Mumbai was the chosen destination for the next round of major terrorist attacks targeting citizens from all around the world. The exact count is unknown but estimated amount of terrorists is 10 to 25, a lot of innocent people died at the hands of a system that is flawed with uneducated politicians and corruption runs amok.
With over 200 people dead the Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Pati states, "Small incidents like these happens in big cities." These are the kind of people who are ruling us.
On Friday Bhavika and I got engaged around 9 PM I was with some friends of ours in Seven Bungalows, thats where I live. Two cops on a bike stopped us and asked us where we stay, and then asked us to leave, which I found pretty ridiculous. So I was like whats this? One of them just screamed, "Chal ghari ja!" in a harsh tone.
Its absolutely unfair that the cops can talk to law abiding citizens in this tone, since the terror attacks the cops have been putting up check nakas for show. Last night I passed through three check nakas got stopped at none while the cops stood by gossiped and laughed as though nothing even happened. Is this the duty of the cops to harrow the citizens of the country while there is a war going on elsewhere.
Have you been stuck for hours in a traffic jam, the reason being one politician with his fleet of body guards are going by. Are they not the servants of the nation and our servants as well, do we not pay them with our tax money. What kind of politicians do we have who talk about how the people unite in times of tragedy and our resilience while they sit on their backsides and have done nothing since the last three attacks on our beloved Bombay? The power games they are playing to divide us all, but do we need these calamities to unite us, its high time we stand together and fight this system that allows each one of them to get away with their wrong doing. I think its time to put this system in place and each one of us has a duty to do, only when we stand together we will be able to stand strong, unmoved by the lathi charges they will bestow on us so they can keep us in check.
Its time Mumbai, its time for the people to come back in power. Do all you can, anarchy, protests, peace marches, starve, meditate, pray, do what you can to break this system and help it evolve.
When a friend of mine Meghana told me she got her old pair of expensive shoes cleaned up from a shoe laundry, I was startled. Did you say, "Shoe Laundry," I asked her in amazement, and thought a laundry to clean shoes sounds interesting, proves to be a boon for shoe lovers to keep their expensive pairs sparkling clean.
Although the first Shoe Laundry, that's what its called too, was started in 2004 in Mumbai, the concept is still relatively new as not many people are aware that such a service exists in our city.
Shoe Laundry
The first laundry service for shoes was started in India way back in 2004, by Sandeep Gajakas. It specialises in cleaning, washing and repairing of sports shoes through a 10-step process.
Gajakas, who has a fetish for clean shoes, was challenged by his friend once to clean up his shoes and Gajakas returned it in good condition. This triggered the idea of starting Shoe Laundry, because people spend thousands of rupees on sports shoes and then do not bother to clean it themselves. They give service from Borivali to Colaba.
Shoe Laundry Contact Details
Tel: 022-66910114, 9820526804
'Boot'(ylicious)
There is one shoe laundry at Bandra called 'Reboot', that's the one my friend was referring to. Started by a 23-year old graduate Vinnie Chadha, Reboot launders sports and leather shoes, suede shoes, delicate sandals and mojris. I am sure all the Bandra girls would be lining up outside Reboot, just kidding!
Besides cleaning, Reboot will polish, take orders to fix your shoes and treats them too with anti-bacterial and anti-perspiring formulas. Such a service is important if you have pairs of shoes which you wear only on occasions, and needs the special treatment and care.
They also have pick up and drop service within Bandra, Khar and Lokhandwala. The cost seems pretty reasonable, sports, canvas or a leather shoe will be cleaned for Rs 100, cleaning suede would cost Rs 110, while boots costs a bit higher between Rs 120 and Rs 150.
Reboot also cleans handbags, luggage pieces, purses and belts for charges ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 650.
Reboot Location:
G-3, Siffin Apartments,
Next to Vijaya Bank,
Dr Ambedkar Road,
Bandra
Tel: 9867435528
Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali is a great place to visit, you get your space there, breathe some fresh air and just unwind. Myself and Clyde decided to do just that on my birthday last month and also visit Kanheri Caves, the ancient Buddhist caves within the confines of the park. We had seen some beautiful pictures of Kanheri Caves on the Net, so we both were excited to go there this time. Unfortunately a pretty bizarre incident at the park ruined the plan.
We paid the entry fees, which is Rs 90 for two people and the car, so glad to see the park empty, since it was a weekday. Suddenly on reaching closer to Kanheri Caves we were stopped by a guard, who checked our entry ticket. We thought that was routine, but as we moved the car ahead, he called us back.
He checked the rear end of the car and the back seat. Now we had kept two beer cans on the back seat to have it on our journey. The guard saw that, and immediately said that its not permitted. We were willing to give it to him, but he insisted that we come with him to the park office and pay a fine of Rs 500. Fine for carrying beer cans, we explained in total disgust.
Utterly pissed off, we asked him where is that mentioned, that guard thinking we couldn't read Marathi said on the back of our ticket. I read it, nothing was mentioned, then Clyde went to see the signboard close by, again no mention of it.
We both have been to national park before, and have seen hordes of people parking their car next to the stream, playing loud music ruining the calmness of the place, and drinking. No one has stopped them, and we weren't even drinking.
This guard acted smart, tried to sit in the car with us, but Clyde stopped him, and then he even put his hand to take the car keys away. Clyde accelerated and reversed full speed, yes, we got out of there. Well, we thought this guard would inform someone over the phone to stop us near the main exit, but nothing of that sort happened. We concluded that he was trying to make quick bucks, has something so bizarre happened to you at National park. We have a friend who is pretty well-versed with the park, he was shocked to hear something like this. So that incident really got our adrenaline pumping, and we never saw Kanheri caves.
However, on our previous visit to Sanjay Gandhi National Park, we had taken few pictures, which shows the diversity in flora and fauna at this place.
This was the closest we got to Kanheri caves the last time we went there. 
How many of us lead a healthy lifestyle? We are so caught up with daily work that we often neglect our body, eat unhealthy meals and hardly exercise. Calorie Care is a health food delivery service that was started in Mumbai to provide low-fat, calorie-counted food to individuals, offices and homes.
So you can avoid eating oily, spicy canteen food. Calorie Care offers three meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) a day for individuals each created by a team of nutritionists as per the person's health requirement and preferences. The meals are low on fat, salt, sugar, and high on proteins.
Meals are delivered through the most efficient delivery service, Mumbai dabbawallas, who deliver lunch to every nook and corner of the city. Calorie Care also has its own network of delivery staff. This service is available only in Mumbai at present, they plan on introducing it in Bangalore too.
All meals are freshly cooked and packed either in dabbas or disposable containers. Dabba-packed meals are priced as below, while container meals cost around Rs 10-Rs 20 higher.
The pricing of low-calorie food is a bit expensive, but I guess every thing healthy comes at a price. They have a good mix of veg and non-veg dishes too. So work hard and go healthy, how does that sound?