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Mumbai Weekly

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People

Metro

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VOL 6. ISSUE 3 | FRIDAY 18 AUGUST, 2017

Sports

Entertainment

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Pg 7

Building collapse in Mumbai kills 17

Relatives mourn the death of victims after a building collapse in Mumbai on 25 July 2017. Ragul Krishnan/Mumbai Weekly Workers clean up debris of a collapsed building in suburban Mumbai on 25 July 2017. Seventeen people were killed while 28 people were rescued in a 15 hour operation. Chitral Khambhati/Mumbai Weekly

Fifty three-year-old, Rajesh Doshi, gestures as he gets rescued by the fire brigade team in Mumbai on 25 July 2017. Supreet Sapkal/Mumbai Weekly

A four-storey residential building collapsed in suburban Ghatkopar, part of Mumbai on Tuesday morning, killing seventeen people and injuring eleven other individuals. The deceased included a three-month -old girl, a thirteenmonth-old boy and a 14-year-old girl. Two firemen involved in rescue operations were also injured. Residents of the building claimed that the building collapsed due to illegal alterations

carried out on the ground floor of the building by a Shiv Sena worker Sunil Shitap, to convert a maternity home run by him for around six years into a commercial lodging. I n the minutes before the building collapsed, residents sensed strong vibrations. They ran frantically out of the building. However, most of them could not make it out of the building in time. Some residents alleged that labourers

alleged that labourers working on the ground floor escaped when the building started shaking, without bothering to alert others. At least 30 to 35 people got trapped under the debris when the building collapsed. A total of 12 fire engines, two rescue vans, four JCBs and 300 firemen were rushed to the spot. In addition, 50 officers and volunteers from the NDRF were also rushed for rescue operations. Nine ambulances were also pushed into service at the spot.

Rescue operations by teams of the National Disaster Response Force, the Mumbai Fire Brigade and local volunteers were on till late at night, as some occupants of the building were feared to be trapped under the rubble. Rajesh Doshi, who was stuck in the debris, was being provided with medical assistance, with doctors and nurses at the spot providing him with glucose to ensure he survives. Rescue operations went on till midnight.

Two children drown in a pipeline burst Two children, aged nine years and six months, drowned on 7 July 2017 after a 72-inch water pipeline close to their shanty in the Behrampada slums burst, causing a flood. Police said both children were sleeping when the pipeline burst, and are believed to have died in their sleep. According to civic officials, the part of the Tansa Main pipeline that runs through Behrampada in Bandra (East) burst

around 10.30 a.m. and water spurted as high as ten feet, flooding 50 to 60 shanties. Pr i yan ka, 9, and six-month-old Swapnil, were sleeping inside when the pipeline burst. T h e bodies were seen floating in the water. Before admitting to the hospital the children were declared dead. . . Water supply was be affected in Bandra, Khar and Santacruz due to the incident, officials said.

A woman sits amidst a water logged road due to a pipeline burst in Mumbai on 7 July 2017. Ramees M.A./Mumbai Weekly

Poonam, mother of the deceased children mourns along with her son, Vighnesh, in Mumbai on 7 July 2017. A six-feet water pipeline close to the Behrampada slums burst, causing the death of two children. Ramees M.A./Mumbai Weekly

Monsoon hits Mumbai This monsoon, be careful when you walk under a tree on the street, or even if you have parked your car under the overhanging branches of the tree. . For, the new danger is not from heavy rain, but how it's causing trees to break and fall on people and vehicles! In a few disturbing incidents last

week, two people were killed due to this. On 22 July 2017, TV anchor Kanchan Nath went through injures when a coconut tree came crashing down on her in Chembur. On the same day, advocat e Kishore Pawar who riding a two-wheeler, was killed in Thane, after a tree fell on him. That's

not all, On July 23, two people were badly injured in Parel, when a tree fell on the taxi in which they were travelling. In another incident people narrowly escaped being hurt after a huge tree fell on parked vehicles near Churchgate Station. A tree fell on Audi car at Turner Road in Bandra

west. According the Fire Brigade, the big tree came down on the car parked below it. No one was injured in the incident. An official from fire brigade said, "Due to tree fall, traffic on that road was affected." There were over a thousand complaints of

tree fall-related cases registered with civic body's disaster management cell in the last two months. Over 400-odd trees have been uprooted in the last one month in Mumbai city. These are grown- up trees we are cutting in the name of development and this can weaken the soil.

A damaged car is seen after a tree fell in southern Mumbai on 16 July 2017. Hemanshi Kamani/Mumbai Weekly

2 PEOPLE

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2017

A festival celebration at Kamathipura

Sakshi, a transgender, performs at an event in Mumbai on 5 August 2017.

Sakshi, a transgender, lies on the stage as she performs in Mumbai on 5 August 2017. Rakshabandhan (a Hindu festival) held at Kamathipura (one of the largest red light areas in Mumbai), the thought of which got me excited was enough reason to witness and photograph the event. But it was equally surprising that about 12 cabs refused to

take me to the 11th lane and when I finally got into one, I had to hustle out minutes before my destination. A s I walked towards the venue I found the volunteers from the organizing committee prepping for the event. There were a few sex work-

ers registering for the function (attendance would help them get freebies in the flag end of the function), some were sitting and chit chatting, a girl child was swaying to the tune of a bollywood song, a few men from within the shanties leering around. D i s r e -

People react to a dance performance in Mumbai on 5 August 2017.

garding the awkwardness I tried photographing few women after their initial resistance. Minutes after, the dance performers turned up and the music switched from retro to dance beats, changing the aura. Crowd gathered and soon it was jam packed; the

Transgenders prepare for their performance in Mumbai on 5 August 2017. balconies, the windows, all stacked up with men, women and children. The performers kept the crowd engaged with catchy dance numbers, after which few women from the locality tied rakhis (fancy thread tied to brothers as part of a Hindu ritual) to the chief guests. The program carried on for about 3 hours. The performers for that noon showed good energy and kept the audience active all through. Photographs and text by Sweta Patra/ Mumbai Weekly

Priya, a transgender, waits for her turn to perform in Mumbai on 5 August 2017.

People look through window as Priya, a transgender, performs in Mumbai on 5 August 2017.

3 METRO

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2017

Dilip Kumar discharged from hospital

Mumbai marches for justice

People participate in a candle light march in respect of a minor girl been raped and brutally murdered (at Kopardi , Ahmednagar district) in Mumbai on 13 July 2017. Supreet Sapkal/Mumbai Weekly To mark the first death anniversary of the minor girl who was raped and brutally murdered at Kopardi in Ahmednagar district last year, the Maratha community will hold a candle march in Mumbai on 13 July 2017. The community members

have decided to gather at Gateway of India to offer their condolences. This is apart from the massive rally announced by the Maratha Kranti Morcha (Maratha Revolution March), apex body of all Maratha organisations, in the city in

Mumbai on August 9. The Kopardi rape and murder case had triggered Maratha community protests across the state. The victim was from the community. “We want to condole the death of the deceased and thus have decided to hold candle

march in Mumbai on July 13. It was the same day when she was brutally murdered,” said Virendra Pawar, one of the organisers. Maratha, a politically and economically influential community in Maharashtra has been agitating for

reservation which could affect political equations in the state. The community protests across state stirred the Maharashtra politics for several months last year. To condole her death, members will gather in the evening at Gateway of India from

Ninety four–year-old Bollywood actor, Dilip Kumar leaves from hospital with his wife Saira Banu in Mumbai on 9 August 2017. He was suffering from dehydration and urinary tract infection. Prabhat Mehrotra/Mumbai Weekly

Pinkathon promotes yoga

Protest against Kashmir attacks

Women of a yoga group, perform yoga in Mumbai on 8 July 2017. Around 30 women participated in the event. Akanksha Mankar/Mumbai Weekly

People burn the national flag of Pakistan as a protest against attack on pilgrims of Amarnath yatra (Hindu pilgrimage) in Mumbai on 11 July 2017. Muhammed Shaikh/Mumbai Weekly

Physical exercise is performed for various reasons, including increasing growth and development, preventing aging, strengthening muscles, weight loss. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system and helps prevent diseases.

As a part of regular Pinkathon Ghatkopar Training Saturday Session conducted by Ambassador Priyanka Nambissan, many girls and ladies joined this session to dedicate that 60 minutes of selfless love towards their health. The basic yoga stretches

were focussed on the perspective as a Runner. The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome,” explains Dr. Nevins. . Other physical benefits

of yoga include: Increased flexibility. Increased muscl e strength and tone. Between lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation, and lowering bad cholesterol, it's no wonder that yoga helps to lower a person's risk of heart disease. The

various poses and deep breaths help the heart do its job, increasing blood flow throughout the body, and improving the entire circulatory system. With increased level of stress Mumbai is gearing up to stay fit and d o regular exercise.

Protestors plea to Narendra Modi The protesters accused the authority of conniving with a city developer to encroach a land belonging to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for rehabilitation project. Nicholas Almeida, trustee of the Watchdog foundation, said. “The Supreme Court had ordered on 7th September 1990 that the land which had

been acquired for the public purpose by the corporation is public place and action will be taken against any person who has encroached the land. How can the SRA issue commencement certificate for developing buildings on a public place.” Almeida has alleged one thousand crore scam in the project.

Left: People wearing masks resembling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gather outside a slum rehabilitation office to protest against unidentified builders in Mumbai on 19 July 2017. Karma Bhutia/Mumbai Weekly

4 EDITORIAL MW

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2017

Point of view: Secularism still a fantasy every corner of the globe to which the Indian diasporas migrated. Our caste prejudices manifest t h e ms el ve s mo s t clearly in the matrimonial newspaper columns, where prospective brides and grooms of all religions are sought for traditional marriage alliances. Caste and skin colour are the most important criteria for admitting a strange woman into that most intimate circle, the home and the family. The woman who will bring forth children to perpetuate the line must almost always be fair-skinned and of the same caste. The exceptions to this rule are very rare. In India, justice for the poor and powerless is the exception rather than the rule. Barefooted women carry a Jain priestess on a rainy day in Mumbai on 28 June 2017. Aparnaa More/Mumbai Weekly

I Aparnaa More

ndia is celebrating its 71st anniversary of its independence from Britain. But its untouchables, oppression and violence are still an everyday reality. All of us imbibed the “freedom struggle”

stories as children. We were taught to be proud of our country’s prolonged battle against colonialism, of the martyrs who gave their blood for India. We showed the world how to shed the shackles of imperialism.

And we spread the doctrine of nonviolence at a time when it seemed an impossible dream. What’s not to be proud of? But for those who work with our poorest, most marginalized groups, to ask some

loaded questions is almost mandatory. What does freedom mean? Free to be mercilessly thrashed for doing a job thrust forcibly on you, such as skinning dead cows, your destiny because that’s the caste you

were born into? It’s our curse assume the oppressed. All Indians, whether Christian, Muslim, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain or Hindu, carry some vestiges of the caste system in them. Caste layers have been carried to

Our much maligned media cry themselves hoarse, but the powerful continue to strut around their crime scenes protected by politicians and corrupt bureaucrats. For how many centuries more will we continue to allow heinous caste crimes to go unpunished? It makes a

our freedom fighters died for. Must the oppressed fight alone? Or can decent Indians stand with them? Actors, and our few decent politicians should organise a different freedom celebration. Since 1950, the country enacted many laws and social initiatives to protect and improve the socioeconomic conditions of its lower caste population. These caste classifications for college admission quotas, job reservations and other affirmative action initiatives are based on heredity.

Discrimination against lower caste is illegal in India under Article 15 of its constitution and India tracks violence against nationwide. However this does not affect the current scenario in the country. We can and must begin a campaign against castes. Only then, when the medieval practice of un-touching and caste is honestly a thing of the past, can we truly celebrate India’s freedom. The above views are personal views expressed by the author .

Opinion: In search of ‘Hidden humans’

A boy lies on a dog at a flower market in Mumbai on 18 June 2017. Ragul Krishnan/Mumbai Weekly

H Ragul Krishnan

ome is still a dream for millions of people in this world. A home is not just having roof above our head but having a place where we can get family environment and safety. According to UNICEF, about a 100

million street children are there in the world. A child that you see on streets, railway stations, temples, mosques, churches, under bridges is not just shelter less. He/she may be dreaming for pampering from family, safety and education. The street chil-

dren can be distinguished into three major categories. Some children might have not seen a home or family environment from their birth. For this, the main root cause is poverty. But we can’t just blame their parents for this. The drastic

development of the cities, over population, inadequacy in education system and family integration are playing major roles for this issue. Some children have family which migrates periodically and doesn’t have permanent shelter. They find

their livelihood where they migrate. These children move with their family wherever the family goes. And the children in third category are choosing to be a street child. They are runaways due to various problems they are facing at family or sch-

-ool. Let me explain in detail about this. If a child commits a mistake such as stealing from house or failing in school, that fear of getting caught makes him/her to take decision. In some cases, there are possibilities of running away from home due to influence of friends or facing harassment at home. According to UNICEF report, 40% of street children are in the age group of 11-15 and 33% are in the age group of 6-10. The children who lose moral and financial support from family start to look for livelihood and basic needs. They are forced to work in mines, shops, and other houses also. A child who fails to get job, apparently he/she begs for surviving. These children are facing various health hazards and harassment from work place. For them, safety is not guaranteed. At this point, they will be going through lots of depression and lack of emotional support which they get from proper family surrounding. Since they

lose the moral guidance, they are provoked to get into drug abuse, gambling and robbery. He is not only losing education but also culture and friends circle from school. Most of the people think that educational system became business and it is impossible to provide proper education to a child without money. A scheme called “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” (Education for all campaign) was started in 2010 which aims to provide free and compulsory education for all. Most of the children in streets and the families which lack of permanent shelter, they are not registered in any national survey. They are becoming “hidden humans” in the country. Since they are not recorded in any surveys, they are missing out many offers and schemes from government. We as common people have more flexibility to meet and blend with those helpless children in streets than the government. So let the initiative to unhide “the hidden humans” should be ours. The above views are personal views expressed by the author .

5 FEATURE

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2017

Mumbai halts for rally

Protestors march on a flyover during the Maratha Kranti Morcha (rally of Maratha community) in Mumbai on 9 August 2017. Ragul Krishnan/Mumbai Weekly More than 10,000 police personnel, several drones and CCTV cameras kept watch over Mumbai on 9 August 2017, as three lakh people took to the streets to participate in the Maratha Kranti Morcha. The protest rally, saw participation from members of the Maratha community from across the state, like Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Raigad, Satara, etc.

The silent protest march began at 11am from Byculla and ended around 5pm at Azad Maidan, in south Mumbai. Even though some roads were shut for traffic, commuters did not face too many hassles. The protestors carried saffron flags and wore saffron caps. Beyond the strength in numbers the protestors boasted of, another unique

aspect of the event was that all speakers at Azad Maidan on Wednesday were young women. Most of the speakers seemed to be college students and spoke about the plight of meritorious Maratha students losing out to SC/ OBC/ST candidates in terms of getting admitted to top colleges. As the agitators as-

A child holds a toy sword as she sits on a person's shoulder during the Maratha Kranti Rally in Mumbai on 9 August 2017. The rally by Maratha community is a silent protest in which over three lakh people participated demanding reservation in jobs and educational institutions. Chitral Khambhati/Mumbai Weekly

Azad Maidan, a few kilometres away, at the state secretariat of Vidhan Bhavan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced his government would extend to the Maratha community educational concessions currently given to Other Backward Class people. The announcement was made after Fadnavis held a meeting with representatives of the Marathas, whose demands have received support from almost the entire political spectrum in the state. Fadnvais, also announced that farmers with loans of over Rs 10 lakh will be helped by the government. The rally to demand change in the legislations for the benefit of Maratha religion which started when a rape case of a minor g i r l from Maaratha religion happened in Kopardi, Ahmednagar district in Maharashta. The community started rally to demand favors from Government..

Children react as they wave to the protesters during Maratha Kranti Rally in Mumbai on 9 August 2017. The rally was held to demand favors from government for the community. Chitral Khambhati/Mumbai Weekly

People gather to protest in front of a statue outside Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation building in Mumbai on 9 August 2017. Hemanshi Kamani/ Mumbai Weekly

A protestor rips apart a political party banner on 9 August 2017. Hemanshi Kamani/ Mumbai Weekly

6 ECONOMY

MW Mumbai’s Metro touches 3.8 lakh commuters a day mark

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2017

Mumbai Metro broke new grounds as the around 3.8 lakh commuter took the Metro in July 17- the highest ridership ever since the corridor began operational since 2014. The average ridership of Metro, which operates on the 11.4 km Metro Versova - AndheriGhatkopar corridor is 3.6 lakh on weekdays. Mumbai Metro One Private Ltd ( MMOPL), which operates this service said, "Previous to this, the last highest weekday ridership was 3.7 lakh registered on 28 June 2017." The stations which witnessed high-

A metro passes by a slum area in Mumbai on 5 August 2017. Chitral Khambhati/Mumbai Weekly.

SBI plans to raise Rs 20 billion (0.31 USD billion) through bonds

est foot fall were Chakala /JB Nagar and Western Express Highway (WEH) with 10 per cent increase and Azad Nagar as well as Airport road stations with 8 per cent and 6 per cent increase, respectively." Though the increase was witnessed in throughout the day, maximum surge was observed during evening peak hour between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm with an increase of more than 14,000 commuters. Metro One operates 370 daily trips on weekdays, with train frequency of around 3.5 minutes during peak hour.

Safety issues for workers in construction industry

India's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) plans to raise Rs 2,000 crore ( 0.31 billion USD) by allotting Basel -III compliant bonds to var i ous i nvest or s.

Women pass by a SBI signboard in Mumbai on 2 August 2017. Chitral Khambhati/Mumbai Weekly.

"The committee of directors for capital raising accorded its approval today to allot 20,000 AT 1 Basel-III compliant nonconvertible, perpetual, subordinated bonds in the nature of debentures. A g gregating Rs 2,000 crore to various investors," State Bank of India said in a regulatory filing on Thursday. SBI said the bonds will carry a coupon rate of 8.15 per cent per annum with a call option after 5 years or the anniversary date thereafter. The state-run bank has been awaiting the Finance Ministry's nod to launch an ambitious Rs 20,000 -crore rights issue

Bisleri not for sale, as yet: Chairman, Bisleri International

A man walks past an advertisement poster in Mumbai on 21 July 2017. According to Ramesh Chauhan, Chairman, Bisleri International, the company is not on sale. Ragul Krishnan/Mumbai Weekly.

Laborers work at a construction site in Mumbai on 3 August 2017. Construction work in developing countries such as India are more labor-intensive and do have a safety policy, but employees are generally are not aware of its existence. Hemanshi Kamani/Mumbai Weekly.

GST: Not taxing sale of old gold jewelry could lead to tax evasion The finance ministry has clarified that selling old jewelry won’t attract goods and services tax (GST). According to the finance ministry, sale of old jewelry to a trader cannot be taxed as it is not a transaction made in the course of running a business. Also, since sale of old jewelry is not the business of the seller, the transaction cannot be taken as a taxable supply of the item. However, if an unregistered supplier of gold ornaments sells it to registered s uppl i er , r ever se

charge will apply, it added. Nearly 75% of the Indian gold jewelry market is unorganized. Smaller players are struggling with the new tax regime, given the additional compliance burden, tax experts said. Given India’s fetish for the yellow metal and an increased tax rate of 3%, there are already concerns that GST would boost gold smuggling since both seller and buyer are likely to be tempted to transact without a receipt.

A woman reacts to the camera at an event in Mumbai on 14 July 2017. Karma Bhutia/ Mumbai Weekly

7 CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2017

Aamir promotes ‘Secret Superstar’

Priyanka celebrates success of her production house

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra gets into her car after the press conference in Mumbai on 14.July.2017. Nakshatra Krishnamoorthy/Mumbai Weekly.

Soha attends art exhibition

Actress Soha Ali Khan poses in front of a painting at an art gallery in Mumbai on 14 July 2017. The art exhibition was held by artistic Bharat Thakur. Akanksha Mankar/Mumbai Weekly.

Bollywood actor, Aamir Khan reacts to the media during the trailer of his upcoming film ‘Secret Superstar’ in Mumbai on 02 August.2017. The movie is set to release on 19 October 2017.Nakshatra Krishnamoorthy/ Mumbai Weekly.

Kriti Sanon's birthday bash

Bollywood actors Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana feed cake to co-star Kriti Sanon during Sanon's birthday celebration at a film studio in Mumbai on 27 July 2017. Chitral Khambhati/Mumbai Weekly.

Tiger strikes dance moves

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff dances with comedian Kapil Sharma on the sets of Kapil Sharma show in Mumbai on 13 July 2017. Tiger Shroff was at the show to promote his film ‘Munna Micheal’ . Nakshatra Krishnamoorthy/Mumbai Weekly

Salman gets candid with Zana Khan

Bollywood actor Salman Khan share a candid moment with actress Zana Khan during an award function in Mumbai, 29 July 2017 . Ramees M A / Mumbai Weekly

8 SPORTS

FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST, 2017

Falcon TTC wins Ultimate Table Tennis league

From left to right: 1. Ho Ching Lee from Falcons TTC serves during the semi finals of Ultimate Table Tennis League in Mumbai on 28 July 2017 Supreet Sapkal/Mumbai Weekly 2. Dabang Smashers TTC player Kim Song serves during a semi final match against Shaze Challengers during Ultimate Table Tennis in Mumbai on 29 July 2017. Chitral KhambhatiMumbai Weekly 3. Liam Pitchford from Falcons TTC serves during the semi finals of Ultimate Table Tennis League in Mumbai on 28 July 2017. With his team winning the league, Pitchford also won the Most Valuable Player award in the Male category. Supreet Sapkal/Mumbai Weekly 4. Kou Lei from Dabang Smashers TTC serves during the semi finals of Ultimate Table Tennis in Mumbai on 29 July 2017. Chitral KhambhatiMumbai Weekly. Outclassing Shaze Challengers in 14-9, Falcons TTC emerged as the winner of inau-

gural CEAT Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) at the NSCI Sports Club on 30 July

2017. The rules dictate that the team that secures 14 points first is declared as the win-

Master blaster at a marathon event

ner. Qatar's Li Ping and Falcons' Mumbai boy Sanil Shetty’s opening match kept

everyone anxious. The spectators of the match included former India cricketer

Farokh Engineer and Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. Shetty managed to

salvage a game in the opening match, by winning the last set 11-

8, however the first two sets were grabbed W o r l d No. 42, Ping.

Mumbaikars run for fitness

Sachin Tendulkar, former Indian batsman, reacts to the media at the press meet of IDBI Federal Life Insurance half marathon in Mumbai on 27 July 2017, He donated 100 pairs of shoes to Mumbai half marathon athletes. Nakshatra Krishnamoorthy/Mumbai Weekly

Participants run during ‘Monsoon marathon challenge’ in Mumbai on 23 July 2017. Around 3000 runners braved the rain and participated in the event. The image is flipped 180 degrees. Ragul Krishnan/Mumbai Weekly

Ronaldinho visits India to promote futsal

Ronaldinho arrives at Mumbai’s international airport on 18 July 2017. He visited Mumbai to promote the Futsal Premier League 2017. Prabhat Mehrotra/MumbaiWeekly Brazilian football legend and former FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho Gaucho visited India on Fri-

day to reveal his plans and future with Premier Futsal. The World Cup-winning Brazil-

ian star was in Mumbai to make an announcement on Premier Futsal. Futsal is a 5-a-side indoor ver-

sion of football, combined with the rules of basketball, water polo and handball. It's played on wood or

artificial flooring based court of the size 40m*20m. Premier Futsal is a multinational Futsal league

Ronaldinho reacts during a press conference of Futsal Premier League 2017 in Mumbai on 18 July 2017.Prabhat Mehrotra/ MumbaiWeekly

conceptualised by Indian entrepreneurs under the entity Premier Futsal Management Pvt. Ltd. The 37

-year-old was in Mumbai on Friday to promote the second season of the tournament. Ronaldinho,

who extended a threeyear contract with Premier Futsal, opened up about his special time at Barcelona, the impact of the FIFA U-17 World Cup and his take on Indian football growth in the last few years to a group of journalists at the venue. Last Year, Ronaldhino started off with a bang as he scored five goals for Goa5’s against Paul Scholes Bengaluru 5’s. Unfortunately, he had to leave Premire Futsal after two matches and go back to Rio de Janeiro. He was the Brand Ambassador of Paralympic Games which took place in Rio last year.