COUNTRY CHRONICLES

COUNTRY CHRONICLES A POTPOURRI OF COMMUNITIES AND CULTURES Mumbai – a vibrant, progressive and inclusive city

Every city you visit has its own unique story. The fascinating thing about them is how a variety of people, cultures and events influence its evolution. Just as we track the evolution of a species, the evolution of a city can be tracked by digging deep into its past. Understanding the beginning makes you appreciate the city you are residing in or maybe just visiting, much better. I grew up in the city that never sleeps, Mumbai. The bustling city with its many quaint corners and breath-taking views of the sea is what comes to my mind when I visualize the word home. As a child, it was a great experience to grow up surrounded by people from all parts of the country. This meant an exposure to different traditions, cuisines and celebrations. In modern times, Mumbai is a city known for its vibrancy, progressiveness, tolerance and camaraderie. The inclusivity is most visible during the festive season with each festivity having its own special hotspot within the city. With the retreating monsoon, comes the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi where for 10 days the streets of Dadar, Matunga up to Parel and Byculla are choc-a-bloc with people visiting the larger than life idols of the elephant headed God. Around the same time, during Ramazan, Mohammad Ali Road is the place to be post sunset, to feast on mouth-watering iftaar, mostly meat delicacies as well as ghee laden sweets such as Malpua. Later in the year, during the season of Navratri, every open space in the city is utilized for garba events, a folk dance from Gujarat. For nine days straight, people revel by dancing the night away in elaborate traditional wear and finery. Finally come December and Christmas time, the lanes of Bandra are alive with Christmas decorations, carol singers and fairs. These festivals are not limited to the people of a specific faith, on the contrary it is the whole city that takes part in it. Having faced many catastrophic events, there is a spirit of kinship between all its citizens that never fails when called upon. Within this network of people, there are certain communities that have helped immensely in shaping the past and present of the city. Originally seven islands, the Kolis, an aboriginal fishing community played an important part in developing the harbours. They are one of Mumbai’s oldest inhabitants and it is said that the name Mumbai originated from this community, whose local deity is the goddess Mumba.. With the Arabian sea as their foraging ground, every day, close to 2000 boats set out to bring in the day’s catch. A progressive community, the Koli women play as important a role in bringing home the bread as the men. With an electrifying energy of its own, the docks and early morning fish market are one of Mumbai’s major attractions. With every new fishing season, the Koli folk display their culinary prowess at the Koli festival in Versova, a must visit for all seafood aficionados. Another group of people known for their eccentricity as well as genius are the Parsi community. Undoubtedly their influence on the city cannot be missed from the extravagant Taj Mahal Hotel to the old-world charm of the cotton mills set up in the city. The city of Mumbai has grown due to businesses set up by well known names such as Jamshedji Tata, Cowasajee Nanabhoy Davar and the Jeejeebhoy family. The best place to catch up on stories from the past would be the Parsi cafes scattered across the city. Stepping into these cafes is like going back in time, old Parsi uncles will greet you at the door with wrinkled smiles and if encouraged will tell you tales from their youth. Parsi cafes are a great place to contemplate while trying out iconic items on the menu such as Irani chai, bun maska, Akuri eggs and mawa cakes. While on the topic of cuisine, Britannia & Co is another charming place to visit to try the city’s famous Berry Pulao. Elegant chandeliers, a vintage interior and its legendary owner Mr. Boman Kohinoor exude warmth and affection to all its customers. For 97 years Mr. Kohinoor ran the café with the same gusto and excitement, proudly displaying letters from Queen Elizabeth while engaging his audience in friendly banter. Now run by his son, the Britannia & Co should be on your places to dine at in Mumbai. These are just a few important communities of the city, there are many more one can delve into while reading up the history of the financial capital. Part of what makes Mumbai a great place to be in is the sheer diversity of groups and the communal spirit between them. Due to its extreme pace at first glance it may seem daunting and hostile to a newcomer. With people constantly on the go, it is difficult to keep up but help is always around the corner. What better place than the local trains, a lifeline of the city, to experience this. Just like in life no matter how much you bumble around, there will always be someone to show you the right way out, which is most often a gentle nudge onto the right platform.

COUNTRY CHRONICLES Benefits of Travel Which of these should you develop in your child?

Which of these you should develop in your child? Traveling is not just about taking pictures of beautiful sunsets and different sightseeing, it also comprises an understanding of humanity and the world. Benefits of travelling together as a family, with children and parents, are many. Seeing the world will make travellers of all generations explore a new environment or meet interesting people offering a fresh perspective to life. Children are typically more inquisitive than adults, so having them around makes the whole family see what they otherwise might not have noticed, and searching for the answers to their question makes the whole family learn something new. Seeing children's reactions to the world's most unusual sights and scenery reminds an adult to appreciate it too. As children interact with people from different cultures, experience different festivals and places, it helps build empathy in them, a very valuable skill. Perhaps the most surpassing benefit of travel is - how it enriches each person's life. For a family, this can simply begin from having the time to spend together with children, parents and grandparents, and just talk, and be in each other's company. Even short trips encourage children to focus on accumulating memories and experiences, rather than possessions. Family day out ventures promote independence, selfconfidence, and interpersonal skills. The more the families travel together, the more their curiosity, sense of adventure, ideas grow and one learns endlessly. Travel often puts one in a new situation and getting used to feeling that initial sense of discomfort supports children in developing the coping mechanism and empowers them to adjust to different situations. Take trips around your city or your state to experience something unique. Aim to take at least one family vacation per year. This will make traveling a part of your family culture. Trailblazers experiential learning programmes revolve around adventure, wildlife, culture, and heritage where participants learn in the outdoors while engaging in interactive sessions conducted by Trailblazers experts keeping in mind Covid-19 guidelines. To know more about Self Drive Holidays and Backyard Trails, visit www.trailblazersindia.com

CONSERVATION STORIES restoring chennai's water bodies

Working with Communities and Volunteers

For ages, we have been grateful for all the rains we receive in India. To this date, Monsoon plays a vital role in human beings’ welfare and India’s environment. India is a land full of rivers, lakes, and ponds. Chennai, a metropolitan city, is no less than a wonder, with multiple water bodies in and around the city. Lakes and ponds are vital players in maintaining groundwater levels. Water in them percolates and recharges the groundwater table every monsoon. They also help preserve the local temperature and regulate flooding. Many citizens in Chennai realized the importance of these oases only after the floods of 2015. While human activities have degraded these water bodies, E.F.I has been restoring lakes and ponds with the community’s help in and around the water bodies and other stakeholders. Here are some Lakes and ponds revived by E.F.I, which are thriving with life. Let’s embrace our water bodies and stop abusing them!

Vairavan Pond, Ambattur, West Chennai Sholinganallur Lake, Sholinganallur, Chennai

Kannagi Nagar Kulam, Thuraipakkam, Chennai

Dumpsite to Neighbourhood Pond.

Tiny little ponds, located in densely populated neighbourhoods of North and West Chennai, were exploited and abused over the years. With no one to respond to their cries for help, E.F.I in association with the Greater Chennai Corporation took on the task of reviving the Ramalingasami Pond in Chinnasekkadu and the Gangaiamman Pond in Maduravoyal. In less than a month, these ponds were ecologically restored and were transformed into suitable habitats for several life forms. Urban water bodies in developing neighbourhoods being focused to ensure a water positive future for all life forms. The residents and volunteers also supported and took part in this restoration work Karuppan Pond, Ambattur, West Chennai

Before After Before After

Environmentalist Foundation of India (E.F.I) is a wildlife conservation and habitat restoration group. A not for profit trust, E.F.I focuses on real-time and result oriented conservation efforts. Lakes and ponds often bear the brunt of modern day human negligence. Most of India’s freshwater bodies are polluted/contaminated due to human activity. E.F.I focuses on scientific revival of these freshwater bodies through a community based collaborative conservation effort. We volunteer for India & her Environment.