<h2>An Island of Calm in a Sea of Chaos</h2>
A man is immersed in his mobile phone while sitting on the road divider near<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/rail-station-at-bandra-east-to-now-get-the-mumbai-central-terminus-look-23634004" rel="nofollow"> Bandra East station</a>.
<h2>From fan to jam</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Aadesh-Vishal-Dadlani_e.jpg" alt="(Left) Vishal Dadlani and Aadesh Mandlik aka Gthang jam outside Jehangir Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda. Pic courtesy/thegthang" width="1280" height="720" /> (Left) Vishal Dadlani and Aadesh Mandlik aka Gthang jam outside Jehangir Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda. Pic courtesy/thegthang
Honestly, I didn&rsquo;t expect him to recognise me,&rdquo; admitted beatboxer Aadesh Mandlik, better known as Gthang, after a chance encounter with singer Vishal Dadlani outside Jehangir Art Gallery last week. The two had first met months earlier on Indian Idol, where Mandlik impressed Dadlani with his throat bass, a beatboxing technique that creates a deep, raspy sound.
When he spotted Dadlani during a shoot again, Mandlik decided to approach him. &ldquo;I was quite nervous. Who remembers someone they met months ago?&rdquo; he recalled. To his surprise, Dadlani recognised him instantly. The encounter soon turned into an impromptu rendition of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/bajirao-mastani-turns-8-did-you-know-ranveer-singh-felt-peshwa-bajiraos-presence-while-shooting-for-bhansalis-directorial-23325537" rel="nofollow">Malhari from Bajirao Mastani</a>, with Mandlik providing the beatbox rhythms.
<h2>Bandra steps up for parkour</h2>
To mark International Parkour Day, celebrated globally on the first Saturday of June, Jason Misquitta, a certified parkour coach and one of only seven globally certified parkour coaches in India, transformed The Steps, near Mount Mary, Bandra, into an urban playground.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Parkour-steps_e.jpg" alt="Jason Misquitta (in black) guides children through the basics of parkour at The Steps in Bandra. Pics courtesy/@a_jason_of_sorts" width="1280" height="720" /> Jason Misquitta (in black) guides children through the basics of parkour at The Steps in Bandra. &nbsp;Pics courtesy/@a_jason_of_sorts
Participants learned the basics of parkour, including jumping, balancing and climbing, while discovering new ways to interact with everyday spaces. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not necessary that you train at a gym, in a park or a studio, to move your body. You can use the environment around you in ways that are beneficial and fun,&rdquo; said Misquitta.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Parkour-jumps_e.jpg" alt="Children learn plyometric jumps during a training session" width="1280" height="720" /> Children learn plyometric jumps during a training session
Explaining the concept, he added, &ldquo;Suddenly, a staircase isn&rsquo;t just a staircase anymore; it becomes an opportunity to have some fun.&rdquo; The workshops drew enthusiastic responses from passers-by and participants alike. &ldquo;People were genuinely curious and excited to learn that they could do this too,&rdquo; Misquitta told this diarist.&nbsp;
<h2>Women take the wheel</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Women-wheel_e.jpg" alt="Women learn the basics of go-karting during a session at Ravivar Racing Club. Pics courtesy/Ravivar Racing Club" width="1280" height="720" /> Women learn the basics of go-karting during a session at Ravivar Racing Club. Pics courtesy/Ravivar Racing Club
AS interest in grassroots motorsport grows in Mumbai, Ravivar Racing Club will host its first women-only karting event later this month. The initiative, which has already drawn more than 100 women, aims to make the sport more accessible.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Harsh-Yaquta_e.jpg" alt="Harsh Walawalkar and Yaquta Bootwala" width="1280" height="720" /> Harsh Walawalkar and Yaquta Bootwala
&ldquo;One of our bigger goals has been to increase women&rsquo;s participation in the sport,&rdquo; said founders Yaquta Bootwala and Harsh Walawalkar. The event will begin with a briefing session introducing participants to karting, followed by track sessions that allow them to experience the sport without being overwhelmed. For more details, check out @ravivarracingclub.
<h2>Kindness on autopilot</h2>
In a city often defined by its pace, Mumbai continues to prove that kindness still has a place. Entrepreneur Shubham Gune was rushing for a 7 am meeting at Andheri when he accidentally e-paid an auto rickshaw driver Rs 15682 instead of Rs 156. The meeting was disastrous, and he left feeling defeated.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jun/Shubham-Gune_e.jpg" alt="Shubham Gune" width="1280" height="720" /> Shubham Gune
What happened next was a heartwarming story, Gune recalled that the driver, Altaf, waited at the exact spot where he had dropped him off and returned the entire amount. &ldquo;What stayed with me wasn&rsquo;t the money. It was the reminder that even on your worst days, a stranger&rsquo;s honesty can restore your faith in people,&rdquo; Gune shared with us.

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

Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

An Island of Calm in a Sea of Chaos

From fan to jam

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