Mumbai harbour has been the gateway to the world for commerce and travel since the British took control of the island city from the Portuguese in 1660s. However, the group of seven islands acquired the name ‘Bombay’ from the Portuguese, the first Europeans to set their foot on these islands. In 1508, the Portuguese explorer… Continue reading The Harbour That Gave the Name ‘Bombay’ to Mumbai
Category: Mumbai
Heritage status: Parsis pen support for BMC’s plan
The development plan department of the BMC has received nearly 3,000 letters from Zoroastrians all over the world in support of an official proposal to list the 47 fire temples in the city under the protection of heritage laws. After four years of hectic lobbying by activists, the BMC finally notified these structures in June… Continue reading Heritage status: Parsis pen support for BMC’s plan
Sat with the Dead
All Zera, 85, had in the world was her 65-year-old nephew, Homi Kaku. The latter, who was suffering from diabetes and gangrene, died on Saturday night. With no relative to inform about his death, Zera sat with his body for three days. Perhaps, she would have been sitting there for ever, had not the neighbours,… Continue reading Sat with the Dead
The Parsis October Revolution
Those Russians call it double – 10 from 10th October, when the Tsars were overthrown. We, Parsis, will call it the October Revolution. When a frustrated, fed up, angry, exasperated, irate, end of patience but determined community will vote, in thousands, to see the last of the Mandarins and Mandrakes and usher in seven new… Continue reading The Parsis October Revolution
Zubin Mehta to perform in Mumbai
World-renowned music conductor Zubin Mehta will hold a charity concert at the Brabourne stadium in October. The Mehli Mehta Foundation, founded in 1995 in memory of Zubin's father, confirmed that he is slated to hold a series of concerts in the city, one of which would be held at the CCI grounds. According to a… Continue reading Zubin Mehta to perform in Mumbai
The pages of history: J. N. Petit Library
The staff of the JN Petit, home to 150,000 titles, do more than just take care of books If you can’t remember the last time you visited a heritage library, you are not alone. Edged out by modern lending libraries, and threatened by the Internet, Mumbai’s heritage libraries are floundering. Some have been able to… Continue reading The pages of history: J. N. Petit Library
Yazdani Bakery
Here is a wonderful video of Yazdani Bakery, one of the last few bakeries of its kind left in Bombay
