mole the Fox and the HorseWith every passing day individuals celebrities and common folk as well as smaller groups from across the globe continue to show their solidarity with India through different initiatives Joining this growing band is popular British artist illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy who created a beautiful illustration to share his concern for IndiaPicDavid LoftusWhen this diarist reached out to his office to seek permission to use it here while Mackesy was unavailable his team gave us the nod in a jiffy He is the author of the bestselling book The Boy the Mole the Fox and the Horse 2019 Mackesyrsquos words and illustrations have brought comfort and have been shared online worldwide in cafeacutes libraries prisons hospital wards and as NHS hospital computer screensavers To view them you can visit charliemackesy on InstagramA lighter noteThe Mumbai Policersquos recent Melody of Safety series of puns themed on pop stars which saw gems such as Go GAGA But At Home and Stay BTS Donrsquot Venture Out went viral on social media last weekThe account called on responsible followers to share their versions which were subsequently published in a second volume This time Mumbaikars are being asked to Donrsquot Go Out in LINKIN PARK and being given the example of Ed Shee Ran Home Share your punny side with them at mumbaipolice on InstagramCycle of helpWith the sheer number of restrictions in place these days it may not be possible for senior citizens and those who are ailing or isolated to get access to essentials around the clock But a growing group of volunteers in the city is gearing up to help in this time of need with their cycles Named Relief Riders this team comprising roughly 45 volunteers is catering medicines and essential goods for free to the elderly as well as to vulnerable citizens Zarik Nabi who initiated this shared ldquoThe idea was first implemented in Bengaluru I have extended the service to Mumbai as well Wersquore essentially helping with delivery in Colaba Bandra West Khar West and Borivali Our services are available from 7 am to 11 am rdquo To volunteer or seek support call 8591441671Buying clothes for a worthy causeBombay Closet Cleanse a Bandrabased thrift store has joined hands with actor Shriya Pilgaonkar in pic to conduct a sale with a difference on May 8 Shoppers can not only nab items from Pilgaonkarrsquos closet but also do so for a cause mdash 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to Mukul Madhav Foundation an NGO working for emergency Covid19 relief Sana Khan its founder said ldquoWe started out as a charity garage sale and giving back has always been the foundation of what we do Shriya was kind enough to donate beautiful pieces including custom handpainted Vans shoes pink coords from Appapop and a Ritu Kumar anarkali dressrdquo If yoursquore in the mood for retail therapy head to BombayClosetCleanse on Instagram