<h2>She sells sea shells by the seashore</h2>
A Koli woman picks seashells at the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/ngo-alleges-green-cover-loss-at-khar-danda-juhu-due-to-vbsl-work-in-mumbai-23535249" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Khar Danda jetty</a>
<h2>Going green, starting young</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/JAAI-a_e.jpg" alt="A moment from the convention at St Xavier&rsquo;s College. Pic Courtesy/JAAI" width="1280" height="720" /> A moment from the convention at St Xavier&rsquo;s College. Pic Courtesy/JAAI
Ecology and Sustainable Living was the theme of The Jesuit Alumni Association of India, West Zone (JAAI WZ) Congress that was held from November 14 to16 at St Xavier&rsquo;s College, Dhobi Talao and St Mary&rsquo;s High School, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-driver-killed-as-taxi-plunges-into-sea-at-ferry-terminal-in-mazagaon-23603305" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Mazgaon</a>. The core message was to treat the environment as an inheritance for future generations, making its preservation a cornerstone of the youth&rsquo;s collective responsibility. &ldquo;Creation is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be cherished,&rdquo; said Fr John Ravi, National Alumni Advisory of JAAI. Jitendra Pardeshi, Superintendent of Gardens and Tree Officer, BMC, emphasised, &ldquo;We should have trees near windows, green cover near building premises.&rdquo;
<h2>Mumbai, with a pinch of salt</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Salt-lines_e.jpg" alt="A view of the immersive exhibition at India Art Fair. Pic Courtesy/@IndiaArtFair " width="1280" height="720" /> A view of the immersive exhibition at India Art Fair. Pic Courtesy/@IndiaArtFair&nbsp;
Following Sameer Kulavoor&rsquo;s examination of a mythical Mumbai&rsquo;s expansion in his show, Limits of the Town, more artists are turning to Mumbai as their muse. The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbais-oldest-museum-set-to-reopen-on-republic-day-after-rs-6-crore-restoration-23452649" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum</a> is set to host Salt Lines by Hylozoic/Desires (Himali Singh Soin and David Soin Tappeser) on December 6. Like the previous showcase, this exhibition will also stem from the establishment of the colonial Inland Customs Line to prevent smuggling of salt, and the infamous salt tax. Supported by the RMZ Foundation, the exhibition is a collaboration with the Alkazi Foundation and India Art Fair (that premiered the showcase in Delhi this February).
<h2>A sketch of Varma&rsquo;s reality</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Varma-sketches_e.jpg" alt="Pages from Raja Ravi Varma&rsquo;s" width="1280" height="720" /> Pages from Raja Ravi Varma&rsquo;s
The ongoing Iconic Masters auction by Astaguru witnessed works by masters from FN Souza to Krishen Khanna and Amrita Sher-Gil up for auction, and included a rare piece of work by Raja Ravi Varma; 45 paper works on 36 sheets by the artist. &ldquo;This rare suite of Raja Ravi Varma&rsquo;s sketches stands as a vital document of Indian art history.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Raja-Ravi_e.jpg" alt="Drafts; (right) a close-up of a panel. Pics Courtesy/Astaguru Auction House" width="1280" height="720" /> Drafts; (right) a close-up of a panel. Pics Courtesy/Astaguru Auction House
Few cohesive groups of his drawings have survived. Among its greatest strengths is the inclusion of preparatory studies for some of Varma&rsquo;s important paintings, most notably early sketches for Gypsies of South India and The Student, offering unprecedented insight into how his celebrated compositions first took shape,&rdquo; shared Sneha Gautam, director, client relations, Astaguru Auction House.
<h2>Japanese invasion in Worli</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Ryusei_e.jpg" alt="(From left) A view of the new space; Ryusei (Shooting Star) cocktail" width="1280" height="720" /> (From left) A view of the new space; Ryusei (Shooting Star) cocktail
Purists can look away right about now; we&rsquo;ve just heard the humble pani puri is getting a Japanese makeover in Worli. The experiment is unfolding in the kitchens of a new contemporary Asian restaurant, Akina, coming up in the neighbourhood. The Yuzu Gazpacho Pani Puri is not the only dish that elicited a few raised eyebrows in this newsroom. The Thai-inspired Som Tam Bhel and Tuna Sol Kadi will put Mumbaikars&rsquo; palate to test when the doors to the 100-seater open on November 27.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Hitesh-Keswani_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Behind the bar, we&rsquo;ve heard beverage manager Bensan Varghese is busy whipping up a Japanese-themed cocktail menu. &ldquo;For us, Akina has always been built around a story: A woman who carries her Japanese heritage with pride, but also the openness of someone who has travelled, learned, and absorbed cultures along the way,&rdquo; managing director Hitesh Keswani (inset) revealed, describing the brave idea behind the menu.
<h2>A world for all, all for the world</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/nov/Dog-adoption_e.jpg" alt="The adoptathon will have over 200 healthy, vaccinated pups and kittens up for adoption. Pic Courtesy/@worldforallanimaladoptions" width="1280" height="720" /> The adoptathon will have over 200 healthy, vaccinated pups and kittens up for adoption. Pic Courtesy/@worldforallanimaladoptions
Even as pet parents struggle to come to terms with the recent Supreme Court decision to remove strays from neighbourhoods, and public spaces, the World For All Animal Care and Adoptions is hosting a special adoptathon at <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-school-defies-supreme-court-order-refuses-to-remove-stray-dogs-from-campus-23602592" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">St Theresa Boys High School</a>, Bandra to find a solution. &ldquo;The event on November 29 and 30 is an attempt to encourage people to adopt and provide a home to indies across the city. They are loyal, friendly, and extremely intelligent,&rdquo; shared founder Taronish Bulsara. From appetising snacks, to tarot card reading sessions, and interactive stalls, the call to action is also given a fun turn, he added. Readers can call 9820001506 for more details.

Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier: The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce: A Koli woman picks seashells at the Khar Danda jetty

Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier | The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

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The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier

She sells sea shells by the seashore

Going green, starting young

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