<h2>Lit by Faith</h2>
People from across the city gather at Minara Masjid on Mohammed Ali Road during Ramzan
<h2>For every Indian girl</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Every-last-girl_e.jpg" alt="The book cover of Every Last Girl. Pic courtesy/Harper collins India" width="1280" height="720" />The book cover of Every Last Girl. Pic courtesy/Harper collins India
The year has only begun, but Safeena Husain (left) is already winning it. The author has been nominated as one of Time Magazine&rsquo;s Women of the Year 2026. The recognition is the icing on the cake for Husain, as it follows her title, Every Last Girl (HarperCollins India) that was released in January 2026.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Safeena_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Husain had already made a mark when her non-profit, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/buzz/article/a-cfos-journey-from-corporate-finance-to-social-impact-vijaylakshmi-saxena-educate-girls-4774" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Educate Girls</a>, received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership. &ldquo;This recognition brings much-needed attention to India&rsquo;s grassroots movement for girls&rsquo; education and spotlights our girls and their grit, resilience, and determination to shape their futures,&rdquo; the author shared.&nbsp;
<h2>Bluesy grooves in Mumbai</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Shakura_e.jpg" alt="Shakura S&rsquo;Aida performing at the Canada Expo in 2025. Pic courtesy/@shakurasaida" width="1280" height="720" /> Shakura S&rsquo;Aida performing at the Canada Expo in 2025. Pic courtesy/@shakurasaida
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/photo/in-photos-here-are-6-things-to-do-in-mumbai-this-week-109833/1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mumbai </a>will have the chance to witness acclaimed Canadian Blues vocalist Shakura S&rsquo;Aida and Grammy-nominee, American soul blues artiste Sugaray Rayford, on March 28 and 29, respectively. The shows, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, will mark &nbsp; both &nbsp;singers&rsquo; first performances in the city, at the Soulful Blues Festival.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Sugaray_e.jpg" alt="Sugaray Rayford. Pic courtesy/@sugarayrayford" width="1280" height="720" /> Sugaray Rayford. Pic courtesy/@sugarayrayford
While Rayford is known for blending soul melodies with funk-influenced <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/brand-media/article/article/kawasi-rbs-new-soul-aching-architect-23220800" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">R&amp;B </a>grooves and traditional blues elements, audiences can enjoy the universal appeal of the blues genre through S&rsquo;Aida&rsquo;s music. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m draw to the blues for its emotional storytelling, and [will connect] Indian audiences with its depth and resilience,&rdquo; she shared.
<h2>People power to protect trees</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Park-Protest_e.jpg" alt="Protesters at Nana Nani park in Versova" width="1280" height="720" /> Protesters at Nana Nani park in Versova
On a usual morning, Nana Nani Park in Versova is unhurried, with residents jogging along shaded paths and children playing beneath the trees. In recent weeks, however, the park has also become the site of a growing resistance. After the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued a notice proposing to fell 100 to 150 trees for the Versova&ndash;Bhayandar Coastal Road project aiming to reduce travel time between Versova and Mira-Bhayandar from around two hours to under 20 minutes by December 2028 &mdash; engineer and <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/fresh-debris-found-at-manpada-plot-in-mumbais-sanjay-gandhi-national-park-environmental-concerns-raised-23618689" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">environmental activist</a> Manan Desai and local residents responded by pasting a &ldquo;no-consent&rdquo; notice over the order.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Notice_e.jpg" alt="The official notice placed on the trees at the park. Pics courtesy/Manan Desai " width="1280" height="720" /> The official notice placed on the trees at the park. Pics courtesy/Manan Desai
Since then, 25 to 30 residents have been gathering regularly, and nearly 2,000 signatures &mdash; many from elderly park-goers &mdash; have been collected. For those who visit the park daily, the campaign is calming, and deeply personal. Desai told this diarist, &ldquo;We put up a notice saying these trees are the property of the citizens and that they cannot be cut without our consent.&rdquo;
<h2>Wowed by the Warli artist</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Jivya-Soma-Mashe_e.jpg" alt="Mashe with his Warli art. Pic courtesy/ Antonio Martinelli" width="1280" height="720" /> Mashe with his Warli art. Pic courtesy/ Antonio Martinelli
You may have seen <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/byculla-zoo-boasts-of-22-foot-warli-mural-art-that-aims-to-simplify-climate-conversations-23617470" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Warli art </a>illustrated on walls across Maharashtra, but have you paused to consider the artist behind them? On March 4 (today), ARTISANS&rsquo; Centre at Kala Ghoda will host a landmark moment for Indian tribal art: the launch of Jivya Soma Mashe (above) by Herve Perdriolle, devoted to the pictorial work of the tribal artist.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Herve--Perdriolle_e.jpg" alt="Herv&eacute; Perdriolle (left) with Jivya Soma Mashe. Pic courtesy/Kishor Mashe" width="1280" height="720" /> Herv&eacute; &nbsp;Perdriolle (left) with Jivya Soma Mashe. Pic courtesy/Kishor Mashe
The book traces his journey from an abandoned child who found refuge in drawing to a pioneering Warli artist, Jivya Soma Mashe, whose rhythmic figures and intricate scenes redefined the tradition.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Book-cover_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
Perdriolle after exploring his work said, &ldquo;He spoke in Warli, I spoke in French. But our conversations were about something deeper, they were about simplicity, authenticity and humanity.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Mumbai Diary | Wednesday Dossier: The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary | Wednesday Dossier: Devotees throng Minara Masjid during Ramzan prayers

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The city - sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce

Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Lit by Faith

For every Indian girl

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