Tell me what is it that you would like to read on your newspaper front page? or What news would you prefer to give a full page coverage? Sports, Cricket, Politics or cricket politics, Bachchans vs King Khan, Gossips, Bollywood news? These are some of the topics which is given unnecessary priority by the news media to acquire more readership. Today the news media is also on a bandwagon to give unnecessary importance to gossip news. In Malayalam such news papers are termed in the category called ‘Manyapatram’ (don’t bother to try pronouncing that), Its literal translation ‘Yellow Newspaper’.

But once in a while such news comes like a fresh of breath air. People such as Syed Nazima Amir Ahmed deserves more media coverage than the stupid Bachchans private life and their rivalry with Khan because these are the peopl, who try to pump blood to keep this city alive in their own little ways. After reading this article I am sure we won’t have Mumbaikars coming out with brooms and start cleaning public areas but at least such stories will be exaples for individuals to help heep their city clean, who won’t litter public areas. Hygiene is a matter of concern in Mumbai and the least we can doas individuals is try to keep the city clean; use dustbins, do not spit, do not litter, do not dispose garbage at open public areas. A little conscious effort can definitely bring in drastic changes. As the Hindi saying goes “Boondh boondh se banthi hai sagar”. Have a clean weekend folks.
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In Mumbai land is dearer than gold. Actually now a days it is land, stocks and then gold. One city which has to battle its way to accomodate zillions and still manage to find open spaces is facing a serious delima.
With the Mumbai municipal corporation’s amendment to its policy on development of open spaces kills the last remaining open spaces of land, which could give this city the breathing space it badly needs.

BMC’s new policy gives away all open spaces larger than 15,000 square metres for construction of clubs, gymnasiums and other facilities on a quarter of the plot area.

These are facilities, which will be exclusive to members, though the open area will be available to the public.

This puts about 82 plots of land for sale in the city from the 608 open pieces of land.

According to the earlier BMC policy, maidans had to be first offered for adoption so resident associations, NGOs, corporates could take them over for maintenance.

No construction except a gardener’s chowkie was to be allowed. If there were no takers, the plot could be given on a ‘care taker’ basis for construction of clubs on 25 per cent of the land.

But the abolition of this scheme has activists fuming. The BMC administration is, however, defensive saying that adoption is not lucrative and plots get encroached if not developed.

The BMC is failing in its statutory duty as civic body because BMC is actually meant to be the caretaker of the city.

Agreed, this is on a short notice but believe me life is not all about blogging and fun. So yeah, it’s actually a favor that Melody and I are doing for you folks. Now stop gawking, you know it’s the truth.

Okay…Okay, on a more serious note this time round we have decided to go with the Brunch Theme (yes, so very innovative) - slightly on the higher side entry fee wise but hey, nothing’s really cheap re these days.

The invite basically says it all - yup, will be super cool if you could make it. And please confirm with us if you are seriously going to make, it makes life a hell lot easier.

Ps…would be super duper cool if you could let others know about it via your own blog/s. Thanks and looking forward to meeting the bloggy bunch soon.

Previous blog meet gupshups can be found here.

That is the total number of people who have been imprisoned this year for drunk driving. Mumbai traffic cops’ campaign against drunk driving has led to a sharp decline in alcohol consumption in the city, setting off panic among hoteliers and bar owners.

According to figures made available by the excise department, September saw a steep drop in alcohol comsumption. So this weekend when you leave home to get a drink do forget ur car keys at home. Kudos to Mumbai police !!!

Lord Ganesh, the patron deity is the God of wisdom. Come August, preparations to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi - the auspicious day when Lord Ganesh was born - begin with great enthusiasm all over the state. In Mumbai, the preparations would be made at least one to two months before the start of the festival. No matter where you turn, you can catch a glimpse of Ganesh, as huge images of him are put up almost everywhere.
The 11-day festival begins with the installation of beautifully sculpted Ganesha idols in homes and mandaps (large tents), colourfully decorated, depicting religious themes or current events. The Ganesh idols are worshipped with families and friends. Many cultural events are organised and people participate in them with keen interest. For the next ten days, the elephant-headed god is worshipped to earn prosperity and goodwill. During these days Mumbai is transformed into one giant carnival. Homes are artistically decorated, kitchens are stocked with an assortment of Marathi sweetmeats and friends and relatives visit each other. After ten exciting days comes the time to bid farewell to the beloved God by immersing the elephant god in the nearest water marks.

This weekend I was hanging around the market and soaking up how the city is geting ready to welcome the Elephant God.

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While the whole city is stuck on the scumbag being released from prison on bail, our civil rights are being trampled upon.

In an effort to root out terrorism the city police is in the process of putting on key logging software on computers in internet cafés.

The Mumbai police will soon have khabris deployed (not physically) at over 500 cyber cafes in the city. A new software will allows cops to swoop down on terrorists the moment a keystroke is pressed at any cyber café across the city.

Investigations into the recent Hyderabad and Mumbai blasts have revealed that the planning was done using the Internet especially, chat rooms. [link]

Personally I think it is a breach of privacy of the individual user and frankly if the terrorist planners know that their communication is being recorded, they will use other means and methods of communication. But as a result of this draconian law, we will loose our right to privacy. Yes terrorism is a threat, but it cant come at the cost of our rights. If it does, then the terrorists have won, so you can pack up and go home !!

And what’s the gaurantee that the same police force wont leak out information of people visiting Orkut communities like this one and this one. Now when the Shiv Sena burns down a cybercafe, they will at least have proof that someone did logon to these communities.

Amit Varma, an ex-Mumbai Metblogger, has some tips for you to avoid being key logged if you ever need to use a cybercafe.

I am shopoholic! Shopping is therapeutic for me, and the best part is that after a shopping binge I dont regret my actions since I know that I have got the best deal I am Mumbaikar and hence I know were I can get what at the lowest possible rates. Like me every Mumbaikar loves to shop; kids, couple, college going teenagers, office goers every one like to keep updated with the latest fashion and trends. So it is not a surprise that we Mumbaikars are willing to go to the end of the world to purchase things at the most reasonable price one can ever find. Mumbaikars are bargain savvy and are always looking for the best deals they can lay hands on. Hence it is natural that Mumbai has hundreds of bazaars that cater to the Paisa vasool mentality of the population. I have lived in at least 5 cities in the 24 yrs of my life and Mumbai bazaars are the most unique and fascinating places I have come across. One of the reasons being that each bazaar has a history of its own and each specializes in selling particular goods. So Mumbaikars are well aware precisely which market they can get what. Before I go with the 7 best places to get a good shopping deal here are a few rules you must follow while shopping anywhere in Mumbai

Things to keep in mind while shopping Make sure you demand for a bill after every purchase (Not applicable when it comes to street side shopping)
Always bargain. You will almost never be told a reasonable price at the first go
Do not buy from the very first shop you enter/vendor. Visit as many shops/vendor as possible and buy where you get the best bargain
Try and be a regular customer for one or two shops, so that the shopkeepers know you and you get better discounts than others
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Mumbai is a city surrounded by water. And it is not a surprise that Mumbaikars love to find their bit of solace by the sea side. It may be just an outing on a Saturday or Sunday with the wife and kids, or maybe some low cost lovey dovey time with your girlfriend, or just to unwind yourself with your friends, the sea side is one of the first choices for Mumbaikars. Even the tourist have all the sea side location prioritized in their must visit places, even though in a weird way they are seeing the same sea every time i.e. Arabian Sea. So what makes these various sea sides of the same sea different? Actually it is not much of the sea that people look forward to but the flavor each place by the sea has to offer. So here we go with the 7 most popular waterfront public locations of Mumbai.
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Oh yes, everybody, we love the Island City. Not for its glittery Page 3 crowd, not for Bollywood, not for the stock markets and business hubs. We love it because it is a city of survivors, it is the city with a never-say-die attitude. Well, why not? That’s the only way to survive the mayhem of Mumbai.

But on a suicidal occasion that one wants to remember the ways that Yamraj plays peek-a-boo with us here, one comes up against some rather bizarre options:
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I sometimes hear people describe Mumbai as a place where people treat each other equally and that this city doesn’t face the societal seggregation that Chennai and even Delhi have. I disagree. This city has its own version of a caste system. It is subtle and isn’t immediately apparent, especially to people who haven’t lived here for very long. Bear with me while I alternate between ‘thoroughbred Mumbaiker’ parochialism and an objective viewpoint, as I explain.

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