July 2019 by Bandra Buzz newspaper

BandraBuzz creating community connect since 2010

July 2019 | Volume 10 Issue 7 | www.bandrabuzz.com | 16 pages | Price: Rs. 5/-

10-yr-old Stanislite bags 2nd Runners-up at Indian Abacus National Level Competition

10-year-old Aaron Fernandes from St. Stanislaus High School bagged 2nd Runners-up at the 3rd Indian Abacus National Level Abacus & Mental Arithmetic Competition 2019 that was held on 13th July at the Chennai World Trade Centre where each student was given a set of 200 questions to be answered in 8 minutes. In a short interview we chat up with the Bandraite to know more about him. Whom did you learn Abacus from? I started learning Abacus from teacher Riya from IMAS Institute when I was 8. How much time do you practice? I spend an hour daily before I go to bed. Who has been the most supportive? My mom (Rekha) who despite being a hairstylist makes time from her busy schedule, encouraged me to learn Abacus (which I took a liking to in the 2nd level & am presently doing my gradua-

tion) & my dad (Anthony). Besides, I also the 22nd UCMAS International Competiget support from my school teachers, tion in Malaysia & secured the 1st Runners-Up among 75 countries. In Februrelatives & the neighbours. ary 2018, I grabbed the First Runners-Up Could you tell us about the competi- among 3000 kids who took part in the 13th Maharashtra State Level Abacus & tions you’ve participated in? In 2017, I was selected to participate in Mental Arithmetic competition.

Do you have a message for our readers? Do everything you would like to, work hard & never give up on your goals & last but not least don’t waste your time as it’s precious & important for all of us. Josh D’Souza

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BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

Thadomal Shahani Engineering College making engineering an alleviated experience Not to sound cliché but taking a page out of the book of endless possibilities that is the mind of Elon Musk, he once quoted “Engineering is the closest thing to magic that exists in the world”. But Film, Television shows & 21st century media does not give the best impression about this field to the youth disputing between following their heart and settling for the easier path. In such times Thadomal Shahani Engineering College shines like a beacon from above. It contradicts all the misconceptions about the life of an Engineering student while maintaining its place as being the most elite institution for Engineering recognized by the Government of Maharashtra. TSEC is located in the heart of Bandra among the bustling student filled areas between R.D. National College and MMK College. Established in 1983 Thadomal Shahani Engineering College is founded by the Hyderabad National Collegiate Board, affiliated to the University of Mumbai and is one of the few colleges in Mumbai graded an “A” for its educational experience. TSEC offers students Computer Engineering, Information Technology popularly known as I.T among students, Electronics and Tele-communication, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and a stellar PHD Program too in all of the above. Engineering is without a doubt one of the countries toughest professional courses and requires minds that are resilient, stout and determined. TSEC does just that for budding students by preparing them mentally whilst not burdening or pressuring their pupils. TSEC has been awarded for this on

multiple occasions, ranked All India Level 70th Education World India Private Higher Education Rankings 2019-20, TSEC ranked 10th private engineering college, westzone by the Week-Hansa Research Survey 2019 – “Best Colleges”. When praised for these accolades the Principal Dr. G.T. Thampi had some galvanizing words for his current and future students, “Youngsters are advised to remain focused on achieving their set carrier goals as the market is readying to unleash the animal spirit resulting in job creation. Enterprises are creating massive technology systems to be more productive and in search graduates with higher degree of emotional maturity and spiritual quotient. We Indians are on the cusp of breaking out shackles as an economic power in the global market place and reaching the 5 trillion Dollar Eco-

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over 100 students completing industrinomic value rate by 2025”, he said. His words are not just inspiring to al internships from various streams of students pursuing Engineering but the Education. Engineering remains India’s youth from all fields. His encouraging favorite educational program in spite of words come out of experience as he being a course deemed on heavy expenhimself has grabbed the Golden Ring on diture & investments of almost 8 lakhs, but is a field yielding abunmany occasions being awarded dant compensations for this the “Shikshak Ratan Award” diligence & investment on 12th October 2011, amounting to 6 lakhs per Delhi and felicitated as annum. So millennials Community Leader in concerned about the fiappreciation of services nancial side of pursuing to the society in Mumtheir dreams need not bai last March, 2018. be disheartened, good As Albert Einstein intentions, a productive once said “Scientists inwork culture, a positive atvestigate that which already titude and a higher degree of is, Engineers create that which Dr. G. T. Thampi problem solving abilities can has never been”. But even the accomplish almost everything. “Greatest mind to have ever The devil is in the detailing and lived” would admit that Engineers solve miraculous problems but that is unat- Thadomal Shahani Engineering College tainable without a substantial but ac- thrives on competency while embracing curate research. TSEC prides itself on quantum computing a trendy subject being the institution to make research popularized development industries and study go hand in hand. Aspiration based in Silicon Valley and Universities to go up in the academic value chain like Caltech USA. Principal Thampi conprovoked TSEC to leverage the dormant cluded by say “TSEC extends its greetacademic research abilities to play a cre- ing to all learners of Bandra by welcomative role in starting the PHD programs. ing them to begin their journey with us Now offering research from the most de- in this current academic year of 2019sired fields like Data Analytics and Bio- 20”. If you are a genius and can handle medical Engineering to the sparsest of the expectations of one incredible instifields like Artificial Intelligence, E-Gov- tution, Engineering is not the monster media portrays it to be but is a hidden ernance and Internet of Things (IOT). Every institution’s main objective gem that needs application of Science to is to ensure a healthy future for its pu- find innovative solutions. pils full of opportunities & productivity. Dr. G. T. Thampi TSEC provides Pre-Placement training, Summer Internships & Higher Studies in Post Graduate Programs. TSEC have Thadomal Shahani Engineering College signed MOU’s with the leading indus- P. G. Kher Marg, (32nd Road), TPS III, tries in 2019 to increase the possibilities Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050 of Internships for their students & the Website: www.tsec.edu fruits of their labor are showing with Email: gtthampi@gmail.com

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

NEWS

Rotary Club of Bombay Bandra ranked #2 in Rotary District 3141 in World Wide Charity On 16th July 2019, the Rotary Club of Bombay, Bandra held their installation ceremony at Executive Enclave, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pali Hill. The evening evolved excitedly, with members honoured individually and as groups – all part of a bigger international network. It was indeed wonderful, to know that Bandra has the distinction of being # 2 worldwide – in terms of charity activities (# 1 worldwide is Bangalore, India). The President Rahul Jain told us, “The Rotary Club of Bombay, Bandra is almost 30 years old and have multiple projects to help the weaker sections of society. We spend around 98% of what we collect – funds donated by members.” Harjit Singh Talwar – District Governor added, “Rotary Club of Bombay, Bandra is a leader in our area. It is # 2 in terms of giving charity in the world. It is one of the most transparent & efficient organization. We have plans to step this up – in terms of medical aid, water-conservation, recycling, organ-donation: eyes, skin, etc.”

25,500 Rotary Clubs, worldwide - operating in almost identical style. The Bandra Rotarians had an enjoyable evening with an impromptu dance session. M.P. Singh

“ District Governor Harjit Singh Talwar alongside Rahul Jain President of Rotary Club of Bombay Bandra & the newly elected members The Rotary Club of Bombay is one of the pioneers in India of the Rotary movement, devoted to the ideal of Fellowship through service. It was founded in 1929. The membership of the Club has grown from 38 in 1929, to around 350 today.

Rotary International is the most territorial organization, in the world. It exists in 184 different countries & territories - & cuts across dozens of languages, political & social structures, customs, religions & traditions. There are more than

The Rotary Club of Bombay, Bandra is almost 30 years old and have multiple projects to help the weaker sections of society. We spend around 98% of what we collect – funds donated by members. It is one of the most transparent and efficient organization. We have plans to step this up – in terms of medical aid, water-conservation, recycling, organ-donation: eyes, skin, etc.

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BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

Now that rains are here Budget 2019 – Ordinary

Show of 56” Chest

SV Road from Khar towards Bandra Railway Colony is closed during monsoons due to waterlogging which residents say is due to unclean drains Each year people wait for rains. This year in first 3 days, it has brought Mumbai down to its knees. On first day three people died from wall collapse and one from electrocution. Wadala and Santa Cruz reported excessive water logging. Within next two days, rain disrupted rail and road traffic, all flights were diverted cause airport runway shut down. If this is beginning what will be the end? Last year renowned doctor slipped into open man hole and body fished out from Worli gutter. What shame we have to face such hopeless situations. Our civic body makes lots of promises, but none fulfilled. For past 25 years it is same story. It has been so since incumbent party ruled BMC and made mess of its administration with slogan ‘Amchi Manoos’. Even 2019 they announced from January that Mumbai is monsoon ready. Yes in Bandra we saw contract labour desilting clogged drains and leaving mounds of waste piled on roads to be cleared later by another section of same department. So when this is done yet why is there water logging in other low lying areas? We cannot put blame on new Municipal Commissioner because he took over office month before rains started. His predecessor made lot of noise but only managed to stay in office to complete tenure. During his term BMC was hit by scams for using sub-standard materials for filling pot holes, resurfacing of roads and complaints against crooked contractors. BMC Engineers and officials were also booked for negligence of duty, yet nothing was done and all complaints and show cause notices were brushed under the carpet by the

legal department. So who is to blame for such lapses in management? It’s the Government that controls the BMC. On the third day of rains, TOI reported 3-fold rise in June hepatitis cases with Bandra’s neighbour Kurla being the epicenter. Hospitalisation in June 2019 alone reported rise in Dengue, Leptospirosis, Malaria, Gastroenteristis and Hepatitis. Regular water samples are being tested, yet there are cases where some are found to be unfit for human consumption. When we walk on the road, we see dark skinned migrant labourers in sewage drains, filling muck in containers and pouring it out on streets in mounds. What is the life of these people? How much are they paid? Do they have an insured health plan? Since they are contract labour they do not get any social or medical benefits like housing, transport etc. When the job is over they are shunted out to another place if there is work, otherwise go and die or better still go and beg on the streets. This the State of our country, a large divide between the rich and the poor, yet our Government is more interested in spending money on Chandrayan space exploration to put an Indian on the moon, while millions of Indians cannot afford two square meals a day and cannot live decently on earth. On 4th June 2019 Republic TV showed Maharastra MLA and his followers thrashing a civic body official for water logging in their Khandavli area. Is this the new law of India? Or is it the new pattern of governance where road side goons take law into their own hands to seek justice. Amar Singh

After winning 302 seats in general election for 17th Lok Sabha, everybody expected tiger to roar, pound chest & proclaim ‘hurray, we have achieved the impossible’. Yes, quiet true, but what we got was a meow from the new Finance Minister, strictly following diktats of the boss – keep your head down & just fill in the gaps for time pass. Eat chana if you get bored. The budget is no challenge, but tightening a few nuts & bolts here & there. What our country needs is development to employ millions of Indians who are jobless & living below the poverty line. For that Finance Minister has set aside 100 crores. What is 100 crores when Nirav Modi & Vijay Mallaya have looted the country of thousands of crores? Besides those 100 crores is going to come from foreign investments, not from our own piggy bank. If you divide 100 crores by 28 States, each one will get 3.5 crores. Our Bollywood film stars are making more than that in black for each film. That is one part of story, other is farmer suicides. Effort will be made to teach farmers about how to conserve water & nothing about finding ways & means of how government can help drought areas from being water sufficient. Last year Maharastra Chief Minister sent wagons of water by rail from south to Latur & other areas for acute shortage of drinking water & other necessities. No such scheme by Central Government. Only good for making promises. On top of that boasting that 56” inch chest will expand economy to $5 trillion, that will overtake China & Japan & be within reach of the USA. What is the use of such a big economy when there are millions of potholes in Mumbai alone? For salaried people income tax relief is marginal for those earning less

than 5 lakhs per year. Here again if a person earns 41,000 or below he or she is safe. These days the income for salaried people in cities is higher to sustain costs of rent, travel, food, etc. & if they are taxed as per the new budget, saving money will be a bigger sacrifice & working life a struggle to meet personal goals. This deduction is like giving peanuts to a monkey. MM in 6th July issue by experts stated budget high on vision, fuzzy on detail & does not address immediate pressing matters like unemployment. Government is more interested in zero defecation in the 21st century, 72 years after getting independence. TOI reported PM’s televised address on 5th July that Ruling Party has delivered budget on ease of living promise, aimed at making citizens prosperous & many other schemes which will make us rich. Haven’t we heard this same thing 5 years back when the same PM promised to bring all the black money back to India & deposit 15 lakhs in the account of each citizen. I pray, ‘Please don’t make us rich. We have had enough’. Amar Singh

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What our country needs is development to employ millions of Indians who are jobless and living below the poverty line. For that Finance Minister has set aside 100 crores. Besides those 100 crores is going to come from foreign investments, not from our own piggy bank. If you divide 100 crores by 28 States, each one will get 3.5 crores.

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

HEALTH

The real reason why Organic Food is expensive The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines ‘Organic’ as follows: “Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides and fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled “Organic”, a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.” A 1994 study by the University of Wisconsin suggests showing that typical concentrations of nitrate (a common fertilizer) and a pesticide in the groundwater may compromise the nervous, endocrine, and immune system of young children and developing fetuses. A study in 1973 associates high levels of sodium nitrate in groundwater with the prevalence of gastric cancer, and another one in 1996 with that of testicular cancer. In today’s time, when there is immense exposure to chemicals, air pollution, water pollution and hazardous wastes, we still refrain from paying those extra bucks that can cost us in multiples in case we fall prey to such deadly diseases. So let us try and address the most frequently asked question by consumers… Why is Organic Food so expensive? There are several factors that contribute to the increase in the price of ‘organic-certified’ produce. Let’s try and understand some of them. Organic Certifications Organic farmers are required to pay a high fee for registration, accreditation & certification. These certifications are expensive and time consuming for many growers & handlers. Not only are firsttime certification costs steep, but there are other certification related costs in-

volved as well. Some of the major certification costs include the renewal of certifications, education of growers, suitable organic land, livestock from organic origin, organic seeds, and special processing equipment. Apart from this, any chemical analysis is charged on actuals. In case a farmer cultivates two different crops on his organic farm, then this fee is doubled. Most of the farmers find it difficult to sustain the cost & eventually the end price tends to be higher. Higher Cost of Production Production costs for organic food are typically higher because of greater labour inputs per unit of output due to many factors, such as uncertain yields, no growth enhancers & hormones, crop rotation on small scale operations, etc. We shall discuss each of these in detail in our next article.

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Eating inorganic food for a prolonged period of time is an unforgivable invitation to abnormalities and deficiencies. Yes, it is agreed that monetarily Organic Food is more expensive than its conventional counterparts. However, we must decide whether the value of our health is worth that difference.

Increased Shipping Cost Once the crop is harvested, handling of relatively small quantities of organic food results in higher costs because it is mandatory to segregate conventional & organic produce, especially for processing and transportation. The storage cost also goes up because organic crops have higher spoilage chance in the absence of chemical treatments done otherwise. The overall procedure increases the cost by the time it reaches the market.

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Education To acquire organic farming skills, business owners spend significant time and money to understand the basics. Since organic food policies keep changing, being up-to-date is important but also a costly affair. Apart from self-education, organic business owners or companies must ensure that their employees follow proper protocol. There are a lot of different skill sets and protocols involved with the whole process of organic farming, which need to be adhered to, for an operation to stay certified. Demand-Supply Gap Economies of scale in consumer terms means the more you buy, the more a company will produce, & the more you produce, lower the prices will fall. Supply & demand is a huge issue in this industry. Though organic food is gaining popularity year on year, its sales are nowhere near conventional food sales. Had there been more consumers who bought organic produce, there would be more demand, enabling organic operations to scale up. That, in turn, would lower costs. But when consumers flock to low priced, toxic food, that’s what companies want to produce.

volumes & lower consumer awareness. People who can afford healthier variants are still attracted towards conventional food without knowing the harm it can cause in the long run. Since the market is not developed well, the distribution channels are comparatively inefficient, giving power in a few hands, in turn, empowering them to charge premium hence higher costs for the consumer. Special Facilities From growers to processors, most organic certified operations need special land and/or facilities before they can produce organic food. Organic land costs much more than conventional farmland because there’s a long checklist of qualities that an organic land must possess. If an organic company shares space with a conventional company, more time must be spent making sure that products aren’t mixed, or if they are mixed, that processing machines are properly cleaned before they’re used for organic food processing.

Eating inorganic food for a prolonged period of time is an unforgivable invitation to abnormalities & deficiencies. Yes, it is agreed that monetarily Organic Food is more expensive than its conventional counterparts. However, we must decide Inefficient Marketing and Distribution Marketing & the distribution chain for whether the value of our health is worth organic products are relatively ineffi- that difference. Siddharth Sancheti cient & costs are higher because of small

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BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

Meet the leaders that will spearhead our city through the next 5 years

Bandra is one of those places small in size but so ahead of time brimming with popularized sceneries the mere mention of residing in this hotspot turns heads in a way. One might have heard this quote a gazillion times in films & television but it perfectly suits this write up, “With great power comes great responsibility”. One might wonder why I’m quoting “Spiderman” but it’s true to keep such a beautiful place intact & running, the most well balanced set of representatives are needed. To maintain, to regulate to keep the streets we as civilians deserve only the best. And rightfully post elections this year we got just that. We were blessed with the election of “Poonam Mahajan” as a Member of Parliament representing us at the constituency along with the appointment of stern & righteous Local MLA & Mumbai BJP President, Adv. Ashish Shelar as the Minister for School Education, Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Maharashtra. As I spoke about what we as civilians deserve it’s also important that these dignitaries that have vowed to put our welfare before everything else get the deserving felicitation they have worked so hard

for. So on 30th June 2019, as the rain gods blessed us with abundance from its bosom Khar Gym hosted this event. The program started with a traditional aarti, prayer is always the finest way to start a ceremony so important to us, & was followed by our national anthem. President & Vice President of Khar Gym Khana Mr. Shyam Shroff & Mr. Ashok Mohanani got the opportunity to welcome these two eminent personalities. Both Poonam Mahajan & Adv. Ashish Shelar took their time to discuss topics of change & bother which was reassuring to the citizens. Poonam Mahajan twice a member of the Parliament beat her opposition “Priya Dutt” of Congress by a humongous margin of over 1,30,000 votes in the recently held elections. Apart from this she holds the presidency to the BJP Youth Wing & made history when she became the first woman to become the President of The National Federation of Basketball in India. She is one of the few parliamentarians in India that has used 100 percent of the Party funds for the benefits of her constituency & all the duties that go with it. She’s an orator who is decisive in nature & is stern, strong headed a woman that used to be a commercial pilot &

that’s just one of her many talents. She prides herself on being a woman that the Youth can look up-to. She addressed issues that resounded with the audience directly, reassuring them that her afforestation act which extends the Greenery in Mumbai through Sanjay Gandhi National Park is in full force, planting thousands of trees to facilitate clean breathing & healthy eco-system not just for the members of Bandra but for Mumbai as a city in whole. She emphasized how Mumbai was a microcosm of what the country aspires to be, open welcoming and considerate to all who live in this city regardless of which state you arrive from. She concluded by saying if the audience had any problems, queries or prominent issues they could directly drop an email to her and she would act with immediate effect. This was followed by some words from Adv. Ashish Shelar who is no stranger to the residents of the constituency. He started off his career early as an activist & blossomed in College when he was swooped as a young Mumbai Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad & served as a member of the Mumbai Legislative Council for 6 years straight grinding and building towards his rise as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Vandre West Assembly Constituency in 2014. He’s a principled man reliant on his organization skills driven by his passion to make change & alter situations that are detrimental towards the welfare of Civilians. Adv. Shelar spoke at length on the various infrastructure projects taken up by him, the world heritage Bandra railway station among them. He went on to explain the legalities involved in the process of widening and clearing the area around the station. He spoke about the taskforce of police officers he organized to fight Cyber Crime aimed at putting an end to virtual hazing. He mentioned

that, at Bandra Reclamation, several projects have been completed, amongst which rank the tallest national flag pole in the city, the beautiful yoga park and the redeveloped promenade that is lit up using solar power as well as the sports complex that has been developed in an open space adjoining the IES school. He specifically mentioned the imminent inauguration of the new Ward Office that was constructed with the view of incorporating disabled-friendly features to enable access to all segments of society. Bandra admittedly runs on the backs of its dignitaries & politics to keep a hold on the hustle & bustle of a place so flashy. But it is merely impossible without the help of various Citizen Groups filled with working class civilians that take time out of their busy lives to make positive change for the betterment of its residents. Hence felicitating them is an important way of acknowledging them. 1. The Khar Gymkhana 2. Representatives of the Vandre Assembly Constituency 3. BRAVO Trust 4. The Khar Santa Cruz Civic Group 5. The Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) 6. The Darukhana Iron Steel & Scrap Merchants Association (DISMA) 7. The Bombay Iron Merchants Association (BIMA) 8. The Kapol Business Council (KBC) 9. The Rotary Club of Bombay (Bandra) 10. The Khar Gurudwara and 11. The Lions’ Club which unveiled a pencil portrait of Adv. Ashish Shelar These meetings are very important to maintain the identity of the place & address issues that are on everyone’s mind but fail to find a platform for these discussions. This meeting concluded with a short vote of thanks by Khar Gym Jt Secretary, Gaurav Kapadia. Stefan Mateen

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

NEWS

Democracy Defeated Dictatorship at The Bandra Gymkhana EGM change was inevitable, endless euphoria - with the final war looming ahead

As Sunday, 30th June dawned, there were mixed feelings of doubt & hope among members. The stage for the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) showdown was set – complete with AV to extended areas. Eager members started to pour in at 9am – and by 10am the East Indian Hall and the Pavilion were packed to capacity. EGM: The Super Storm Starting with a prayer & minutes silence in honour of the late Darryl D’Monte (Trustee) & other deceased members, the Bandra Gym President Dr. Cheryl Misquitta chaired the EGM – wherein a no-confidence motion to oust the MC members, with a resolution; was put to vote in a secret ballot, by the General Body. Before the voting process, there were heated debates, by those for & against the resolution. The voice audibility spread throughout the entire East Indian Hall & Pavilion, was very professionally done by ‘Brian Sound’ – and was vital to those who attended this EGM. Then, after several hours of transparent voting & counting, the moment of truth finally emerged. The final vote count was: 781 – for the resolution, 394 – against the resolution & 7 invalid. Essentially, this EGM resulted in the ouster of the Managing Committee – who were allegedly acting in a high handed manner, towards members. Post EGM: Mixed Reactions Just like India’s post Independence scenario, member’s new-found ‘freedom from fear’ has manifested itself in many forms. Many could not believe that this change could happen – but, yes, it did. A more relaxed atmosphere at the Bandra Gymkhana, now prevails – like a breath of fresh air. Members are enjoying a better ambiance at the Pavilion, with plants & a red carpet entry. Permission

BandraBuzz creating community connect since 2010

April 2019 | Volume 10 Issue 4 | www.bandrabuzz.com | 16 pages | Price: Rs. 5/-

Can Priya Dutt reclaim Mumbai North Central seat from M.P. Poonam Mahajan? Monday, April 29th 2019, is when all eligible citizens can exercise their constitutional right of voting – to decide who will be our next Member of Parliament (MP) from Mumbai North Central constituency. This time, the two main contestants are: Poonam Mahajan (BJP), the sitting MP – who won in 2014; & Priya Dutt (INC), Ex-MP – who had won in 2009 and lost in 2014. Unlike 2014 - this time the battle is fierce, as both lady candidates are strong in their own ways. So, citizens can expect an exciting finish - with razor edge margins. Results will be announced on 23rd May 2019.

YEARS OF LEGACY WORTH TALKING ABOUT

Bandra Buzz has exclusively interviewed Poonam & Priya; so that our readers can make an informed decision - and vote sensibly. This issue has compiled key election-related information on both candidates - election counts of 2009 & 2014, areas covered in Mumbai North Central & most importantly, the roles & responsibilities of MPs. This election special issue will statistically empower our readers, to think clearly & vote accordingly. Continued on Pages 8, 9, 14 & 15 >>

to charge your mobiles, laptops, etc. is another welcome change. The Housie, Fellowship Nights, Dances, Elocution Competition, Sport, Independence, Senior Citizen, Medical Mantras and many more Events are all happening as usual – some, with a lot of innovation. The drinking water filter system is being upgraded. Minor hiccups are gradually getting ironed out. A Bandra Gym veteran surveyed the present situation, saying, “Yes, there has been a catharsis. Sparks have occurred, with plenty of turbulence. With different opinions on the same subject, groups get formed, that shift focus and dilute the cause. These healthy developments are bound to happen – and maybe, better now than later.” As a young member summed up the EGM results, “Democracy has Defeated Dictatorship at the Bandra Gym EGM. The new suggestion boxes I see at the entrances, make me hope fresh ideas will make us see a better gymkhana, very soon.” AGM: The road ahead On 29th September 2019, after the AGM, voting members will have a choice of candidates, standing for the Managing Committee post. Those top six candidates, who get the highest number of votes; will form the new managing committee for the next two years. Meanwhile campaign camps are planning strategies – just like any general election. Competition will be fierce. Visibility, Ability, Accountability & Popularity are key to winning. So, BG members be prepared to be visited by candidates – if you are anywhere in or around Bandra, Mumbai, Vasai or Thane. All hope, that this ‘new wave’ will be constructive & consistent. Aldrin Newnes

Business is unpredictable; it can change like the weather. And what do you do when the weather changes? You dress accordingly. You don’t waste time wishing for better weather, because it will be back soon enough. So, what do you do when business changes unexpectedly? You reach out to Bandra Buzz, our monthly newspaper, website, and social media platforms allow us to reach a combined print and digital audience of 50,000 people each month*.

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BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

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RAIN POWER CUT

St. Peter’s Health Cell in Bandra has been catering to the healthcare needs of the underprivileged of society for the past 73 years The over 160 year old iconic St. Peter’s under renowned Doctors at various Church - Bandra, run by the Jesuit hospitals and clinics. On his return to India he was appriests has an equally iconic Health Cell arm that has been catering to the pointed as Professor of Dermatology healthcare needs of the underprivi- and Honorary Physician in the Skin Deleged of society for the past 73 years. partment of J.J. Hospital. In 1926, Dr. Just as the Church is steeped in history, A. C. Rebello was appointed the First Honorary Dermatologist of the King its Health Cell too has a glorious past. Edward Memorial Hospital This cell was the brainchild and Honorary Lecturer in of Dr. Alfred Camilo RebelSkin and Venereal diseaslo an outstanding doctor es at the Seth Gorkhanknown for his generous das Sunderdas Medical and philanthropic conCollege. On his retiretributions to Society. ment from these hosDr. A C Rebello had pitals in 1946 he continhis early primary eduued to be a Consulting cation at the very same Dermatologist. St. Stanislaus School, A pillar of St. Peter’s run by the Church and then passed his Senior Cambridge Dr. A. C. Rebello Church Bandra, Dr. Rebello founded the St. Peter’s Soat St. Xavier’s High School, dality Skin Clinic in 1946 with Bombay. He then proceeded to Grant Medical College and secured the co-operation of Rev. Fr Ribot, S.J., the MBBS degree of the University of the then Rector, to cater to the needs Bombay in 1913. In London, he worked of the poor and middle class of greater Bombay; even the neighbouring States would avail of his gratis services. EvSt. Peter’s now boasts of ery Thursday for the next 25 years he would devote the day attending to paits proud Cell that serves tients, which was continued by his son over 200 new patients Dr. D.J.A. Rebello. Thanks to this glorious past and annually and has been at the magnificent contribution, St. Peter’s job since the last 73 years. now boasts of its proud Cell that serves The cell presently has over 10 over 200 new patients annually and has doctors catering to key med- been at the job since the last 73 years. The cell presently has over 10 docical services like homeopators catering to key medical services thy, orthopedics, dermatology, like homeopathy, orthopedics, dermaENT, dentistry, physiotherapy tology, ENT, dentistry, physiotherapy and general medical services. & general medical services. It conducts camps & seminars to promote It conducts regular camps & regular healthcare and serve the lesser priviseminars to promote health- leged with love & compassion!

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care and serve the lesser privileged with love & compassion!

Dr. Richard Pereira Doctor Incharge St. Peter’s Health Cell

NO SPEED CUT

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BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

NEWS

Mount Carmel Parish clinches the prestigious Bandra Inter Parish Football Tournament Trophy The Bandra Inter Parish Football tournament was held on July 13 – 14, 2019 at the St. Stanislaus Sports Complex which was well organised by the St Peter’s Youth. Eight teams from Bandra vied for the prestigious Trophy namely St. Peter’s (A & B), St. Andrew’s, Mount Carmel’s, St. Francis D’Assisi, St. Anne’s, St. Vincent De Paul and St. Theresa’s. It was an amazing atmosphere & the games were played in the true sporting spirit. The players – young school boys & girls blended superbly together to provide some entertaining spectacle. One could easily spot some budding talent. All the teams would be contenders for the “Fair Play” award, as they played so skilfully, hard, robust, yet not one foul by any player & coming to the winner, Mount Carmel’s Parish won the Cup beating St. Francis D’ Assisi 3-0 in the spectacular finals, while St. Andrew’s secured the 3rd place. The Best Boy’s was Aaron Joseph from Mount Carmel’s, player was awarded to Alister Picardo & the Best Goalkeeper was Blake D’Soufrom Francis D’Assisi, Best Girl’s play- za from St. Peter’s - A team. Pic Courtesy: Rita Almeida er was given to Keisha Fernandes from Cletus Pesso & Lawson Carvalho Mount Carmel’s Parish, the Top scorer

ST. ANDREW'S ALL BANDRA PARISH TALENT CONTEST

Keisha Fernandes - Best Girl’s player

Aaron Joseph - Top scorer

Blake D’Souza - Best Goalkeeper

Alister Picardo - Best Boy’s player

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VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL (ABOVE 16 YEARS) DUETS & QUARTETS

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NEWS

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

REMEMBERING WENDY @ 70 Saturday, 13th July 2019 was surely a day that the D’Sylvas of Bandra, their immediate families & close friends will never forget. The late Wendy D’Sylva must have been full of joy, as her children organized a Memorial Mass at 10am, at the Daughters of St. Paul Chapel, Waterfield Road. This was followed by a book release of Wendy’s Top 100 Recipes & then a scrumptious brunch – all as part of celebrating Wendy’s 70th Birth Anniversary Somewhere, over the rainbow; Wendy must have been smiling, at all who attended. The late Wendy & Winston D’Sylvas children are Cherylann D’Abreo, Sueanne D’Souza, Jeanann Flanagan, and Leandro D’Sylva. The book was released by Fr. Savio Rodrigues, Fr. Luke Rodrigues SJ, Fr Lawrie Ferrao SJ, Fr. Warner D’Souza, Cherylann D’Abreo, Leandro D’Sylva, Brad Flanagan, and Kyle Flanagan. The compere for the book release event was Graham D’Souza. The singers & performers that morning were awesome - a fitting tribute to Wendy. Eddie Mendes sang ‘The Impossible Dream’, Darryl Loyola performed to the song ‘Fame’, Asif Ali Beg sang ‘Three times a Lady’, Vivian Pocha sang ‘To Where you are’. The audience of over 100, were spellbound at the high standard of the performers. Food was curated by ‘Ice Apple Catering’ and ‘Allied Services’ by Chef Aloysious D’Silva (Aloo). The Floral Arrangements for the event was done by Al Jayson. Facilities Management by Vernon Alvares and The Daughters of St. Paul. Grace Notes Choir was in attendance at the Eucharistic Celebration. The event was captured professionally on camera by Siddharth Meghani. As her son, Leandro told the audience how his mother created wonderful home meals, out of whatever was available; testimonies of neighbours who tasted the product of culinary art, were spontaneous. Wendy’s original recipes, in her own handwriting have been beautifully collated & printed. The Cook Book was designed and researched by Varun Gonsalves and Gauri Kelkar. The foreward is by Chef Riki Kapoor. Wendy’s Top 100 Recipes Cook Book is available in leading book stores across multiple cities. 50% of Sales Revenue of this cookbook will be donated to ‘Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust’. An aunty (in her 40s), who told us not to disclose her name, quipped, “I wish my children will celebrate my birthday, in this manner.” This simple statement sums up, how all who came enjoyed that extended Saturday morning – that had plenty of family reunions & camaraderie. This was indeed a rare event to witness. Hansel Pereira

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

NEWS

Gin & Thursdays at The Boston Butt

For all the Gin lovers out there, Boston Butt has something special in store for you. Boston Butt - India’s 1st Smoker, Charcuterie & Bar has started with their Gin & Thursdays, a weekly property that celebrates the versatile spirit - Gin. On offer are a covey of creative cocktails such as King Louie -a tropical cocktail which uses ingredients like monkey 47 gin, banana & tropical fruit flavoured

dutch liqueur ‘Pisang ambon’ and is inspired by King Louie, the crafty and larger than life overlord of the “Bandar-Log” monkeys in “The Jungle Book. If you like Zingy cocktails then we suggest you go for Limon Collins, a heady concoction of Langley’s old tom gin, house limoncello, and seltzer. For the Gin explorers who like experimenting with different tonics, they

have their Gin catalyst tray which offers 4 gins at 15ml each, served with catalysts to help you explore your own concoctions with 4 quinine free house-crafted tonics, fresh fruits, botanicals, herbs, & spices. You can wash it all down with their bar snacks such as G & T batter-fried clams with Lemon Caper Aioli, Gouda and Juniper Berry jam Texas toast, G&T

batter-fried Shrooms with Dil & Pickled Aioli and many more. #5 & 6 Gasper Enclave, Dr Ambedkar rd, Pali Naka, Bandra (w), Mumbai 400050 Timings: 7 pm to 1:30 am Contact: 022-26453737 & 022-26453838 Instagram: @thebostonbutt Facebook: @TheBostonButt Website: www.thebostonbutt.com

EVANS ELECTRIC LIMITED A Big Thank You To All Our Investors Ivor D’Souza Chairman

HIGHLIGHTS: 1. The issue opened on 30th April 2019, when the sentiment in the market was at its lowest ebb. 2. Despite negative sentiment the issue was oversubscribed 1.59 times. 3. The stock got listed on 13th May 2019 at a price of Rs 52/4. Currently on 5th July 2019. the stock is quoting at Rs 222/5. In a span of one and a half month the stock has moved up about four and a half times.

THE UNLOCKING OF VALUE THROUGH LISTING ON THE SMALL & MEDIUM EXCHANGE (SME) IS MENTORED AND SUPPORTED BY ALTINA SECURITIES PVT. LTD. UNDER ITS “PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP” INITIATIVE

6. In terms of the returns are at 275% per month - over 3300% on an annualized basis. 7. The management thanks all its investors for the faith reposed in the company. 8. The management assures all its investors that it will spare no e orts, in creating substantial shareholder value in the years ahead. 9. In a token of appreciation, the board of directors has declared a dividend of 22% for the Financial Year ended 2019.

EVANS ELECTRIC LIMITED 430, Orchard Mall, 3rd Floor, Royal Palms Estate, Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon (E), Mumbai 400 065

CLASSIFIEDS

A BETTER WAY TO EARN WELL If you are Tuition Teachers, Hair Stylists & Make-up Artists, Supplying Food to families, Running Classes, Property Brokers & Estate Agents, or Housewives; Contact me to use your expertise to diversify and earn more. Phone Feruza on 9821239419 or 9820942172 now. APARTMENT FOR RENT Beautiful 4 Bedroom Apartment available for company lease in Bandra West. Gemveb Dr Peter Dias Road. 1500 sq. ft. Semi furnished private building 4 years old. Attractive rental. Deal directly with the landlord Melissa on WhatsApp only on 9892266803. ART CLASSES Let the creativity and perfection in your child grow with an A grade in intermediate & experience of 4 years. Contact: 9870390093. CORNED TONGUE Available, Delicious Buffalo Corned Tongue & Meat Loaf - Home made with best ingredients. No Home Delivery Call 98203 00751 COURIER SERVICES Sky World Bandra (W) offers premium domestic and international courier services. Dispatch through DHL, FedEx, Blue Dart, TNT, etc. Service to all major cities in India & all countries. Excellent service, free pick up. Sky World, 1B, A wing, Swapna Safalya, 25th road, near Tavaa restaurant, Bandra (West), Kindly contact: 6596 9999 / 2651 2651 /9324388808 E: worldsky50@gmail.com DANCE CLASSES Get ready to have fun at weddings and social events by learning exciting social dances like the Waltz / Rumba / MacJive / Chacha and others with Alvito Cabral. YOU’LL LOVE IT! Details: St. Peter’s KG. Saturdays only 8 - 9pm; No partner needed; Age: 20 years+. WhatsApp Alvito @ 98201 19553. Discounts available.

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019 EXPANDABLE SHOE RACKS Sturdy stainless steel 2 tier shoe stand. Lightweight, portable, expandable & stackable. Comes in 1 & 2 footers. Expandable to 2 & 4 footers. Suitable for homes, offices, clinics, hospitals, wherever neatness desired. Price Rs 650 for 1 footers holds 6 pairs. Rs 1200 for 2 footers holds 12 pairs. Free Delivery Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Mahim with assembly if required. Also for sale 1 BHK at Calangute Baga Crossroads in Goa 50m2. Low outgoings. For more info WhatsApp us on 9819840314 for pics. GUITAR CLASSES It’s just a guitar, it’s not rocket science! For beginners of all ages. Play the songs you love, learn to read music & understand music theory, strum along to the beat and sing! For Flexible and Private Classes. Contact Ms Pinto 9833077714 KICKBOXING CLASSES Amit Lalwani’s Kickboxing, Muaythai and self defence for teenagers & adults at St Peters on Hill Road in Bandra (W). Monday, Thursday & Saturday at 7pm. Call 84540 01235 / 98690 36872. LEARN TO EARN Computer courses (MKCL authorised learning centre), admissions open round the year. Basic, MSCIT/Klic, laptop / iPad / printer, LCD repairing courses (repairing done here), tailoring & beautician courses. (stitching of ladies & gents outfits done here). Contact: Urban Community Development Centre), 104/B, 14th road, Bandra (W), Tel: 26006258 LOST PHYSICAL SHARES & DIVIDENDS Get doorstep personal service for your lost physical shares/dividends. Duplicate procedure & FIR & notary all inhouse. We also offer services in insurance of cars/buildings/mediclaim and other financial consulting services. B/34 Elco Arcade, Bandra (West) with prior appointment. Call 98211 72450 NURSE CARE 24x7 patient care at your doorstep. For more info contact 9321137371

NEEDLE WORK annadsilva.wixsite.com/handson offers knitting, crochet, embroidery, dressmaking courses each Rs 1,600/-. Sale 3rd Saturday. Orders welcome. 6 sessions on “The Good News” Rs 1,200/- plus 1 free activity music, dance, cooking, meditation, library or counselling. Contact Mrs DSilva on 98204 51695. REASONABLE COST HEALTHCARE Clinics (open all through the week): Ayurveda Clinic with Panchakarma theatre, - Dental Clinic with specialities of Implantologist, Orthodontist, Endontist, Oral Pathologist, Paediatric Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Eye Clinic, Foot Spa & Reflexology, Apple Diagnostics Collection Centre. Contact: UCDC, 104/B, 14th road. Bandra (W) Tel: 26006258

TUITIONS Tuitions for all subjects from 8th to 12th (Arts, Science & Commerce). Call S.S. Tutorials 98211 21982 Waroda Road, behind St Stanislaus School, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050 Siraj Sir himself available for home tuition for mathematics physics and chemistry. Std 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th board: ICSE, CBSE, SSC, NIOS, IGCSE, HSC, IG ISC. 1401, Kapilvastu, Khar (w). Call: 09320203009 & 09320503009.

REPAIRS Washing machine, gas stove, microwave, fridge & A.C. Call Ramesh 9892387330 Bharat Service Centre, Pali Naka, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050.

YOGA & ZUMBA CLASSES Combo package of yoga, power yoga, aerobics, basic kickboxing, weight, strength, training, legs & abs. Shaping & Toning (Loose weight & inches faster - 100% Guaranteed results & increase in height & memory level) Yoga: Rs 500 for School students & Rs 1000 per month for Parents. OFFER - Get an extra Rs 200 discount if you bring in one member. Rs 150 per session for Zumba Dance workout. Raajaani Fitness 93224 36447, 93211 37371

SPEECH & DRAMA CLASSES & ENGLISH TUITIONS It’s not just about talking or acting, its about expression and vocabulary. With an experience of 5 years. Kindly contact - 9819234627

WEBSITE DESIGNER Create your mobile/tablet friendly website at attractive rates. What are you waiting for, get your business online now. Call us on 9930806874.

SPANISH CLASSES Hispanic Horizons is an institute for teaching Spanish language. We have weekday & weekend courses suitable for both college students & working professionals. We are an accredited examination center to conduct international Spanish exams like DELE, DIE & specialized Spanish exams for business, tourism & medicine. We have a placement cell as well through which we help our students to get Spanish related jobs. No age limit. Vas Chambers building, 1st floor, Hill road, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050 Call: +91-22-26409039 / 80826 47938 www.hispanic-horizons.org

Your Bandra Buzz ad is picked up & read by thousands of readers across Bandra and Khar for a month because readers don’t toss their old Bandra Buzz until a new one comes out. Daily papers are thrown out the next day. You get a month’s worth of focused durability, for a fraction of the cost.

Call 9820783686 or 9920299787 to book your ad space today!

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

EDITORIAL

Local War Clouds Gathering Dear Reader, The cool ‘n’ cozy rains, interspersed with sunlight spells are like hide ‘n’ seek, to the common citizen. Shoppers, joggers & office-goers are usually caught unaware, with sudden weather changes. Bandra’s promenades, parks & shopping areas are witness to this. Yet, in all this frenzy; there are undercurrents increasing at a pace you wouldn’t even imagine. Yes, local war clouds are already gathering on the horizon. At this time of the year, clubs, associations, societies, companies, banks & other organizations are preparing for their AGM. Besides, the MLA Elections are slated for the last quarter of 2019. All concerned have deadlines to meet. Bandra – as the social hub of her surrounding suburbs; is bursting with activity. Groups use social media to interact instantly with one another – and also have ‘moles’ in their opposition’s group. These are war-like situations, where you know exactly what your ‘enemy’ is planning, in real time – and strategise accordingly. This is happening across all the mentioned groups – including political. Many gullible Bandraites are being lured into groups as community ‘spies’ – so that ‘trouble-makers’ are nipped in the bud. Control is key. Most are

unaware of the hidden agendas – and future repercussions to the community. A lavish lunch or a dinner dance, with some pep-talk - is sometimes all it takes, to gain their loyalty. Readers are urged to use Bandra Buzz, as your local platform – to report any good, bad or ugly situations, happening in your neighbourhood. We are part of your support system – to promote your businesses, highlight views, issues, events, etc. Your action is important to the vibrancy of your locality. Wishing one and all a ‘Happy Independence Day 2019’. Till next time, take care! Jai Hind!

Regards, Merck N. D’Silva Editor-in-Chief DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this paper, are of the authors - and do not reﬂect the opinion of the publishers and editors, unless otherwise stated. Readers should act on the information provided, only after consulting with their own independent advisors.

Where to find Bandra Buzz in print We are available at nearly 30 locations throughout Bandra. Below is a list of some easy-to-find locations to pick up a Bandra Buzz

WATERFIELD ROAD · Indian Express (opp. Post Ofﬁce)

HILL ROAD · Near Bandra station rickshaw stand · Shankar Sidh (near Lucky Restaurant) · The Tata Parsi Agiary · P.S. Chavan (outside Studio Perfecta) · St. Peter’s Church · Sheshmani Yadav (near Wanton House) · St. Andrew’s Church · Ajit B Shelar (outside ICICI Bank) · Good Luck Café

ST THERESA ROAD · St. Theresa’s Church JUNCTION OF 24TH & 30TH ROAD · Rajkumar Yadav (opp. St. Theresa) JUNCTION OF 24TH & 32ND ROAD · Patwardhan Udyan (opp. St. Theresa)

MT MARY ROAD · Basilica Of Our Lady of The Mount

2OTH ROAD (KHAR) · St Vincent De Paul Church

KADESHWARI MANDIR MARG · St. Francis of Assisi Church KRISHNA CHANDRA MARG · R K Yadav (outside IES College) CHAPEL ROAD · Mt Carmel Church · Shiva (outside Mt Carmels Church gate) · Rajendra Yadav (near Starbucks Coffee) · Rejoyce (The Cake Gallery) ST. JOHN BAPTIST ROAD · Sandeep bookstall (near Mt Mary Steps)

13TH ROAD (KHAR) · Khar Gymkhana BAZAAR ROAD · Kalidas Vishram General Stores · Rohit Newspaper (near Kalidas Stores) TURNER ROAD · B.M. Khambe (near D’Decor showroom) · R.K. Yadav (opp. Cafe Coffee Day) · The Bandra Gymkhana · Mcubed Library · Surendra Amberkar (near Peace Haven)

CHIMBAI ROAD · S.R.N/L.R. Yadav (opp. Solanki Chemist)

S.V. ROAD · Shubangi Chandrakant Torasker (opp. Bandra Talao)

DR. AMBEDKAR ROAD · Uday R Pai (opp. Bombay Barbeque) · Suresh More (near St. Elias High School) NARGIS DUTT ROAD · Temperance · St. Anne’s Church

Subject to availability. If you’d like your business or place of work to be added to this list as a valued distribution point for Bandra Buzz, please call 99202 99787

NEWS

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

Falun Dafa: A peaceful protest with unrepentant consequences

Change is inevitable. And just like every single aspect of life is subject to change with the modernization of the world even “Protests” have become more complex in nature. Protests these days have stemmed into violence & forceful practices against oppressive regimes & other manifestations of wrong doings. But the practice of “Peaceful Protests” maintains its dignity & humility whilst still striving to fight various battles. One such method of “Peaceful Protest” is called the “Falun Dafa”. It is an ancient cultivation practice to improve & condition one’s mind & body. For those of you that are curious about the origins of this soothing method this was invented in China also called “Falun Gong” introduced in 1992. It reminds people that even when governed by a dictating ruler-ship the power still lies within the people themselves. This practice was founded by Li Hongzhi & has been awarded with over 3000 awards & proclamations worldwide, whilst also being a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize & the Sakharov Award for Independent Thoughts. A practice like this comes with various benefits & spiritual teachings. Many activists of such peaceful protests link their methods to patriarchs like Dr. Martin Luther King & the founder of the “Seminal Essay” Henry David Thoreau, his work “Civil Disobedience” is still recognized as one of the founders of the “Peaceful Protests” act in general. Protests like “Falun Dafa” are significant yet effective because of their organization & patience owing to a level headed mindset. In the words of John F Kennedy, “those who make peaceful revolutions impossible will make a violent revolution inevitable” & over the last 20 years Chinese Authorities have done just that. China is a country moving forward in Urbanization but freedom of will & the emancipation of personalized through process every year takes a new hit. Over

the past 20 years Falun Dafa became so popular as the millennium was upon as that the Communist super power saw this as a threat to sovereignty & despite its peaceful nature banned it on July 20, 1999. Falun Gong practitioners face torture, murder, brainwash, imprisonment, rape, forced labor, propaganda, condemnation, & economic deprivation in China. Human rights have registered a number of cases an estimate of up-to tens of thousands. Falun Dafa is being practiced in over 114 countries. As an ode to the fallen & hurt practitioners in China, 20th July was named as “World Protest Day”. India being one of those countries & a leader in its allowance of demonstrations, rallies & candlelight vigils did their bit to raise awareness about this Chinese negligence that led to the wrong doing to so many innocent practitioners. It was awe-inspiring to see practitioners from Mumbai & Pune organize meditation & vigils at Bandra’s bustling seaside hub “Bandstand”. Bangalore organized their event at Freedom Park for the individuals that became prey to the persecution of China & lost their lives. The location itself was poetic justice in a way to the diligence in China. China in divided today with the centenarian population choosing to side with the beliefs of the Chinese Communist party & the Gen Z population now standing up to the lying, cheating and deceitful ways of the Chinese Communist Party with more and more voices asking for democracy and secularism. It is 2019 and China has a lot to learn from India and this article tends coaxes fellow Indians to condemn human right abuses and play a decisive role in putting an end to this enclosure of personal choice and individualism in China. This stance can rightfully give India the status of a Modern Day World Leader. Stefan Mateen

Does My Child Need Glasses?

Our vision is one of the most important God-given gift. In recent times, there is an apparent increase in incidence of children requiring spectacles. Obviously there are a lot of queries at the back of every parents mind. Let’s see if they can be clarified, to a certain extent: When does my child need an eye check up? • Ideally 1st visit at 6-12 months • At least one visit between 3-5 yrs of age • From 6–18 yrs, usually every 1-2 yrs How frequently should an eye check up be done? • If normal findings, every 1–2 years • More frequent visits, if the child wears specs or has some problems. What is the need for an eye check up? • To rule out refractive errors (need for specs), congenital abnormalities (eg. Cataract since birth), colour blindness, squint, lazy eye, etc. What hints indicate that specs might be needed? • Headache, eyestrain, frequent rubbing of eyes, tilting head or narrowing eyes to see, spelling errors, watching TV from very near. How do you prepare your child for an eye test? • Explain that eye drops might be put & they would have to sit preferably with eyes closed for approx. half an hour • Vision would be blurred for near work, temporarily after putting eye drops. Will wearing spectacles reduce my child’s number? • No, there is no co-relation to an in-

crease or decrease in number. Specs reduce eye strain and allow the child to function with clarity of vision. What will happen if my child does not wear her/his prescribed glasses? • There is a potential for eyes to become lazy (amblyopic) & not improve in vision, even if specs are used at a later age. • Cannot straighten eyes, if the squint is related to a refractive error. • Child unable to function well in school / home with blurred vision. What are the choices available in types of glasses / frames? • Plastic frames are lighter for children • Elastic bands help keep specs in place • Polycarbonate lenses are preferred for children (especially for sports activities) – as it is relatively shatter-proof • If the specs number is high, a high refractive index glass is better, as it is thinner & lighter. What factors might play a role in the need for glasses? • Genetic predisposition • Environmental factors: increase in usage og mobiles, I-Pads, Laptops or any work done at close range. • Decrease in outdoor activities, involving sunlight. For further info, please call Dr. Preeti Patil +91- 98195 10185 Pali Hospital, Opp. St. Joseph School, M.G. Road, Bandra (w), Mumbai 400050 Timing: 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm Vision 2020 Eye Centre, Opp. Mehboob Studio, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050. Timing: 10.00 am to 1.00 pm

BANDRA BUZZ | JULY 2019

HEALTH

Mind the Gut And Brain Connection, It’s All Linked Once you have one in control, the other follows, all you have to do is be mindful of what you eat, what you think, how you feel. When it comes to the body and disease, we are just scratching the surface because we never address the root cause of every problem. We enable true healing only when we look at the root cause of every disease and go down to the minute details. Everybody has to be looked as a whole, and not a part, in isolation. We often ignore our mind while addressing the body, not realising that mind is connected to it in every way. A classic example of mind-body connection is the connect between gut & brain. The gut and brain are almost constantly communicating via the gut-brain axis. They have an intricate connection and the health of one affects the health of another. A messed-up gut can affect the brain and a messed-up brain can affect the gut. In fact, gut is called the second brain and it is connected with the brain via a system of nerves called the Enteric Nervous System. It is as real as any other systems like autonomic or central nervous system. So, the gut and the brain communicate almost every second via ENS. What happens in the mind reflects on the gut The state of your mind has a direct impact on the health of your gut which is why when you are stressed you feel those kinds of spasms or butterflies in your stomach. That is your brain sending signals to your gut. Even at the thought of food, your stomach starts secreting acids and digestive enzymes. That’s how sensitive your mind-gut connection is. Now think of all the hundreds of emotions that cross your mind and its impact on your gut. Most of the gut cases that come to us—IBS, IBS, Ulcerative colitis, GERD, Autoimmune issues, Crohn’s—have a commonality: emotional distress. Too much anger, sadness, guilt, jealousy, resentment can depress gut health. When one is stressed, as/he is in the fight or flight mode, that is the sympathetic mode. In this mode, our body strives to prepare us to overcome the stressor by putting all functions in the backburner like digestion, sex hormone production, immune system. They become of least priority when our body experiences stress, which means chronic stress can chronically upset our digestive system. Stress also impacts the ratio of good versus bad bacteria. It also weakens the gut barrier that prevents pathogens and protein particles from entering the gut, leading to a condition called leaky gut where the barrier becomes permeable to particles that are capable of seeping into the blood stream and eliciting an immune response.

Thus, it is so important to constantly focus on our emotional well-being, through yoga, pranayama, meditation, visualisation, positive affirmations, practising gratitude, praying—especially when our gut health is already compromised.

What happens in the gut reflects on the mind too Do you know why do you feel blah on days you haven’t had clean bowel movements? Why does the feeling of being bloated or an upset digestion make you feel irritable, moody, groggy and why do you instantly feel good when you clean your bowels in the morning? It’s all got to do with gut-brain connection. The state of your gut health can go a long way in determining how you feel. So now think about cravings & urges that you’ve been fighting. It just could be an unhealthy gut communicating with your brain in the wrong language! Gut is also where feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, GABA and dopamine are produced and they are responsible for making us feel good and upbeat. So, you can go around looking for quick fixes to make you feel good or numb your sadness—but if your gut health is not in proper shape, your body will fail at producing the chemicals that are responsible for elevating your mood and spirit. Everything else is just a quick fix, that too a short-lived one. This is why when you are treating depression and anxiety, you have to treat your gut health as well. Normal people will have those feelings of depression and anxiety which cannot be controlled because your body has the wrong gut bacteria that are not enough to produce the right amount of serotonin that your brain needs. Thus, taking care of gut health

should be a No. 1 priority if your emotional wellness is a concern. Follow a lifestyle that supports gut health and disregard habits that spoil it. Daily probiotics and prebiotics, avoiding triggers and allergens, too much tea and coffee, alcohol, meat—in certain cases—should be your focus points.

The Vagus nerve connection The connection between mind & gut becomes clearer when you look at the Vagus nerve—the longest cranial nerve that passes from your brainstem through your oesophagus, lungs, kidney & abdomen into your stomach and gut. It means that this nerve has numerous functions to do with all of these body parts. In the gut, the Vagus nerve is responsible for directing the secretion stomach acids in the right amounts. Most people today have low production of stomach acid which leads to a lot of other conditions like gas, H pylori or stomach infec-

tions and bugs because they do not have the right stomach acid to break down all the toxins, pathogens, germs and bacteria consumed in the food that they eat and it in turn impacts digestion leading to bloating and flatulence. So, the Vagus nerve is also required to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes in the gut. In fact, sometimes just by stimulating the Vagus nerve you can also ensure better digestion in your stomach. Things like jeera (cumin), ajwain (carom seeds) and all the concoctions do help but there’s also the neurological part of the human body that we cannot leave out of the equation of healing. One needs to be in a state of calm to be able to activate the Vagus nerve, which is why deep breathing, chanting and meditation are some of the best ways to activate this nerve and in turn digestion. Oxygen has the ability to move you from sympathetic to the parasympathetic within seconds. It also has the ability to stimulate your Vagus nerve in a fraction of seconds. The Vagus nerve is a connection between the mind and the body which is why we constantly say that in holistic health, the mind and body is connected. You cannot just treat your physical self without taking your mind into the equation of healing nor can you only treat your mind without taking your physical self into the equation. There is a mindbody connection with all these cranial nerves that start from our brain and go through almost every part of the human body including your gut. Luke Coutinho (Holistic Lifestyle Coach - Integrative)

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March 2019 | Volume 10 Issue 3 | www.bandrabuzz.com | 16 pages | Price: Rs. 5/-

From Kitchen Waste to Kitchen Garden An inspiring journey of a senior citizen in Bandra Once upon a time in Bandra Did you know Bandra was once a group of villages? And every cluster of houses had gardens filled with fruit trees and vegetable patches. Between villages there were fields of grain. This wasn’t too far back but you wouldn’t believe it if you looked around Bandra today! We still have pockets of those villages. And descendants continue to live here. Minus the luxury of space but plus lots of changes, both good & not so good. If you’re a Bandraite, (and read Bandra Buzz) you’ll know what I mean ;).

Everything is a resource, remember what our grandparents said? Space (or lack of it) is one issue we’re all familiar with. Often, almost overnight, we’ve found our neighbours inch closer as each new building sprouts up. And hasn’t everyone looked up from their morning papers to answer the door for the ‘kachrawali’ (or as they should rightfully be called, Safai-karamchari), who then gives it to the BMC truck that makes the rounds every day. Where does it all go? Sonal Alvares Continued on Page 6 >>

Lionel Athaide has stopped giving his waste to the BMC by composting it at home

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