In a first, international dance groups to perform at IIT Bombay fest

The movement could shift to Mumbai! “Faced with Delhi’s chilly weather conditions and the government’s cold shoulder, activist Anna Hazare could shift his agitation from Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to Mumbai’s Azad Maidan. The decision was taken at Team Anna’s core committee meeting on Wednesday that met to chalk out future plans, including the proposed agitation on December 27 if a strong Lokpal bill is not passed in the winter session of Parliament,” says Times of India .

So many stumbling blocks. Sometimes it’s corruption, sometimes it’s indecision, sometimes it’s just a lack of commitment. This project was first mooted in 1984! This time, it’s the birds. “The Rs 8,800-crore Mumbai Trans Harbour Link project has hit one more road block. Well-known environmental conservation body Bombay Natural History Society is now seeking a change in the alignment of the sea link, as the current design will completely destroy the habitat of flamingos at Sewri mudflats in central Mumbai. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, popularly called MTHL, will connect Sewri in the island city to Nhava in Navi Mumbai with a 22-km-long sea link. The link will provide the crucial connectivity to the proposed Navi Mumbai Airport,” says Hindu Business Line .

Protect the fauna – and the flora. “With over Rs 50 crore left of the Rs 130-crore budget for gardens and open spaces, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to build fence or compound walls around open spaces to protect them. Following criticism from civic standing committee members about the ill maintenance of gardens, the civic body has decided to fine erring contractors,” reports Indian Express .

Protect flora and fauna – and the kids. “To Indians, French author Dominique Lapierre is known better as the philanthropist who, after writing City of Joy in 1985, transformed the lives of thousands of underprivileged children and leprosy patients in West Bengal through his non-profit City of Joy Foundation. The foundation, which runs 14 schools and rehabilitation centres for disabled children, four hospital boats and 652 drinking water wells in the Sunderbans, is now facing a financial crisis. “Without financial support from Indian donors, the foundation may have to shut down some of its schools and hospitals,” said Lapierre, 80, who is in Mumbai this week to elicit support from city-based corporations and individuals for his foundation,” says Hindustan Times .

You thought things like this couldn’t happen in Mumbai. “A businessman residing in Ghatkopar was abducted on the Mumbai-Pune expressway on Tuesday evening and was found murdered the next morning in Navi Mumbai despite his family paying a ransom of Rs 50 lakh. The police suspect the crime is the result of a business deal gone wrong. No arrests have been made so far,” says Hindustan Times .

And, on a positive note, you thought things like this couldn’t happen either. “For the first time in its 41-year history, IIT Bombay will open its doors to four international folk dance groups to take part in the four-day Mood Indigo Worldfest-2011, opening Sunday. Teams from Indonesia, Turkey, Spain and Poland will participate in this year’s Mood Indigo Worldfest, making Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay the only Indian campus to invite and host foreign groups to what is now seen as a world-class festival,” says Times of India .

Traffic jams in Mumbai seem to be forcing this move. “Occasional train commuters are now boarding first-class compartments of suburban trains with increasing regularity, sales of card tickets for this category show. Ticket sales have increased by 20% on Western Railway and 8% on Central Railway. The statistics indicate that irregular train travellers, who would otherwise take the road in privately owned vehicles, taxis or buses, are switching to suburban trains, as these are considered faster and a more comfortable mode of transport. Parking woes and cheating on fares by auto and taxi drivers has also played a part in this gradual but marked shift,” says Times of India .