Passing thru Mumbai...

Was passing thru Mumbai, the city many Goans know as Bombay, earlier today. It was interesting to read some of the news papers which are published in Mumbai (at a very low price, one might add) but largely unavailable for sale in Goa.

This includes the Hindustan Times (Mumbai edition, sold at an invitation price of Rs 2.50) and the DNA (48 pages, "founder partner price" of Rs 2). Unfortunately, one might say that while there is a wider amount of coverage, it's simply more of the same -- trivia and Page 3, seeking to further entertain the bored Indian affluent class, while largely overlooking issues of important to the bulk of the Indian population.

Together with this, three's also the booming local press, which like Goa's free-sheeters (here it's priced) doesn't try to address the entire Mumbai market, but only sections of it.

Some stories from the papers:

* Khan-tastic! As Shah Rukh did a Ye Dosti with Karan Johar, Salman Khan decided to really let his hair down and make a big dash and splash in Goa. Nearly a quarter page devoted to saying: "SRK lived up to his promise during Salman Khan's 40th birthday bash in Goa. Salman, who recently underwent a hair procedure, turned up sporting a Feroze Khan look. His sister Arpita had drawn up a guest list of 50 people and most of Sohail Khan's friends were present (like Dino Morea and Yash Tonk). But it was Shah Rukh who stole the show. He had promised Salman that he would make it, especially since he missed out on Salman's birthday party on December 27 -- and King Khan didn't disappoint. The holiday is over now for the extended Khan-daan who are all back to the grind in Mumbai.

* A Goan-sounding name, Malad resident Lorraine Vaz recalls how a mini bus, which spun out of control, narrowly missed her on Dec 30 but killed one and injured several others. (From Mid Day, reproduced in Metro-Malad to Borivli)

* In the Borivali Local Samachar, Mario Carvalho (tel 2891 2932) advertises for "home-made Goan sweets/snacks". Doce is priced Rs 150 per kg, dodol at Rs 175. Gauva cheese Rs 140, potato chops at Rs 5 each, cutlets at Rs 5, croquettes, pan rolls, mince samosas (Rs 4 each), potato samosas, and two Chinese items too...

Just some inputs from here. FN