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Event

Silent event for silence at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

SGNP officials, school children, conservationists and volunteers stage silent event at SGNP entrance to demand silence zone at the Park.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

It is an idea that needs urgent replication all over the country. A group of over 350 persons, comprising volunteers, school children, journalists, conservationists, bird and animal enthusiasts and more importantly, officials of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), participated in a ‘silent’ event to demand that SGNP be declared a silence zone.

The group met at the SGNP gates at 7 am on Sunday, April 27, and stood silently with placards for passersby to see. The campaign was aimed at spreading awareness that all parks and sanctuaries are hallowed grounds that demand silent appreciation from those who visit their precincts.

“SGNP woke to birdsong in the company of 350 kids, volunteers and forest officials, all gathered to express their silent support for Mumbai’s incredible forest and its wild denizens,” said Valmi Shah Shirodkar of Sanctuary Asia. “The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is Mumbai’s lifeline – it provides us with clean drinking water and invaluable climate control services. It is home to more butterfly species than the whole of the UK as well as free-ranging leopards and countless other mammals and birds. Having the park declared a silent zone will go a long way in protecting the forest.”

The campaign is jointly initiated by Maharashtra Forest Department and Sanctuary Asia. “The forest staff was led by Vinay Gupta, Director SGNP, and there were a host of NGOs, conservationists and journalists. [This is] the first silent event of its kind in support of a national park in India, and we fully expect that this quiet and peaceful demonstration will become a trend across India in the days ahead,” Valmi said.

Young children, some dressed as flamingos and miscellaneous birds, plus a host of volunteers, stood silently at the entrance of SGNP, on both sides of the forest access road, holding up placards for thousands of walkers to see. Later, all participants agreed that the morning provided great relief and contrast against the din and cacophony that engulfs their lives on a daily basis in Mumbai.

Other participants included Conservation Action Trust (CAT), PAWS, Sprouts, Eco Folks, Vanashakti and Valmiki Eco School.

(Picture courtesy Siddharth Mane)

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Event

Bid for Mahatma Gandhi’s letters, famed coin from ‘Sholay’

The city-based Rajgor’s House readies to auction authentic items of interest and historical value on April 28. Collectors, be there.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

We’re always fascinated by royalty, and more importantly, by items of a bygone era. Naturally, when one is presented with the chance to view such items or better, purchase them, one must seize the chance at once.

Charni Road-based Rajgor’s, the famous auctioneers, will host an auction of rare historical artefacts and jewellery; more importantly, collectors and buyers will get the chance to bid for two original letters penned by Mahatma Gandhi (see pic above). Moreover, the famed silver coin from the evergreen classic Sholay will also go under the hammer.

Dilip RajgorRajgor’s last had an auction in September 2013 in Mumbai; however, the event was marred by some controversy after it was learnt that a coin belonging to the era of Shivaji was to be auctioned. Nevertheless, Dilip Rajgor (see pic on left), Founder and CEO of Rajgor’s, is confident that this auction will go off as well as the last one.

Excerpts from an interview with Dilip Rajgor:

What was the response to the last auction like?

The last (Auction 10) was very well received by the collector community. The only problem we had was (sic) since a political party objected to the auction of Shivaji hoan (a ‘hoan’ is a coin), so many people thought that the auction was cancelled and hence they could not attend. However, they called us later and were surprised to know that the auction took place as planned. That was the only set back. 

What are some of the interesting items to go under the hammer in this auction? 

There are many such items. First and foremost is Mahatma Gandhi’s handwritten letter. There are two such letters. Lot 143 is handwritten and autographed by the Mahatma and Lot 144 is written by his assistant, but he has signed it. In both the Gujarati letters, he has signed off as Bapu na ashirwad (Blessings of Bapu).

The letters are important for a number of reasons. Firstly, the letters are genuine. Secondly, it’s for the first time in India that such letters are being offered to collectors and the public.

Thirdly, the letters have a full pedigree, that is, the sources of the letters are well-reported – this proves that they are not stolen.

Fourthly, the letters are also well-reported in the books on Mahatma Gandhi, namely, Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. And finally, these letters are offered to collectors at a tenth of their international value.

Among other important things in the auction are a silver coin from the film Sholay, important and rare statues of Buddha and the Jain religion, prints of Raja Ravi Varma, and silver Articles and jewellery.

Is it possible to bid online through your site?

Yes, it is quite possible to bid online. But one must be registered with us before they bid.

What are you doing different for this auction from the last one?

The most important part of the present auction is its printed catalogue. The catalogue is printed in India by world-known printers, Pragati Printers of Hyderabad, who are known for their international print quality. The printing of the catalogue ‘speaks’, and one feels like that all the objects are live on the pages.

Who do you anticipate will be most interested in this auction?

The top-most attractive item will be the letters of Mahatma Gandhi. Looking especially at the response from collectors of Mumbai, we are sure that the two letters of Mahatma Gandhi are going to create record prices in India. And a lot of people will talk about it for days together.

The auction will take place on April 28 at 7 pm, The Ballroom, The Taj President, Cuffe Parade. Look up more details at www.rajgors.com.

(Pictures courtesy Rajgor’s)

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Event

38 students and a mega project

Students of city-based college have put together video documentaries, a magazine and photo show to be exhibited over four days.
by Sophia Institute of Social Communications Media

Video documentaries, social awareness campaigns, a magazine and a photography exhibit – all of these have been put together by a group of 38 young people, all students, in the space of a year. Their project will be exhibited over four days from today, February 20 to Sunday, February 23, 2014 at the Sophia Institute of Social Communications Media on the Sophia campus from 11.30 am to 7.30 pm.

The documentaries feature stories from the many lives that unfold each day in Mumbai. As the working day ends, Basheera Inamdar, Priya Posture and Sitaram Paswan head to school – N se School documents the struggles adults face while attempting to complete their education. Breathe My Space (in pic below) follows Jigna Chanpura training for a marathon, Varsha Bhoweer taking tuitions and Meghna Kotecha Kamath going about her daily chores, valiantly taking on the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis.

Group 4 Breathe My Space Milind Soman gives Jigna Chanpura marathon tipsThe advertising campaigns urges people to save caracals, combat homophobia, seek help for emotional distress and donate sanitary napkins.

Marginalia, the institute’s student magazine, follows the lives of those who ostensibly live on the margins of society but are nevertheless an indispensable part of the fabric of Mumbai—bar dancers, idli sellers, railway gangmen and transgenders. Last year’s edition won three awards – the  Silver Award for the Best Overall Magazine, the Award for the Most Creative Name and the First Runner Up for the most imperative content, at the ICE Awards 2013.

In November, the institute’s students travelled to Bundelkhand and followed the women journalists of Khabar Lahariya into the villages where they observed flawed policies such as laptops being distributed in places that did not have electricity, the acute disparity in the status of women as compared to men, the daily injustice of caste-based discrimination and so on. Their experiences are documented in the broadcast news features and photography exhibit.

(Pictures courtesy Sophia Institute of Social Communications Media)

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Event

Exhibition: Prakash Ghadge showcases Mumbai

Renowned pen and ink artist’s solo show opens today at Nehru Centre Art Gallery; presents Mumbai in all its splendour.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

In the rush to run our daily lives, and in the midst of increasing traffic, commuter chaos and crime, we often forget one simple fact: Mumbai is gorgeous.

Renowned Pen & Ink Artist Prakash GhadgeHowever, noted pen and ink artist Prakash Ghadge (in pic on left) hasn’t forgotten the city of his birth. In a solo showing starting today, February 18 to 24, 2014 at the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Prakash will exhibit a series of his works capturing the small, hidden beauties of Mumbai.

Prakash says, “I aim to gather all the small beauties of our own city and put them down in my paintings. I am excited to showcase my exhibition with a specific aim to let people know the beauty of their own city. I have travelled across the world, yet I always question myself, ‘Why do Indians plan their sightseeing outside India?’ As soon as I returned from my world art tour, I began drawing my own city. That’s when I decided to do a series on each city with its course of nature, too.”

He adds, “What gives my work its originality is my use of the Rotring pen, that helps emphasise light and shadows. First and foremost, nature is the inspiration of my work. Drawing and sketching have always been a part of my life. Wherever I go, my camera or sketch book are always with me so that I can capture all sorts of subjects that I would like to sketch. I have also exhibited my favourite subject related to water, like the Ghats, boats, reflections.”

In the exhibition, you can see the few Benares Ghat drawings (in pic below) Prakash has added. “I have always wanted to share that emotion, Benaras Ghat_Pen & Ink Drawing_Upcoming solo Exhibition_Nehru Centre _18th to 24th February, 13which often exists for only a moment,” he explains.

 

Head to Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, from today up to February 24, 2014. 

(Pictures courtesy Prakash Ghadge)

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Event

Film fest: On gender issues and masculinity

Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA) and Ramnarain Ruia College are organising a two day film fest, starting from tomorrow.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

It is an issue that is currently defining how society looks at women – gender issues have never been as significant as they are today. Seeing them through the prism of masculinity adds another dimension to their scope.

Film fest Final jpgKeeping this in mind, the city-based Men Against Violence & Abuse (MAVA), in collaboration with Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga, has organised a two-day inter-collegiate film festival titled ‘Sama-bhav’. The festival starts today, February 13, 2014 and ends tomorrow.

“Around 11 feature, short and documentary films on the theme of ‘Gender, Masculinity and Relationships’ will be screened on both the days at the Ruia College Auditorium,” informs Harish Sadani of MAVA. The festival will be inaugurated by noted film actress Sonali Kulkarni, eminent social thinker Pushpa Bhave and gay rights activist Pallav Patankar.

What to expect at the Fest:

There will be a package of three groups of films that would be screened at the fest.

Group one: Intersection of caste-class-religion-gender and violence against women.

Dhag – in Marathi, by Shivaji Lotan Patil (in picture above)

Hasina – in Kannada, by Girish Kasarvalli

Asabhya Betiyan – in Hindi, by Nakul Singh Sawhney

Saving Face – from Pakistan, by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy

Osama – from Afghanistan, by Siddiq Barmak.

 

Group Two: Re-examining Masculinity

Till We Meet Again, by Rahul Roy

Boys Cannot Be Boys, by Continuing Education & Training Centre

Thanks – in Marathi, by Devendra Balsaraf.

 

Group Three: Lives of homosexual and transgenders

Bioscope, by Nirantar,

Transgenders: Pakistan’s Open Secret, by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy

Ebang Bewarish – in Bengali, by Debalina.

 

Head to Ramnarain Ruia Auditorium, Ruia College. The festival will be held from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. There is no entry fee, but registration is mandatory. Interested college students, faculty, representatives of voluntary organisations and health professionals must register their names via email at saharsh267@gmail.com or call Manas Barve on 99697 65666.

(Pictures courtesy archives.deccanchronicle.com and Harish Sadani)

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Event

80 sprinters vie for ‘Speedstar’ title

Leading schools in the country today competed against each other at Mumbai’s KJ Somaiya Ground in four different age categories.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Today, Mumbai witnessed intense action as 80 of the country’s fastest sprinters from leading schools competed against each other for the coveted title of ‘Speedstar’. The initiative, now in its second year, is conceptualised by KOOH Sports, and is a nationwide athletics talents hunt. The grand finale of Speedstar Season 2 was held today, February 9, 2014 at the KJ Somaiya Sports Ground.

This year, more than 1,700 schools and 25,300 children across all sections of the society participated in the event. KOOH Sports also partnered with Special Olympics Bharat, thereby making this India’s first unified athletics event.  In a span of 8 weeks, the Speedstar team travelled to 10 cities – Mumbai, Goa, Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Lucknow and Hyderabad – with the overarching objective of promoting athletics at the grass root level in India.

The hunt was conducted for four age categories competing under two race formats – Under 10 (60-meter sprint) and Under 12, 14, and 16 (100-meter sprint) for both boys and girls. The event was organised under the aegis of Athletics Federation of India. The winners were felicitated by former athlete PT Usha, who also mentored the city winners before the finale.

Except for the U-10 winners, the remaining six winners will now head to Australia for a week-long training under the guidance of noted athletics coach Sharon Hannan.

(Picture courtesy KOOH Sports)

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