Mumbai underground

Slipping Moments of Fame

Recently,a deputy commissioner of police (DCP) was scheduled to hold a press conference at police headquarters. While reporters flocked to the venue well before time,they soon realised the meet was about a run-of-the-mill theft case. At the same time,they remembered that the DCP’s senior had agreed to meet the press for an informal briefing about a much bigger case. Consequently,a group of reporters slowly started slipping away from the press room and ultimately reached the senior’s office,only to see the DCP exiting his cabin. Quick to sense the deflection of his spotlight,the DCP tried to woo back the reporters,saying,“Oh,you all are here. Come,let’s go. Let’s have the press conference. Sir will wait. He is not going anywhere.” Even as the reporters exchanged unsure glances,the senior officer’s orderly informed them that ‘saheb’ would meet them. The journalists quickly filed into his cabin,leaving the DCP forlorn.

Policing Faux Pas

The Zone 11 DCP and police officers had started an announcement service on wireless vans to create awareness and caution citizens against fake policemen or imposters. Although there was no doubting the intention of the officers behind the awareness drive,a technical glitch brought their efforts to naught. The sentence fed into the announcement system left out a crucial word. Instead of ‘Nakli police se saavdhan (Beware of fake police)… the announcement that was heard was ‘Police se saavdhan (Beware of the police)’.

Mind Your Mobile

Despite several signs at courtroom entrances,many forget to switch off their mobile phones or put them in silent mode. At least one does not expect lawyers to forget to mute their phones since they spend a major of part of their day in and out of courtrooms. However,in a courtroom last week at around 3.50 pm,a lawyer’s phone rang and the proceedings were interrupted by a popular Bollywood number,Chaar baj gaye lekin party abhi baki hai. By the time he fished it out of his pocket,the line was played twice. Most present in the courtroom could barely contain their laughter as it was nearing 4 pm. The advocate’s phone was,however,confiscated by the court associate. It was reportedly returned after court hours with a strict warning to keep it switched off in the courtroom.

Vexing Vacancies

As the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grapples with acute staff shortage,employees at its headquarters in Bandra Kurla Complex are a disgruntled lot. FDA is still waiting for the 2,000 food and drug inspectors it had sought and is making do with barely 300 such officials. For some though,it is just a matter of filling up the floors of the spread-out and currently empty office building. “Working late hours is not only tiring but also gets eerie as well,especially after dark when there are even fewer people around. Sometimes,some of us who stay back late insist that the lights are on even in unoccupied rooms so we don’t get scared,” said an employee.

Auspicious Beginnings

MMRDA launched the last segment of the Eastern Freeway on Saturday with great fanfare. Before the truss could start lifting the concrete block,every senior MMRDA official and site manager present broke a coconut each at the launch. After every coconut,the labourers working on the launch would shout a slogan from their faith. After the breaking of nearly six coconuts and several rounds of shouts ranging from Jo bole so nihaal,sat sri akaal to Bolo Vishwakarma bhagwaan ki jai,the process of lifting the concrete segment,decorated with ribbons and flowers,finally commenced.

Curated For You

India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI highlights: With unbeaten 131, Daryl Mitchell guides NZ to 6-wicket victory

JKBOSE Class 10th, 12th Result 2025 out at jkresults.nic.in, check pass percentage

JKBOSE Class 10th, 12th Result 2025, Jkbose.nic.in LIVE: 16,550 Class 10 students secure grade A1