17 July,2023 06:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Team mid-day
Pic/Anurag Ahire
A young boy drives his toy car on a railway platform at Bandra Terminus
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It is always a delight to read about OG Mumbaikars making a breakthrough across the globe. Author Christina Speck nee Gomes' latest book Healthcare Fandom at Washington DC in June was one such moment. The former St Joseph's Convent alumna's research spanning two decades in entertainment, marketing and pharma industries led to her observations on the medical industry in the West. Speaking to this diarist over the phone, the former Bandra girl said, "In any other consumer industry, you measure the value of a product by its fans. I realised that this is exactly what the medical industry is lacking in." The book is a call to action that uses case studies and engagement techniques for better health outcomes, she explained. If that sounds too American, Speck emphasised, "India is at the centre of the world as a development powerhouse, and key to these changes." But tactics aside, the author has an old connection to this newspaper. "I grew up reading mid-day. It was a part of our daily reading ritual," she recalled. And she's now part of the news.
(From left) Members of Quick Style pose with dabbawalas; during the open bus tour. Pics courtesy/Instagram
Quick Style's short visit to the city was filled with vibrant colours, non-stop dance and Maharastrian culture. The Norwegian dance group who landed in the city last week had filled their Instagram feed with recorded moments from around town. These included them dancing at a suburban five-star where they were welcomed with dhol, choreographed dance and Koli fare. Some also show them interacting and dancing with Mumbai's famous dabbawalas, hanging out in a saree shop and hopping on for an open bus tour across the city. "We were truly touched by the traditional welcome extended to us. The grand procession of dhol tasha, an evening where we savoured Koli delicacies and the vibrant cultural atmosphere made us feel instantly connected to the heart of Maharashtra. As we continue our stay in Mumbai, we look forward to completing our work commitments while enjoying the weather and all that this incredible city has to offer," Quick Style told this diarist, while confirming that they will be in Mumbai for a few more days.
Birdwatchers at SGNP
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and Bombay Natural History Society have opened slots for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to volunteer for their bird monitoring program 2021-25. "The programme will take place once a month on Sundays where volunteers will have access to areas within SGNP that are not open to the public.
They will take a census of the birds spotted, the data will later be published," Sudhir Sonawale (inset), assistant conservator of forest SGNP, shared. Volunteers do not need any formal education to register; however, there will be a bird identification test based on bird appearance, calls and behaviour during the orientation session on July 23. To apply, head to @sanjaygandhinationalpark.
To extend learning beyond the fixed syllabus, a city school invited educator and vice president of Maritime Mumbai Museum Society Anita Yewale to conduct a workshop explaining the wonders of cartography. Focusing on the learn-by-doing method, Yewale led students to create memory maps (top, right). She said, "Using mind-mapping techniques, they made their own creative maps of places they like, have visited or know of, such as their school, home or cities."
Different from traditional mapping techniques, she noted that mind-mapping brought about thematic maps, helped to broaden perspectives and integrated a better understanding of the subject. The workshop was conducted with One Of A Kind India, which focuses on parent-child-driven activities.
City-based filmmaker Somnath Waghmare (below) was in for a surprise after his recent short film was selected for the 15th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala that will commence next month in Thiruvananthapuram. The 16-minute documentary, There is no caste discrimination in IITs, explores the aftermath of IIT Bombay student Darshan Solanki's suicide earlier this year.
"While I have made a few films in the past, this one was not on the cards. With the protests in full swing at the time, we happened to film some footage and were able to talk to Solanki's parents. We added bytes of the parents of a student who faced a similar fate in 2014 and made this documentary. We want to showcase the turmoil that the families experience when such incidents occur," Waghmare elaborated.
