Mumbai Diary page: Wednesday Whispers

Playing to the wrong beatsOne of the joys of listening to All India Radio in these days of innumerable FM stations is the sheer size and the richness of their archives And so it was with much happiness that Wednesday Whispers tuned in to 1007 MHz to listen to a tribute to Ustad Alla Rakha Khan on his 95th birth anniversaryAs we began our journey from Vile Parle the RJ with her deep sonorous voice and extensively researched narration impressed us But we got the feeling that she impressed herself equally as well because she did not stop talking till we had reached the treacherous traffic jam at Kherwadi on the Western Express Highway six kilometres awayWe were already 15 minutes into the programme and her monologue so when she told us about the brilliant collaborations of the Ustad with Pandit Ravi Shankar and that she would play one we went ldquoPhew Finallyrdquo But our relief lasted a mere 30 seconds or soShe played the piece from somewhere in the middle and then ended it half a minute later It was like entering a movie hall at the beginning of the intermission and then being asked to leave the premises at the end of the breakBut hope springs eternal in the human breast Or so they say Her next monologue was about the tabla maestrorsquos collaboration with the legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich We smiled in anticipation only to hear a repeat of the Ravi Shankar fiasco This clip was even shorterAt this point we had had enough and changed channels going back to regular Bollywood programming Admittedly we love All India Radio In the cacophony of private FM stations dishing out the same stuff ad nauseam AIR is like a breath of fresh vintage airBut dear bureaucrats at AIR herersquos the thing we tune in to listen to great music and no matter how much your RJs are in love with their voice we would have still preferred to listen to the magic created by the Ustad on the tabla It was an opportunity lostTime to pause time to spare for a clock fairIn A city where time is a tyrant unique timepieces and the latest in clocks and watches will be on display at the 17th International Watch and Clock Fair called lsquoSamaya Bhartirsquo to be held in Nehru Centre Worli Mumbai from May 1 to May 4The iconic Rajabai clock tower the cityrsquos most recognisable symbol of time will not be at this exhibition thoughThe event is expected to bring together at least 100 national and international companies and watchies is that a word for those with a weakness for watches will be able to see some great watch and clock brands from Switzerland Spain Belgium China Italy France Korea Japan Taiwan Middle East USA and Hong KongOne hears there are also going to be watch accessories and lifestyle products For more serious matters delegates at the fourday event are supposed to opine exchange thoughts and views on a number of topical and contemporary issues such as import duties on premium watches the current market scenario government policies and the global market for premium fashion brands among other issues Hmmm What would these time experts do once the exhibition is over for the day and night falls Rock around the clock but of courseDefensive driving the wrong kindThe defence forces are supposed to protect us not endanger us But a vehicle with Ministry of Defence markings was seen indulging in some rash driving in the city last week putting at risk a number of vehicles as well as itself and causing at least two cars to be involved in a mishapFortunately no one was hurt but what is galling is the attitude of the vehiclersquos occupants who shrugged off the matter and drove away City resident Deepa Thomas was driving from Malad towards the south of the city along the Western Express Highway last weekAt the end of the Jog flyover at Andheri a jeep in front with Defence Ministry registration and markings suddenly veered off the road in order to take a Uturn at a place where there is a small opening but not an authorised road or turnoffThe sudden swerving caused her to brake and the car just behind her was unable to stop in time and collided with hers Thomasrsquo car suffered damage on the bumper tail lights and side but it is fortunate that no injuries were caused Thomas told Wednesday Whispers ldquoI tried to tell the four men sitting inside the vehicle that they were in the wrong but they did not even have the courtesy to say sorry and just drove away from the spotrdquoIt should be noted that there is no Uturn between the end of the Jog flyover and the domestic airport flyover where the vehicle made the illegal move Thomas has written to the Defence Ministry asking that action be taken against those who broke the law and acted so rashly Thomas said ldquoI want a written apology compensation for the damage to my car and also a commitment that government and defence vehicles will adhere to traffic rules unless it is a national emergencyrdquoMinistry of Defence Public Relations Officer Narendra Vispute said in response ldquoDeepa Thomas should immediately send us the pictures of the defence vehicle We will verify the facts and then commentrdquo We hope they realise that no one is above the law and certainly rash driving and rulebreaking cannot be condonedContributed by Sachin Kalbag Hemal Ashar Ranjeet Jadhav Vidya Heble