BB-Aug-2016-I

BandraBuzz 

7th August 2016 | Vol. 7 (I) Issue 8 | BandraBuzz.Newspapers | @Bandra_Buzz | BandraBuzzNewspaper | bandrabuzz.com | Price: Rs. 4/- 

creating community connect since 2010 

Development Plan or Disaster Proposal 

Everyone is talking about DP 2014 - 2034 – 

the plan that will make (or break?) Mumbai 

ready for the next twenty years. But, how 

much do we really know about the pros 

and cons of this DP? There are several mega 

projects built in this plan – involving several 

thousands of crores of rupees. What is 

decided now, will dramatically affect our 

lives and that of future generations. The DP 

can do good and bad – big time! Surely, 

most of those involved have hidden agendas. 

Can we detect them? Are tax-paying 

citizens not entitled to know the DP – in all 

its entirety, before it is finalised? 

To get an insight, Bandra Buzz got some 

inputs from heritage architect – David Cardoz, 

a social activist (AGNI Trustee) – 

Shyama Kulkarni and the Chairman Emeritus 

of the Forum of Environmental Journalists 

in India (FEJI) – Darryl D’Monte. 

We also asked Dy. Mayor of Mumbai, at her 

office in the BMC Headquarters, opposite 

CST – what she had to say about the DP. 

Smt. Alka Kerkar replied,“I’ve called two 

BMC officers here to answer DP queries 

from citizens. People got to know facts, instead 

of being misled – saying that FSI is 

more in the city compared to the suburbs. 

People residing in buildings going for re-development 

need to know the right regulations. 

These were clarified. Also, the issue 

of open spaces was clarified. I think this is 

a good DP – only when it functions will 

people be satisfied. We will be introducing 

a one-window system. Now, the AMC is 

also very citizen-friendly. The DP is for the 

people and they will benefit.” 

Contd. on Page 04 > 

L to R: Public, BMC Officials, Warren Fernandes & Dy. Mayor Alka Kerkar

02 AUGUST 2016 BANDRA BUZZ IN FOCUS 

A Vet for all Pets 

Interacting with a veterinarian who does 

not love animals is as obscure as discussing 

with a pilot about their acrophobia issue, 

which is a fear of height! So after accepting 

the inevitable, and to a certain degree the 

intrinsic aspect of a vet's love for animals, 

let's find out what sets Dr. Amrita Deb's 

'WildVets' apart. 

After globe-crawling along side reptiles, 

iguanas and chasing the skies with the likes 

of falcons and the spix's macaw (remember 

the blue bird from the movie Rio) to name 

a few, she has returned home. This 

Bandraite holds a Master's Degree in Surgery 

from the Bombay Veterinary College, 

following which she pursued her Master's 

in Avian Health from the UK. Thereafter 

she shifted base to Qatar and was closely 

associated with the rehabilitation of endangered 

wildlife. This job presented her with 

the unique opportunity to work with falcons, 

leopards, sand cats and monkeys, besides 

gaining immense handling and 

diagnostic know-how, she also worked 

with the core research team and her papers 

have been published in more than 35 international 

veterinary journals. 

On returning home in tow with her 

family from Qatar which includes a rescued 

racer grey hound named 'Mafimushkil', she 

started working on a plan wherein she 

could exude all the learning & experience 

she had gained along the way. Her observations 

resulted in the birth of ‘WildVets’, she 

realized that there was no veterinary facility 

available locally for exotic pets like 

birds, rabbits & turtles, most of the professionals 

in the city offer services for conventional 

pet animals only. She decided to 

formulate a veterinary practice which 

cared & treated both domesticated pets as 

well as the wilder or rarer buddies. Secondly 

not many practices function on an 

‘all services under one roof’ format, owing 

to which the patient & the companion have 

to undergo a lot of unnecessary to and fro. 

Her facility addresses all the needs of her 

patients under one roof, including veterinary 

surgery & diagnostic services, grooming 

& a pet store with food & accessories. 

She systematically shows us around 

the clinic which has four sections, the first 

being the surgical section which is also 

equipped with a gas anesthesia machine 

and a x-ray machine. Dr. Amrita explains 

the benefits of administrating anesthesia 

through gas “This method is much safer as 

we can monitor the levels and reduce or increase 

the dosage if needed. The turnaround 

period after this procedure is 

quicker as well.” The next section is the tub 

table, all the pre surgery preparation is 

done here so that maximum sanitation is 

maintained while the surgery is underway. 

This tub table after a thorough wash down 

is used to give the pets, medicated or 

grooming related baths as well. The next 

section is where the monitoring equipment 

display the images of the scan, instant 

x-ray results expedites the course of 

treatment. The final section is the consultation 

section. The reception area of the 

clinic has many happy looking accessories 

and treats for all kinds of pets. The clinic 

also stores a range of pet food including 

brands which are not readily available for 

hamsters, rabbits, birds, dogs, cats and can 

source as per the requirement of your pet. 

They also arrange for cages and other super 

specialized tools for animal care. 

The mission of 'WildVets' is to support 

people who want to raise their own, if 

milder version of the jungle book in the city 

without having to worry about the medical 

support. Dr. Amrita's acquired experience 

and exposure renders her capable of handling 

and caring for all kinds of animals. 

She is raring to go and care for the pet, even 

if they are roaring!! 

Sidhant Nayangara 

Start reimagining home cleaning 

Book a Didi 

in one tap! 

Call us at 040 4142 3333 

Visit mydidi.in 

Tel: 022-26415376 / 26415375 Mob: 8879347788 

B-989, Casa Adriana, 15 St. John Baptist Road, 

Mt. Mary Steps, Bandra (West), Mumbai - 400 050 

SEARCH "MYDIDI" ON

A refreshing take on the e-commerce and waste management’. The cofounders 

Gurashish Sahni aged 23, take flight and what does it have in 

So what is RaddiConnect, how did it 

business model is embodied by the 

likes of startups such as RaddiConnect. Rahul Nainani aged 24 & the youngest store? RaddiConnect aims to facilitate 

The Bandra based online platform member Raunaq Singh Sahni who is 21 the activity of disposing ones waste by 

spearheaded by a team of youngsters, years old, have researched well and resolving the haphazard manner 

have their vision, heart and feet where have promising numbers to back their through which the customer and service 

provider conduct their transaction. 

they belong. With a vision propelling business model, however what struck 

them forward, feet on the ground and us was the fact that these youngsters RaddiConnect enables the customer to 

hearts pounding with the urge to create 

a difference, RaddiConnect is all ciates as they progress ahead, their for the pick-up, the back end team 

want to uplift their vendors and asso- 

fix a time slot as per their convenience 

geared to touch the sky. 

three fold mission includes establishing 

and formatting the market strucfirms 

the scheduled pick up & provides 

from RaddiConnect thereafter con- 

Quiz the founders about what inspired 

them to foray into such an unconventional 

segment & they quickly alter the perception of the raddiwallas market prices for paper, plastic, metal 

ture for disposing and recycling goods, the customer with the competitive 

retort with statistics about the unruly and to make a social change by supporting 

NGOs. 

Contd. on Page 2 

and glass. 

and dispersed market called ‘recycling 

> 


10th July 2016 | Vol. 7 (I) Issue 7 | BandraBuzz.Newspapers | @Bandra_Buzz | BandraBuzzNewspaper | bandrabuzz.com | Price: Rs. 4/- 

JUST OPENED 

BANDRA BUZZ 

AUGUST 2016 03 

Celebrity Hairstylist Vipul Chudasama’s flagship Hair Education and Studio at Jasmin House, Pali Naka 

LET YOUR HAIR 

DO THE TALKING 

What do the famous celebrities Aishwarya 

Rai Bachchan, David Beckham, Rihanna, 

Pink & Cristiano Ronaldo have in common? 

You guessed it right! They all have 

perfect hairstyles. But gone are the days 

when all we could do was sit and admire 

their dazzling hairdos on the television, in 

magazines and on billboards around town. 

One of our country's most renowned 

hairdressers & creative directors for many 

brands across India, Vipul Chudasama has 

now set hair studio right here in the heart 

of Bandra. The celebrity hairstylist and an 

acclaimed consultant for many brands, 

Vipul has launched his much-awaited flagship 

Hair Education & Studio, which boasts 

of a team of savvy hairstylists and artists 

who come from an extensive background 

to create new hair ideas without disregarding 

the classic. The studio services don't 

just include the usual haircut, hair colour, 

blow dry, treatment & hairstyling, but also 

includes the more exquisite bridal makeup, 

besides offering a wide selection of 

quality hair products to help you sport that 

awesome look. 

Vipul, who has trained and inspired top 

hairstylists in India as well as on the international 

stage brings over 10 years of experience 

to the studio and prides himself on 

providing an uplifting experience for his 

clients & students. He has styled top models 

for India's talented fashion designers, 

bollywood celebrities & showcased his creation 

at Haute Coiffure Francaise in Paris, 

the fashion capital of the world. 

An ecstatic Vipul exclaims, “I am 

thrilled to open my Hair Education and 

Studio in Mumbai, it is indeed a dream 

come true. We don’t view our customers as 

a job; for us no two customers are alike 

when it comes to haircutting and hairdressing. 

The diversity of services we offer allows 

us to customise each individual’s 

characteristics to create the ultimate experience 

for our clients.” 

While at the studio the hairstylists bring 

out the beauty in you, the Hair Education 

offers foundation & advanced hairdressing 

courses that are designed to give professional 

hairdressers a greater understanding 

of their skills and craft. Designed to appeal 

to an upscale business and leisure clientele 

and professionals alike, this alternative hair 

education and studio is poised to redesign 

your hair to transform the look and education 

to develop skills of Indian Hairdressers. 

And, well, if you want to 

improve those selfies, you better rush to 

see your stylist aka Vipul Chudasama & 

his talented team. 

Jasmin House, 2 Upper Floor, 

1 Pali Village, Pali Naka, 

Bandra West, Mumbai 400050. 

Call: +91(22)26494411/5511 or 9769900010 

www.vipulchudasama.com 

Valerian D’costa 

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 

RADDICONNECT: 

BUILDING AN INDUSTRY

04 AUGUST 2016 BANDRA BUZZ DEVELOPMENT PLAN 

Bandra West Residents Association 

The BWRA 

wishes to object 

very strongly to 

the newest alignment 

of the 

Coastal Road in 

Bandra West, 

which is shown 

in the Draft DP as 

having a connector at or around the amphitheatre 

on the public promenade on 

Carter Road - which the BWRA maintains 

on behalf of the BMC. 

Due to the overhead connectors, the 

amphitheatre can no longer be used for cultural 

activities, which are organised twice 

or more a month. Besides, during the 10- 

day Celebrate Bandra annual festival, this 

amphitheatre is used every evening and 

occasionally at dawn, which will no longer 

be possible due to the construction of a 

clover-leaf junction at the site and the din 

of traffic overhead and alongside the access 

and exit points. Yoga and other exercises 

will similarly be disturbed. 

The promenade is used by thousands 

of people every day and the connector will 

interfere with their opportunities for exercise 

and healthy living. No assessment has 

been done of the increase in air pollutants 

from the 200,000 cars that will be plying 

along the Coast Road every day, and the 

local impact at the connector. Since there 

will be no tolls on the Coast Road, the volume 

of traffic may increase. 

This will also damage, perhaps permanently, 

the beach which lies just off the 

promenade at this spot and is also a popular 

spot for recreation. 

This alignment, as others previously, 

has not been planned by taking into account 

the impact of increased traffic on 

Carter Road, as well as connector roads like 

Perry / Turner Road and roads leading to 

Pali Hill. These will be permanently 

clogged with motorists attempting to access 

the Coastal Road every morning and 

exiting from it every evening. 

Since this will be the only connector in 

this part of the western suburbs, apart from 

the existing one at the Bandra-Worli Sea 

Link, motorists from Khar and Santa Cruz 

will also be using it, since the next connector 

will be in Juhu. 

Since no study has been conducted 

into the volumes of traffic that are likely to 

be generated at Carter Road, we find an infirmity 

in the Draft DP and would like this 

connector to be removed from the area. 

Failure to do this would violate the Constitutional 

right to a clean and healthy environment 

for this and succeeding 

generations. We would like to be given an 

opportunity to present our objections in 

person before the DP is finalized. 

Darryl D'Monte - President, 

Bandra West Residents Association 

Development Plan Objection

DEVELOPMENT PLAN 

BANDRA BUZZ 


DP 2034: Development Plan or Disaster Proposal 

Sometime last 

year the BMC released 

a DP that 

had so many objections 

raised 

against it, that 

the Chief Minister 

was forced to 

withdraw it. The 

BMC has now apparently corrected the 

Plan and released a Revised Draft Development 

Plan – DP 2034, that will determine & 

control any ‘development’ of our city & in 

our neighbourhood for the next 20 years. 

But a closer look at the “corrected and 

revised” plan shows that it is still full of errors, 

particularly of plot numbers, that are 

crucial to identifying your property in the 

DP. Other clues such as iconic buildings / 

railway stations / road names & junctions, 

that help the common man in locating his 

/ her property - are also missing. If you cannot 

correctly identify your property how 

does the BMC expect us to correctly send 

in our suggestions / objections to the Plan? 

And there’s more missing! 

Road Widening Setbacks which were 

one of the most controversial proposals 

earlier, have now disappeared. The same 

goes for the Heritage Sites. Does this mean 

they are Not Applicable? Not at all! Setbacks 

in existence before this Plan and Heritage 

Lists will still apply, only they are not 

indicated in the Plan. And the list goes on… 

. Gaothans, Koliwadas and several religious 

structures, that have been around for years; 

have not been marked, even though the 

law requires that all of these be specifically 

shown in the Plan. 

Are these really ‘errors’ or is there some 

method in this madness? Is it possible that 

this time around, the BMC is leaving things 

out, just so we find it difficult to object - 

and the Plan gets somehow ‘pushed’ 

through? 

This does seem to be the case as the 

BMC has already filed a Caveat in the High 

Court, against any legal challenge to the DP 

or the Coastal Road, presuming, obviously, 

that there will be serious objections! Now 

isn’t that defeating the very purpose of the 

procedure of Suggestions / Objections? Are 

we not supposed to voice our opinions 

about a Plan that will determine what we 

do for the next 20 years? 

So…what can we do? Well…the same as 

last time. Please do raise your voices, 

through submitting ‘Objections’ to what is 

being done and ‘Suggesting’ ways & means 

to improve the situation. You need not be 

Don’t Mess with My City 

“Most of our objections 

have not been looked into. Religious 

structures like Mt. Mary, 

Siddhivinayak Temple & the 

Mahim Darga where lakhs worship 

- are not even shown.” 

When the Development 

Plan 

(DP) was released 

last year, 

M u m b a i k a r s 

were enraged. 

Thousands of 

objections / suggestions 

were 

submitted to the BMC authorities. 

Agitations & public protests 

were seen across the city 

(mostly led by AGNI) - in 

Bandra on Pali Hill & at 

Carter Promenade. 

There was extensive 

media coverage and 

our main demand for 

“Scrap the DP” was 

accepted. Then, a new 

DP was announced in 

April 2016. 

But is the new one any 

different from the previous 

one? No! 

In fact, in many ways it is worse. Most 

of our objections have not been looked 

into. Religious structures like Mount Mary, 

Siddhivinayak Temple & the Mahim Darga 

where lakhs worship - are not even shown. 

Extra FSI near Railway stations where 

there is no sufficient infrastructure like 

water, drainage & roads - are marked. 

However, my greatest anger or disappointment 

is the way this DP is playing 

with the environment. Aarey land which is 

a unique forest, will have a Metro shed; by 

cutting hundreds of trees, which can never 

be transplanted. Low income housing to 

be built on salt pan land. A Coastal road 

from Nariman Point to Kandivali, Malad. 

The original settlers of Mumbai, the Koli 

Community & the East Indians; will lose 

their livelihood. This coastal road 

will kill mangroves, ruin our 

promenades, Juhu Beach 

(where they are planning 

an underground tunnel) 

- and another tunnel 

under Malabar 

Hill, costing over 

twelve thousand 

crores. Imagine, my 

taxes, and the entire 

Mumbaikar’s taxes; 

being used to cater to 

less than 2% of the population 

(car owners). 

A retired geology professor 

from IIT, at a recent press conference; said 

that if this is done (the Coastal Road, etc.), 

you are messing with the unique environment 

of Mumbai. These decisions will lead 

to floods in Mumbai - and end in a big 

earthquake. 

Let’s not mess with nature, just to help 

the developer! 

Shyama Kulkarni 

Proposed Coastal Road in front of Bandra Bandstand Promenade 

an expert to demand what is your right! 

But we do not have much time. 29th 

July 2016 is the last day for submitting the 

Suggestions / Objections. You need to write 

in to ‘The Municipal Commissioner at the 

Office of the Chief Engineer DP, 5th Floor, 

When the earlier Draft Development Plan 

was released, St. Sebastian Homes was the 

first Society in Bandra to hold a public 

meeting, jointly with H-West Federation 

and Khar Residents Asociation (K.R.A.), 

where a panel of prominent speakers - 

housing activists, environmentalists, architects, 

advocates, developers and social 

activists shared their views. The society 

further appointed an architect, who 

pointed out that the plots were in the 

newly designated “Residential/Commercial 

Zone” and most of the roads were 

shown for road widening. Meetings were 

held with the ALMs, Municipal Councillors 

and the MLA. 

To achieve their goal of ensuring ‘Residential 

Zone’, a three-pronged strategy was 

used: 

1. Voiced their concerns using Media – 

Times of India, Radio One and 94.3 FM 

2. Submitted 494 individual objections 

3. Wrote to MLA, Adv. Ashish Shelar 

The Hon. Secretary Warren Fernandes told 

us, “When we went to submit the objections, 

the BMC refused to acknowledge all 

494 objections and was only willing to put 

BMC HO Annexe Building, CST, Mumbai - 

and let your voice be heard, so we can turn 

around this Proposal for Disaster into a true 

Plan for Development. 

David Cardoz - Architect 

St. Sebastian Homes 

in the forefront again! 

a stamp on the 1st objection letter. We had 

to go to the Municipal Commissioner’s Office 

and only after a dialogue, they 

stamped and acknowledged each of the 

494 objections. We believe that through 

our united effort, we have achieved the 

ZONING – ‘RESIDENTIAL’ for the whole of 

Bandra". 

Now with the Revised Draft DP, the society 

again studied the impact by appointing 

an architect. A seminar was held by the 

society which was well attended and appreciated 

by the society members. Mr. 

Hussain Indorewala, Architect of CSA explained 

the aspects of new roads, reservations, 

designations of plots, FSI, etc. - 

which would adversely affect the St. Sebastian 

Society. The society is encouraging 

its members to submit objections, some of 

which are: 

1. Omission of road names of Dr. Peter Dias 

Road and St. Roque Road not mentioned 

in the DP 

2. Objection to Mt. Carmel Church as a Religious 

Buildings not indicated. 

As we go for print, the St. Sebastian Homes 

have submitted 306 objections to the revised 

DP. 

Kailash Parab

06 AUGUST 2016 BANDRA BUZZ FITNESS 

Have you forgotten to cycle? 

Mumbai Riders aims to revive the culture of cycling in Mumbai 

When was the last time you rode a cycle? If 

you can’t remember it then surely it’s been 

a long time and you need to revive yourself 

a bit. Cycling indeed gives birth to an immense 

feeling of nostalgia for we all learn 

to cycle as kids. In fact for most of us, ‘Cycling 

is the first sport’ we learn after running. 

Then, why not cycle again? 

You must be wondering where to cycle, 

how to cycle, who has a cycle, am I fit to 

cycle, do I have the strength to cycle, will I 

be able to cycle with my physique and 

what if I fall while cycling? A number of 

such thoughts might run through your 

mind but remember these thoughts just 

clutter your mind. You can cycle at any age 

and there is really nothing that can stop 

you from cycling. 

‘Mumbai Riders’ solves all your dilemmas 

as they organise cycle rides on the 

streets of Mumbai on weekends. It’s now 

time for the tourist buses to move over and 

make way for the bicycle for a new way of 

exploring the city is rapidly gaining popularity. 

Mumbai Riders, the brainchild of three 

commerce students Rishi Shah, Falak 

Parikh and Saurabh Punamiya, has brought 

the long lost cycling culture back to Mumbaikars 

in a fun filled enthusiastic way. 

So, what do Mumbai Riders do? In 

short, they give you a cycle, make you ride 

a cycle and let you explore the city of Mumbai 

mainly during the night. So, when the 

fast paced Mumbai is fast asleep, you venture 

out with your cycle to experience the 

peace, serenity and silence of the ever 

noisy and busy metropolitan. 

The idea of Mumbai Riders emerged 

through an experience that the founder 

had last summer when he took a cycle ride 

across a French town. He always looked 

out for cycling tours in whichever city he 

visited and, thus wanted to get that culture 

to the city of Mumbai. Started in December 

2015, Mumbai Riders have organised 

around 17 cycle ride events till date in the 

city of Mumbai with people of all age 

groups right from 12 to 50 years old attending 

the event. 

Anybody can cycle. There is no age bar 

and no discrimination of any sort. Walking 

on the streets of Mumbai in the night might 

be risky but cycling with a bunch of people 

turns out to be a healthy social networking 

event. Not only to you cycle and pump up 

your body with some movement but also 

you get to meet new people, make friends 

and build relations as you share your desire 

for cycling and the mesmerising love for 

Mumbai city. 

The team is fully equipped with a technician 

throughout the ride who takes of 

any unforeseen mishaps moreover, medical 

aid is provided too. Refreshments are 

on them so one doesn’t have to worry 

about getting hungry on the way. Well, all 

the pillars of Mumbai Riders namely Rishi 

Shah, Falak Parikh and Saurabh Punamiya 

have a unique passion towards cycling. In 

fact, all of them are fresh graduates around 

21 years old and the latter work as Chartered 

Accountants while Rishi is an analyst 

at KPMG. In short, all of them are young enthusiasts 

who work throughout the work & 

use their weekend in a constructive way by 

organising these cycling events. 

“We have our own Facebook Page 

called Mumbai Riders where we mention 

about our cycling event. Anyone can directly 

register there and attend our event. 

We want more people to know about it so 

that the culture spreads far and wide. Also, 

the authorities of Mumbai can be more 

supportive if large number of people attend 

our event for we wish to expand Mumbai 

Riders and organise many large scale 

events,” says Rishi Shah. 

The best part of cycling in a metropolitan 

like Mumbai is that it is pollution free. 

Cycling is completely eco-friendly and one 

with nature. “When we travel to various 

cities out of India, we witness a lot of people 

who cycle; even we use a cycle as the 

basic mode of transport in order to curb 

pollution. We want to impart this to every 

citizen of Mumbai so that we help make a 

better place. After all, Mumbai is our city 

and we all love the spirit of Mumbai, let’s 

cycle to make it better in our own little 

way,” expresses Rishi. 

Ronald Rodrigues

A refreshing take on the e-commerce and waste management’. The cofounders 

Gurashish Sahni aged 23, take flight and what does it have in 

So what is RaddiConnect, how did it 

business model is embodied by the 

likes of startups such as RaddiConnect. Rahul Nainani aged 24 & the youngest store? RaddiConnect aims to facilitate 

The Bandra based online platform member Raunaq Singh Sahni who is 21 the activity of disposing ones waste by 

spearheaded by a team of youngsters, years old, have researched well and resolving the haphazard manner 

have their vision, heart and feet where have promising numbers to back their through which the customer and service 

provider conduct their transaction. 

they belong. With a vision propelling business model, however what struck 

them forward, feet on the ground and us was the fact that these youngsters RaddiConnect enables the customer to 

hearts pounding with the urge to create 

a difference, RaddiConnect is all ciates as they progress ahead, their for the pick-up, the back end team 

want to uplift their vendors and asso- 

fix a time slot as per their convenience 

geared to touch the sky. 

three fold mission includes establishing 

and formatting the market strucfirms 

the scheduled pick up & provides 

from RaddiConnect thereafter con- 

Quiz the founders about what inspired 

them to foray into such an unconventional 

segment & they quickly alter the perception of the raddiwallas market prices for paper, plastic, metal 

ture for disposing and recycling goods, the customer with the competitive 

retort with statistics about the unruly and to make a social change by supporting 

NGOs. 

Contd. on Page 2 

and glass. 

and dispersed market called ‘recycling 

> 


10th July 2016 | Vol. 7 (I) Issue 7 | BandraBuzz.Newspapers | @Bandra_Buzz | BandraBuzzNewspaper | bandrabuzz.com | Price: Rs. 4/- 

FITNESS 

BANDRA BUZZ 


Track and Field Coach Daniel Vaz & his pacers ensure that every type of runner is looked out for during the run 

RUN WITH US 

I’ve always envied people who can wake 

up early & attack the day with a vengeance. 

Unfortunately the most action I could 

muster up in the wee hours has been clinging 

to my pillow for as long as possible. A 

year ago if you had told me that I would be 

waking up at 5.30 am to go running & that 

I was a part of a run-club I would have definitely 

looked at you funny while incessantly 

liking all those Facebook posts that 

say smarter & more creative people tend to 

be late risers, much to contrary belief. 

Fitness goals vary from individual to individual 

& even though I am an ardent 

yoga enthusiast you would never see me 

wake up early to strike a pose. The fitness 

culture has been tailor made to suit our 

schedules & not the other way around & so 

it’s not uncommon to find footfall at a gym 

much more after office hours & the mud 

track at Joggers Park to be packed post 7pm 

much to everyone’s dismay. 

However, those morning hours are unlike 

the rest of the day where you are likely 

to be distracted by work calls, crying babies, 

obligations & such, so sacrificing those 

2 hours of sleep every other morning can 

prove to be very fruitful. And you will 

never know until it happens to you & I’m 

so glad that NRC happened to me! 

This year Nike celebrated ‘International 

Woman’s day’ in Mumbai by organizing a 

run at 6am in Bandra by the seaside. Everything 

about that sounded good except the 

6am part of it, but I decided to bite the bullet 

& set the (most hated word in my dictionary) 

alarm. And ever since then there 

has been no looking back. 

NRC, which stands for the ‘Nike Run 

Club’ has a presence in various cities across 

the globe; they organize weekly running 

sessions to inspire runners, from a beginner 

to a marathoner; to run their first, most 

fun, fastest & fittest mile with the support 

of Nike appointed coaches, trainers & pacers 

who accompany you on the run. 

In Mumbai NRC takes place twice a 

week at 6.22am (I suggest you get there by 

6.05am as I’ve noticed they like to sometimes 

get a jump start on the session). On 

Wednesdays you can find them at Carter 

Road where they assemble for a warm up 

at the Amphitheatre opp. Café Coffee Day 

amidst all their branding paraphernalia, 

which I’ll admit adds to the professionalism 

of the sport & on Saturdays at Mumbai 

University Grounds on Marine Drive. 

The best part about it is that anyone can 

do it & be great at it, you don’t need to be an 

athlete, it doesn’t matter that you didn’t 

play any sports in school or college. All you 

need to do is put on a pair of shoes & let 

that brisk walk gradually turn into a slow 

jog & before you know it you’ll be running. 

The NRC Mumbai conducts various 

types of sessions which cater to all kinds of 

runners such as the ‘Ready Set Go Run’ for 

first timers, core sessions such as the 

‘Speed Run’ & ‘Long Run’ for a more advanced 

run & even training sessions such 

as NTC (Nike Training Club) & HIIT & Run 

(high intensity interval training) to train 

your body for the run. 

NRC trains everyday athletes to take to 

their sport seriously & helps them realize 

their true potential while providing participants 

with overall conditioning, several 

training tips, expert advice, inspiring experiences 

& Nike product trialing that would 

help them achieve their personal best. 

NRC Mumbai is led by renowned track 

& field Coach Daniel Vaz, a veteran of 29 

full marathons, who has been with NRC 

since its inception. Dan is accompanied by 

an able group of young pacers who cater to 

different levels of running & paces, which 

ensures that every type of runner is looked 

out for during the run. You will find this 

bunch of Nike pacers to be a fun-loving 

group & you don’t need to take my word for 

it just check their Instagram accounts. 

They have proved to be the best company 

for an early morning run be it rain or sunshine 

through various humidity levels, 

constantly smiling & cheering you on while 

feeding you with fitness tips along the way. 

If you would like to come run with us 

all you need to do is register online at 

www.nike.com/Mumbai (at no cost) to attend 

sessions and get further information 

on the upcoming runs and their locations. 

So come on, just do it! 

Francesca Mascarenhas is a travel enthusiast 

and a freelance writer. Her love for adventure 

& eclectic view on life encourages 

her to explore the world collecting countless 

stories to tell and memories to frame. 

For a little insight into her world log on to 

thechicaway.com 



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, 

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RADDICONNECT: 

BUILDING AN INDUSTRY

08 AUGUST 2016 BANDRA BUZZ NEWS 

Tattoos - A form of expression or aggression? 

In the past, only sailors used to get tattoos all 

over their body but today, body art has become 

a popular form of self expression not 

just restricted to sailors. On one hand some 

may perceive people with tattoos to be aggressive, 

immature & rebellious while on the 

other it is considered as a popular form of art 

that expresses ones individuality & uniqueness. 

It is almost impossible to understand 

why do people choose to go through the 

pain to get inked without actually talking to 

an accomplished tattoo artist who has inked 

clients right from the age as young as 10 to 

72 year olds. After all, why would someone 

endure the feeling of a cat continuously 

scratching them or a feeling of being repeatedly 

being poked/stabbed by a needle right? 

I recently interviewed Jeffry D'souza, an 

experienced tattoo artist located in Santacruz 

East. Tattooing has always fascinated 

Jeffrey. Whenever he would look at someone 

with a tattoo, he used to wonder how a 

tattoo can remain permanent as in life there 

is nothing permanent as such. It got him curious 

& that’s how he fell in love with tattoos. 

All of us used to make tattoos on our 

hands back in school days with markers & 

sketch pens, Jeffrey was no different. However, 

what makes him really different from 

you & I is the fact that he actually went 

ahead to make a career out of his passion to 

make tattoos. 

When this young tattoo artist showed 

me his several master pieces, I was left 

dumbstruck like a gapping frog. However I 

decided to write on 'The Timeless Watch' as 

it caught my fascination. This client travelled 

all the way from Kolkata with his story to get 

inked by Jeffry. There are no digits or numbers 

in the clock as this client doesn't believe 

Jeffry D'souza inking at his tattoo parlour 

in the concept of time. You are never too old 

or too young to try something new. The 

roman number connotes the client & his better 

half's anniversary date. Having been born 

at 4am, the arms of the clock are frozen at 

that time moreover his client had been 

brought up in a Christian area, thus a cross 

has been drawn. The cross symbolises the 

impact the Christian traditions & religious 

customs that left on him as a kid. 

When I asked him about the connection between 

aggression & tattoos he said that the 

links between tattoos & aggression ‘are 

slowly being eroded’. 

'Tattoos are not being used in the same 

way, they don’t symbolise aggression, you 

can’t go with that assumption any more. 

People are attempting to emphasise their 

uniqueness as an individual. Tattoos have 

become an accessory. 

Jeffry also strongly believes that it isn't 

necessary to get inked just because your 

friend has got a tattoo. According to him, one 

should get inked to express themselves or 

get tattoo with a memory which they would 

cherish throughout their life. 

Jeffry also advises Bandra Buzz readers 

to do a lot of research about the tattoo artist, 

his work & experience before going in to 

make a tattoo. He also warns readers to beware 

of artist who plagiarise other artist’s 

work & cheat people. He tells the readers to 

avoid inking names of their lovers because 

in future it can put them in a terrible situation 

after they decide to end their relationship. 

He also says that one must always go 

for good quality tattoos, even if it is on a 

slightly expensive side because it will remain 

with you for the rest of your life. 

Sidhhant Kapai

NEWS 

BANDRA BUZZ 


Pokémon Go 

storms Bandra 

It’s just been two weeks since Pokémon Go 

released in 30 countries across the globe 

and it’s already taking the world by storm. 

However, it hasn’t been released in India 

yet. But that hasn’t stopped Android users 

from all over the country from downloading 

the APK and iPhone users’ from faking 

their location to acquire the game. 

So what the hell is Pokémon Go? It’s a 

virtual game that you play in the real world. 

But you have to get off the couch if you 

want play this game. Our world has begun 

to experience a phenomenon where augmented 

reality games encourage players to 

travel throughout the real world & enable 

them to interact with digital characters and 

objects programmed to appear as if they 

exist at a specific point in physical space. 

The gaming format of this game is what 

makes it so special. One usually steps out 

of their house with a destination in mind, 

but what Pokémon Go offers is different. 

It’s a Poké centric journey that makes you 

visit new places. The end goal, far easier 

said than done, is to catch 151 Pokémon. 

According to Keenan Burroughs, a resident 

of St. Peter’s Colony, who found most 

of his Pokémon outside Jogger’s park, 

“Pokémon Go is a huge phenomenon. It’s 

the biggest scene right now and everyone 

wants to be a part of it. The biggest Poke 

Stop in Bandra is outside Jogger’s park. 

Every time you activate a lure module, 

hordes of people are attracted to it. When I 

activated mine near Manuel Gonsalves 

road, cars stopped by and fellow players got 

off their cars in search of more Pokémon 

and we began socialising. In fact, all my 

friends got together and organised a Pokémon 

walk in Bandra for our group.” 

For Keenan & other players, walking 

around Bandra in search of Pokémon has 

become a daily routine. Off lately, if you 

visit Bandstand or Carter road promenade, 

you’ll see groups of energetic youngsters 

with their faces glued to the phone walking 

around aimlessly. It may seem absurd at 

first but you’ll get used to it. 

Players on their toes to capture their next Pokémon 

Another Bandraite hooked to the game is 

Rebello road resident Warren D’mello who 

said, “It’s a new form of socialisation, you 

make new friends. I made a couple of 

friends while in search of Pokémon at Supari 

Talao. Each time you find a new Pokémon 

you scream and the rest follow.” 

Just out of curiosity the other day, I 

stood outside McDonald’s where a Pokémon 

trainer had set up a lure module. And 

I must say I was pretty dazzled. Within no 

time there were approximately 20 people 

gathered there despite heavy rains. 

If you thought Candy Crush was bad, 

Pokémon Go takes things to an entirely 

new level. In a few years or maybe a few 

months, we’ll see psychologists examine & 

study the unprecedented level of gaming 

addiction in Pokémon players. 

One positive note though is that the 

game is hoping to become an exercise app 

that has a lot of people walking around. 

Though out of compulsion, but at least you 

find the internet generation on their toes. 

However, it also raises safety issues. 

When a rare Pokémon was spotted at Central 

Park in New York, it created a rampage. 

Fortunately we haven’t witnessed such a 

sight in our suburb yet, but only time will 

tell. So basically, people are running around 

Bandra, with their smart phones out, trying 

to capture virtual pets. Not exactly my cup 

of tea, but whatever floats your boat. 

Sue-Ellen Fernandes


Every Bride's 

Cinderella Fantasy 

What’s the big deal 

about Breakfast? 

Isn't it every girl's dream to see themselves 

draped in that perfect wedding gown seeming 

classically elegant. Whether it's the look 

or the feel of it, choosing a wedding dress is 

much more than simply falling in love with 

your gown it sets the tone for the day you 

say the words 'I do.' 

But if you thought shopping for a wedding 

dress was as effortless as falling head 

over heels for your man, the exotic world of 

wedding dress shopping can be er..confusing, 

although fascinating & much fun. Enter 

aliishadliima a bridal attire & occasio wear 

specialist who's given many a bride a magical 

wedding experience. 

Working her way here over the past five 

years, Alisha has handled the most intricately 

designed dresses you could dream of; 

be it sentimentally romantic, minimalistic, 

excitingly dramatic or plain decadent, she 

has seen it all. From wedding gowns to the 

traditional lehengas to the entire bridal entourage, 

the aliishadliima brand is focused 

on helping brides to be gracefully put together 

ensembles for the entire bridal entourage 

& make their wedding dream 

something truly magical. 

The latest trends in bridal gowns call for 

layering & adding novel dimensions to 

them. From experimenting with three dimensional 

embellishment on sheer shirts & 

illusion bodices, to detachable overskirts to 

reveal the more party friendly gown beneath, 

more women are setting the trends 

with their bold yet elegant styles. The trend 

seems to be moving towards more traditional 

silhouettes, especially considering 

the comeback of the long lace sleeves with 

added sparkly sequins, intricate beading & 

embroidery adding to the visual interest. "At 

the same time, brides want to show off their 

bodies, so they opt for the low back or illusion 

back necklines which adds a perfect 

modern twist to the modest front. The 

princess overlay too is a silhouette that is 

soon gaining popularity. You add an extra 

layer of tulle, lace or organza to give the 

dress a ball gown feel, but with the slimming 

effect of a sheath silhouette underneath 

it's the bridal version of having your 

cake & eating it too," says this wedding costume 

genius. 

The brand is soon launching its entire 

bridal makeover solution consisting of its 

classy hair & make up assistance, bridal bouquet, 

flowers, bridal clutches, shoes, jewelry, 

hair accessories et al making it the one stop - 

shop for all you need to make your dream 

wedding the ultimate fairytale wedding. 

The most personally rewarding moment 

for Alisha was when she did an entire 

makeover of a bridal gown right from 

scratch with less than a week for the wedding 

of a client, who had gotten her gown 

done elsewhere initially and wasn't satisfied. 

Finally, the end result being the most 

gorgeous wedding gown she had ever done. 

Trust Alisha D'Lima to take away your 

wedding dress dilemma as she tips off to be - 

brides, "Try not to get caught up in the trend 

of the moment, but instead focus on your 

personal style and what flatters you the 

most." After all it's the most distinctive bit of 

attire you'd ever wear and talk about for the 

rest of your life! 

Alisha D'Lima 

702, Jagdamba Complex, 

off Link Road, Malad (W), Mumbai 400064 

aliishadliima@gmail.com | +91 9819819027 

www.facebook.com/aliishadliima 

Valerian D’Costa 

Starting your day without breakfast is like 

trying to drive your car without fuel. Breakfast 

is the most important meal of the day. 

The last meal of the day being dinner when 

you eat the next morning you are literally 

breaking an 8-10 hour fast. 

Here are some of the benefits of eating 

breakfast everyday: 

Breakfast keeps you alert: The human 

brain needs glucose as a direct source of energy 

to perform its functions. Even while 

you are asleep at night your body performs 

various functions which take up energy that 

is stored in the body, so when you have a 

good breakfast in the morning it helps you 

refuel & provides the much needed energy 

to the brain keeping you alert through the 

day & helping you improve your concentration. 

Breakfast helps you lose weight: Eating 

breakfast boosts your metabolic rate enabling 

your body to burn more calories even 

at rest. What’s more it helps you eat lesser 

servings at the next meal. Most people who 

avoid breakfast overeat at lunch & also tend 

to feel more hungry later in the evenings 

both of which in the long run cause you to 

gain weight. 

Breakfast helps you control your appetite: 

Eating a healthy breakfast helps to regulate 

your blood glucose levels, as a result of 

which you will not experience “energy 

lows” all of a sudden during the day which 

will make you reach out for a quick energy 

supply in the form of high calorie food like 

a chocolate bar. 

Breakfast prevents heartburn: Several people 

complain of acidity on waking up & 

these are the people who usually skip breakfast. 

Keeping your stomach empty for several 

hours & then eating a heavy meal at 

lunch all of a sudden can cause severe acidity, 

which can be minimized & completely 

controlled over a period of time by making 

sure you eat breakfast. 

Breakfast helps you meet your nutrient requirements: 

A healthy choice of fruits, milk 

& cereal can help you meet at least part of 

your days requirement for fibre, minerals & 

some protein. Most of us end up eating fruit 

& or milk only at this time of the day so skipping 

breakfast would mean skipping vital 

nutrients from the diet. 

So what is an ideal breakfast? 

A nutritionally balanced breakfast is one 

that contains food from at least 3 different 

food groups. An energy source from the cereal 

group, a protein food from pulses or a 

lean meat or milk or eggs and a fibre source 

from a fruit or a vegetable. 

Eating your breakfast within 1.5 hours of 

waking up is ideal. This helps to boost energy 

levels and also helps the breakfast to 

provide the nutrients needed by your body 

first thing in the morning! 

Samreedhi Goel 

Nutritionist & 

Fitness Expert 

She runs her exercise 

studio Size wise in 

Mumbai since 1999 & 

has helped thousands of 

people get in shape. She 

prescribes a Zig Zag diet, 

the basis of which is 

carb cycling which is a diet plan that has a 

mix of high carb & low carb days. She is the 

official nutritionist for Kellogg’s India.

NEWS 

BANDRA BUZZ 


Have you heard of a lounge bar dedicated to 

serving ladies only? A place where you could 

go to confide your deepest secrets and get 

the best over-the-counter advice, without 

having to consume all those unnecessary 

calories that you will regret with certainty 

the next morning and never having to worry 

about the walk of shame but rather you walk 

out glowing, literally. I always wondered 

what that might be like, until I was told a 

story. ‘A skin story.’ By a very charming 

young storyteller who has brought this new 

concept lounge bar to our very doorstep 

right here in Bandra. 

Nikeeta Vishak had a fabulous idea, to give 

women the kind of lounge bar that they had 

been longing for, whilst some didn’t even 

know that was what they needed. Her facial 

lounge or facial bar, a one-of-a-kind concept, 

first in Mumbai, is called ‘Skin Story’ and 

specializes in artisan facials that are designed 

and individually customized for 

women, whether they have troubled skin, 

sensitive or seasonally affected skin or even 

if they have flawless complexions and 

would like to ensure it remains that way. 

Nikeeta, holds a degree and diploma in 

esthetics CIDESCO/CIBTAC from New York 

& Mumbai, she believes that women spend 

far more attention on their hair while sidelining 

what should be of utmost importance, 

our faces. Every one of us who has had a zit 

or a pimple growing up or even in our adulthood 

know how disheartening it is as we 

make a beeline to a dermatologist or to find 

the right concealer to hide this harsh reality. 

At Skin Story, you will not only be guaranteed 

a facial treatment customized for 

your skin type but also a royal experience 

that will ensure you never want to take off 

that crown. (Now that’s something that will 

Lounge Bar - Women only! 

surely make the men jealous.) With exquisitely 

designed & well-maintained interiors, 

they are easily located at the junction of Pali 

market and Ambedkar road, which is often 

referred to as ‘Pali Naka’ though finding 

parking around here may prove to be quite 

daunting. 

The products used by Skin Story are 

from the popular French Luxury brand - 

Thalgo, which are completely marine based 

products. I’m sure you’ve read the research 

by now & are quite aware that ocean plants 

have anti-ageing and other nutritional benefits 

and the varied importance of marine 

based skin care products. The Thalgo range 

of products are available at many spas in and 

around the city but it’s likely to cost you an 

arm and a leg. Whereas this esthetician has 

decided to keep it affordable, as it shouldn’t 

be treated as a once-in-a-blue-moon experience, 

she believes that our faces require constant 

care coupled with the correct skin care 

regimes, which she is quick to tailor make for 

you. Moreover the treatments here are 100 

percent hygienic, with everything that is 

used being either sterilized or disposable assuring 

that you’re in the hands of skilled 

therapists while your eyes are closed. 

I confess to being one of those women 

who prefers to let her dermatologist pinch 

and poke her face, as I believed that they 

know best. However, a little TLC, a light 

spray and a gentle scrub that give you the 

benefits of the sea may have just transformed 

me. And since it’s easy on the pocket 

(treatments start from 1300 INR), which is almost 

hard to believe, you can easilyaccommodate 

these affordable luxurious rituals 

into your regular skin and beauty regime. 

Quick tip: These treatments also make for 

great gifts! 

Francesca Mascarenhas 

Energize your Friendships 

with Feng Shui Entrepreneur Maria Hussain 

This year Friendship 

Day falls on 

the 7th August. I 

feel the desire to 

write about 

friends because I 

am truly blessed 

with the dearest 

ones. I’ve also 

made a sincere effort to weed out the depleting 

people in my life. A truly painful 

but necessary exercise for each one of us to 

consider at some point of time in our lives. 

Just like objects in your environment, 

your friends either nourish or deplete you. 

Your uplifting friends have a positive impact 

on you - they elevate your spirits, contribute 

to your wellbeing, success and 

happiness. They motivate and believe in 

you. You feel energized, happy and confident 

after spending time with them. You 

can easily share your dreams and goals and 

they say, "Go for it!”. They are your rejuvenation 

vitamin pill and bring out the best 

in you. 

Unfortunately, your negative, depleting, 

energy-draining friends do not. They 

constantly complain and do not ask you 

about yourself. If you share your ideas with 

them, they maybe be quietly jealous of 

your positive energy and enthusiasm. They 

may send out energy daggers causing you 

self-doubt, exhaustion or depression. 

Do you stay with such friends out of guilt? 

Why do you tolerate their antics? It's up to 

you to create a group of healthy friends 

around you. Energy is contagious. The happier 

and more positive your friends, the 

more their energy will rub off on you. 

If you find that you are continually depleted, 

you may have to consider releasing 

these people from your daily life. Apply the 

concept of spring-cleaning to the people 

and situations that do not encourage you 

to live with enthusiasm. It is very essential 

that you must "cut the cord" from these 

"energy suckers" because they will suck the 

life out of you, even before you realize it. 

Do you wish 

• To strengthen or improve relations with 

existing friends 

• To focus on meeting & makin new friends 

• To revive those friendships that have 

gone stale 

Then you need to uplift and energize the 

following Bagua areas: 

The North West - Helpful Friends and 

Blessings Area 

The Centre - Health and Unity 

South West - Love and Relationships 

South - Fame and Reputation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let me show you how you Feng Shui can 

help you to create a best friend out of your 

home. 

Call for an appointment +919967678652 or 

email us at bhcfengshui@gmail.com. For 

more info visit www.bhcfengshui.com 

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 



ADVERTISE IT IN BANDRA BUZZ 

CALL 9820783686 / 9920299787

12 AUGUST 2016 BANDRA BUZZ CLASSIFIEDS 

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 

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 

BABY SITTING 

Are you and your husband off to work with no one trust 

worthy to look after your newborn baby. Call us on 

9819427965 for baby sitting in Bandra & Khar 

BAKING & COOKING CLASSES 

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 

BEAUTY CARE 

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 

CARS RENTALS 

We offer 8 seater Innova cars with triple AC for local and 

outstation for hire at minimum market rates. Contact 

Karamath 9820359884 e: keithssquare@yahoo.com 

COURIER SERVICES 

MUMBAI EXPRESS - We deliver your feelings for personalised 

deliveries of your cakes, chocolates, flowers, 

bouquets, personalised gifts, fragile gifts, etc. anywhere 

in Mumbai. Call 65502345 / 7208002345 

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. Contact Marlon 9820344010. 

EAST INDIAN ITEMS 

For all your requirements of East Indian Lugras and 

other accessories, please contact: GAOTHAN KALA, 

Mumbai Gaothan Panchayat Office, 3A Benny Jacinto 

House, Kolovery Village, Near CHRIS Chinese Corner, 

Next to St. Roque's Grotto, Santacruz (East), Mumbai- 

400094 or call: 7045022631 

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. Interest is paid every month 

without deduction of TDS. For more details call Moses 

Cardoz 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. 

INCOME TAX CONSULTANT 

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. 

INVESTMENTS 

For all your Investment/Insurance needs: Life, General, 

Mutual Funds, FDs, Retirement Planning, Mediclaim & 

Overseas Travel Insurance, Personalised Portfolio Management 

Investment Advisory (1 Cr has grown to 20 Cr 

in 13 years) - Contact Prudentz Investments - 'Your One- 

Stop Financial Shop'. Call Merwyn D'Souza (a resident 

of Bandra) on 9821484282 or e-mail 

merwyndsouza@rediffmail.com 

LOST PHYSICAL SHARES/DIVIDENDS 

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. 

MATHS TUITIONS 

Do you have a phobia of Maths? Does your mind go 

blank when you see a Maths paper? Get all your concepts 

cleared & learn the right way to attack problems 

at all levels & classes with Ritu Sharma, alumnus of IIT 

KANPUR, ex-faculty The Scindia Sschool, Gwalior. Also 

over SKYPE. 08056143523. 

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 

REPAIRS & SERVICES 

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 

24 hrs Home, Sales & Service (Bandra only) Gas Stoves, 

Hobs, Table Tops & Chimneys. Contact: Mahendra 

Sales Shiv Asthan, Shop no. 7, Plot No. 31, 16th road, 

near Shiv Sagar, Bandra (w). Call Amrut 9323431633 

SALE 

Furniture (tables and chairs), Sofa-cum bed, Fridge (bar 

type), Pedestal Fans, Cutlery and Crockery, English Tea 

Set, English Dinner Set for 12, Ladies - clothes (new 

with labels); handbags; accessories, Mobile phones and 

accessories, Miscellaneous household items, Curtains 

/ Drapes. 10 x 1 feet semi-furnished room; independent 

entrance with bath & toilet accommodation. Available 

for male or female. Contact: 993022 3057 

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 

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which we help our students to get Spanish related jobs. 

There is no age limit for the Spanish courses; a person 

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EDITORIAL 

BANDRA BUZZ 


Letters to the Editor 

Winds of Change 

DEVELOPMENT PLAN 

BMC Development Plan 2034 is not structured 

to meet urgent needs. Priority given 

to Salt Pans, National Park and Coastal 

Road. Makes no sense to ordinary people 

struggling with congestion, hopeless living 

conditions and noise pollution. 

Slum clearance other than Dharavi is 

totally ignored. Why? Because Project 

Dharavi is funded by World Bank. So do 

people living in other slums have to wait 

for next 30 yrs? Absolutely ridiculous idea. 

CRZ regulation is often used as excuse 

to reject redevelopment. BMC prefers skyscrapers. 

Redevelopment of Goathan has 

been non-starter from begining. Another 

excuse for no redevelopment because 

posh people don't live in Goathan. Religious 

places marked heritage sites are 

blank. Any motive for omission? Or simply 

ignorance? No mention of road widening 

even when city is clogged at every junction 

with honking motorists and bikers. 

Coastal Road is no solution for traffic congestion. 

CM Fadnavis should seek approval of 

PM Modi before finalization of draft plan. 

Let's all hit the Bulls Eye. 

Amar Singh 

VANDRE MUSEUM 

I am shocked to know that MLA / MC 

funds are being used for asphalting / 

paving the internal roads / pathways of religious 

institutions. These funds should be 

used for public places and not private / religious 

institutions. 

Does the Municipal Commissioner 

know that these funds are being used in 

private / religious places? 

Christopher Rodrigues 

KHAR CHAWL DEMOLITION 

Kindly correct the statement made by me, 

which was published in Bandra Buzz 

dated 14th July, regarding the payments of 

lawyers fees. 

It should read as ‘All lawyers fees were 

paid by the society only - and not by 

Darissa Builders. The society has been reimbursed 

these amounts by the Developer 

- Darissa Builders.’ Please excuse my 

error. 

Thomas D’Silva 

Email your letters to 

news.bandrabuzz@gmail.com 

Dear Reader, 

It is already August and some of our lakes 

are full – thanks to downpours in the 

catchment areas. Closer home, gusty 

winds and stormy weather with lashing 

rain are all part of the scenes at the Bandra 

Reclamation, Bandstand & Carter Promenades 

– and the inner roads of our suburbs. 

Mercifully, there are intervals of dry spells. 

Uneven road surfaces are much more 

prominent now – even as pedestrians play 

‘hopscotch’ to avoid the puddles & pools; 

with fallen trees or branches which add to 

the hurdle race. 

Yet, we take all this in our stride. 

Bandra and her surrounding suburbs 

are very good at adapting. Even as we 

adapt to changing environment, with 

every different season; we are superb at 

adapting to other changes. The DP 2034 is 

all set to be finalised. In spite of thousands 

of protests regarding several issues, the 

authorities seem to be in a mighty hurry 

to get it passed and implemented. With 

major projects incorporated in the DP – the 

next twenty years is slated to see a lot of 

change. Change can be good or bad. The 

point here is that will this change be good 

– after spending tons of tax-payer’s 

money? So, citizens of our city will be witnessing 

the winds of change – something 

that may be irreversible, if wrong decisions 

are taken now. Our hope is that those 

in power, avoid any hidden agendas – and 

think only of the common good. 

This local newspaper that you are 

reading now – is your platform to express 

your views on topics you feel strongly 

about. Do use Bandra Buzz to disseminate 

newsworthy information to your neighbourhood 

– who are our well wishers & 

readers. We are evolving into a force to 

reckon with – and with your valuable inputs, 

Bandra, Khar & Santacruz will surely 

be a better place. Let’s be the Winds of 

Change. 

Till next time, take care. 

Regards, 

Merck N. D’Silva 

Editor-in-Chief 

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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.


Jyoti Dhawale Surve - An Unsung Hero 

"I am divorcing 

you, I can’t live 

with you anymore”, 

said my 

(ex) husband, 

whom I married 

in 2004 (when I 

was negative and 

got the virus 

through Medical 

Negligence), who 

finally divorced me in 2008, and even took 

the custody of my only child. 

“You are HIV Positive?!”, exclaimed the 

HR of the company “But I thought that only 

prostitutes and drug users get it.” 

“She is HIV positive, don’t even go near 

her. If you talk to her or even be friends with 

her, the whole society will outcast you. Even 

your friends will abandon you…What will 

people say? We have a reputation to protect”, 

said a mother of my friend when he spoke of 

what good work I am doing for the community 

and disclosed my status to her. 

“What did you say? She is HIV Positive? 

Don’t even bring her inside the house. Get 

her out from here right now, right this moment”, 

said a mother of another friend, and 

she dusted the sofa where I once sat, took the 

glass of water where I had sipped and threw 

it in the dustbin. 

“My doctor tells me that saliva transmit 

the virus thus no kissing”, said my boyfriend, 

“and Jo, he is a well–qualified doctor, who 

holds several degrees” ..and the lump 

formed on my throat knowing that nothing 

I will do or say will convince him that it is 

NOT true. But still I educated him that the 

virus in saliva is not transmissible and virus 

from blood don’t thrive outside the body and 

die within few seconds after coming in contact 

with air. At least he listened. - Jyoti Surve 

In our society, HIV is perceived as a disease 

of “others” – of people living on the margins 

of society, whose lifestyles are considered 

“perverted” and “sinful.” People suffering 

from it face denial, stigmatization & discrimination 

in every walk of their life. In 

order to break this preconceived notion of 

HIV being a “disease”, I interviewed Ms. 

Jyoti Surve, who is suffering from HIV. 

She is not only a member of the Community 

Advisory for the Well Project USA. 

According to the website of the organisation, 

it is “a global hub for resources that 

help women & girls overcome the inequalities, 

barriers, & stigma that contribute to 

the epidemic among women”, but is also 

the Indian ambassador at the Stigma Project 

- “An organization that aims to lower the 

HIV infection rate & neutralize the stigma 

associated with HIV/AIDS through education 

& awareness via social media. It seeks 

to create an HIV neutral world, free of 

judgement & fear by working with both 

positive & negative individuals from all 

walks of life, regardless of their gender, sexual 

orientation, race, or background,” as per 

the Stigma Project website. In March 2015, 

Jyoti who is known mononymously as Jo, 

won the prestigious Karamveer Chakra 

award in New Delhi. This award is instituted 

in the partnership with the UN for 

Global empowerment & citizen justice. 

Coming from defence background, 

Jyoti’s hobbies are vast. From gardening, 

painting, stamp/coin collections, arts & 

crafts, adventure outings, she has lived it 

all. She is passionate about music, dancing 

& travelling acts as a great stress-buster. 

Jo contracted HIV due to medical negligence 

but definitely NOT from blood 

transfusion – because as far as she remembers, 

she never had a blood transfusion 

during any of those forceful attempts for 

abortions that I had undergone. 

“Forceful” yes, as it wasn’t her idea or 

wish to abort. Her ex wasn’t ready to start a 

family & every time she get pregnant (she 

got pregnant thrice!), she was taken to do 

MTP. Before one could think why she hadn’t 

tried any contraceptive measures, the 

answer is that she did. “Oral pills had adverse 

affect on my body & hence I couldn’t 

take it. Vaginal contraceptive has its own 

time frame (10-15 minutes of waiting period) 

& the failure rate is high. Top of all, 

when a man is forcing himself upon you 

(which I term as “marital rape”) then one is 

very helpless in this condition.” 

She did not realize it back then but can 

clearly assert now that she has been a victim 

of marital rape. “Rape is rape, whether 

in marriage or outside it. Anything that is 

‘forced upon’ the body without consent is 

rape. If a man does not like to wear a condom, 

then, a woman, even if she happens 

to be his wife, has the right to refuse & say 

NO. Why have I gone through this thrice & 

ended up being HIV positive? Why am I living 

with stigma & discrimination – I blame 

the govt. first & the society next! The govt 

– which does not recognize marital rape as 

a crime; & this society – which blames the 

woman for everything.” She reiterates. 

She was entranced by her ex husbands 

gentlemanly behaviour. Things went fine 

until she missed her period for the first 

time in her life. “When I missed my period, 

I remember rushing to the store to buy a 

home pregnancy test kit. Oh! The joy of 

being a mother; of having a child of my 

own!” That joy lasted till she informed her 

husband of the news. “He told me to go in 

for an abortion,” she recalls. 

“I was dealing with the shock of having 

learnt that I was HIV positive & postpartum 

depression simultaneously. Amidst this 

my ex-husband informed me that he had 

been having an extramarital affair & would 

be leaving me for her. So I needed to become 

financially independent, & began 

searching for a job. I was not yet ready to 

give up on my marriage. But when my 

maid informed me that my husband had 

been bringing his girlfriend to our home behind 

my back, I knew it was over. Whatever 

that was written in the divorce agreement 

was not mutual. As per the court, it was the 

duty of a judge to call the husband & the 

wife & hear both sides of the story – which 

in my case has never happened. I was 

never produced in court, never produced 

before any judge. A forceful signature 

means nothing.” says Surve as she fumes. 

Jo has no regrets about her failed marriage 

as she believes life is a learning experience 

life being the greatest teacher & 

people being an experience. She believes 

that whatever she went through only made 

her & moulded her into a better person 

mentally, emotionally & spiritually. 

Jo met her current husband - Vivek 

Surve an HIV negative partner, in an online 

chatroom. “He was a chat friend. He sent 

me a request not once, not twice, but five 

or six times. I kept rejecting him until I decided 

to scan his profile. What fascinated 

me (not 'attracted', she clarifies) were the 

biker jacket & Honda Fireblade next to him! 

That got me to finally accept his request. At 

that time I was working for an IT firm, 

doing the graveyard shift. This 'Hi how are 

you doing, I am fine, I hope you are fine, 

take care, bye' saga continued for 6 months. 

Then came a day I could never imagine." 

Her father passed away on 28th June, 

2011. She wanted to pay her last respects 

but her stepmother would not allow her 

near him. “He was all I had,” she says. 

“Anger & hatred for my stepmother, & grief 

over my father’s death was eating me up. 

My best friend was in Dubai. However, 

Vivek, my new friend, drove down all the 

way to be with me, emotionally & physically.” 

They planned to meet the next 

weekend. "My husband says it was love at 

second sight for him," Jyoti says. 

“Vivek’s parents were naturally apprehensive 

about their son marrying an HIV 

positive partner. But when they saw how 

happy she made him, their objections 

dwindled. Their fears were dictated by ignorance. 

Once they came to know that HIV 

is nothing more than a illness & that it can 

be controlled by medication, they accepted 

me whole heartedly.” says Jyoti with a 

slight blush on her face. 

According to Jo, the biggest misconception 

people have about living with HIV & 

AIDS is that they think That HIV is a “dangerous” 

disease. No it is not. It can be controlled 

& managed with proper care & 

medication. People also tend to think that 

HIV & AIDS are the same which isn’t true. 

Though HIV & AIDS are from the same 

virus, it is a different medical condition. 

HIV is an ILLNESS whereas AIDS is a disease. 

Not necessary all people who suffer 

from HIV die from AIDS. With better medication 

coming into the market, one can 

live a happy healthy positive life despite 

being HIV Positive. Another misconception 

among people is that one cannot marry & 

has to abstain from sexual intercourse with 

an HIV positive person which isn’t true. 

One can live a happy healthy married life & 

even plan to have a baby provided that you 

follow up on the treatment with strict discipline 

& never ever miss the dose (of ART 

medication). 

“Now when anyone tells me “You are 

HIV positive? But I thought that only prostitutes 

& drug users get it” I reply back with 

a pitiful smile (pitiful yes, because of their 

ignorance) “Have you ever tested yourself? 

You too may never know. I didn’t know I 

was carrying the virus until my blood got 

tested when I was undergoing abortion” 

And I could hear the gasp, I could see their 

stunned face with wide eyes, open mouth 

& dropping jaw, & believe me, I absolutely 

love the reactions I get!” 

As for “She is positive, don’t even go 

near her. If you talk to her or even be 

friends with her, the whole society will outcast 

you. Even your friends will abandon 

you…What will people say? We have a reputation 

to protect”, I had replied to that 

lady straight on her face, “Aunty, there are 

thousands of people who admire our 

courage to speak up & they are those people 

who back us up. Your son is one of them 

who had participated in Awareness Program 

& who encouraged others to join in.” 

And she was glaring at her son as if wanting 

to know what I had just said was right & her 

son was facing her proudly & boldly saying 

“She will always be my friend”. 

And oh yes….coming to the point of a 

hysterical mother of my friend “What did 

you say? She is HIV Positive? Don’t even 

bring her inside the house. Get her out 

from here right now, right this moment,”, 

said a mother of another friend, & she 

dusted the sofa where I once sat, took the 

glass of water where I had sipped & threw 

it in the dustbin. Before leaving the house 

I had told her that HIV Virus is not transmittable 

by air/water/sharing. I reminded 

her that I had come to this house many 

times & she had served me many tea/water 

in crockery that has also been used & 

reused for other guests. She wasn’t aware 

of my status then & now that she is, just 

throwing off one glass in the dustbin won’t 

suffice, she should throw off all the crockery 

in the kitchen if & only if she find one 

of the guest having contracted the same. 

My ex boyfriend is now my husband. 

We got married on 2013. He still kisses me, 

heck, more than that, the husband-wife do. 

Twice a month he tests himself which is always 

"negative". 

Last but not least, as for the divorce 

from my ex husband, I am blessed that it 

had happened because now I realized the 

“purpose” of my life. This is where I belong 

and this is where my heart is: HIV Activism….To 

reach out…To give love to many 

people who need it and to spread the love 

to those seeking it. My suffering is not mine 

alone, it is also their suffering as they are 

also the part of my journey, walking 

through the same winding thorny path, 

having many long way to go, many difficulties 

and hurdles to cross to finally find the 

path laden with bed of roses. 

Sidhhant Kapai

NEWS 

BANDRA BUZZ 


Valencia Misquitta Irani inducted 

Director of MEICOCAI – Global 

Valencia at the investiture ceremony with President Brian Pereira of MEICOCAI 

At an investiture ceremony held lately to 

induct Valencia Misquitta Irani of Avion 

Hotels & Hospitality, Mumbai, Maharashtra 

- as a Director on the MEICOCAI Board; 

Rtn. Calwyn D'Abreo, Founder & Initiator 

of the Chamber of Commerce for the 

Mumbai East Indian Community said, 

"MEICOCAI’s Mission is to strengthen the 

Mumbai East Indian community, by having 

their presence in all geographies of the 

world in the business of Trade & Industry 

- while simultaneously promoting & fostering 

bilateral trade, commerce & economic 

relations between India & 

wherever a Mumbai East Indian is within 

the progress & deployment of his / her 

business activities." 

The MEICOCAI President, Brian G 

Pereira informed all present that with Valencia 

Misquitta (I), an opportunity to 

showcase the value & strength that a business 

woman can bring to the table; was 

evident in the successful enterprise that 

Valencia runs in collaboration with her 

family members.Avion Hotels & Hospitality 

is a force to reckon with in the Mumbai 

network of convenient airport hotels & is 

a fully managed three-star hotel owned & 

run by East Indians. The other properties 

that the ‘Avion Group’ owns are three 

other star holiday hotels in Khandala & 

Lonavala besides the very famous Samara 

Gardens on the outskirts of Mumbai city- 

Madh Island. 

MEICOCAI thanks Valencia Misquitta 

(I) for coming on Board. The Chairman of 

MEICOCAI, Neil Creado - who is abroad at 

this time, has sent his congratulations to 

Valencia and wishes her the best for her 

tenure with MEICOCAI. 

All Bandra 

Parish Zonals 

Talent Contest 

kicks off on 

4th August 

It's the busiest time of the year in Bandra as 

the All Bandra Parish Zonals Talent Contest 

kicks off next Sunday, 14th of August 2016 

& once again Bandra will be looking forward 

to an exciting month of Music, Dance 

and Drama where Bandra's finest talents 

will come together to compete and perform 

on one stage for the ultimate crown. 

This is where you'll get to see and hear 

some finger snapping popular tunes been 

sung and played, grooving dance moves 

and some stellar acting performances. And 

of course, not to mention the fooood, the 

delicious homemade snacks which gets 

served at the zonal practices. So we hope 

you have blocked your dates to either take 

part or come watch and support your respective 

zones because this is going to be 

one exciting year of the All Bandra Zonals 

Talent Contest you wouldn't want to miss. 

Dujon Fernandes

BB-Aug-2016-I

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