<h2>Brothers in arms</h2>
<p>Two men click a selfie at Bandstand, perfectly framed by the Requiem sculpture on the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mmmbai-bandra-residents-demand-carter-road-promenade-be-cleared-of-encroachments-23619905?podcast-breakingnews" rel="nofollow">promenade</a></p>
<h2>Liberty back in the limelight</h2>
<p>From playing host to stars to becoming a star itself. Mumbai&rsquo;s iconic Liberty Cinema is now the subject of a new film, Liberty Cinema: A Star is Born, by Art Deco Mumbai. &ldquo;The film [available on YouTube] showcases not only the history of Liberty as an architectural landmark of the city, but also its significance within the broader Indian cinescape,&rdquo; Art Deco Mumbai&rsquo;s founder-trustee Atul Kumar (right) revealed.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Liberty-Cinema_e.jpg" alt="(Left and above) The iconic Liberty Cinema.  FILE PICS" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>The iconic Liberty Cinema. FILE PICS</em></strong></p>
<p>The building, he pointed out, holds a special place in the public memory of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/photo/in-photos-mumbai-swelters-as-imd-predicts-heatwave-across-city-and-neighbouring-areas-110065" rel="nofollow">Mumbaikars</a>. &ldquo;The film shows some stunning shots of the cinema, and features insights from Mustansir Dalvi, professor of Architecture, Sir JJ School of Architecture, among others, examining its different facets.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/AK-Passport-a_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p>
<p>He reflected further, &ldquo;This [the cinema] is especially important to showcase, as single-screen theatres like Liberty have been diluted with the onset of multiplexes and OTT platforms.&rdquo; Knowing the cinematic history of the City of Dreams, we are looking forward to other architectural marvels of Mumbai turning up on the big screen. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d definitely love to,&rdquo; Kumar told this diarist.</p>
<h2>Phool power</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Surangi_e.jpg" alt="Surangi (right) a bloom in Goregaon. Pics courtesy/SHARDUL BAJIKAR, DINESH VALKE" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Surangi (right) a bloom in Goregaon. Pics courtesy/SHARDUL BAJIKAR, DINESH VALKE</em></strong></p>
<p>This diarist recently noticed hordes of shoppers drifting to the Borivli market. Turns out, the Surangi (Mammea suriga) that blooms for only 15 to 20 days a year, is back in town. &ldquo;Native to the Western Ghats, Surangi also blooms in the interiors of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and the Bombay Natural History Society&rsquo;s Conservation and Education Centre in Goregaon. They have a potent fragrance that lingers in the air for weeks,&rdquo; shared naturalist Shardul Bajikar. Perfume brands, you might want to start counting your days, quite literally.</p>
<h2>A dog&rsquo;s best friends</h2>
<p>Our friend and mid-day reader Pankaj Malani narrated a lovely story to us during a casual conversation this week. An animal lover, Malani works at a leading entertainment and events firm at Lower Parel. A couple of days ago, he didn&rsquo;t take his car to work, and had to wait to hail a cab. What happened next is a story you should hear in his own words.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Pankaj-Malani_e.jpg" alt="Pankaj Malani" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Pankaj Malani</em></strong></p>
<p>&ldquo;When I am not driving, I take a cab back home from the Lodha/Kamala Mills side, and to do so, I have to cross the road. Yesterday, a street dog was also waiting alongside me, very scared to cross the road,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I and another pedestrian noticed it almost together, so we decided to help the dog. It&rsquo;s a super busy junction, with no traffic signal, so everything is fast and free flowing.&rdquo;</p>
<p>What did Pankaj do? &ldquo;I let go of my cab,&rdquo; he told us. &ldquo;It took us a good 20 to 25 minutes to just get the dog across, because he was very scared. Finally, a few more people noticed it, and made every effort to slow down the traffic on both sides, for our new four-legged friend to cross fearlessly. And it did.&rdquo; What did he feel? &ldquo;I am not kidding,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;the joy we felt was absolutely amazing. Victory of the week. And man I love this city&rsquo;s people!&rdquo; Yes, Pankaj, we love this city, and we love you too!</p>
<h2>Peace talks</h2>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Tibet-peace-event_e.jpg" alt="A moment from the gathering at Azad Maidan. Pic courtesy/INDRAJEET MOHITE" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>A moment from the gathering at Azad Maidan. Pic courtesy/INDRAJEET MOHITE</em></strong></p>
<p>While most headlines this week spoke of destruction, one unique gathering at <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/photo/in-photos-mumbais-mill-workers-stage-protest-in-azad-maidan-demanding-housing-facilities-110073" rel="nofollow">Azad Maidan</a> on Tibet Uprising Day (March 10) reminded us of peace. Nearly 25 Tibetan individuals joined hands with 100 Mumbaikars in a hope for better days. &ldquo;Countries across continents seem to be fixated with the idea of violence to bring freedom. The Tibetan movement should remind them that peaceful means are always an option,&rdquo; said Indrajeet Mohite of India Tibet Support Group, one of the participating organisations.</p>

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Mumbai Diary: Thursday Dossier

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