Iconic Raj Bhavan opens for Public Viewing       

AERIAL VIEW OF RAJ BHAVAN (courtesy raj bhavan)

    ‘What lies to the western tip of Marine Drive?’ is the question many people visiting it often wonder. The thick dense forest with a few buildings in between is all we can see from this side. It is Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Governor of Maharashtra which is located on the southernmost tip of Mumbai on Malbar hill which is enveloped from three sides by the majestic Arabian Sea, and thus it is regarded as the QUEEN among the other Raj Bhavans of the country. Now you have the opportunity of visiting it as Governor Shri CH Vidyasagar Rao in an historic decision has opened some parts of Raj Bhavan to public as part of the Sunrise tours started from last September.

      The Sun rise tour is a two hour tour inside Raj Bhavan which can be booked through Online Registration and comes at a small price of Rs 25 per person. Every morning ( except Monday and Public Holiday) maximum ten people get to be part of this tour which includes watching sunrise from the yoga gallery, a visit to Devi temple, tea and a small history lesson about the place. You need to assemble at 6 am at the gate of Raj Bhavan and go through a multi layer security check. After completing the formality you meet a very friendly guide who is specially chosen by the Governor himself among his staff of Raj Bhavan.

    
   

Watching the sun rise may be the highlight of this tour but spending two hours inside the iconic Raj Bhavan is a mesmerizing experience.The calmness and beauty of the places just takes you by surprise and it is hard to believe you are still in Mumbai.  Spread over 47 acres, out of which three forth is forest. It includes variety of species of plant and trees along with its scientific name on it. Apart from being the home to the Governor, Raj Bhavan also houses number of peacock, snake, mongoose and monkey. Built way back in 1820 and with recent renovation it has a ideal blend of colonial and Indian style of architecture. It has it own helipad, tennis court and a private beach which makes it one of the best house to live in.

Raj Bhavan is also a place of historic and political importance. It was at this very place where The State of Maharashtra was officially formed back in 1960. It also serves as the residence of the President, Prime Minister and other constitutional functionaries during their visit to Mumbai. ‘Government House’, as the place was referred to in pre-Independence era, has also served as the residence to British Governor from 1885.

     “Sunrise tour at Raj Bhavan has become  popular among Mumbaikars as they get booked as soon as they are opened on 10^th of every month” informs Umesh Kashikar Public Relationship officer (PRO) of Raj Bhavan who interacts with visors daily. People from all parts of city are coming on these tours and witnessing a part of Mumbai that has long been inaccessible. Raj Bhavan is one of the most beautiful heritage places of Mumbai which you simply can’t afford to miss. As you leave Raj Bhavan at around 8 am after the tour you are left with an amazing calmess and energy which the premise gifts you, along with wonderful memories. DEFINITELY ‘A MORNING WORTH SPENDING’

Sanket S Subhedar

BLEND OF COLONIAL AND INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

     

 PRISILIYA’S  RIDE FOR PRIDE         

    A 22 years old girl who cycled from Panvel to Kanyakumari covering 5 states, 1900km in 19 days all on her own to fulfill a dream. Let’s look at her amazing journey towards her dream which may inspire you to dream something for yourself.

   
       Prisiliya Dhananjay Madan is an ordinary girl in first year of M.Sc Computer Science from Panvel who has done an extra ordinary feat by cycling from Panvel to Kanyakumari in a solo ride. Prisiliya grew up along with the cycle in the background as her father Dhananjay Madan is a cyclist himself. She has also accompanied her dad on many cycling tours before and also done long distance group cycling from Kullu to Khardung la(600Km), Panvel to Puri (2200Km) and also in the naxal prone area in Odisha  and  Chhattisgarh but it was Rubina from England(who cycles around the world alone) who had come to stay in her house for a night while on a tour which inspired her to take up this dream of riding solo which she named it as “I-PRIDE I PRISILIYA RIDE FOR PRIDE”.

17KG LUGGAGE ON HER CYCLE

 Her ride may have started on 24^th DEC from Panvel but the actual work started months before, from planning the route to learning to repair the cycle; all she did herself with the support of her family and few cyclist friends. With no group or escort vehicle with her she had to carry all the luggage on her cycle which weighed about 17 Kg as she started the ride. Of all the physical challenges she would have to undergo during the ride; the toughest mental challenge was at the start of the ride. She had to hold up as her father and family members were very emotional as the journey was about to begin. With tears in her eyes and heavy heart she left Panvel to live her dream.

    Prisiliya had decided to write daily about her journey on the social media (FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/IRideforPride/; BLOG http://prisiliyamadan.blogspot.in/ ) which attracted lot of eyeballs. Even though the route was fixed, how much distance to be covered daily was finalized but there were no hotel booking along the way. She spent 18 nights in 18 different people’s home with many she had met for the first time. A few people were referred to by the person she stayed before. A few invited her to their house as they followed her ride through the social media. People not only opened their doors for her but also opened their heart.  A police inspector at Kharepatan (Maharashtra) police station not only helped her with the route but also gave her all the numbers of the police station along the route as well as assured her full support in case of emergency. Apart from the danger of speeding vehicles there was no other point where she felt unsafe during the entire journey.

Connected with people along the route

   The number of Ghats along the route tested all her endurance and stamina. She had to bear the sun as there were very few trees along the road. Local food is what she had all throughout which took her more closer to the people and the region she travelled. ‘Why are you doing this?’ ‘How did your parents allow you?’ was the most common question people asked. Some wanted her to speak to their wife or sister to motivate them.

   

Ernakulam Mayor flags off Presiliya

   
                                                            

It was her stay at Mrs Sudha home who is a college teacher in a woman’s college; which gave an interesting twist to her ride. She invited Prisiliya to give a lecture in her college. Prisiliya spoke to girls impressing them the need to look beyond academic excellence and indulge in journey of their own. Similar sessions were organized by two more college of Kerala. Seeing the response to these sessions a Malayalam newpaper covered a front page story on her which made Presiliya suddenly the talk of the town. She was recognizes by her name wherever she went. Ernakulam Mayor organized a small felicitation function the next morning and flagged her off. A famous celebrity from Tamil industry Anupama saw Prisiliya, got off her car & interacted with her. She also shared a picture on social media which added to the buzz.

ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO LOOK BEYOND ACADEMICS

        After a continuous 19 days of riding on the road on 11 Jan 2016 Prisiliya reached Kanyakumari.  A dream was accomplished. She spent few quiet moments with herself at the Triveni sangam avoiding all the phone calls and messages which had started to pour in by now. It was for these sacred moments with her for self discovery she had put in so much efforts. Traveling the world on her cycle is what she sees in the future but as of now it’s her M.sc examination which is her top priority at present. Prisiliya hopes her ride inspires a lot to take up things which they love. She meet her father at the railway station on arrival in Mumbai, both hugged each other and busted into cry.Dhananjay Madan was a proud father who met a new daughter who was more confident, with a lot more patience and with memories she could cherish for the rest of her life.

Sanket Subhedar

A dream was accomplished

  When   many enjoyed a glass of wine,

     A few shared 'A Cup of Smile'

    

     

    A group of youngster choose to celebrate 31st Dec differently by Serving those who Serve us (Mumbai Police). 'A Cup of Smile' offering a cup of tea' to the onduty policeman so that they could spare a moment in relaxation from their hectic duty and appreciating their efforts in keeping us safe. The group was formed just a few days ago with the help of social media when this idea came to the mind of Dnyaneshwari  Velankar, a college student residing in Girgaon, "Party and Celebrations happen every year but I wanted to do something unique. So how about serving  'The Real Heroes' the Mumbai Police because of whom others get to celebrate safely."said Dnyaneshwari who was the Women behind all this.

   Thirteen volunteers not only came forward to support but also contributed money for the tea and cups that were to be arranged. They  started the tea distribution from Girgaon chowpatty at 10 pm and went all the way upto Nariman point to serve more than 600 policeman.    "Witnessing the smile on the face of policeman was a priceless moment of my life and a it was the first time that I got to know the human being behind the khakki" said Jayesh one of the 13 volunteer.            

     "Many onlooker took notice and appreciated the efforts but some misinterpreted us as 'chaiwalla' and one even asked for cigrates or litters. Which we didnt have", said Akshay kedia a  volunteer who had come all the way from kandivali for being part of this. After a tireing yet satisfying experience at around 3 am  the group wound up at churchgate station with 6 empty tea kettles but a mind full of hope,rejoice and satisfaction thus starting the new year on a really 'HIGH' note.