Instagram is my new addiction! 

Here's some Instagrammed pics from the Bombay break - the Bombay Masala trip in particular 

(download)

Click here to download:

Instagrams_from_the_Bombay_bre.zip (1.12 MB)

Full credit to Avi for some of the (cooler) pics

The world’s most powerful man, US President Barack Obama, is coming to Mumbai and our roads are magically looking a Lot better.

Here’s a cool animation that I came across which should tell you why the Americans have had to book out practically every room in the Taj.

Yes. It says he has someone who accompanies him to dial numbers for him on his Blackberry.

P.S. If anyone knows how I can get Obama to visit the Vile Parle / Juhu area – please send your suggestions through the comments – our roads really need a makeover too.

(download)

Click here to download:

diwali-marine-drive-why-diwali-is-best-enjoyed-in-bombay-BjzdnGwvbzqofxBkpinv.zip (8.85 MB)

While the plan was Indigo and Walkeshwar to take in the entire sky line, it changed to Pizzeria (courtesy a spontaneous exit from the car, mid traffic, by a by-then-slighty-tipsy yours truly) and proper Marine Drive.

Can't remember what I enjoyed more, the Bombay Masala pizza (the best Pizza in the city) or getting outside with the million people (in the slighty smoggy night) to watch the entire 3 km stretch of Marine Lines lit up. It was what you'd call a *Quintessential Bombay Moment*.

I've often thought that maybe the authorities (Tourism or BMC) should organize a proper fireworks show, a la Chinese New Year in Hong Kong or 4th of July in the many cities of the US. We already get the million strong audience at places like Marine Drive and Worli Sea Face. But last night proved why the current format may be better suited.

Last night was almost like a ginourmous flash mob/street party. As always, people just turn up (in numbers that are only capable in Bombay), find a spot on the promenda to either park their car, or sit on the ledge, with their stash of fireworks, and simply start. The rich get to blow up the expensive crackers (yes the Sensex has gone up 100% since it's low point last year) and indulge in some harmless showing off, while everyone get a free show.

Amidst proper Police bandobast and BMC workers (trying to make a head start on the cleaning), spots are shared while people take turns lighting their fireworks, children are encouraged to participate (under the strict supervision of literally everyone around), foreign tourists are welcomed to join in, food and water is shared with complete strangers. Irrespective of whose fireworks they are and who's lighting them (need not be the same - I saw a couple of people who sat back while letting the children finish their stash), everyone becomes part of the celebrations through sheer proximity. The warm Diwali goodwill spreads like a contagious flu. And it goes on like this for hours until very early morning on the next day.

No, the Chinese model, despite being far more organized and with a completely coordinated fire works display, would be far too mechanical, far too dull for a Vibrant city like this. Yes. It's crowded, chaotic and polluted. Yet it's spontaneous, community driven and crazy fun. It was so Bombay.

Happy Diwali.

P.S. I know the pics aren't the best but I got so caught up, I completely forgot. These were almost an afterthought. There's actually a Lot more fireworks - my timing with pictures of fireworks sucks.

P.P.S. Yes I know it's actually called Mumbai. It'll always be Bombay to me though.

It’s shocking that people don’t know about this shocking documentary. it was aired at the end of July 2009.

Brilliant piece of work by Channel 4 which says:

The untold story of 2008's terrorist attack, in the words of its victims and the gunmen. The programme contains graphic images and descriptions of the atrocity which may upset some viewers. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Dan Reed, Terror in Mumbai tells the story of what happened when 10 gunmen held one of the world's busiest cities hostage; killing and wounding hundreds of people while holding India's crack security forces at bay.

Featuring footage of the attacks and interviews with senior police officers and hostages, including the testimony from Kasab - the sole surviving gunman, Dispatches reveals what happened, hour by hour, from the perspective of the security forces, the terrorists, their masterminds and the victims.

The Guardian says:

Sometimes a terrible news event is so hard to get your head around, the only way to get some kind of grip on it, and what it means, is to zoom in on the detail. Dispatches: Terror in Mumbai (Channel 4) did this to extraordinary effect. Using interviews, news coverage, amateur and CCTV footage, plus - most powerfully of all - recordings of phone calls between the terrorists on the ground and the guys pulling the strings in Pakistan, it pieced together the unfolding of events last November, when shooting and bombing attacks rocked India's largest city.

I still remember that night that we spent holed up in Office, banned from risking the street to go home. I also remember the constant online streaming news coverage (courtesy IBNLive), the Twitter updates, the people that we at town side (close enough to hear the carnage and similarly holed up).

I even remember the sheer number of people connected to me in some way or the other, who were either at the scene just minutes before it happened, were right next to where it happened or knew someone who was a direct victim.

At its core, it gives an amazing close up of the psyche  of the terrorists, who end up coming across as such simple youths, all from poor backgrounds, brainwashed, motivated less by religion, revenge or some deluded form of jihad (surprisingly) and more by greed for heaven (and it’s 100 virgins) and for money.

This NEEDS to be aired on Indian television ASAP.

P.S. Google for torrents

HatTip, Viram Lodhia

 Have an imp meeting on Day 4 so that one I'm not 100% sure of, but will try my best to wiggle out of it.

 Looking forward to it. Let's hope it's good.

HatTip: Prachi (my sister) who went for Day 1 and loved it - especially the session with Ross Lovegrove
 
Sent from my iPhone