<h2>For pure-breads only</h2>
<p>A cat catches its 40 winks next to loaves of bread at a roadside eatery in Dadar</p>
<h2>With love, from Iran</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/aug/Saleh-Mirsaeedi_e.jpg" alt="Saleh Mirsaeedi. PIC COURTESY/ARTISTE" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Saleh Mirsaeedi. PIC COURTESY/ARTISTE</em></strong></p>
<p>AMID a sea of Independence Day WhatsApp forwards, this diarist was pleasantly surprised to receive Iranian musician Saleh Mirsaeedi&rsquo;s unique wishes. Mirsaeedi sent us a voice recording of a full-length rendition of Vande Mataram to ring in the celebrations. &ldquo;I learnt it while training for my Hindustani classical exams. On the occasion, I sent it to all my Indian friends on WhatsApp. It had been years since I spoke with some of them. This was a nice way to rekindle old bonds, and the response has been overwhelming. Although Vande Mataram is your national song, music is borderless, and any person can sing it. Maybe, you could learn an Iranian song next,&rdquo; he quipped.</p>
<h2>Readers to the core</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/aug/Readers_e.jpg" alt="Readers in Bandra" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Readers in Bandra</em></strong></p>
<p>After the recent tiffs between residents and descending social celebrities in Pali Village, we&rsquo;d have thought the Mumbai Bookies&rsquo; plan to hold a reading session for 500 people on Independence Day might have caused unease.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/aug/Naidu_e.jpg" alt="Shantanu Naidu. PICS COURTESY/@MUMBAIBOOKIES" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Shantanu Naidu. PICS COURTESY/@MUMBAIBOOKIES</em></strong></p>
<p>&ldquo;We had planned it with BookBar, a neighbourhood bookstore, and the residents happily allowed us to come in and read. We didn&rsquo;t even have to make a plea with them, surprisingly,&rdquo; admitted co-founder Shantanu Naidu. Reading quietly helps, we guess.</p>
<h2>The learning continues</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/aug/Sona-Kumar_e.jpg" alt="Sona Kumar prepares for her exam at her Andheri residence. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Sona Kumar prepares for her exam at her Andheri residence. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE</em></strong></p>
<p>On June 30, this diarist introduced you to 80-year-old Sona Kumar who was preparing to appear for the Certificate Course in Guidance and Counselling examination in Juhu (&lsquo;Class act at 80&rsquo;). We heard good news from Kumar last weekend: She passed the exam with a B+ grade. No mean feat, we say. &ldquo;I have always been a topper. So, the low grade bothers me,&rdquo; argued the ambitious octogenarian. Following a diagnosis of a heart condition, Kumar&rsquo;s determination has only grown stronger. &ldquo;As long as I am alive, I want to continue learning, exploring, and challenging myself. I have no intention of stopping,&rdquo; she assured us. Well, that was our lesson in Independence last weekend.</p>
<h2>Freedom at 80</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/aug/Runners-ic_e.jpg" alt="The group poses with the Indian flag before the run; Akash Shendge (in green) during the run. PICS COURTESY/AKASH SHENDGE" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>The group poses with the Indian flag before the run; Akash Shendge (in green) during the run. PICS COURTESY/AKASH SHENDGE</em></strong></p>
<p>Sore legs and an aching body did not dim the enthusiasm of Belapur-based runner Akash Shendge on India&rsquo;s 80th Independence Day. The 27-year-old joined five of his running mates as they took off on an 80-km long run from Vashi to Belapur, including looped routes, as a tribute. &ldquo;It was a tribute for every year, and every individual who contributed to India&rsquo;s Independence struggle. It was also a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead of us,&rdquo; shared the runner, who is now preparing for a 100-km marathon, come October.</p>

The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

For pure-breads only

With love, from Iran

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