The pain of Pahalgam will remain in our hearts forever. Mumbai has witnessed the worst terrorist attack in the past and it can well understand the plight of families who were gunned down on April 22. Some of those were were felled by the terrorists’ automatics were from our metropolis. The problem is that even after such a massive attack, hardly any efforts are being made to make Mumbai safe. Thousands of illegal Bangladeshis are living at Bandra Reclamation, Wadala, Mira Bhayandar and other areas. Most of them have acquired Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, etc. And this is made possible by massive corruption in the government. More than in Pakistan, corruption appears to be a bigger threat to our city.
Art Gallery By The Sea
Brinda Miller, gifted painter who is known as the force behind the iconic Kala Ghoda festival, dropped in at the FPJ office the other day and was amazed to see the lobby of the elegant tower converted into a charming art gallery. The FPH Gallery is increasingly being used by talented artists to showcase their latest works. This is the only gallery by the sea in the city. It’s rent-free, and no commission is charged. So the artist gets to keep all the earnings. And for those on the lookout for affordable art, this is the place. Brinda comes from the illustrious Chudasama family, whose contribution to the city is legendary. The late Nana Chudasama, through the I Love Mumbai campaign and Giants International, did so much for the metropolis, and his good work is being carried out by his charming daughters Brinda and Shaina NC.
Pioneer Of Kashmir Tourism
It was a city agency, Raja Rani Travels, that pioneered tourism in Kashmir. Its founder, the lanky and bald-headed Raja Patil, was a human dynamo who felt that all Indians should visit Kashmir. Business consideration was secondary for him. The main purpose was to encourage national integration. A jovial man, Patil was extremely popular with hotel owners, boat riders and tourist taxi operators of Srinagar who affectionately called him ‘Raja saab’ and laid out the red carpet whenever he landed at the airport. Unfortunately, Patil’s life had a gory end; not in Kashmir but in his own home in Mahim. In 2002, someone entered his flat, slit his throat and stabbed him brutally all over the body. He was 71.
Tailpiece
Read in a social media post: Why did the coffee go to Malabar Hill police station? Well, it got mugged! (Compiled by S Balakrishnan)
