Rain dance at Raj Bhavan
It was a particularly busy morning on the lawns of Raj Bhavan yesterday as Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao along with Chairman of the Tata Trusts, Ratan Tata inaugurated the Peacock Conservation Project. As if on cue, the journalists were greeted by one perched on a gate opposite the Governor's helipad, and as they moved to the Mayur Udyan, a few more were spotted amidst the trees.

Umbrellas come to the rescue for Chairman of the Tata Trusts, Ratan Tata and Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan last morning. Pic/Datta Kumbhar

The media tried to catch a glimpse of the national bird as it wandered nonchalantly around the gardens that have been created for its conservation, breeding and protection. The synchronicity continued. As the ribbon was cut, a peacock decided to cheer letting out a shrill cry.

The fitting finale was reserved for when Rao and Tata took the tour of the conservation centre. A peacock broke into a dance by the swimming pool causing the media to make a dash for a closer view of the show. The performance continued for 15 minutes. By then the rain began to pelt down. The performer and the audience had call it a day.

Vegan calling
Foodies in the Western suburbs must be losing count of the number of eateries and gastro pubs that open every other day. Another entrant will be Mirabella Bar & Kitchen on Veera Desai Road. It's a venture by food-preneurs, Swaraaj Kapoor, Suved Lohia and Dharmesh Karmokar.

The quaint and cosy European-style café will have a charming, hip resto-bar with non-traditional influences and global music as the chosen genre. While the well-curated house special menu will have contemporary street-food, international favourites, desserts and well-rounded café baristas, what caught our eye was the inclusion of vegan delicacies in the menu. We'd love to see how that culinary adventure pans out.  

A very, very special lecture
On September 29, VVS Laxman will deliver the eighth Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture at the Cricket Club of India. Sardesai, the batting star of India's historic 1971 triumph in the West Indies, passed away on this day in 2007, after which his family decided to institute the annual lecture. The first one was delivered exactly seven years ago by cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar. Sardesai had a special liking for Laxman.