A visit to Sabeto Mud Pool and Hot Springs in Nadi in Republic of Fiji

Located midway between Lautoka and Nadi on the main island of Viti Levu in The Republic of Fiji, the Sabeto Thermal Mud Pool and Hot Springs are a must-do attraction on any holiday to Fiji. A great way to immerse yourself in the traditional Fijian way of life, the mud baths are just a few kilometres from the Garden of the Sleeping Giant and just a 20-minute drive from Nadi.

Mud Pools one of Fiji’s hidden jewels provides a rare opportunity to indulge in a therapeutic natural thermal mud spa. The therapeutic mud pool of Sabeto is the ideal remedy for self-cleansing or naturally beautifying yourself. Locals believe that the sulphur in the hot springs have healing properties and it is a popular spot for both visitors and locals, providing a great social experience. The Sabeto Hot Springs has three pools set in lush natural surroundings.After, applying rejuvenating mud generously on myself waited for it to dry. Afterwards had a dip in 3 different pools and the final wash in a warm spring pool and felt my travel jet lag stress melt away with the mud.As it was the rainy tourist off- season in Nadi I was lucky to be the lone tourist along with another Caucasian couple and their young child.Book in advance during peak tourist season as it gets crowded.

NOTE :- For additional charges a ” BODY MASSAGE” is given in a seperate section of the sprawling village estate after completion of the entire ” Mud Bathe/ Mud Pool” process.

Thanks to my Driver cum guide Mr Sharon.Shiraz. Ali for driving me safely to the various tourist locales with our last stop being ” SABETO MUD POOL AND HOT SPRING “.

Corals and Sea Shells of Andaman and Nicobar Island’s

Before you go for snorkeling or diving know the corals and sea life you could come across. I photographed these specimens from the museums visited in Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Island’s.

¹

1. The Skeleton of a “BLUE WHALE” recovered from Kamorta Island of Nicaobar is on display inside a glass casing at the “Samudrika Marine Museum” . ↩︎

Role of “B.I .S.N Ships(British India Steam Navigation)” in the transport of Refugee’s during India-Pakistan Partition of 1947

Realms of newspaper writings, films and novels have been written about the tragic aftermath of the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 that resulted in the disruption of lives and property of a mass of humanity on both sides of the border. Strangely nothing much has been written about the role played by the “SHIPPING INDUSTRY” in transporting refugee’s from India(Bombay) to Pakistan(Karachi) and vice-versa .I stumbled upon “www.shipsnostalgia.com” in 2008 and since my father was a tally-clerk on the ships that carted refugee’s from Bombay to Karachi and vice versa got into a discussion and learnt about the history of British shipping in solving the transport of refugee’s during 1947 partition.

Mr Tom.Kelso who personally sailed on “B.I.” ships and under whom my father served as a “Tally Clerk” has written his episode of the great sea transport of refugees’s from India to Pakistan and vice versa .

Below is excerpts of the discussion .

Mr Tom.Kelso(2007) :-

The 15th August 2007 marks the 6oth anniversary of Indian Independence, and just as significantly, the “partition” of the sub-continent into the national states of (East & West) Pakistan and India.

During the run-up to this event, and in the following months, it is estimated that about 5.5. million people fled each way across the new Indo-Pak border in the former state of Punjab alone. Similar Diaspora took place across other sectors of the frontiers. Various estimates have been given, ranging from 200,000 to 1.5 million, being the number of men, women, and children who were massacred by the proponents of the opposing religions, with in many cases, the Sikhs suffering in the middle ground.

Little appears to have been recorded regarding the evacuation of refugees by sea, out of Bombay to Karachi, and vice versa. Between 1947 and the following February, it is thought that some 200,000 were transported from these ports by ships of the British India Steam navigation Company. Because of the political implications at this critical time, it seems that only ships of non-Indian/Pakistani flag were considered safe from retributory action. The BI vessels which became involved were, from their deck passenger carrying capability, eminently suitable for this operation. The writer does not remember other than BI ships being involved.

During this period every available BI passenger vessel was committed to the operation. The Victoria and Princes docks (and possibly Ballard Pier and Alexandra Dock wall) were the embarkation points at the Indian end, with Keamari wharf their equivalent in Karachi. In the critical months of August and September, it seemed that literally thousands of Muslim refugees were allowed unrestricted entry into this part of the Bombay Port Trust area, possibly at local government behest, for their security. Access to many of the godowns was given (or taken?) providing much needed shelter from the monsoon rains. Many, perhaps with foresight and the necessary cash, had managed to obtain tickets from the Company’s Managing Agents in Bombay (Mackinnon & Mackenzie & Co Ltd) and such were allowed to board irrespective of what ship was named on the passage ticket, certainly, in the case of DWARKA, prior to departure, the wharf was a mass of frightened and desperate people, accoutered with such possessions as they could carry, shoving and pushing towards the brow. Many, with the assistance of those already onboard, scrambled through the shelter deck tonnage openings. It was quite impossible in the reigning bedlam to prevent this “backdoor” embarkation. Although the Bombay State police were present in force, positive control of the milling crowds appeared quite beyond the half-hearted attempts of the sepoys.

Behind the scenes, ashore, apparently our agents were encountering problems with the supply of coal and oil fuels, fresh water and provisions at both Bombay and Karachi ends. I believe that in some cases, ships were diverted for necessary replenishment to a comparatively neutral port (Murmagoa?). Although DWARKA fuelled to capacity on her intervening Abadan calls, likewise fresh water at Basra, the latter’s availability onboard was rationed by strict limitation of the supply. Exit and entry at the enclosed docks in Bombay was confined to about an hour each side of high water, but within these limits, as one ship left another took her berth to continue the mass embarkation.

At Karachi, dummies were used, thus keeping the vessel some distance off the jetty, and this successfully prevented uncontrolled boarding. However, it is probable that lack of space in Bombay’s Victoria dock basins here prevented such a solution.

On normal passages between Bombay and Karachi, although passage tickets were “sighted” at the gangway, on boarding, these were later collected by the Purser assisted by a squad of kalassies, who were adept at ensuring no deck passengers could avoid this check. (It was said that “used” passage tickets had been known to find their way onto the market and been re-sold!). However, during the evacuation, in DWARKA at least, it was found that this routine could not be carried out effectively on account of the excessively crowded shelter and ‘tween-deck spaces. I remember being told by the Chief Officer that he estimated there were at least three or four hundred persons aboard above our capacity!

Another recollection is of arriving at Karachi and berthing being delayed. Apparently, several hundred Sikhs, intent on reaching Keamari to escape to Bombay, had taken shelter in a Sikh temple in the city. The report went that a large crowd of the local population had surrounded the temple, eventually setting it ablaze, killing many, if not most of those seeking sanctuary inside.

Gradually, over the ensuing months, more control was exercised by the authorities, refugee numbers decreased, and the extra tonnage was withdrawn. By January 1948, scheduled sailings were virtually back to normal. For my own part this experience was a never-to-be-forgotten introduction to my sea-going on the “Indian Coast”….. I had joined my first ship as a cadet, the DWARKA in London only a month or so before, in early July.

The BI ships involved (with their year of build and normal employment) were as follows:

BAMORA (1914) “Slow” Gulf Mail

BARALA (1912) “Slow” Gulf Mail

DUMRA (1946) “Fast” Gulf Mail

DWARKA (1947) “Fast” Gulf Mail

EKMA (1911) Laid-up, Bombay Harbour

ETHIOPIA (1921) Calcutta-Madras-Rangoon-Calcutta

KAMPALA (1947) Bombay-East and South Africa

KARAGOLA (1917) Bombay-East Africa

KARAPARA (1915) Bombay-East Africa

SHIRALA (1925) Bombay-East Africa OR Calcutta-Straits

VARELA (1914) “Fast” Gulf Mail

VARSOVA (1914) “Fast” Gulf Mail

“Partition of India-Pakistan”- Role of “B.I.S.N ships and staff”.

Thanks Mr Tom .E.Kelso for writing the historical role played by “B.I.S.N” ships in commuting the victims of the 1947 “India-Pakistan Partition”.
My father late Mr Louis.J.Furtado worked as a “Tally-Clerk” on one of these “Refugee ships” and he always narrated the horrible “Hate crimes” that he witnessed on board these ships and the suffering of the travelling refugees ,both in Mumbai and Karachi.
I am settled in Mumbai and belong to a generation for whom the partition of India-Pakistan is history, the worst holocaust after World War-11. :- Rudolph.A.Furtado

The Brothels of Mumbai(Kamatipura in a Time-Frame)

“Cotton Textile mills” extinction and redevelopment of these properties into palatial malls and recreation centers in Mumbai set the trend for redevelopment of other lower economic slums of Mumbai. Kamathipura,the “Eye-sore” of middle-class Mumbaikar morality is also undergoing a sea-change in the 21st century,a frog leap into the “Global village economy”.The awareness of “H.I.V” in the 1980’s and death due to “A.I.D’S”, has made low-life prostitutes realize the hazards of their profession, a short painful life of endless torture and discrimination once “Sexually Unemployed” or “H.I.V Infected”, whichever is earliest !The prostitutes of Kamathipura do not have “Political Patronage” and are not “Registered Voters” of their locality unlike “Slum Dwellers” who have populated Mumbai and are the “King-Makers” of many local electorals, besides being the subject of Oscar winning film, “Slum dog Millionaire”. It was  a hard hitting reality film of slum lifestyle and ethics, although definitey exaggerated . The “Economic Apocalypse-2008/09” sounded the final death gong to the infamous red-light district of Kamathipura  whose main source of business commodity are “MEN”.Men brothel customers are avoiding visits to prostitutes due to the “A.I.D’S SCARE” as well as “Economic Insolvencies” since many clients are from the lower economic strata of society.The wealthy and educated men usually patronize “Beer dance bars” temporarily banned and re-introduced in 2016   or “Call-Girls” available through the “Internet” and “Cell Phone” services. To the patrons of “Prostitution” , the word “Kamathipura” was akin to “Slumdog Millionaire”, an embarrassment to average Indian society, to be hidden from World exposure.For the educated and wealthy,”Yuppie”,”Puppy” or “Sethia”, being seen in “Kamathipura” would be “Professional Suicide”, the Indian Dharavi of prostitution.Beginning since 2007, a lot of “Middle-class skyscraper buildings” have come up in the adjacent vicinity of “Kamathipura” ,right next to the ancient infamous historical “VILLA TYPE” brothels with colourful names like “Nos 25″,” 007″, “Hotel G-9” and “Colaba Queens”. The next great “Mumbai Redevelopment” scheme after the “Mills land re-development” of the 1990’s could be in the “RED-LIGHT DISTRICT” of “KAMATHIPURA” as it is located in prime real estate territory of Mumbai,one of the World’s costliest city’s.Imagine the cost of “Villa Brothel-No 25”, an entire 2-storey building with an attic according to present “Real Estate” prices of 2016  in neighbouring skyscrapers of Kamathipura? Street Economics proves that “LOW-LIFE PROSTITUTION” is no more a profitable business in Mumbai unlike its modern counterpart, the sophisticated “CALL-GIRLS” in the “Internet and cell phone era” of “Globalization”. A census shows that there were approximately 30,000 “Sex Workers”  in 2002 which has dwindled to approximately 2000 in 2012 ! “KAMATHIPURA” has definitely lost the title of  once upon a time being Asia’s second largest red light district.Unbelievable in a city whose general population increases yearly.Some of these “VILLA BROTHELS” are a real “Tourist Secret”,peculiar only to Mumbai and Calcutta and known only  to “Customers”,having lavish interior’s in crumbling edifices and sad or colourful history’s of its occupants,”The Kamathipura Nymphs”.Communal harmony in brothels of Kamathipura are a real advertisement in secularism where women, pimps and bouncers ,all belonging to different religions or castes live and work together, their only problem being “Police bribes” and attracting a “Customer base”.Religious icons and pictures of  Gods,Godesses from every community is displayed in most Brothel’s, especially at the entrance and the “Customer waiting Rooms” giving some of these places an eerie guilt complex syndrome,irrespective of religious affiliation.” Joint No 25″ as it was known during the 1980/90’s was one of the oldest “Villa Brothels” situated in prime Kamathipura locality on the main road. Prior to its repairs  this villa resembled a “Ghost Film set”, with huge colonial era crumbling rooms supported on bamboo stilts and the wooden staircases just waiting to crumble. Luck or destiny changed the fortunes of  “Joint No 25” and its internal reconstruction and refitting was undertaken in 2004/05 under a new “Brothel Management” giving the entire edifice a unbelievable external renovation and internal air-conditioning.The infamous “PALANG THOD(BREAKING THE BED)” sexual act was copyrighted in these brothels,akin to the “Kamasutra” visuals, proving that a person also learnt the art of love-making in these “Pleasure houses of Sex”. Joint ” N0 25″ was the leisure “palace” and a place where all the ” 77 POSITIONS” of the famous “Kamasutra” treatise could be practiced without inhibitions. The only stress of trying all the 77 Kamasutra positions  was a chance of getting the death sentence,”H.I.V +ve” or dying of a “Sex heart- attack”.Honestly, the best death could be a “SEX HEART ATTACK” ! ? A famous ” Marathi Rap Song”, long before “English Rap music” was invented in London’s streets originated from the “Byculla Boys” of the 1970’s era.This “Rap  became  a “Kamathipura Signature tune advertisement” .Hilarious and absolutely satirical.The ” Marathi Rap words” were as follows ,quote, “Sallu Re Sallu Thujya —- Madhe gallu,Chorus! Sallu Re Sallu Thujya— Madhe Gallu! Sallu Gela Dilli Pakkad Majya —-. Aree Sallu Gela Dilli Pakkad Majya —.Chorus(Repeat 3 times)! Sallu Re Sallu Tujya —Madhe Gallu.”BLANKS” in the songs lyrics  are for the readers imagination of “Pornographic Poetry”. Translation of the words and tune into “English Language” would make this lyrical brothel signature tune absolutely punch-less and stale.As in life, long after the dust is settled and memories linger, a few of the names of the courtesans of “Joint No 25” remain etched in human memory.
                 Above Photo :- The By-lanes of Kamatipura with its former “Chawl-Type Brothels” has undergone tremendous changes. In Future these lanes might totally disappear, replaced by “Skyscraper buildings” as this locality is situated in Prime Mumbai city.See these localities before they totally disappear to re-development.Literature like mine might be the only reminders of this colourful and yet sad locality of Mumbai.   

                                                                                    Bombay, now Mumbai has undergone a earth-shattering social and physical transformation after the closure of the textile mills that began in early 1990’s.

Above Photo :-Friday(23-12-2016) :- Festive decor  of  Kamatipura lanes. Truly “COSMOPOLITAN”.

Below Photo :- Entrance “”JOINT No 25” as seen  at night on Monday(31-12-2012). Last of the few  majestic brothels in Kamatipura.

Christina,Suzy,Dolly.Margaret and Rekha were the most famous “courtesans” of their generation servicing customers in the 1980’s and 1990’s up-to the early 2000’s.Christina later graduated onto becoming the “Madame” of “Nos 25” after the abdication of previous “Madame Sheela ” .

Unlike other brothels, the beauty of ” Joint Nos 25″ was that its courtesans had no inhibitions of performing any sexual act as long as they were paid the money and treated honorably as a “Courtesan lady” and not some common “Caged whore” or “Street walker” which comprise the maximum of Kamatipura’s sex workers.
My friend Shantidas was a regular visitor to brothel “Nos 25”  which was operated by a Jewish lady named Sheela in the 1970’s and 80’s and later a christian lady Christina.A final  change in ownership in 2001 ,redeveloped this seedy bungalow type brothel into plush air-conditioned brothel cubicles and a complete new brothel management and women courtesans.
Shanti Das had spent numerous nights with different prostitutes from the 1980’s upto the present management in 2009 and his depiction of the horror in one room was mind-boggling, definitely not exaggeration to me as we both grew up together and understood when the other delivered “White Lies”.
“Joint N0 25” is a legacy of the “British era”, built during a period when “Kamatipura” and especially “Joint N0 25” were absolutely high-class leisure rooms for British soldiers and the wealthy, not the typical “H.I.V Infected area” that it has now degenerated in the 21st century.
Shanti Das, once thought that he was making love to the local prostitute whom he hired for the night at Rs 1000 and was thrilled at the ecstasy only to later discover that the actual woman he hired was changing herself and adding perfumes in the adjacent room.
Who was the woman he actually slept with?
Being a well-known face and a regular customer,he made queries but none of the girls fitted his description of the seductress who just vanished into thin air!
Did the brothel management pull a fast joke on Shanti Das?
Definitely no, they stood to gain nothing, just bad publicity in case the news spread that “JOINT N0 25” was haunted and “brothels”, even the worst, are always courteous and entertaining to their customers, only priority being money and nothing else.
Would you love to make love in a “HAUNTED HOUSE”, even if only in a temporary “BROTHEL ROOM” ?
Truth is stranger than fiction.
If “Topaz Bar” of Grant road was the ultimate in South Mumbai “Beer Dance Bars”  before its closure in 2005 then “Joint Nos 25” could be considered the “Arabian Nights Fantasy” of Mumbai .

“South African Witch Doctor’ 2016 Advertisement for  “SEXUAL HEALING” and NORMAL HUMAN SICKNESSES and  SUPERSTITION

Whipping and chain bondage was the ultimate of some freak customers who preferred atoning for their sexual indulgences by self-inflicted sexual extremes.
Suzy was famous for her “Sado-masochistic” sessions which consisted of “Horse-whipping” followed by anal sex and fellatio, whichever the customer preferred.
Dolly and Rekha were the ultimate seductresses, the means of attaining sexual nirvana ,although at a price.“Behram Restaurant” situated on the main road just walking distance  from “Joint No 25” was the popular “Beer Bar” in the entire locality. This restaurant was a  breather in-between sexual athletics and Kamasutra positions in the numerous brothels that dotted the landscape of Kamatipura.
The other peculiar trait about ” Joint Nos 25″ was that this was a “English speaking Brothel” and hence had a more educated clientele besides also being selective in accepting customers.
Legalized Pornographic tycoon Hugh.Hefner could have learnt some “Sexual circuses” from “Joint No 25” of the 1980’s and 1990’s era, before advent of the “Internet” and “Escort whoring” killed “Courtesan business”.

Friday(23-12-2016) :- Iconic  “CAFE BEHRAM BAR  AND RESTAURANT” in Kamatipura on the main road..

These “Brothel Villa’s” could even qualify for “Heritage Buildings” category as they are steeped in “Brothel History” and “Underworld secrets or gossips” , a la “Umrao Jaan or Devdas saga’s”,beginning with the Britishers that created “Kamathipura”.Tragically, unlike “Patpong” in Bangkok or the “Reeperbahn of St Pauli” in Hamburg the tourism potential of Kamathipura was never exploited although many movie ideas and literary writings have been based on this sin locality of Mumbai.A Big myth is that only “Bachelors” and “Sex Perverts” patronize these brothels , while the authentic truth is that most of the patrons are “Married Men” experimenting on “Sexual Acts” or “Sexual innovations” which their wives do not allow at home. A typical “Villa Brothel” like the infamous ” Joint No 25″ dates back to the pre-Independence era and consisted of 2 to 3 storeys with huge crumbling rooms for servicing clients, filthy toilets and bathrooms and all the women lived in a “Hostel type atmosphere” with the “Madam” having her own private “Room”.The “Madam” runs the “Brothel” on a “Rental Basis” paying a monthly rent to the building owner, usually a wealthy, pious,non-criminal “Dormant Partner”, the ultimate “White Collar shady entrepreneur“.In 2004 ,” Joint No 25″ changed ownership and renovated itself into an “Air-conditioned” guest-house while ” Joint N0 007″ a brothel run by a Nepali Madam has closed and also been repurchased and run as a “guest-house”, a case of “Brothel modernization”, a necessary social evil of society.Paradoxically, brothels are the only few “vice Industry’s” where women manage the economics and management , employing men as pimps and bouncers and exploiting their own fellow women workers professionally, a type of “Socialism” that would make Karl Marx think.”Joint N0 007″ during ownership of the “Nepali Madam” was famous as a “Sea-Farer’s paradise”, mostly frequented by sailors and well decorated during the “New Year Festival”. Brothel  “Joint 007” consisted of a two storey building, absolutely deceptive from the exterior, with cubicle rooms on the first floor for servicing “clients”.

Busy Shukhlaji Street , one of the most densely populated localities of Mumbai.Formerly,BROTHEL BUILDINGS  lined both sides of the street. In 2012 , just a few “Brothel Buildings” are intact,including the iconic “BROTHEL NOS 25”.Visit this street before it completely disappears from Mumbai’s topography as a former “WHOREHOUSE LOCALITY OF MUMBAI”

The infamous “Red-Light 007” bulb hung from the exterior window of the first floor facing the street , an advertisement to potential clients, definitely not for “James Bond 007 fans”.Brothel, “Joint N0 007” were one of the pioneers of the “Red-Light” Industry that was and still is “KAMATIPURA”, although the ownerships have changed hands.

Director Anurag Kashyap had stolen a scene from “Shanti Das’ in “Devdas- original” :-The last scene in which a totally sozzled , sick and dejected 21st century Devdas takes a high-class educated prostitute on the backseat of his motorcycle and disappears to the audiences imagination is a straight lift from my infamous friend “SHATI DAS’S Life”.

Sometime in 2002 the rich spoiled brat Shanti Das had taken a fancy to a beautiful illiterate whore from the infamous Nepali “Joint No 007” at Shukhlaji Street and many a night was spent in her room. Shanti Das had and still owns a Royal Enfield motorcycle which he used for cruising the streets of Mumbai, high on “Hash” to avoid “Drunken driving”, a real genius at hoodwinking!
Many a times he took Kumari, his new found Nepali whore to the Taj Mahal hotel of all places for a drink at the “Starboard Lounge” or dinner at the Shamiana! Kumari, when well dressed and roaming in the right circles and not “Kamatipura locality” could pass off as a rich sophisticated woman on sheer looks . Unless spoken to, even her illiteracy could be disguised by her sheer beauty.

Cafe Mondegar and the Taj Mahal Hotel in Colaba were the regular haunts of the made for each other couple Mr Shanti Das and Kumari until one fine day the petite kumari suddenly disappeared from “Joint Nos 007” and later the brothel closed down and changed ownership. Ultimately,infamous Alexandra Theater’s English to Hindi translated film titles, and photographs might be the only memories of “Kamathipura” once it undergoes the “Builders scalpels” of redevelopment.Sadly “Alexandra Theatre” has been demolished and a partial historical  edifice of the locality has vanished. On 31st December 2009 Shanti.Das, a good friend of mine  on his “New Year Eve sex  jaunts”  told me a joke that a “Pimp” of “Hotel G-9” told him,quote,”Sir, the women and eunuch prostitutes are becoming “Unemployed”and instead factory’s are being opened in Kamatipura locality for men” !  Ha Ha Ha Hee hee hee ? A absolute paradox of a locality once called “THE SEX CAPITAL OF ASIA”. This “JOKE” sounds better when quoted in “Original Hindi language” rather than translated into English .Fact is that “PROSTITUTION” is not becoming extinct or reducing in Mumbai city whose population is increasing by leaps and bounds but just changing adresses and locales within the city in the Internet and cell-phone era of the oldest profession on Planet earth.The very fact that the inventor of “LEGALIZED SEX ENTERTAINMENT” to the World, the “Grand Daddy” of them all, Mr Hugh.Hefner was contemplating selling his 56 year old “Intellectual Pornographic Empire” in 2009 for 200 million pounds speaks volumes of the “INTERNALIZATION OF PORNOGRAPHY”. Agreed, at age 83(2009) Mr Hugh.Hefner cannot prolong his sexual erection’s nor the “Playboy” monopoly of the billion dollar “Sex Industry”.As a shrewd businessman he has realized that “Internet sex websites” are creating havoc with “Playboy” subscriptions and sales, making the magazine seem like a tame  “High school sex education” magazine with elite content in the profligate  “Adult Sex Information Era”.Ultimately, Hugh.Hefner has avoided selling “PLAYBOY” but has adapted to the “INTERNET ERA” by making “Playboy” available for on-line subscription as well as free for casual browsing, akin to newspapers.In Bombay of the 1970’s, access to a outdated “Playboy” magazine was sold at a premium to an elite clientele. In 2009 any Mumbaikar can access “Hardcore Pornography” from the “Internet” with “Playboy” being a mere “side-show”, that too, in a Country where “Sex Magazines” are officially banned. A new “Digital Sexual Revolution” first started and pioneered in the print media in 1953 by Mr Hugh.Hefner himself has become a “Frankenstein Monster” in the “Internet Era” to legalized sex publishing Moguls. Ultimately,inventions and innovations transforms lives as well as businesses including the “SEX INDUSTRY” and “Playboy” is undergoing the same.Years after publishing this blog i happened to read the best-seller novel, “SEX AND THE CITY” written by Candace.Bushnell in 1997, a book about the “Sexcapades” and “Sexual circuses” of New York’s elite celebrity news-makers very much on the lines of India’s own famous erotic bestseller writer Shoba.De. Honestly, the “Low life Villa Brothels of Kamathipura” of the 1980’s , 1990’s and early 2000’s were an exact replica of “Sex and the City” in its peculiar private  “Sex Circuses”.The famous and infamous “Dance Bars” of Mumbai were forced to close down in 2005 and many of these bar dance girls committed suicide or became prostitutes as they were unfit for any other profession besides “Bar Dancing”.The Supreme Court of India later re-instated the “Dance Bars” in 2013  and hence many  former dance bar girls might find employment in the bars once they are re-opened. Its a sad  fact of life that prostitution and women dance bars exploit women for sexual purposes. In Prostitution women barter their bodies  for  physical paid sex while in the  case of “Dance Bars”  its the joy of   men oogling at dancing women.A fact that can’t be ignored is that many women legally earn their income through prostitution or “Bar dancing” in Mumbai, having not been forced into the profession. This proves the fact that “SEX” is the only human activity that is universal in performance and personal satisfaction, irrespective of caste, creed, sex,nationality or wealth.Touche! Topi! By :- Blogger Rudolph.A.Furtado
NOTE :- In 2016 a resolution was passed to redevelop the entire “KAMATIPURA-SUKHLAJI” locality from a “RED LIGHT LOCALITY” into a “PLUSH RESIDENTIAL TOWNSHIP”.This blog would be a historical reference for anthropologists decades from 2016 

France v/s Argentina World Cup -2022 Finals:- ” Mittoo alias Mittoo the poppat”.

Sunday(18/12/2022) France V/s Argentina World cup final betting :- France @ -110(90/100) v/s Argentina @ -110(90/100) The estate of “Mittoo alias Mittoo the poppat” is placing a “Whale Bet” of only 3 Khokha’s(Rs 3 Crores) on a Argentina win @ -110(90/100). The estate is worth Rs 11,36,06,502 only. The 2016 ” Donald Trump Presidency” prediction loss of 5 crore is biggest loss of the estate of Mittoo Alias “Mittoo the poppat”. If Argentina lose on Sunday the estate of “Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat” will have lost a total of Rs 5 crore in “Qatar World Cup-2022” akin to the “Donald Trump Presidency” loss of 2016. If Argentina win on Sunday then the estate of “Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat” will gain Rs 2,70,00,000 thus recovering my previous loss of Brazil v/s Croatia and a profit of Rs 70,00,000.If i lose on Sunday then will have to stick to “Sardine Bets” for the estate to recover financial health.Students following this site since its inception in 2013 must have noticed that the estate plays “Go for Broke” bets at times which is also applicable to “Stock Market Speculation”. The estate thanks the followers of this game which is in profit play since years for the enthusiasm and study proving that “SPORTS BETTING” is not luck alone but a combination of mathematical permutations and a thorough knowledge of the sport .Follower’s of this sports game have also learned new “Betting/Investment” terms like “WHALE BET” and “SARDINE BET”. NOTE :- ALL MONEY INVOLVED IS NOTIONAL MONEY AND THIS IS A GAME AKIN TO A STOCK MARKET GAME FOR CREATING AWARENESS TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN INDIA.THE GAME STOPS IF THE “BETTING INVESTMENT” GOES BANKRUPT. WHEN WILL SPORTS BETTING BE LEGALIZED IN INDIA.

Note:- I have sentimental memories of visiting the “Camp Nou” stadium museum in Barcelona in 2017 during a solo travel across Europe and taking a photo in the museum with the “Ballon d’or Trophy ” won by Lionel.Messi while playing for Barcelona..

” Qatar World cup -2022″:- Brazil v/s Croatia

Wednesday(7/12/2022) “QATAR WORLD CUP-2022”.Brazil V/s Croatia to be played on Friday(9/12/2022) :- The estate of “Mittoo alias Mittoo the poppat” is now worth Rs 13.36,06,502 Only. This sports game was founded in 2013 when “Mittoo” was hale and hearty and alive. The game has continued after its death in 2014 and over the years a roaring success baffling academician’s and “Bookies” alike. In the World Cup Football semifinals, the estate of “Mittoo alias Mittoo the Poppat” is wagering its first bet. Brazil are favourites @ -275 (36/100) while Croatia the Underdogs @ + 750 (7.5/1).The estate of “Mittoo alias Mittoo the Poppat” is wagering a “WHALE BET” of 2 Khokhas(Rs 2 Crores) only on a Brazil win at odds of -275(36/100). For the first time i have used the American betting odds style of quotation which has a (-) sign for denoting favorite odds and (+) sign for denoting the underdog odds. The estate thanks the followers of this game which is in profit play since years for the enthusiasm and study proving that “SPORTS BETTING” is not luck alone but a combination of mathematical permutations and a thorough knowledge of the sport .Follower’s of this sports game have also learned new “Betting/Investment” terms like “WHALE BET” and “SARDINE BET”. NOTE :- ALL MONEY INVOLVED IS NOTIONAL MONEY AND THIS IS A GAME AKIN TO A STOCK MARKET GAME FOR CREATING AWARENESS TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN INDIA.THE GAME STOPS IF THE “BETTING INVESTMENT” GOES BANKRUPT. WHEN WILL SPORTS BETTING BE LEGALIZED IN INDIA.

” Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat” T20 Finals ” :- ” Sardine Bet” of 20 peti’s .

Sunday(13/11/2022) England V/S Pakistan T20 Finals :- Today the World of T20 Cricket will have a new champion and the betting odds are as follows :- England @ 1.61 Win v/s Pakistan @ 2.30 Win.The estate of “Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat” is worth Rs 13,24,06,502 only and is betting 20 Peti’s(Rs 20 Lakhs) only on a England Win @1.61.Fan’s of this money spinning notional game might be wondering why such a small bet of only 20 Peti’s(Rs 20 Lakhs) on this big game with odds heavily favouring England. Did any soothsayer predict that India would lose the semi-finals to England by 10 wickets and Holland would defeat South Africa to enable Pakistan to squeeze into the finals ? I bet 1 Khokha(Rs 1 Crore) on a “FLIGHTLINE “ win and this amazing racehorse won by 8 lengths. So that was my “WHALE BET” and hence now a “SARDINE BET (Small bet)” on a “England Win” . The estate thanks the followers of this game which is in profit play since years for the enthusiasm and study proving that “SPORTS BETTING” is not luck alone but a combination of mathematical permutations and a thorough knowledge of the sport .. NOTE :- ALL MONEY INVOLVED IS NOTIONAL MONEY AND THIS IS A GAME AKIN TO A STOCK MARKET GAME FOR CREATING AWARENESS TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN INDIA.THE GAME STOPS IF THE “BETTING INVESTMENT” GOES BANKRUPT. WHEN WILL SPORTS BETTING BE LEGALIZED IN INDIA.

P.S :- Sunday(13/11/2022) World Cup T20 Cricket Final :- England beat Pakistan by 5 wickets and a over scoring 138/5 while Pakistan scored 137/8.The estate of “Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat” is wealthier by 12 Peti’s( Rs 12 Lakhs) having placed a “Sardine Bat(Small bet)” of only 20 Peti’s(Rs 20 Lakhs) on a England win. The estate of “Mittoo alias mittoo the poppat” is now worth Rs 13,24,06,502 + Rs 12,00,000 = Rs 13.36,06,502 Only. akin to a bear hibernating in winter the estate of “Mittoo alias mittoo the Poppat” will be taking a sabbatical from sports betting until the next big sports event and big game which is “World Cup Football-2022” .Ahoy.The estate thanks the followers of this game which is in profit play since years for the enthusiasm and study proving that “SPORTS BETTING” is not luck alone but a combination of mathematical permutations and a thorough knowledge of the sport .Folloers of this sports game have also learned new “Betting/Investment” terms like “WHALE BET” and “SARDINE BET”. NOTE :- ALL MONEY INVOLVED IS NOTIONAL MONEY AND THIS IS A GAME AKIN TO A STOCK MARKET GAME FOR CREATING AWARENESS TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN INDIA.THE GAME STOPS IF THE “BETTING INVESTMENT” GOES BANKRUPT. WHEN WILL SPORTS BETTING BE LEGALIZED IN INDIA.

ATAM TEM MHOJEM( NOW YOU ARE MINE)

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Atam Tem Mojhem, Goan Konkani Tiatr, Veer Sawarkar Hall Mumbai

Goan Konkani Tiatr :- On Tuesday(8/11/2022) saw this Goan Konkani play ” ATAM TEM MHOJEM( Now You Are Mine )” at ” Veer Sawarkar Auditorium” at Shivaji Park.Goan Tiatr is a unique form of drama which is part Opera and part drama with live singing on stage and a live band. Tiatr is derived from the Portuguese word ” Teatro(Theatre)” and revolves around the social,political and religious topics of the era. Besides the regular commercial shows, tiatrs are held as part of the celebrations of nearly every church and chapel feast in the state of Goa.

Regarding the Vocal Konkani music found one tune a straight lift from a popular English song and another tune a lift from a popular Hindi song, with Konkani lyrics.After ages saw a Konkani tiatr drama and worth the Rs 250 ticket price.This play had a performance run in London in October last month .A tragic love triangle play of love with a social message showcasing Goan Catholic culture along with hilarious slapstick comedy and singing during the change of sets.The Young girl child star named “Arushi” played her role very well . Something different to normal drama.It was a housefull show and I was pleased to see the patronage of Goan Konkani theatre in Mumbai.The first original tiatr script was written and directed by João Agostinho Fernandes in 1895 in Bombay and was titled Belle de Cavel or Sundori Cavelchi. For his consistent devotion and encouragement over fifty years, Fernandes was conferred the title Pai Tiatrist (‘Father Tiatrist’).Regina Fernandes, wife of the playwright João Agostinho Fernandes, became the first female tiatr actor in Bhattkara on 22 November 1904. Years ago in 2019 during my “Bullet ” motorcycle ride from Mangalore to Mumbai had a rest stop in Margao and on Thursday(7/5/2019″) during a casual bike ride around Margao landed outside the crumbling 150 year old historic house of “Pai Tiatrist”.Entered the house and thanks to Journalist/Blogger/Social activist Mr Godfrey.J,.I.Gonsalves that i got a personal history and tour of this neglected heritage bungalow. Read my travelogue :- https://rudolphfurtado.wordpress.com/2019/05/18/the-tragic-negligence-of-the-ancestral-150-year-old-house-of-pai-tiatr-joao-agostinho-fernandes-in-modsai-in-margao/ .Divorce, a tiatr written and directed by Airistides Dias, was the first konkani tiatr to complete 100 performances on 5 October 1980.(Source:- Wikipedia).

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A brief tour of the ” Bombay Municipal Corporation Building”.

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BMC, Bombay Municipal Corporation Building tour, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation building

Having travelled across 82 Country’s and entire India with only Lakshadweep remaining suddenly realized i was a political novice in exploring the political landmarks in my own Country and city of Mumbai. During my travel of Oslo in 2017 had visited the ” City Hall ” where the Nobel peace prize is awarded annually also sitting on one of the city councilor’s chair. In Berlin in 2018 co-incidentally while exploring the city happened to attend a political speech discourse at a hotel by Congress Politician Shri Rahul.Gandhi. On the day of my departure to India had also visited the “Reichstag” that is open to tourists and was amazed at its architecture and design as also the fact that common German citizens are allowed to view the proceedings in the Reichstag from a “Viewing Gallery”. Recently on reading in a magazine that the “Bombay Municipal Corporation” was conducting group tours of its iconic building decided to finally at least visit and understand the functioning of one of the wealthiest Municipal Corporations in the World. Did a Online booking with “Khaki Tours Pvt Ltd” that conducted the guided tour costing Rs 350 in partnership with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation(MTDC) and fixed a appointment for the “27 Saturday 1630-1730 hrs” group tour. These short group tours are conducted only on week-ends since 2021 when the door’s of this esteemed Council building was opened to the common public.

The Bombay Municipal Corporation building which is 129 years old in 2022 is a 255 feet tall building that was completed in 1893 and designed by Frederick.William Stevens who also designed the “Victoria Terminus” now called “Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus”. There was a competition to design the “BMC” building befitting Bombay’s status “Urbs Prima of Indes( The Foremost city of India)” and the same was won by architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm. His design of the “Indo-Saracenic Style( Mix of Indian & Islamic Architecture)” was later rejected for the Gothic Style of F.W.Stevens and the rest is architectural history of one of Bombay now Mumbai’s most prominent landmark’s. As a horse racing afficionado this choosing of F.W.Stevens architectural design reminds me of the selection of the name “DERBY ” for England’s most prominent horse race , by the toss of a coin won by Lord Derby. Providence. The large statue of Bombay on the foyer of the “BMC” building is the angel atop the porch holding a ship in her right hand named Urbs Prima in Indis (First City of India).The “BMC” building is a Grade II A heritage building.The Municipal Corporation was formed in 1865 headed by Sir Arthur.Crawford and in its initial years functioned from Girgaon. From Girgaon it was later shifted to “Rhythm House” and later “Army & Navy Building” before finally having its permanent foundation stone laid at its present location in 1885. The Statue of Sir Phirozeshah.Mehta stands tall at the traffic intersection of the entrance to the “Bombay Municipal Corporation Building” as he was instrumental in shaping the corporation while drafting the “BMC Act of 1872”. He is also called the “Father of Bombay Municipality” and “Lion of Bombay”.

We group of tourists assembled at “GATE N0 2” which is the main entrance gate to the “BMC” building. Mr Danesh.Irani was our chief guide aided by his lady assistant’s Aparna and Parmita. Came across a few beautiful well fed tame stray cat’s in the vicinity of the “B.M.C” building entrance and this building estate was also their residence. After passing the security identity check we entered the confines of this edifice that i always admired from the outside never ever having stepped inside the building. We were greeted with the bold animal statues of two winged lions with serpent tails on either side of the palatial staircase. A arched gallery held with Corinthian columns forms the heritage extravagant ceiling.

From the entrance we entered the main courtyard of the building having tall palm tree’s. There is a amphitheater in the centre along with a “Duck Fountain ” and well manicured lawns. Once in the midst of this palatial , serene isolated courtyard its difficult to believe you are in the heart of one of the most congested traffic junction locality of Mumbai city. The topmost dome of the building which once served as a water tank is majestically visible from the courtyard. We walked along the periphery of the building facing the courtyard that had the offices of various political parties.

The plaque inside the main entrance wall of the “BMC” building that tells the complete construction and cost history of this towering edifice. Rao Sahib Sitaram. Khanderao was also the architect of the “Taj Mahal Hotel”. F.W.Stevens was the master architect who laid the foundation of the “Bombay Municipal Corporation” building and it was Vyanku.Baloji .Kalewar , the chief supervising architect belonging to the Vanjari community who oversaw the entire completion of the building within its stipulated budget in 1893.

“CORPORATION HALL ” :- Inside the esteemed ” CORPORATION HALL” of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Building.This entire hall is created from wood with majestique chandeliers. Busts and statues of Indian Political leaders and freedom fighters. The former statues /Portraits of British political dignitaries were replaced after Independence of India .The highlight of this room is the figures of citizens on the periphery of the wall ceilings representing the Athra Pagad Jati (Eighteen turbaned communities) that called Bombay their home.

” CORPORATION HALL” :- We ” History tourists” seated inside the ” CORPORATION HALL” while ” Khaki Tour” Guide Mr Danesh .Irani gave us a architectural and historical account of this hallowed hall in which many decisions concerning Bombay now Mumbai’s development was debated and statuettes passed. The BMC issues birth certificates, death certificates, it regulates trading licenses, fire compliances, issues health certificates, manages open spaces including gardens and playgrounds, handles solid waste and more. It is also the local planning authority for the city and looks after the urban development . This means that for common Mumbaikars like us Mumbai tourists seated here , interaction with the city corporation is inevitable, directly or indirectly. Check this video of guide Mr Danesh.Irani explaining us the “Corporation Hall” and its internal architectural decor :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxZLHj1P_Rg

“CORPORATION HALL” :- All the elected corporators ,currently 227. congregate in this hall. 227 elected corporators from across 24 administrative wards of Mumbai are accountable to represent citizens and their local issues in the city council. The head of the BMC is the Municipal Commissioner appointed under Section 54 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1888 and is appointed by the state government to head the administrative staff of the municipal corporation, implement the decisions of the corporation, and prepare its annual budget. The Municipal Commissioner is a member of the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). In 2022 Mr Iqbal.Singh.Chahal is the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai.The Mayor is the head of these Councilor’s elected from amongst the corporators. The mayor is usually part of the ruling party and is the head of the council and the first citizen of the city. However, the mayor’s position in Mumbai holds no real executive powers and the position is largely ceremonial, with most powers held by the Municipal Commissioner. Mrs Kishori.Pednekar is the present mayor of Mumbai in 2022. The BMC, also known as Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), is one of the richest municipal corporations in the world and is sitting on fixed deposits of over Rs 80,000 crore having an annual budget of over Rs 30,000 crore in 2022. This is comparable to the budgets of smaller countries around the globe and bigger than even some states in India. Proud to be a Mumbaikar living in the wealthiest city of India. People used to be allowed in to this hall to observe the proceedings of the corporation from the parapet above this main assembly hall that can be seen in this photo.

A long walk up the spiral wooden steps towards the ” Artificial False Gold gilded Dome” that lies below the main dome of the BMC building which can be seen externally when viewed from outside.

A ” Bird’s Eye View” from the top most floor of the BMC building just below the artificial false dome.

View of the ” Gold gilded False Dome” that hides the former “Water Tanks” and the “Main Dome” seen externally from outside.

Inside the ” BMC MUSEUM” situated on the second floor that depicts the history of the city and the Municipal Corporation.

A final group photo shoot on the terrace of the BMC” building with a panoramic view of the majestic “Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(Victoria Terminus)” in the background. The majestic Gargoyle looms over the busy junction cross roads and is a towering presence.

At ” GATE N0 2″ the main entry gate to ” Bombay Municipal Corporation ” building.A few well fed tame stray cat’s live in the vicinity of the building as well as inside the building.

A Pictorial essay of ” NARALI( NARIAL) POORNIMA” celebrations in Worli Village of Mumbai.

Thursday (11/8/2022): – 2022 NARALI PURNIMA CELEBRATION IN WORLI KOLIWADA VILLAGE OF MUMBAI:- Nārali Poornima(Nariyal Poornima) is a ceremonial day observed by Hindu fishing communities in Maharashtra particularly around Mumbai and the Konkan coast. It is held on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan which falls around July or August and this year it happens to be Thursday(11/8/2022) . Today offerings such as rice, flowers and coconuts are offered to Lord Varuna, the god of ocean and waters. Today is also “RAKHSHA BANDHAN” day which involves women tying a rakhi or amulet on the wrists of their brothers. In the evening at 1600 hrs cycled from my home in Old Prabhadevi road to Golfadevi temple situated next to the “I.N.S Trata” Indian coast guard regional headquarters in Worli Koliwada Village attired in my “Raincoat Uniform” as there was a continuous on-off drizzle of rain . After observing young kid’s breaking coconuts outside the famous “GOLFADEVI TEMPLE” cycled downhill to main Worli Koliwada village where i came across the youth engrossed in the competition of breaking coconuts.Coconuts are broken throughout the day but the main religious processions take place in the evening along the road leading to Worli Fort .The entire narrow Worli Koliwada road was crowded with people, devotee’s and tourists. A local resident observing the procession and local band’s playing loud drum’s introduced me to local Worli Koliwada folk singer Mr Chintamani.Shivdikar who was decked in gold ornaments. The devotees worship Lord Varuna offering coconut’s to Varuna and ask for his blessings. Devotees visit the temple in a procession along with the sound of drums and local music to perform a puja for Varuna and ask for calm water and avoidance of natural water calamities. I myself although not a fisherman have survived 23 years of on/Off sailing on the high sea’s, river’s and Oceans across the Globe employed as a “Marine Engineer” on ship’s. Yes, any person who has sailed on any type of vessel, irrespective of size or tonnage of the vessel understands that luck and judgement of weather conditions besides personal navigation or engineering skills make a difference in having a safe sailing or fishing expedition. After quitting sea sailing in 2006 and evolving into a “Investor Entrepreneur” having ample time at my disposal working from home have been a regular visitor to my neighborhood fish market’s of Worli and Agar bazaar for my daily menu of fish. If not “Investor Entrepreneurship” would have probably ventured into the fishing business as water and fishing fascinates me with the program “Sea Monsters” featuring legendary television angler Jeremy Wade being one of my favorite wild life television programs. All the ladies participating in the dance procession’s were also fascinatingly dressed in their local Koli folk attire of barawar saree ( 12 yard saree) and immense gold jewelry. It did rain a bit during the ceremonial processions undertaken by different Koli communities along the narrow single road . Worli village is one of the oldest original fishing village’s of Bombay from which this modern Megapolis developed and even in 2022 it seems time has stood still in Worli village which has some Old World Bungalow houses as also a lot of slums which crept up in recent decades as Bombay now Mumbai’s population expanded beyond imagination. After observing a few processions, cycled back through the dense crowd towards the entrance road of Worli village stopping at “Krishna ” take-away for a snack of Mumbai’s famous street food “Batata Wada”.Visit unique Worli Koliwada Village situated in the heart of concrete jungle Mumbai at least once in your lifetime as Mumbai evolves rapidly and change in the city’s topography is permanent.Ahoy!

NOTE:- When visiting and commuting in Koliwada village or visiting Worli Fort either walk the distance or use a 2- wheeler , preferably a cycle