Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

Aaja nachleMadhuri Dixit wows a few young participants with her moves during the filming of an episode of a TV dance show in a Malad studio over the weekend PicSatej ShindeMidday inspires a short storyThis diarist recently happened to meet lyricist screenwriter and comedian Varun Grover for an interesting project that he and his artist wife Raj Kumari have undertaken The duo have cowritten a comingofage graphic novel in Hindi with artwork done in Madhubani style While there Grover told us about how the publishing world expects him to write whats more in sync with his profession a book of poems or satirical articles But he instead is doing what he loves most mdash writing another book for childrenThis time its a collection of short stories in Hindi which is in print at the moment Its titular story Paper Chor is inspired by real life I subscribe to the midday and one more daily A few years ago it so happened that every day someone would flick the midday from my doorstep while leaving the other daily behind The story is about how I caught the little thief Grover said We are certainly buying a copyOffering a plate of kindnessThe reactions to the iniquitous attacks in Pulwama that claimed the lives of 38 CRPF personnel on Friday had many facets From bloodhungry politicians promising revenge to actors calling a halt on cultural exchange Amid all this a restaurant in the alleys of Byculla East made a quiet promise to help At first we thought we could observe a minutes silence for those martyred but that wasnt enough Siddharth Somaiya chef and owner at Goyaa told this diaristSomaiya then learnt of bharatkeveergovin a portal created by the Ministry of Home Affairs where those interested can donate to the families of Indias lost bravehearts All the proceeds from the sales on Friday night were routed to the website Its vital to build a community that not only serves food and alcohol but also one that harbours a safer environment Somaiya saidTrumped outThis diarist had recently ordered for a chole tikki meal from a popular chain specialising in meal boxes by using a food delivery app The packaging was even more attractive than the food with an instruction to flip the box for a crazy surpriseWe werent surprised to see the printed offer coupons but it came with an interesting tagline that most organisations would perhaps stray away from Climate change is real Dont believe Trump Recycle it read Wed like to more food joints follow suitDestinys childGully Boys Kab se kab tak was preshydestined Or so playback sinshyger Vibha Saraf who has sung the Karsh Kale song says in her Instagram postStarting with how she met Kale through a cousin three years ago she says they kept bumping into each other in Mumbai but never for workAnd then nine months ago Ankur Tewari called her to sing a song after he heard her sing a Kashmiri folk song I realise how things just happen and intertwine not because they must but because they just have to she postedBoss mumBarely a month after the birth of baby Miraya Mumbaibased new mom and designer Nishka Lulla is back at work She even posted a picture on Instagram stating the same But it was hardly a full day I was only working for half the day mdash four hours mdash which is Mirayas sleeping time Lulla told this diarist adding that shes slowly trying to ease back into working has already scheduled a shoot and is working on a collection for the next seasonAll this while the baby sleeps at home under the watchful eye of Lullas motherinlaw Lulla whos been at home for over a month now says that though being away from her baby is difficult getting back to working full time is what she aims at because it will get difficult laterShes very young right now and Im still feeding her Its manageable and feels good to be back as well Lulla addsThe young designer also recently posted a picture of her babys face something she was a tad wary of as shes quite young But you can expect a six month or one year milestone shoot where Miraya will be dressed in cutesy costumes besides having a Nishka Lulla collection of her own of course I love styling anyway and now I have a lifesized doll Lulla confessedCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates