Ramzan is here. It is a month-long period of fasting. Not even water can be had during the day. What is interesting is that some non-Muslims too observe fast. For many, this is the time to head to the grimy lanes of Bhendi Bazaar to attack choicest seekh and boti kebabs with pudina chutney, chicken leg tandoori, mutton biryani, haleem, dabba gosht, baida roti, rumali roti, malpua, firni, naan, kichda and even halal Chinese cuisine. Non-vegetarians from all over the city, and some from even outside, descend on the umpteen number of food stalls that mushroom during this period. The ambience is anything but hygienic. But then that is more than made up by the taste and aroma of the food on offer.
Muslims break their fast on the first day of the holy month
of Ramzan at a mosque in Masjid Bandar | SALMAN ANSARI
Song & Dance
Politicians appear to be obsessed with dance bars. After losing miserably in the Supreme Court, one expected that the managements of these joints will be allowed to conduct their business in peace. But that is not to be. Apparently the government is toying with the idea of placing even more restrictions on these joints despite the fact that all of them have all permissions in place. One of the bright proposal is to make it illegal for patrons to shower currency notes on the nubile dancers. I guess the government expects customers to sit on the sofas and show their appreciation through UPI payments. Maybe it will ask the girls to have barcodes on their colourful ghagras.
A Gentleman Reporter
Ashley was one of the most softspoken journos of Mumbai. He had his stints at the FPJ and a few other papers in the city and Goa. Because of his pleasant nature he made friends easily. An amiable reporter and a typical Bandra boy, he loved reading anything under the sun. A bachelor, he loved talking for hours together about the books he read or the movies he watched. He was 68 and fairly healthy. He suddenly complained of a lung ailment. He was admitted to the Holy Family in Bandra where he breathed his last. He will be missed by the city’s journalistic fraternity.
Tailpiece
A wag commented that Trump and Zelensky have their counterparts in Maharashtra in the form of Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde! But Fadnavis is far more refined than Trump.
(Compiled by S Balakrishnan)
