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MumbaiWeekly Volume 01 Issue 09

FRIDAY, 2 March 2012

people

sports

feature

metro

Indian National Anthem sings its way into the records

Above: A large number of people sing the Indian National Anthem at Dadoji Konddev Stadium in Mumbai on February 25, 2012. Students from various schools and organizations had gathered in an attempt to break the World record for most people singing the National Anthem together. Shankar Narayan / Mumbai Weekly Left: Students enjoy themselves at the event. Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly According to an Indian TV news channel, around 70,000 people including students and staff from over 140 educational institutes from Thane and Navi Mumbai and people from business associations of Goa and Thane came together on February 25 at Thane's Dadoji Konddev Stadium on February 25 at 4.30 pm to celebrate 100 years of Jana Gana Mana, the country's national anthem. It was an attempt

to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records for most people singing the National Anthem together. According to an Indian newspaper, the current record is 15,243 people and was set in Aurangabad earlier this month. Prior to that, on August 14, 2011, Pakistan had set a world record for the maximum number of people singing a national anthem simulta-

neously, when a gathering of 5,885 people from Karachi beat the previous record of 5,248 persons achieved by Philippines on September 1, 2009.

was first sung at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress on 27 December, 1911. It was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the Jana Gana Mana is the Indian national anthem on January 24, 1950. 27 National Anthem of India. Written in highly December 2011 marked sanskritized Bengali, it the completion of 100 is the first of five stan- years of Jana Gana zas of a Brahmo hymn Mana since it was sung for the first time. Many composed and scored celebrations are planned by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It for this milestone year.

Blackberry sets up server in Mumbai to aid interception

People sit in a bus stop in Mumbai on 21 February 2012. Acceding to India's security concerns, Canada-based Research in Motion – makers of BlackBerry smart phones – has finally set up a ‘server' in Mumbai to provide a mechanism for lawful interception of its messenger services. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly Giving in to India's security concerns, Canada -based Research in Motion - makers of BlackBerry smart

phones finally set up a 'server' in Mumbai to provide a mechanism for lawful interception of its messenger ser-

vices. "A team of officials from security agencies has inspected the server. Test runs are going on

to check its effectiveness. Required permission for direct linkage for lawful interception of BlackBerry Messen-

ger (BBM) services is likely to be issued shortly," an official said. By setting up the server

in India, RIM has had to drop its reluctance to make an exception to its policy of securing communication from any

real time interception. The department of telecommunication has also asked Nokia to do what RIM has done so that its

push mails can be legally tracked as and when required by security agencies. I ndia has been pressing RIM to provide a mechanism to intercept its messenger and enterprise services as security agencies had pointed to the use of such means by terrorist groups. The matter was pursued over the last couple of years before the Canadian company agreed to allow tracking of BBM services while the government has spared BlackBerry Enterprise Services (BES) for now. Security agencies believe BES communication is not much of a concern to security.

FRIDAY 2 March 2012

METRO

Mumbai Weekly

A child is administered the polio vaccine in a clinic in Mumbai. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

INDIA REACHES POLIO MILESTONE

A child is marked after receiving the polio vaccine in Mumbai Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

India's name has been struck off a shame list that the country hopes will not include it in the future. The World Health Organization(WHO) has taken India, which in 2009 had more polio cases than any other nation in the world, off its polio endemic list after not a single case of the crippling disease was reported for over a year.Health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad made

the announcement on Saturday at a function where Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was also present. Now, only Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan are on the list as India has achieved a hardfought success after years of sustained effort by the government, international agencies and dedicated medical professionals. For the next two years, if In-

Lethal Railway tracks

Above: A man walks in front of a train in Mumbai 19 February 2012 Sathya Keerthi / Mumbai Weekly Right: A woman crosses the tracks in Mumbai Sathya Keerthi / Mumbai Weekly Below: People try to board a local train in Mumbai. Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly. 15000 people are killed in India annually in railway related accidents according to a Government safety panel. About 15,000 people are killed every year while crossing the tracks on Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s massive railway network, according to a Government safety panel. Of this, 6,000 casualties take place on Mumbaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suburban railway network which is the lifeline transport system. Most of these deaths occur at unmanned crossings, others happen when people fall from crowded coaches, when trains collide or coaches derail, the

panel said in a report. The committee called on the Government to replace all railway crossings with bridges or overpasses at an estimated cost of rupees 500 billion over the next five years. Around 20 million people travel on this 64,000 km long system everyday which is the fourth largest rail network in the world. "No civilized society can accept such a massacre on their railway system," the report said.

dia does not report any polio cases, it will be officially called "polio free" and Azad said that "WHO has taken India's name off the list of polio endemic countries in view of the remarkable progress that we have made during the past one year. Let us today resolve to make India polio free by 2014." India's last case of polio was reported on January 13, 2011,

from West Bengal. Working to eradicate polio, thousands of volunteers have slogged in densely populated areas with poor hygiene and battled social and religious prejudice. It has meant working under difficult conditions and convincing local leaders, including religious figures, social organizations, politicians to support the anti-polio campaign.

metro

FRIDAY 2 March 2012

Mumbai Weekly

Luxury boats dock at city expo After five successful shows, the sixth edition of the annual Mumbai International Boat Show (MIBS) showcased some of the latest in leisure boating industry from around the world. The exhibition, was held from February 23 to February 26 at the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai, and showcased a variety of day boats, speed boats, security boats, personal watercrafts, kayaks, boating accessories, marine engines, marine toys and some of the finest, most luxurious yachts, large boats and sail boats. Touted as India's largest and only truly international boat show, MIBS 2012 provided a unique opportunity to participate in a well established platform to cater to arguably the largest untapped leisure boating market in the world. The sixth

edition has brought luxury, superluxury boats and designer yachts that have never been seen on the Indian shores. MIBS continues to highlight India's evolving leisure boating sector, it is no wonder then that past exhibitors have assured their full participation, in fact, this time round will be joined by new players in the emerging market. In their efforts to promote the boating industry in India, CII and Mumbai Boat Show Pvt. Ltd. invited speakers from India and around the world to chart a way forward for the industry at the CII International Boating Conference titled 'Navigating Forward,' which was held on February 24 at Bandra-Kurla Complex in Suburban Mumbai. The show was a total success according to organizers.

Left: A man talks on his phone at the Mumbai International Boat Show 23 February 2012. Right: A man looks at a model of a luxury yacht in the Mumbai International Boat Show. The show was held from 23 to 26 February 2012 and featured a variety of boats. India is one of the largest untapped markets for luxury marine transport. Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly

Mahashivratri celebrated in Mumbai The festival of Mahashivratri, a Hindu festival was celebrated in the country 20February 2012. Devotees thronged to temples to worship the deity . The devotees observe a day and night fast and give a sacred bath to the Shiva Linga idol with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives

there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation. Mahashivratri Festival is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ – one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.

Right: Women pray at a Temple tank during Mahashivratri, a Hindu Festival in Mumbai 20February 2012. Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly

Lavasa Women’s Drive for cancer awaremess

Women participating in the Lavasa Womens Drive pose for the camera in Suburban Mumbai on 26 February 2012. Around 500 vehicles participated in this drive aimed at spreading awareness about Cervical Cancer. Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly

Mumbai cops fight terrorism through street theatre A street performance in the form of a play was organized by the Mumbai police to spread awareness on how to avoid terrorist attacks, 24 February 2012 in the city. This is part of an ongoing campaign initiated in August last year under the guidance of additional police commissioner, South Mumbai, Naval Bajaj, According to police personnel who are part of this street play, they have performed approximately 267 shows so far in various parts of the city. The team performs two street plays a day and they also show two slide

shows which include information about how not to touch suspicious things, if found and inform police immediately. Mumbai has been victim to several terrorist attacks in the recent past. According to a member of the cast, people can prevent such attacks by informing the authorities of any suspicious movement or objects. He said the whole idea of the campaign was to encourage people to be alert and not to be afraid to call up the authorities in case they ever find any suspicious objects, people and movement.

Members of the Mumbai Police act in a street play in Mumbai on 24 February 2012. Started in August 2011 these street plays are part of a campaign to educate people on how to prevent terrorist attacks in the city. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

The fourth edition of Lavasa Women’s Drive was flagged off midst much fanfare in Mumbai and Pune 26 February 2012. Stated to be the largest women centric initiative in India, it has been acknowledged in the Limca Book of Records as the Largest All Women Rally. This year the focus of Lavasa Women’s Drive was to create awareness

about Cervical Cancer Prevention which is the No.1 cause of cancer related deaths amongst Indian women. Participants in the rally decorated their vehicles creating unique floats to spread this message. The drive ended at Lavasa a hill city 150 kms from Mumbai with a whole day of fun activities organized for the participants.

EDITORIAL

FRIDAY 2 March 2012

Mumbai Weekly

POINT OF VIEW: Dream a little dream

A boy performs at a sea front promenade in Mumbai. Text and Image: Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly I have a dream you have a dream our nation has a dream our world has a dream. We all have a dream. We all have a dream, but the difference is how we realise our dream, how we obtain

our dream, and how our dream changes us. As a child my grandfather wrote on my study table the words of William Arthur Ward "If you can imagine it you can create . If you can dream it, you can be-

come it." These words had a profound impact on my growing up and I dreamed. Every day was a new dream, of a new me in a different role doing something I could only dream of, fireman, army com-

mando, engineer with helmet and all, I saw it all . Beautiful as they were I always awoke to reality only to dream again. Age and wisdom soon caught up and I realized living your dream means working

hard, living each day with hope, desire or the longing for a change in condition and hunger for achievement. What I dreamed was never to be, life had a different plan for me but should we stop dreaming? In

my opinion never give up those dreams. Change them, add to them, lose some, gain some, but don't ever give it up. For dreams are what make us human. Dreams give us something to work for.

Perhaps your dreams and goals are intertwined. Picture yourself in your dreams. Live your life to the fullest. Use your range of emotions. Feel the joy of love, the pain of loss. Laugh. Cry. Breathe.

Giggle. Sob. And Dream. The Author Shailesh Andrade, gave up a professional business to pursue his dream of becoming a photojournalist.

OPINION : At the crossroads There’s a question. A question that all of us face at some point of time in our lives. A question, to find the answer to which, we must look within. It’s a question that asks us to define our purpose. It’s the moment we find ourselves at the crossroads, and need to choose our path. Each of us finds our purpose in our own way. While some are born to do what they do, for others, it’s a long and beautiful process involving speed breakers and uturns. While some have the liberty of choosing from their many talents, for many, it’s the circumstances that choose. While some must follow in the footsteps of their previous generations, others take a different path, as they insist on finding their

own identity. However, if we are lucky enough to have the freedom to choose what we want to do in our lives, we must consider it a great blessing. We must not fear the big decision or shy away from it. Instead, we must look within, and ask ourselves what truly makes us happy, or look around us and find that someone or something that we truly believe in. It’s just about finding that something that matters more than anything else in the world, and then chasing it, loving it, standing by it, and protecting it, come what may. If each one of us can find our purpose, and live upto it – our society and the larger world in general will be a happier place.

Railway lines run criss cross in Mumbai. Text and Image: Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly

FRIDAY 2 March 2012

feature

Mumbai Weekly

Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

NSG: Mumbaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest security blanket P. Chidambaram, Home Minister of India inaugurated the National Security Guardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (NSG) regional hub in Mumbai on 23 February, 2012. The NSG is an elite combat force, trained specially to combat terrorist attacks and armed hostage like situations. The campus of this hub is spread over 22 acres in the suburbs of Mumbai. According to army Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

Krishanu Nagar / Mumbai Weekly

sources, around 240 commandos plus several officers will stay in this hub. Because of the strategic placement of the hub, a strike team can reach within 40 minutes to any part of the metropolis to tackle any sensitive situation. Mumbai Weekly sent photographers to the inauguration of this centre capturing some glimpses of this elite fighting force.

FRIDAY 2 March 2012

economy

Mumbai Weekly

Mumbai’s Nariman Point drops out of 10 most expensive rental list

People walk in the downtown area of Nariman Point in South Mumbai, 21 February 2012. According to an annual report by property advisory Cushman and Wakefield released on 21 February, 2012, Mumbai’s Nariman Point no longer features in the top ten list of world's most expensive office spaces. While Nariman Point slipped seven spots from its eighth position last year, Hong Kong retained its top spot followed by London and Tokyo. Beijing and Sydney were the new entrants in the top 10 list. Interestingly, newer office space hubs in suburban Mumbai such as the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) have seen rentals rising sharply. For instance, rentals at BKC rose to about Rs.275 ($5.4) a sq. ft in December from about Rs.260 ($5.12) a sq. ft a year earlier, whereas in Nariman Point, office rents fell to Rs.275 a sq. ft from Rs.300 ($6) a sq. ft in the same period. Saarthak Aurora / Mumbai Weekly

Tata's Q3 results soar

A man is seen in a reflection of a car rear glass in Mumbai 20 February 2012. Tata Motors posted a profit increase of 40 percent as compared to the previous year. Shankar Narayan / Mumbai Weekly

According to news reports, Tata Motors third quarter consolidated net profit increased from 40% year-on-year to Rs 3,405.6 crore ($694 million). It was due to strong demand for Jaguar, Land Rover vehicles, especially the new Evoque, in markets like China which helped Tata. Increase in the sales figures, particularly in domestic passenger vehicle market like Nano also boosted earnings. News reports mentioned Tata spokesperson P M Telang saying that Nano has seen "good traction" in sales

so far, and the company will now take steps like increasing special Nano access points to 300 from 120 to boost sales. Currently Tata Motors exports Nano to Sri Lanka and Nepal. Meanwhile, company officials say increasing costs and competition remain a biting issue domestically and Tata Motors will focus more on cost reductions and controlling operating expenses apart from looking at price hikes from time-to-time to ease pressures. Tata Motors shares closed at Rs 267.90, up 3.7% over their previous close.

Kingfisher: Grounded again According to news reports, Kingfisher continues to struggle with fewer flights and pilots, demoralised staff due to unpaid salaries, and outstanding dues to aircraft lessors, oil companies, airports and tax authorities. Several Kingfisher flights were cancelled in Mumbai from 21-25 February, 2012. Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) suggests that the ailing airline needs at least $400 million to keep flying. To add to the woes, Kingfisher founder Vijay Mallya's plans to raise funds through shares have also been stalled. Meanwhile, other airlines have put Kingfisher on ‘cash and carry’ status that is they will not accommodate Kingfisher’s abandoned passengers unless the airline pays for their tickets. Most number of flights were cancelled on Friday 24 February throughout India - among the flights cancelled were one to Bengaluru, one to Rajahmundry, one to Chennai, one to Vijayawada, one to Goa, one to Vizag and one Scooterists ride on a street along the airport wall in Mumbai 21 February 2012. Indian Kingfisher airlines was forced to ground a large part of its fleet due to mounting debts and available liquidity. Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly to Pune.

FRIDAY 2 March 2012

Arts and entertainment

Mumbai Weekly

Opera comes to town Members of the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) rehearse for their performance in Mumbai 23 February 2012. The SOI’s twelfth concert season came to a close this weekend 25 / 26 February 2012 with a concert performance of Carl Off’s Carmina Burana, which comprises 24 poems from the medieval manuscript of the same name. More often heard as a choral piece, at one time during the early 1960’s this composition was probably the most performed classical work throughout the entire western

NIFT students showcase their work on the ramp

Above: A model walks the ramp at a college festival in Mumbai 23 February 2012. Right: Participants of a college fashion show watch the proceedings. National Institute Fashion Technology, Mumbai, organised a fashion show as part of an ongoing college festival. The show was a collaborative effort of the four departments of Fashion Designing, Textile Designing, Knitwear Designing and Fashion Communications, who showcased many of their collections based on different themes. Gitartha Goswami / Mumbai Weekly

world. The performance was conducted by SOI’s music director Marat Bisengaliev. The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) is the country's first fully professional symphony orchestra, offering two seasons of western classical music concerts in Mumbai. The SOI also has teachers in residence who train and nurture young talent. Mumbai Weekly photographer

Shailesh Andrade

got a peek at the practice session for the event capturing the many moods of one such rehearsal.

Sports

FRIDAY 2 March 2012

Mumbai Weekly

Pratham Gokhale / Mumbai Weekly

Swimathon back in city after four years Mumbaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier sea swimming event made a comeback after 26/11 terror attacks on 25 February 2012 at the Gateway of India. Rebadged as the 'Square Off Mumbai Swimathon 2012' the event

light house off the coast of Mumbai to the Gateway of India on the land. Swimmers from all over the country participated in this race. The event was supported by the Maharashtra government, Mumbai Port

Trust, city police, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation and promoted by Square Off under the auspieces of the Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association.

Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly

attracted over 500 swimmers in 14 categories inclusive of four special categories for physically challenged swimmers from all over the country. Set over a distance of 5kms the course runs from Sunk Rock, a

Shailesh Andrade / Mumbai Weekly

Published by: Udaan School of Photography. Editor: Shailesh Andrade Photo editor: Gitarth GoswamiChief Photographer: Pratham Gokhale Email: editor.mumbaiweekly@gmail.com