BandraBuzz creating community connect since 2010
MOUNTING ON MOSAIC 18th September 2016 | Vol. 7 (II) Issue 9 |
Bandra being the vibrant locality that it is has always been a sought after destination with a variety of restaurants and bars, shopping, sea facing promenades, parks & heritage sights. You can still walk down streets and see nicely landscaped little bungalows that add to the charm of the area. When you belong to an area and you feel that area belongs to you, you may start to think of how you can preserve it. And that’s exactly what has been happening over the past few months here; an NGO run by Bandra born and raised resident Rahul Kanal
BandraBuzz.Newspapers |
called ‘ I Love Mumbai’ Foundation are putting in efforts by liaising with the BMC to beautify our little suburb. You may have seen the ‘I am Bandra’ & ‘We are the world’ installations near the Reclamation bridge on S.V. road by artist and also another Bandra local – Tyrell Valladares. Also the beautification of the ‘doggie park’ at the Carter road promenade, where another one of Tyrell’s illusion-installations of 2 dogs are placed. These have all been projects taken up by ‘I Love Mumbai’ Foundation. TURN TO PAGE 3 >>
@Bandra_Buzz |
BandraBuzzNewspaper | bandrabuzz.com | Price: Rs. 4/-
Beautification of Mount Mary’s Steps by ‘I Love Mumbai’ Foundation & Tyrell
02 SEPTEMBER 2016
BANDRA BUZZ
RECIPE
Peshawari Murg Tangdi
INGREDIENTS: 4 chicken legs ½ cup yoghurt 1� piece ginger 6-8 cloves garlic & 2 green chillies ½ tsp. garam masala powder ½ tsp. red chilli powder Ÿ tsp. turmeric powder 1 tsp. coriander powder ½ tsp. cumin powder 1 pinch boondi or red cooking colour 2 onions chopped into rings 2 lemons Coriander leaves 1 tbsp. butter
A little before you want to serve the chicken remove from refrigerator, put in pressure cooker & cook for 5 minutes after ďŹ rst whistle on low ame. When the cooker cools remove chicken pieces. If there is some liquid of the marinade you can add it to the chicken pieces when they are being fried. Now heat a non-stick pan with the butter & put chicken legs. On low ame turn around till chicken legs are golden brown. Remove from ďŹ re. Squeeze juice of half a lemon on the chicken. Serve on a plate decorated with onion rings, lemon slices & garnished with coriander leaves.
PROCEDURE: Grind ginger, garlic and green chillies into a paste or cut very ďŹ ne. Wash chicken legs and prick each at a few places with a fork. Place in a large bowl or container and apply the ground paste/chopped ginger, garlic, chillies to the chicken pieces. Now add yoghurt and all other powdered spices and rub chicken legs well with the mixture. Cover the bowl and keep in refrigerator for a couple of hours to marinate.
Veena Gidwani, a strategic Public Relations Consultant with a long and successful career in PR as CEO of PR consultancies, has been equally passionate about her career & her love for cooking. Over the years she has innovated with traditional recipes & created her own by experimenting with new ideas.
LEARN TO JIVE! You can dance...you can jive... having the time of your life. • No experience • No partner required • All ages welcome Venue: St. Peters KG, Baba Nagar Timings: Mon & Wed 7-8pm & 8-9pm
Contact: Marlon - 9820344010
Here’s your chance to indulge in the most authentic Italian and American cuisines in town! Located in the vicinities of Bandra, Burrito Factory is a one stop destination for all much more. Now order online www.burritofactory.in & grab different offers. Ordering only through Burrito Factory website.
CALL: 022-26418141 7045532535
TO ADVERTISE IN BANDRA BUZZ Call: 9820783686 , 9920299787 advertise.bandrabuzz@gmail.com
%DQGUD WK )ORRU /DYOHVK &RXUW ) : 3 9DUGH 5RDG 2II VWDWLRQ URDG %DQGUD : 0XPEDL
7HO
NEWS MOUNT MARY STEP UP Contd. from page 1 The NGO was conceptualized by a group of friends from the same neighborhood who decided it was about time they gave back to our community. By taking up beautification projects they endeavor to improve the quality of our surroundings thereby spreading a happier more positive atmosphere among all the residents and people who frequent here. Their recent project was another collaboration with Tyrell who is school friends with Rahul and who also supports ‘I Love Mumbai’ Foundation. They were given an opportunity when Shri Sharad Ughadeji (Ward Officer) and Rajesh Yadavji (Engineer) from the BMC, to take up the project to beautify Bandra’s famous Mount Mary’s Steps. These are a set of 2 stairways that lead you up the hill where the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount is located. These steps are also an important part of the pilgrimage that devotees of Our Lady from all different faiths use to make the ten-day novena to celebrate Mother Mary’s birthday on the 8th of September, which is followed by the traditional Bandra Fair. Rahul and Tyrell jumped at the chance to recreate the image of these historic steps, Tyrell used the concept of opposites as he had two adjoining areas to play with. His fas-
BANDRA BUZZ
SEPTEMBER 2016 03
cination with the night sky, the moon and the stars was vital in his concept for this particular artwork. He used the juxtaposition of night and day and designed a hand reaching down to the rising sun at day break and a hand reaching up toward the night sky to be able to grab a piece of the idyllic night sky. Tyrell who will be painting the faces of many walls of Bandra in the coming months, chose instead to use mosaic tiles for this project keeping in mind that this is a functional area and paint would not be able to be maintained well enough thereby compromising the quality of his artwork. The mosaic tile work also allowed him to enhance the element of fantasy, which his concept is based on. He along with a team of skilled artisans were able to pull off this iconic project in 7 days and was carried out under his company “Metalhead” that he runs along with another Bandra resident Stefan Pereira. So you can see how close to their hearts this project really was when you see the outcome of their hard work. ‘I Love Mumbai’ Foundation has various other such projects in the pipeline and you can look forward to seeing more street art and installations around Bandra’s Reclamation, Pali Hill, etc. Francesca Mascarenhas Pic courtesy: Tanya Prasad
Anticlockwise: Rahul Kanal & Tyrell Valladares with his team
04 SEPTEMBER 2016
BANDRA BUZZ
Mount Mary Chowk unveiled
Bandra Gym and Salsette celebrates Canonization of St. Teresa of Kolkata
Amidst an anxious crowd of over 100, at the junction of Kane Road & Mt. Mary Rd, Msgr. Nerius Rodrigues started with a short prayer and then unveiled the Mount Mary Chowk; while our Lordship Bishop John Rodrigues blessed the plaque and all those who came - on the feast day, 8th September 2016. Earlier, Municipal Councillor Karen D’Mello thanked all those responsible for this Chowk.
Among those present were Ex-MP Priya Dutt, Ex-MLA Baba Siddique, M.C. Asif Zakaria, Fr. Michael Goveas, Fr. Magi Murzello, ALM members, well wishers and supporters. This spot was chosen as it is very appropriate to have the Mount Mary Chowk here at the bend, leading downwards to Bandstand - and also being in the vicinity of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount located on this iconic hill of Bandra.
The Salsette Catholic CHS and the Bandra Gymkhana have installed a photograph of recently canonized Mother Teresa at both their premises. On Sunday, 4th September 2016, a prayer service led by Rev. Fr. Magi Murzello was jointly conducted in front of the picture of Mother Teresa - now St. Teresa of Kolkata. Around 30 members attended this celebration. Worldwide, time stood still - as India got one more saint. In 1950, Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, which in 2012 consisted of over 4,500 sisters and was active in 133 countries. They run homes for people dying of HIV/AIDS,
Tsunami, the festival like no other, in terms of length, creativity and magnitude started off in one of the best imaginable venues in Mumbai, St. Regis, Palladium. 17th of August saw what's called 'The Carnival Day' where contingents from colleges across Mumbai came to participate in the fun carnival style games organized to challenge various skills and build team values. After having a lot fun with the carnival games, the time had come for the Band competition where various college bands competed among themselves to get titled the best sounding college band of Mumbai by Shahid Mallya and Jonita Gandhi. But Tsunami didn't settle with just that, later in the evening Tsunami had organized something very unique from other college fests, a club-style Bollywood night with DJ Chetas, DJ Shrey from one & one in the house at St. Regis. The second day of the 8 day festival begun on a serious note with a youth parliament in the morning where students from different colleges discussed various issues that India faces today and formed policies to address them. Later, the two teams went through and debated the merits and demerits of each other's policies. After the youth parliament got over, the neon lit rooms with mesmerizing artwork loud music and puzzles of the 'Night Event' which evolved around the theme of Tsunami 2016 - Escapade which showed everyone the time of their lives. The third day had a treasure hunt in
store for colleges at Essel World. The entire day was spent solving the big puzzle to find the treasure. It left all colleges physically and mentally exhausted. Fourth day really put the management skills of students to the test by making them a part of a simulated scenario with lots of layers and complexity to the games involved where the ultimate goal was to make maximum profit. The general idea of the first game was to buy a superhero team and use them appropriately in the correct situations to gain maximum xp. The second game revolved around making and selling of chocolates on paper in different countries at different rates to get maximum profit. The surprise event on the sixth day was a fun filled day for colleges as they played games like dog and the bone, lagori and many other fun filled and action packed games in college classrooms also games like soapy kabbadi, human pinball, box cricket, etc. The sports day took place at the prestigious Priya Darshini Park. Many sports events like 100m, 200m and 400m races took place. Students represented their colleges in football matches for guys and quidditch matches for girls. Acclaimed footballers Harshad Meher and Pratik Shinde had joined the event. An intense competition of power and muscle took place in the tug of war matches. After being hit by 6 days of Tsunami, the 7th day had been reserved as a buffer
day to lay back and rest. The college CL's represented their colleges for the last time in board games at Creeda, one of the most popular gaming cafe's in Mumbai, as the rest of their teams rested. The final event before Tsunami 2016 lowered it's curtains was the cultural day which as per tradition happened in the college's equipped auditorium where the movie 'Akira' had premiered globally as a part of Tsunami's pre event. The cultural day was probably the most visually appealing day of Tsunami. Celebrities like Boman Irani, Sajid - Farhad, Rashid Ali, Marzi Pestonji graced the cultural day with their presence. In the first half which had a dance competition, colleges put up dances that revolved around one popular movie dialogue. The dance competition was judged by Boman Irani, Marzi Pestonji, Rashid Ali, Shazia Samji and Raj Baiker. MMK gave tribute to Bhai (Salman Khan),
Mount Mary Chowk is unveiled by his Lordshop John Rodrigues
Tsunami - Fest by the Bay
NEWS
leprosy and tuberculosis; soup kitchens; dispensaries and mobile clinics; children's and family counselling programmes; orphanages; and schools. Members must adhere to the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, as well as a fourth vow, to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor”. She was declared a saint by Pope Francis in the Vatican - in front of an international audience, including an Indian delegation. Later, that evening, 200 blue & white balloons were joyfully released from the DPRC grounds, to mark the ceremony and honour her. Those present had indeed witnessed memorable moments.
NK left everyone teary eyed with their message of illiteracy and HR filled the house with energy with their dhamakedar bollywood performance. Boman Irani lightened the competition mood with his stand up piece. RJ J Man from Red FM entertained the crowd with his flawless beatboxing and freestyle rapping. The next half took the visual appeal to the next level with breathtaking fashion performances from colleges. Each college left everyone speechless with their performances. Celebrities Sajid Samji, Farad Samji, Karan Khanna, Roopal Tyagi, Harman Baweja, Taher Mithaiwalla, RJ J Man, Simran Kapoor judged the fashion show to choose the best performance. It was a perfect end to an unforgettable festival. In the eight days, Tsunami has been larger & better than ever before. Tsunami is not just a festival, it's a way of life. Dusha Jain
NEWS
BANDRA BUZZ
SEPTEMBER 2016 05
Improve your Love & Romance Luck Are you tired of looking for love without success? Are you looking for a new relationship or do you want to rev up your existing love life? Has the romance in your life disappeared into thin air? Do you want to attract the right person into your life? Is a third angle in your marriage giving you sleepless nights? Are you seriously seeing someone, but seem to be stuck just short of a commitment? Is your current relationship feeling stagnant or out of balance? 1. Clearly write down what kind of relationship you want to attract. Have a checklist with specific intentions. This will help you establish a clear mental picture for your ideal relationship. Clarify what kind of new relationship you want to have and write it down as your checklist. Review your previous relationships and notice what didn’t work for you and why? Remember: you do not want to jump from the frying pan into
the fire. If you haven’t reflected on the previous relationships and learnt the lessons; there is a high chance that you’ll repeat it. In relationships, patterns repeat very often; only circumstances change. 2. Improve the Feng Shui of your love corner in your home with appropriate symbols, images, pictures, objects that will represent your new relationship. Ideally, in your love/relationship/marriage corner which is the southwest corner of your bedroom/living room. Pick something that really resonates with you. Remember, intention is the most important thing. • Place objects in pairs in your bedroom (two candles, two hearts, a vase with two equal size flowers) to enhance your romance or marriage. • If you are single, clear some room in your closet and hang several empty hangers to demonstrate you are ready to share your space with someone special. • If your love life has gone stale, treat yourself to new, luxurious bedding to freshen your relationship & encourage your spouse
or partner to linger in bed with you. • Display a current photo of you and your spouse or partner doing something fun together; if you aren’t in a relationship right now, display a romantic image. • Make sure you have the right queen size bed for your relationship; if the bed is too big, partners can drift apart; if it is too small, they can feel limited in the relationship. • Add red accessories to your bedroom in shades of scarlet, crimson & burgundy to activate the Fire Element and ignite your love life. 3. Good relationships need breathing
space. With lovers and spouses, allow time for each of you to be on your own. Give each other air and light via plenty of space so that each one has their own viewpoints and activities. When we feel loved, in balance and safe in our relationships, all other areas of our life seem to flow. We then start attracting sunshine and the positive energy in our relationships. Let’s turn your toxic relationships into positive ones. Call Maria Hussain, Feng Shui Expert on 9867711021 for an appointment or email us at bhcfengshui@gmail.com. For more info visit www.bhcfengshui.com
06 SEPTEMBER 2016
BANDRA BUZZ
JUST OPENED
The Rover Your One Stop Boho Shop Tired of walking the lengths of Hill Road searching for those perfect set of kitsch earrings or those vintage styled boho necklaces, bracelets and rings? You surely haven’t tried The Rover - the newly launched one-stop shop for artisanal jewellery, handcrafted hair accessories, handloom clothing, funky footwear, pretty stationary and bohemian knick-knacks. Curated by artist-cum-designer Shruti Kumar, the Rover Store hosts originally designed hair accessories from her very own brand Tressesory besides innumerable intricately designed rings, necklaces, chokers, earrings and the like cast in brass, sterling silver and german silver. After being a part of various flea markets all over the country with her brand Tressesory, Shruti decided to launch her store in Pali
Naka, Bandra. The designs are mostly based on tribal themes and are perfect for anyone who is willing to experiment a little, yet at the same time there is enough variety in her creations to suit formal wear. The Rover Store, which is a carefully curated little space, is a dreamland for the young gypsy soul. Chic headbands, hip headchains, charming tiaras, feather extensions and the like are all part of its hair accessory range. Besides, yet another of its offerings are the maxi dresses, vests, off-shoulder tops and palazzos all in pure cotton or handloom fabrics. One of the few striking attractions of this quaint outlet is the unbelievably cool earring door - hosting a range of quirky yet charming mix of artistically designed ear-
Turquoise Dreamcatcher Earrings
rings. But that's not all the store has on offer. A look around gives you an idea of the ingeniously crafted footwear, bags, hand drawn stationary and crochet jewellery. It's the ideal place to get yourself a complete makeover - from head to toe - a one-stopshop for your fashion needs to give you that boho chic look. The Rover stocks inhouse designs as well as sourced products from various designers across the country and has an online platform, www.therover.co.in offering
a limited variety of its delightful products. The next time you feel lost searching for some offbeat, artistic, free-spirited and eccentric fashion head over to The Rover Store which will have all the answers to your daily fashion needs. Valerian D'Costa THE ROVER Shop no. 1, Dun Hill Dome, St. John Road, near Gold's Gym, Bandra (W) Mumbai 50 26405922
JUST OPENED
BANDRA BUZZ
SEPTEMBER 2016 07
Posh Pets: Pampering & Protecting Posh Pets is the brainchild of Capt. Dhaval Bhatt, this chopper pilot professional and animal lover went through an ordeal of great lengths which lead to the conception of Posh Pets. In the year 2014 he had the misfortune of being separated with his dog while he was away for work commitments. The trauma was both mentally and physically draining, a full fledge search ensued and thanks to the alertness of a group of children he was reunited with his beloved. However after reflecting on all that we went through he decided to start a pet lodging service, in order to make sure that no other pet lover goes through what he had to endure. Dhaval has 12 large pedigree dogs which he has raised therefore having first-hand experience with the big guys he is at ease with smaller furry friends. His bungalow in Khardi is an ideal location for the pets as he has ample of space and manpower help in place. Besides the lodging service he also specialises in unique animal treats such as cookies no name a few, spinach bit cookie, cheese garlic pleasure, cheesy carrot and peanut butter which are all made with natural ingredients which are compatible with the animal’s digestive system. Other than cookies he prepares cakes and ice creams on special order. After having set up a pet store in Thane in the year 2014, he has now opened his doors for Bandraites. Patrons are offered loads of services such as a full fledged pet parlour for grooming & medicated baths, nail clipping, hair cutting, ear cleaning and dental care for cats, dogs and birds. A special section is dedicated for brands of animal food, treats and accessories for a wide range of pets and they also provide lodging service. Another important aspect of his store is acquiring of pedigree breeds, which he says is more for the passion rather than the monetary purpose. The method he has in place definitely exuberates his intentions. He is well aware of instances when people purchase breeds but due to various genetic reasons succumb to medical complications, on the other hand many a times
people abandon their pets because they are unable to cope with the responsibilities. Therefore he has formulated an agreement policy wherein both the interest of the owner and the pet are safeguarded. He provides pedigree breeds after consulting with patrons and getting to know their circumstances with regards to their capability to look after the pet. In case he thinks that the breed they seek is not ideal with their scenario due to various reasons such as lack of space, financially overburdening and incompatible family units then he suggests an alternate breed. This step is taken in order to make sure that after taking in the pet the owners do not displace them. As a proof of the lineage of the pets he also ensures that the health conditions of the animals are in place. Both the parties sign an agreement which states the responsibilities of the owner and breeder. In future if due to unavoidable circumstances the owner has to put the pet up for adoption he arranges for its fostering as well. He also undertakes frequent visits to make sure that the animal is getting cared for and is comfortable in their new homes. Dhaval states "It is disheartening to see pets abandoned on the road, people must be responsible and I therefore explain the commitment that goes into raising a pet. One has to be there for the animal on an emotional, physical and financial front. Also it is important that the animal has a steady health and immune system. It is not easy to get over the loss of a pet once you get emotionally attached. My breeds have a strong genetic constitution and I do not treat them as mere reproductive machines. After they litter they are well nursed and nourished. I do not take a breach of agreement lightly, because at the end of the day the pet is the one who suffers the most." Sidhant Nayangara Shop no. 5, Matai Mansion, St. John Baptist Road, opp. Federal Bank, near Bungalow 9, Bandra (W), Mumbai 50 9820002660
Capt. Dhaval Bhatt with his new family member Snow White
Posh Pets is a one stop shop for your pets from food to accessories
A wide range of toys, leash, shampoos & beds for your pets
Posh Pets stocks a wide range of cats, dogs, hamsters & bird products
08 SEPTEMBER 2016
BANDRA BUZZ
NEWS
69-years later, Happy Book Stall still going strong in Bandra "If you don’t find a book anywhere you will definitely find it at Happy Book Stall." This is the claim of customers who have been regular visitors of the book store for long years. Mumbai’s oldest book store named ‘Happy Book Stall’ lies on our Hill Road and has been there since the last 60 years. You name it and you will find the book there. So, you can find anything from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series to Rabindranath Tagore’s Collected Stories, from George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones to Hussain Zaidi’s Dongri to Dubai; Happy Book Stall is the one stop solution for all those avid readers who are always desperately waiting for the new series of books as soon as it releases. The bookstore claims to have sold limited edition titles which no one in India has sold. Happy Book Stall believes purely in the reading business therefore has a wide range of novels, children’s books and magazines. The variety of books ranges from fictional, non-fictional, inspirational, self help, autobiographies, fantasy, management, children’s stories, cookery books, religious anthologies and dictionaries. New authors can also sell their books at the store and probably get a good start. The bookstore also has a wide range of Indian authors. As the store has followed the mantra of catering to purely reading, there are no academic books but a number of management and self help groups that may help develop your intellectual capabilities. Kids can have a gala time in the children’s section which hosts a number of fun filled interactive books full of bright colours and entertaining stories. And if the bookstore does not have the
Father & son - Rajan Jerajani (right) with Krutarth Jerajani (left) at Happy Book Stall bookstore on Hill Road book you want, then the owner Rajan Jerajani will arrange it for you. He explains, “Sometimes we don’t have the edition that the customer is looking for so we arrange it through our network locally and abroad. We always have customers who have searched every nook and corner of Mumbai to find a particular book but end up spotting it here at our store.” Being the oldest book store of Mumbai,
Happy Book Stall late, founder Mr. Jamndas Jerajani (R) during the 1980’s
Mr. Jerajani recollects, “My grandfather set up this store in 1947. We had 2 book stores in Bombay, one in Colaba and the other one at Bandra in the name of Happy Book Stall. However, now we just have this one book store left at Bandra.” Since the book store has a long standing history, it has made a unique bond with its age old customers and till date makes a deep connection with all the new customers that step in. “Customers come from different places of India in fact, even out of India to visit our store. Often, these customers come from far and wide just to say a ‘Hello’ and revive the bond that we share with them,” he exclaims. With such a strong bond and friendly approach, Happy Book Stall has lived up to its name of spreading happiness by being something more than just a normal book store. However in this modern age of fast paced internet and mobile phones, people prefer reading online and also ordering books online. Moreover, Bandra has some huge book stores with luxurious facilities to sit and read in a good silent ambience. To this competition Jerajani responds by saying, “We believe in meeting the requirements of the customers by focussing on the availability of books. But, we encourage them to take or continue the idea of reading as this is fizzing out these days. Our customers know us and therefore they have a trust factor coupled with assurance. De-
spite of the advancement of technology, customers will come as they develop a certain type of trust due to our recommendations. The trust shown by the customers helps us to develop & sustain our business.” Learning is an ongoing process and gaining knowledge, a never ending task. And, the best way to learn is to learn from everything that is around you be it people or books or the internet. “I had little knowledge about books when my father employed me at the book store. Whatever I have learnt, I have learnt from my customers. Talking to them and interacting with them has filled my cup of knowledge. As things have changed and digitalisation has become a part of every individual, we have developed a website called as www.happybookstall.com where we can reach to the mass audience. Parents can overcome the stepping stone of reading for their children by buying their first book from Happy Book Stall. I am sure that the people carrying out a reading habit in Bandra have atleast once visited Happy Book Stall." If you have a nose for books or a hunch for reading, or if you haven’t yet visited Mumbai’s oldest book store, step at Happy Book Stall to discover the pool of knowledge. The humble senior Rajan Jerajani and his son Krutarth Jerajani will be waiting for you to spread the happiness. Ronald Rodrigues
BUSINESS INFOCUS
SEPTEMBER 2016 09
BANDRA BUZZ
Amarsons, a journey through the years…. Amarsons, a name most of us Bandraites are familiar with. They opened up their first store in Bandra in August, 2000 on Linking Road & the next one in Pune. They have been a major figure in ethnic & traditional clothing, catering to the upper middle class of society. From lehengas cholis, sarees, kurtis, formal wear & sherwanis right up till purses, bangles, necklaces & other fashion accessories; Amarsons has it all. They specialize in Indian traditional & ethnic wear, delivering exquisite & delicately detailed products of the finest quality. Be it your best friends marriage or your own, they have all the right products to make you look good. When it comes to their range of prices, a reasonable aspect is maintained. A saree, in their store, could cost you a suitable sum of Rs. 2,000 right up to a vivid amount of 2 lakh rupees. We at Bandra Buzz caught up with Mr. Manish Vora, the owner of the Bandra store, to learn some more about Amarsons & how they function. A particular aspect that makes Amarsons stand out is the fact that none of the clothes in the shop are made by them or tailored in-house. Each product is sourced from various parts of the country like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai or Banaras. Keeping in mind the ever-changing trends in terms of ethnic & traditional wear, they choose their products personally; making sure the manufacturer main-
tains the quality & distinct look of each item of clothing. As Mr. Vora says, “There’s always something new to learn with each passing day as there are many new changes taking place.” Sourcing out products also ensures a bright range & various different styles as each state or city has their own traditional items of ethnic clothing. If a customer requires certain specific changes to be made to an outfit, that piece of clothing is sent back to the manufacturer. The ladies clothing & traditional wear is usually the section that sells the most. Many NRI’s are frequent customers of Amarsons. Apart from that, celebrities, politicians & socialites are a major part of their customer base along with many loyal customers of theirs, over the years. “Sometimes, customers call up the store & ask for pictures of certain items of clothing so that they can select which one they want. These are mostly customers who do not reside in India. However, most of the customers are satisfied when they personally come to the store & select what they want” says Mr. Vora. The range of clothing is constantly updated & Amarsons is familiar with products that are new in the market. It is convenient for a person, when they’re shopping, to have everything they require under one roof & that’s what Amarsons provides. Back in the day, they were like a department store for clothing & ac-
Father and son - Manish Vora (L) with Doongarshi Vora (R) cessories. When a person walks into the store, they are served personally by the staff present there. If an alteration needs to be done at even 2 or 5 in the morning, a person is sent across to help the customer. “We maintain a personal touch & make customers feel comfortable when they enter our shop. If they have any issues, we try our best to solve them & are always there to help & listen” Mr. Vora smiles & says, “Even after the product is sold & the customer has any grievance, we try & help them as much as we can.” If someone likes a particular product, they try & source it out from a manufacturer. Amarsons’ main aim is to deliver quality products which have low margins, curbed expenses from customers & provide excellent service. 16 years ago, when they first opened their store on Linking Road, there was no Shopper’s Stop & very few shops situated around them. After the main branch at
Bandra, they always wanted to open a store in Pune. The store was designed & built as per Mr. Manish’s specifications. Besides clothing, Amarsons does a lot of charity work. In 2013, Mr. Vora opened up an animal hospital in Bhuj, called ‘Amarsons Bandra Pashu Hospital’ which was inaugurated by Mr. Narendra Modi. This was a gift to his parents on their 50th wedding anniversary. Over the years, Mr. Vora has noticed an increase in customers at Amarsons, a rather alarming increase in traffic & the development of new shops & many buildings in Bandra. Through all these changes, the one place which has remained the same, in terms of quality & service, is Amarsons. As the quote on their website reads, "Behind every successful makeover, is a Thread, weaving the Dreams of People - coloring lives to reflect the beauty of all creation" Nayan Sreenivasan
RENTING A SHOP IN BANDRA IS NOT ENOUGH TO GET YOU BUSINESS Started a business & rented a shop in Bandra & Khar? Confused why there are no walk ins? Before you decide to shut shop, think again! Do people know about your shop? That’s because you haven’t promoted your brand with us. With a belief in quality over quantity, Bandra Buzz doesn’t only confirm clientele, but also renewals and repeated walk ins. If you don’t show it, they won’t know it! You took the risk of starting out, now get the expertise to make it work, with us!
For advertising information call: 9820783686 / 9920299787
BandraBuzz creating community connect since 2010
MOUNTING ON MOSAIC 18th September 2016 | Vol. 7 (II) Issue 9 |
Bandra being the vibrant locality that it is has always been a sought after destination with a variety of restaurants and bars, shopping, sea facing promenades, parks & heritage sights. You can still walk down streets and see nicely landscaped little bungalows that add to the charm of the area. When you belong to an area and you feel that area belongs to you, you may start to think of how you can preserve it. And that’s exactly what has been happening over the past few months here; an NGO run by Bandra born and raised resident Rahul Kanal
BandraBuzz.Newspapers |
called ‘ I Love Mumbai’ Foundation are putting in efforts by liaising with the BMC to beautify our little suburb. You may have seen the ‘I am Bandra’ & ‘We are the world’ installations near the Reclamation bridge on S.V. road by artist and also another Bandra local – Tyrell Valladares. Also the beautification of the ‘doggie park’ at the Carter road promenade, where another one of Tyrell’s illusion-installations of 2 dogs are placed. These have all been projects taken up by ‘I Love Mumbai’ Foundation. TURN TO PAGE 3 >>
@Bandra_Buzz |
BandraBuzzNewspaper | bandrabuzz.com | Price: Rs. 4/-
Beautification of Mount Mary’s Steps by ‘I Love Mumbai’ Foundation & Tyrell
10 SEPTEMBER 2016
BANDRA BUZZ
NEWS
Another star-studded year for St. Andrew's All Bandra Parish Talent Contest They say every minute a star is born & for the past 61 years, The St. Andrew's All Bandra Parish Talent Contest has proven to be the perfect canvas for rising artists to paint their masterpiece on, leaving the judges and audiences in sheer surprise, respect and admiration for their talent. This year was no exception as these aspiring stars from dierent age groups stepped into the potlight to showcase their talent with vocals, instrumentals, elocution, dance and drama. The Bandra Zonals keeps getting better every year because it brings in an ocean of exquisitely talented individuals, giving in their all to showcase their gifts and represent their zones in the most splendid manner. More than individual talent which is often the main focus, it's also about the communities and parishes coming together & working as a team or some would say working together as a "family". Captains toiling to get entries, the endless practices through the nights, cast and backstage crew striving to win the best production award and Nana Eugene's delicious snacks is what makes Bandra the best place to be in during these 2 months of the year. The Finals were held on the 3rd & 4th of September & had the best line up of talent that anyone could ask for right from some adorable little below 8's singing & dancing to some stellar vocal & instrumental performances to some foot moving group dances
which led to the dramatics & ďŹ nally the choir. This year I had had opportunity to speak to a couple of key performers who have not only won awards for their zones over the years but also work behind the scenes to help gather & motivate fresh talent. Here's what Simone Alvares from the South West Zone had to say, "The Zonals for me has always been something I look forward too. Being one of the captains this year again wasn't as tough as last year. I learnt not to repeat the mistakes I made last year. The zonals have helped me become more responsible as a person. Right from the time I was four I have been performing at the Zonals and by going up on that stage I've overcome so many of my fears. I would encourage everyone no matter what age to come take part & be a part of the Zonals. It's a thrilling and enjoyable experience which you would not want to miss out on! This is Samantha Fernandes's take on her zonal experience. "Well for me, every year at the zonals is another funďŹ lled experience with memories just waiting to be made. Being a part of the zonals for the past 6 years has not only helped me realise my passion for music but it has also introduced me to some of the most creative & talented people in & around Bandra ranging from musicians to writers, actors and dancers, young elocutionists and more. Contd. on page 11 >>
Winners of the Individual Singing category
Winners of the Individual & Duet Singing category
North West zone - Winners of the Dramatics category
North East zone - Winners of the Choir category
North West zone - Winners of the Andrean Zonals
North West zone - Winners of the Instrumental category
SEPTEMBER 2016 11
BANDRA BUZZ
NEWS Contd. from Page 10 This year I was very lucky to be a part of the winning quartet which consisted of Sherna D'mello, Rhea Von Geyer & Alison Desouza. We were also accompanied by the very talented Calvin Vaz & Eli Rodrigues. Given only a few days prior to prepare & being in different lines of work, we still made time to practice & that showed us that anything is possible. Believe me when I say that we laughed more than we rehearsed, which is exactly what it's all about.. It's about the fun & not the competition. One of the stars of this year's zonals, Alezzandra D'souza, who took part in the solos above 16, won 2nd place in the duets above 14, third place in the quartets, 3rd place in the group dance above 16 & also fea-
tured in the winning play "Out at Sea" said, "The Zonals 2016 was phenomenal just like every year. You learn the importance of team work & the people you meet are just amazing. Every year is a new experience & it just gets better. Can't wait for next year." Interestingly, this year also marked the 25th anniversary of Ryan D'monte a key organizing member of the Zonal committee and somebody who has watched the zonals grow from strength to strength, says, the only reason he keeps coming back is the joy of seeing the little ones run up on stage to perform & collect their awards when they win. I truly cannot wait to see what next year's Zonals has to offer. Until then "May the force be with you". Dujon Fernandes
North East zone - Winners of the 16 to 30 Dance category
North East zone - Winners of the above 30 Dance category
North West zone - Winners of the 12 to 16 Dance category
Cast of South West zone “Men, Women & Life”
Best supporting actors in the Dramatics category
Cast of North West zone “Out at Sea”
Winners of the Quartet category
Ryan D’Monte with his son Ryland
12 SEPTEMBER 2016
BANDRA BUZZ
CLASSIFIEDS
ADVERTISE
EAST INDIAN FOOD
REPAIRS & SERVICES
To advertise your business/services in the Classified section of Bandra Buzz Call 9820783686 / 9920299787
High Quality East Indian Home Food Available: Pan Rolls, Potato Chops, Cutlets, Cheezy Kebabs, Croquettes, Pancakes, Fugias, Sorpotel, Stuffed Chicken, etc. Call June D'Souza - 9930614854
Refrigerators / Air Conditioners / Splits / Frost Free Refrigerators / Indian / Imported. Guaranteed Repairs / Installations / AMC - FRIZARE, 30th Road, Bansari Apartments, opp. H2O, Pali Naka, Bandra (W) Mumbai 98201 97439 / 654 4903
Ad Agent for The Examiner & all leading newspapers. East Indian Bottle Masala @ 900/- per kilo. Buses to Tabor on First Fridays. Contact Adlord: 9702085823, 26005536 Helen: 88798 75918 Arun: 94200 85849
ALTERNATIVE HEALING THERAPY FREE FIRST TRIAL SESSION. For restore, rejuvenate and revive your any health problems with Alternative Healing Therapy without medicine. Stress, insomnia, weight control, negative thinking, anxiety, sinus, headache, laziness, backache, vertigo, slip disc, sprain, tonsils, infertility, stiff neck, frozen shoulder, poor memory, knee/joint pain, detoxification body, acidity/gas, menstrual disorder. At SMC Medical Centre behind KFC. Contact 9833624025 /8652244353
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS Theresa's Artificial Flowers, Absorbant Towels and Assorted Bags - available near Mount Marys Steps (everyday except Wednesday) & on Wednesdays at Mahim Church. Contact Theresa: 9820386916, Prakash: 9920300021
FLAT FOR SALE 2 BHK ground floor, fully furnished residential cosmopolitan flat for sale at Sherly Rajan Road, opposite Rizvi College, Bandra (West). Raheja Constructions. All amenities available. Immediate possession. Expected price 3.75 crore non negotiable. For more info kindly Call/WhatsApp Saritaa on 9821207448 / 9892105368 or jazzybt@gmail.com / for any questions.
FOR LIMITED PERIOD 14% dividend paying Malaika Credit Society (managed by Catholics since last 15 years) is offering 11% interest on Fixed Deposits to general public and half percent more to senior citizens. Call Moses on 8976537375.
FRENCH TUITIONS Students who have not studied French in school & wish to take it in college may contact Ms. E. DeSouza (26557915, 8879209904) For individual tuitions. Get a headstart by studying French before college opens.
BAKING & COOKING CLASSES
INCOME TAX CONSULTANT
Learn cakes, designer cakes, cupcakes, desserts, cake pops, sugarcraft, christmas sweets, easter eggs, chocolate making & different cuisines like mughlai, chinese, italian, mexican, ramzan special, biryani's, sandwiches, salads, lebanese, starters, pizzas, breeads & lots more. Call 9821310728 / 26422689 Facebook page: Chocolate Mania 9821310728
Income tax Consultant available for e-filing of income tax returns and also attending to notices issued to individuals by the income tax department. Total cost ITR 1 Rs 2,000, ITR 2 Rs 3,000. (Home Service) Mobile 09323244906 or e-mail: lionsunilkhosla@gmail.com 30th Road, Bandra West.
BEAUTY CARE
Get doorstep personal service for your lost physical shares/dividends. Duplicate procedure & FIR & notary all in-house. We also offer services in insurance of cars/buildings/mediclaim and other financial consulting services. Contact 9821172450 or meet at B/34 Elco Arcade with prior appointment.
Attraction Beauty Personalized Home Services Hair Step Haircuts, Hair Color Beauty Treatments - Eyebrows, Bleach, Facial, Waxing, Manicure and pedicure call for prior appointments - (Ladies only) Bandra (W) Natasha - 8879296806 natral2408@gmail.com CREATE A NEW YOU - Hair & Skin Treatment : Hair Styling, Ironing, Colouring, etc. All Types of Facials, Waxing (Egyptian, Herbal, Chocolate), Manicure, Pedicure, Threading, Body Polishing / Bleach, Nail Art / Extension, Bridal Package. Call Rekha’s Salon & Hair Spa: 9833562171 or 249, Naval Kunj, 2nd floor, opp. National College, Linking Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai - 50.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY International MNC offers a business opportunity. Work from home Part time/ Full time. To know more details contact 9901053232
COMPUTER SERVICES For prompt and reliable service of home computers, laptops, notebooks and home networks, kindly call or send a WhatsApp message to Dennis Mendonca on 77386-47535
DANCE - JIVE/ ROCK & ROLL Learn social dancing in 8 easy & fun sessions. Timings: Mon & Wed 7-8 pm (Jive/Waltz/Foxtrot) & 8-9 pm (Salsa/Chacha). Venue: St. Peters KG School, Bhaba Nagar, Off Hill Road, Bandra (W). Cost: 1800 per head for 8 hours. For more details kindly contact Marlon 9820344010.
LOST PHYSICAL SHARES/DIVIDENDS
NEEDLE WORK & CROCHET LADIES Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery, Dressmaking courses. Rs 1500 each. Visit www.handson.makes.it. Call Mrs. D'silva 9820451695. Girls dresses stitched. Mufflers & baby sets available Rs 320.
PASSPORT CONSULTANT Passport Consultant available for online filing of passport in Mumbai and also taking appointment for Lower Parel/Andheri/Malad office. Total Cost Rs 3,500 (Home Service). Mobile: 09323244906. 30th Road Bandra West. email: lionsunilkhosla@gmail.com
PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINER Get massive & muscular built or lean & toned built. Complete fitness guidance and exercises till you reach your goal. Workouts conducted: Strength Training, Core muscle strengthening, and Cardio, by certified Fitness Trainers. A practical knowledge, how to perform different exercises and their benefits. Fees: With training, Rs. 2000 Without training, gym membership, Rs. 1500 (Training provided to male & female) Contact: Danny - 9833831176 Location: #35, Pereira road, opposite Vastu Bandra bldg., slope going to Bandstand. Short distance from Mehboob Studio. Bandra (W)
Washing Machine, Gas Stove, Microwave, Fridge & A.C. Bharat Service Centre, Pali Naka. Call 9892387330
SHARES & MUTUAL FUNDS Transfer, Probate, Letter of Administration, Succession Certificate, Legal Heir, Will, Demat and Addition / Deletion of Name. Mobile: 9323244906 (Home Service) email: lionsunilkhosla@gmail.com (Advocate Co-ordinator Sunil Khosla, 30th Road, Bandra West
SOCIETY SUPER MARKET Get Best Rates for all your Household Groceries. Wide Range. We accept SODEXO Coupons & Cards, Ticket Restaurant Coupon & Cards and all Major Credit & Debit Cards. Visit Society Super Market, Shop # 6 & 7, Beach View Apts., 77, Chimbai Road, next to Chimbai Police Chowki, Bandra (W). Call 26403027/84, 26401829 or 9930665121
SPANISH CLASSES Hispanic Horizons is an Institute for teaching Spanish language. We have weekday and weekend courses suitable for both college students & working professionals. We are an accredited examination center to conduct international Spanish exams like DELE, DIE and specialized spanish exams for Business, Tourism and Medicine. We have a placement cell as well through which we help our students to get Spanish related jobs. There is no age limit for the Spanish courses; a person of any age is welcome to do our courses. Hispanic Horizons, Vas Chambers Building, 1st Floor, Hill rd, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400 050, Contact: +91-22-26409039 / +91-8082647938, Website: www.hispanic-horizons.org
TUITIONS 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. Siraj Sir. Residence: 1401, Kapilvastu, Khar (w). Call: 09320203009 & 09320503009. Professional Coaching tuitions in Maths and Science for VII, VIII, IX, X (S.S.C. and I.C.S.E.) Cavin Almeida on 9324259375 / 9769206294 / 7666738135 Save time & energy on travelling with 100% Success Tuitions. Group/Individual tuitions for Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, English & French for ICSE, CBSE, IGCSE, IB & SSC at your place (Bandra, Khar & Santacruz). Crash course for boarding students and creative writing in Hindi and English. Contact Usha on 9892063221
WANTED Wanted a receptionist about 25 to 35 yrs of age with computer knowledge and good communication skills also interested in sales for a prominent hairdressing salon in Bandra. Contact 8097469552
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Loss Weight/ Gain Weight. To know more about your health Avail a FREE BODY Analysis at Temperance. Contact 9901053232 or email aanchaljc@gmail.com.
strategic spots. As people from neighbouring areas converge here - coming to the Mount and then through the fair, politicians get maximum visibility. The air is filled with excitement, with most people playing host - after all it is ‘Bandra Feast’. As we will be completing 6 years, this year end; you can expect a lot of upgrades in your favourite newspaper, bringing you much more joy. Your feedback is important, so that we know what you expect. Please send your feedback to bandrabuzz@gmail.com Let’s make Bandra better by exchanging practical ideas - that can be debated collectively & action can be taken for the common good. ‘Happy Bandra Feast’ - to one and all. Regards, Merck N. D’Silva Editor-in-Chief
Letters to the Editor
Bandra’s Amar, Akbar, Anthony is Ganpati, Eid, Mother Mary Dear Reader, Being mid September in Bandra, we are in the midst of festive fervour from multiple communities; that come to a crescendo – adding to the excitement of diversity in India. It started with the canonization of Mother Theresa as Saint. Mount Mary Chowk unveiled on 8th September – and the thousands that throng to the Basilica and then visit the Bandra Fair. Ganpati processions and immersions are seen at various spots. And then, we have BakraEid to complete the triangle. Yes, most roads in and around Bandra have traffic are ‘bumper-to-bumper’. With Bandra ‘Centre Stage’ - it is that time of the year when community bonding is at its best. Inter-religious interactions are to be seen, to be believed. Nostalgic scenes vary, depending which part of Bandra you are visiting - and there can be dramatic differences. And leading politicians make hay while the sun shines, wishing everyone from banners placed at
SEPTEMBER 2016 13
BANDRA BUZZ
EDITORIAL
CARTER’S SOLAR LIGHTS Walking along the Carter Promenade, I noticed that several solar lights were put along the sandy stretch. However, only one was functioning. Concerned authorities, please get the others in working order, as the darkness is attracting a lot of rif rafs and unlawful activities after sunset. Lalit Ahuja A LAWLESS SOCIETY As momentum picks up for the forthcoming municipal elections in February 2017, political parties across the spectrum, have started making us aware of our choices. Their aim is to reach out to the voter, who is now treated like a king. In doing so, they have started erecting posters in congested and densely populated areas, with colorful photos of possible candidates who will stand for election to the civic body, along with office bearers and senior leaders who are in New Delhi. These posters will not be seen in ALM controlled areas where the rich and affluent live because they have the clout to rubbish them to the dustbin. The posters remind us of the ugly and murky side of politics.
There is no rule of law for putting them up and even if there is one, nobody gives a damn. Even if there is a HC order, it will not make any sense to the senseless. We have seen that with 'dahi hundi' when the height limit was openly challenged by goons and the blaring of loud speakers beyond the decibel limit for 'Ganeshotsav'. On the contrary it was double the required limit of sound, which was a slap to the face of the establishment. Are we turning out to be a nation that cannot be ruled by law? Maybe. Has the past come to haunt us when there will be a dire need to impose 'emergency' and straighten a few things out that have gone totally out of control? Perhaps we are heading in that direction of lawlessness because even the police have become targets of attack. Where is then, the respect for the law? Amar Singh
Mail your letters to news.bandrabuzz@gmail.com or 401 Anica, 28 St. Paul Road, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050
Travels Tips for Safe Eating
Today, travelling for several days to distant locations is all part of our hectic lifestyle be it for business or pleasure. Yet, some simple precautionary measures can make all the difference in having a smooth or disastrous trip. Usually, it is virtually impossible to find clean running water to wash our hands, while travelling. Hence, we use a hand sanitizer to keep our hands germ-free, just before using our hands to eat. However, most commercial brands available contain chemicals that remain as residue & eventually enter our mouth - causing health problems, which can multiply in time. Then, outside food is usually of questionable quality. We cannot be sure of the source, level of hygiene and freshness, etc.
Since we have little or no control - we may end up getting an upset stomach or even food poisoning, just because some snack or food looked too tempting or tasted too good. In extreme cases, if our immune system is too weak, this may need immediate hospitalization. To help solve these issues, we need a 100% natural hand sanitizer, which does not leave any harmful residue, yet killds at least 99.99% germs. Also, our immune system needs to be boosted with natural antibiotics, which do not destroy our body's good bacteria - so that the bad health effects of any 'outside food' will be reduced. Get more information about travel tips at bandrabuzz.com/travel-tips.html or just call 9820783616.
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.
14 SEPTEMBER 2016
BANDRA BUZZ
NEWS
Sebastian Society’s recent progress, a role model? As an initiative towards having better neighbourhood co-operation & social interaction, we took feedback from society members in Bandra; so as to understand their views & expectations from their Societies. Bandra has many large societies – and we started with ‘Sebastian Society’, which covers certain areas around Mehboob Studio & Supari Talao grounds. The common questions asked to society residents, were: 1) In your opinion, do you think that Sebastian Society has progressed in the last 5 – 6 years? Please give examples. 2) Where do you see your society in the next 3 – 5 years?
members, Sancia Sequeira and Gerard Murzello we have been able to achieve a lot. We have a WhatsApp group, where a lot of information is transmitted very fast. Now, we are known as an active society. And yes... we revived the Christmas Dance at Rest Ranwar after a gap of 30 years. Many plots got conveyed in this period, with legal aid & assistance from the M.C. I hope this progress will continue to grow in the coming years.” Maurice Pinto: “Yes, in the last 5 – 6 years, Sebastian Society has progressed. As senior citizens, my wife & myself have enjoyed very nice social activity programmes at Ranwar Grounds - where we had a lot of warmth & bonhomie.” I wish this progress continues.
Here is the feedback, that we got: Malcolm Lopez: “We have progressed tremendously in the last 3 – 5 years. We have revived the Rest Ranwar Club, under the auspices of St. Sebastian - who had leased it to them for 998 years. So the Rest Ranwar secretary has handed it over in 1997. Since then, through my initiative; we have revived that club since 2012 - as an open space that our society members need. Now, we have good facilities, the annual picnics (I suggest a summer & winter picnic), socials, Christmas parties for children & elders, Christmas Bazaar, the Carnival thereby encouraging a lot of social interaction. We look forward to celebrate our centenary in about two year’s time - 2018.”
Allen Fernandes: “Yes, there has been progress. The Society has assisted certain sub-societies to obtain the conveyance of their property - with guidelines, to get this done. After 2 years, our society will be completing 100 years - as we were established in 1918. The society rules framed at our inception, was the forerunner of all the cooperative housing societies thereafter. Our founding fathers set up laws & bye-laws in the early 1900’s, which finally set the preamble & mission. The registrar of co-operative societies today, have taken a lot of clues from these pioneers, to formulate the present Model Society Bye-laws.”
Daphne Sardinha: “I feel there has been tremendous progress in the last three years. St. Sebastian was hardly known in Bandra previously - but with the number of activities the Managing Committee had undertaken in the last three years, especially in the recreation club; this has brought a lot of bonding among members - and visibility in our neighbourhood. With co-operation from Managing Committee
John Pires: “Yes, there has been progress now. Before, we did not have so many occasions, to meet one another. It was just the Annual AGM. Now, we have many events at Rest Ranwar. Warren has done a lot of work. Now, we have a lot of pressures - and it depends how the present managing committee works towards sustaining the good work, in spite of changes. With younger mgmt., we get better progress.”
Sebastian Society Picnic
Inauguration of St. Sebastian Society display board
Seminar organized for a Better Mumbai focussed on DP 2034
Carnival organized by St. Sebastian Society Adrian Pereira: “There has been tremendous progress. The Club House has been re-activated for the society & Ranwar members. Now, we have & a lot of other get-togethers. The way we are going currently is excellent and we look forward to a lot of progress with the right attitude from the management.” Vivian Pereira: “We are progressing ahead from the time we started, inspite of govt. related issues of passing plans. I see our so-
ciety moving upwards in the next 3 - 5 yrs.” Dennis D’lima: “Yes, we have progressed. The sports and recreation centre at Ranwar Club has been revived - from a ruined state. Now, we are given vouchers to get items from Sarkari Bazaar - which is great. I cannot say anything about the future.” Vere Carneiro: “Much progress has happened in the last 5 years. A lot of activities at the Ranwar Club has brought bonding within Sebastian Society. Informative seminars have kept us abreast of current situations. As far as the next 5 years, I do not see much development. But, we should maintain the pace of progress.” With such feedback, we can conclude that the last 3 – 5 years has seen Sebastian Society progressing a lot – with better bonding opportunities & social interaction among members & others. We would be featuring many societies in the coming issues. Mail your feedback to bandrabuzz@gmail.com Your views are important to the vitality of your neighbourhood. Kiran Patel
BANDRA BUZZ
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2016 15
Fashion guru James Ferreira chosen as MEICOCAI Director People had the opportunity to have ‘An Evening with Noted Fashion Designer James Ferreira’, at Bandra Gymkhana on 6th August where many got a rare chance to see how clothes were worn, 80 years ago – and draw inspiration from a past era. James Ferreira is one of the India’s foremost fashion designer and founder of the ‘James Ferreira’ designer label. He is a pioneer in the Indian Fashion Industry and has collaborated with all major players that shaped the Fashion, Textile and media business in the formative years. His maternal ancestor was a Portuguese Ambassador to India. James started his design career in 1976 and currently his unique label that comprises predominantly western silhouettes with subtle non-literal infusion of Indian elements, retails in all major boutiques across India. Early Bollywood stars, to current International celebrities like Freida Pinto, have worn the designer’s creations. The designer & businessman used to live on St. Cyril Road, Bandra. Now, he lives and works out of his iconic 47-G Bungalow at Khotachiwadi, which is one of the last
surviving heritage villages (gaothans) of Mumbai. "Metamorphosis within the extravaganza of haute couture, vogue and global fashion in apparel and jewellery is resplendent, within the ambit of art culture, in these digital times. The process of transformation from an immature form, to an adult and mature platform has come about in stages and denizens in the field like James Ferreira' are responsible for this magic in the universe" says Founder and Initiator of the Mumbai East Indian Chamber Of Commerce And Industry, Rtn, Calwyn D'Abreo. James was chosen unanimously as Director by the Board. Then, Brian Pereira, President MEICOCAI handed over the letter of Directorship to Mr. James Ferreira and announced plans for young men and women who are interested in fashion, design and collaborative events to look forward to the mentorship of MEICOCAI's newest Director, James Ferreira. Over high tea and tete-a-tete, the other Board members present congratulated the new Director and took tips on ' how a today's gentleman should dress to look smart'
Adieu! George Menezes
George Menezes pictured at his native place in Goa
Brian G Pereira - MEICOCAI President (left) presents the Directorship invitation to Fashion Legend and Businessman, James Ferreira from James Ferreira. The Chairman, MEICOCAI, Neil Creado, who is on business in the USA; has sent James Ferreira his best wishes from across the seas and is happy to have him on Board. "Within the ambit of fluidity and panache the ethnic value given to the East Indian dress, very specifically amongst Mumbai East Indian ceremonial dress code for women - this is the ultimate representation of the authenticity of culture and history; that has come down through years of showcasing the inherited personality of the East Indian community. I am confident that the East Indian colour and design on
our ceremonial woven fabric will come back as a fashion statement for new ramp designs. I can't wait to put my hands to it and assist young men and women interested in start ups in the fashion industry to collaborate with me and make the acceptance universal.",says James Ferreira - now Director, MEICOCAI, while accepting his post. This induction of fashion legend James Ferreira into MEICOCAI, will indeed take this new upcoming East Indian Business Group, who encourage entrepreneurs – to that next level of excellence. Neil D’Sa
The eminent author, columnist, former diplomat & an outspoken lay conscience of the Catholic Church in India - passed away on the evening of 9th September 2016. He hailed from the picturesque island of Diwar, Goa. His funeral service was held on 11th September at St. Andrews Church, Bandra. Also known as 'Writer George', - he was a ‘hard-core Bandraite’ who lived on St. Paul Road, where he was the founder and passionate participant of his neighbourhood ALM 102. In a tribute to this great personality, Gordon D’Souza, BCS President, said, “George Menezes was the President of the AICU from 1986 to 1990. He was a powerful personality who had the courage to take on the system and fight for the rights of the laity and minorities. He had a big hand in the formation of the BCS, during his term as President of the AICU. Mr. Menezes helped students get admission in various institutions, as well as get funds for their studies. He helped to counsel and mentor the youth – to get jobs. We, at the BCS; thank him for his invaluable help & advice” Another associate of his, Adv. Vivian D’Souza, BCS Vice-President, said, “The Christian Community bids “ADIEU” to one of its finest leader in India - Mr. George Menezes; at a well attended funeral at St. Andrews Church, Bandra. The mass was celebrated by Bishop Percival. George was an Air Force man, posted
outside India. He later joined Hoechst. He was the first President of AICU and was given the honour of being Asia's Representative for the Pope's Council. He fought tooth and nail against the controversial Anti-Conversion Bill. He was one of the chief founders of the BCS. He was the first Christian leader to be nominated to the National Executive Committee of BJP, during Shri. Vajpayee's regime. A prolific writer and great orator, he mentored hundreds of leaders. Dolphy D'Souza, BCS Ex-President, recalls George as a friend, mentor and guide. Adv. Godfrey Pimenta described him as a leader par excellence... “Farewell Noble Soul.” He was a prominent figure in local social gatherings and seminars. He always 'hit the nail on the head', when asked to speak on topics dear to him. He was a divergent thinker. Considering his advanced age, his alert mind and down-to-earth demeanour was infectious. George Menezes was an internationally-acclaimed author – with several top selling books to his credit. He had written several books, like ‘Pardon, Your Middle is Showing’, ‘The Naked Liberal’, ‘One Sip at a Time’ – and many more, that are forever remembered by those who have read them. His writing career spanned over six decades as columnist for various newspapers. Bandra will surely miss him. Jason Vaughn