There are few things that the Mumbaikar has to look forward to as the dreaded summer heat grips the city. One of these things – that makes the summer a little more tolerable – is the mango. Almost synonymous with summer, this well-loved fruit is sold in itself as well as consumed as an ingredient in dishes ranging from the simple to the exotic. A number of mango-related activities have also been hosted throughout the city. Perhaps one of the biggest was the Jo Chaahe Mango Festival held over the last weekend at Phoenix Market City, Kurla by Things2doinMumbai.
"As a child, summer was my favourite time of the year. It meant not having to go to school, playing with friends and gorging on mangoes in its many forms," says Yash Rathi, co-founder and Director of Things2DoInMumbai. who fondly remembers devouring the first mangoes of the season. "It is a memory, I’m sure, anyone who’s grown up in India holds dear and even today brings a feeling of joy to us. With Jo Chaahe Mango, we want to remind people of that joyous feeling and give them the chance to relive that experience by not just enjoying a variety of Mango dishes, but also partaking in activities that would bring out their inner child!"
With over 15 different brands all under one roof, with a number of dishes curated especially from Mangoes – from fresh Mango ice creams to mango waffles and more – the had a variety of different games and attractions. Rappers from the Dharavi Dream Project embroiled in rap battles, and stand-up comics had people in splits. Among other fun events were a cocktail making contest and fastest mango eating.
People milled around in small groups through the day, tasting mango delicacies, taking selfies and checking out nick-nacks at stalls. And as day gave way to evening, the mango-lovers and curiosity-seekers came out in droves. The two-day event saw a footfall of over 15,000.
"What set us apart though is that there’s no singular event that brings as many varieties and Mango related activities together under one roof on a scale like this," explains Rathi. "Here it’s not about going to a restaurant and ordering a mango dish, it’s about the experience that one would get at an event like this."
A donation booth for Shree Narayan Seva Mandal, a Ghatkopar-based NGO, set up at the event also ensured that the fun was tempered with a sense of responsibility and philanthropy.
