Just Walking Around

Staying on with Shivaji Park ………….

To continue my walk around Shivaji Park. The other impressive structure which has an overbearing presence here is the Sena Bhavan , the HQ of Shiv Sena , a truly Maharashtrian Political party founded by Balasaheb Thackrey.A political party off the Marathi manus ,by the Marathi Manus and for the Marathi manus.A party with a militant streak with ground level party workers ready to hold to city to ransom by way of Mumbai Bandhs with just one call from Balasaheb Thackrey –the one and only Hindu Hriday Samraat. This building itself resembles the fort of the great Maratha Warrior King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Many a political battles have been fought from here by this regional political outfit which catapulted into fame by openly promoting the Marathi cause or Marathi Asmita. Each year from the ramparts of the Shivaji Park ground or the Shiv Thirth on the occasion of Dussera a huge rally used to take place. From the stage Balasaheb would roar like the Tiger and deliver a fiery speech sprinkled with good amount of humor and sarcasm. Those who heard him would be mesmerized by his oratory and would instantly become his fan. Such was his control over the maxim city of Mumbai ,he could bring it to a grinding halt whenever he gave a Bandh call.

His persona was such that even his opponents in other political parties had a high regard for him and respected his word when he rose to speak. That era has come to an end with his passing away couple of years back. A small memorial is installed in his memory at one corner of the Shivaji Park Ground. A symbolic torch exuding his flaming spirit is also installed .But the Shiv Sena he founded ,seems as if it has lost its sheen and his son Uddhav Thackrey who has taken over the party reins looks struggling to keep up with the image of the militant Marathi Party built over last 5 decades.

To move on to a lighter topic ,another famous landmark here is the Mai Mangeshkar Children’s Park near the entrance of the Shivaji Park ground. Named after the mother of the Nightingale of Indian Cinema the one and only “Lata Mangeshkar” . The children’s park or “garden” as it is referred in common parlance, is well laid out with clear demarkated sections for toddlers and older children. The toddler section has mini swings and merry go-round shaped in the form of bright yellow ducks. The toddlers are so fascinated by the bright yellow ducks of merry-go-rounds that they refuse to disembark and the parents literally have to wean them away so other kids can get a chance. Just next to it is the newly installed play gym with a normal and a bumpy slide. Children enjoy climbing up the step ladders reaching the top of the slide and then going woosh down the slide, breaking the fall on the rubberized mat below. Such fun seeing the kids giggle and laugh and run around the garden, makes me feel like becoming a kid all over again. With two kids in the house , this place is our favourite place to spend our Saturday or Sunday evenings. Both me and the missus get divided across the garden , Bhakti playing in the toddler / young kids section supervised by me and Netra playing in the older kids section and supervised by Kashmira. Sometimes  though bored of the small slides and kiddie swings Bhakti runs along and joins her older Sis and they both explore the play gym for older kids. Climbing the tall steps to reach the top of a bumpy slide or the chattering slide (made of rollers and making a chattering noise as one slides down it.). Sliding away on the helical slide or swinging from the longish swings or climbing the chain grid , laughing away and having so much fun.

Just outside is the ghodawallah with his Horse cart giving joyrides to children and the accompanying moms and dads.A short but enjoyable ride within the by lanes of Shivaji Park . So much fun that sometimes the kids go around for double rounds.

After all this running and jumping around you are sure to feel hungry and its not just the kids but even the parents feel the rumblings in their tummies. To soothe these hunger pangs you have multiple options around the park. You could try the delicious steamed momo’s or Chinese dumplings at the small corner shop with its Nepali owner cum cook . He has two varieties ,for veggie  there is the mix vegetables momo’s with  cabbage and carrots and for non-veg type he has the spicy kheema filled ones. Both served with the zingy shezwan sauces making them yummy and finger licking. Or you could walk to the road leading to the Shivaji Park ground to the famous Frankie outlet. Serving such mouthwatering delicacies like Chicken Tikka Frankie , Mutton Frankie , Egg with cheese Frankie or the Bhuna Chicken Frankie with its smoky flavor. For the veggies you have the standard veg Frankie with mashed potato based filling , the Paneer or Paneer Tikka Frankie or the all-time favorite Cheese Frankie with dollops of grated cheese.

Close by is the newly opened Maroosh – the specialist in Shawarma and Mughlai fast food. Bored of the regular Food hop into this outlet for a scrumptious mini meal of Mutton Sheek kebab or the Chicken tikka , accompanied by Bhuna Chicken and Rumali Roti . Or try their classic Shewarma with white garlic sauce , non spicy delight which even kids can enjoy . For the spice lovers you can have the Spicy Chicken Tikka Shawarma served with Red chilly , white garlic and green chutney type sauces. One roll of the Shawarma is enough to fill you tummy. Wash it down with Coke or a Maaza and your dinner is done.

And you always have the option of walking the Park to burn away those extra calories….