Mumbai – amazes me with the strength it gives to the weak, the simplicity in its complexities, the finer details in its haywire designs, its silence in the chaos, the way it breathes in times of crisis, the way it fight backs or simply put – the way it lives. Every day in this city, is nothing but, a tryst with destiny. An auto/cab driver wont fear to say “no” to you, even if you might be a son of a politician or a cop. Mind you, it’s not Delhi. If you ask a question in Hindi, you will get a reply in Hindi. You see, it’s not Bangalore. If two natives are speaking in Marathi, they won’t mind talking in Hindi to accommodate you in the conversation. You know, it’s not Ahmedabad either. And yes it lives beyond hours, refuses to shut down till you sleep. It’s neither the nearby Pune. It’s not necessarily polite like Lucknow, simply cause it treats you like family, not a relative to bid you farewell too soon. All in all you are not an outsider, from the moment you step in here, be if for a day or for days, so you see it’s just not Chandigarh. Some may not like the city-wise comparison, and to be really frank, Mumbai can never be compared with any other city in India, that’s from my experience, and I am sure that it’s true for the world too. The amalgamation of various cultures, castes, creeds, religions, race and economic difference is just beyond description of the city. Any attempt to classify it or define it into one particular aspect would be immediately challenged by the city itself – yes, it’s that dynamic! Forget being a city, if we get into definitions, its multiple nations in a country! No, not in a state, cause state have defined boundaries, Mumbai has none. For some Mumbai ends before Vashi, for some at Thane, for few at Bandra, few argue it’s till Borivali – yet Mumbai local runs beyond Virar. While many may accept it till Panvel, the fact remains that it’s Mumbai Railway (Central) till it reaches Roha. There are Mumbaikars coming daily from Dahanu, which sits right at the Gujarat border. Every time a governing body sets a rule or defines it, Mumbaikars, with the ever-growing population, keep stretching it further with sheer determination. Marshy lands of Powai and Vashi are the new Mumbai, so are the mountains of Neral and Thane, and all of such examples renders true to the history of Mumbai – of where it came into formation, seven different islands famous for its fishing colonies. From the fishing destination to India’s financial capital, it has evolved on its own, not cause somebody planned it to be. It has grown up like a student who knows what backs are, experiences it and yet tops the exams whenever he wishes to, at his own will. And Mumbai remains humble about it. So what if Mumbai handles 70% of India’s financial transactions, or the fact that its home to Bollywood which comes only second to Hollywood in the world, or ranks 6th in the world in count of billionaires. Such facts, achievements or accolades does not affects the way Mumbai lives or lets others live here. A businessman will strive hard to venture out in Mumbai, a teenage lad would run away to come here. The bandwidth of the generosity and acceptance of Mumbai remains unparalleled and unquestioned. Don’t confuse this term generosity here, it’s not for the sympathy or empathy, it’s for the chances Mumbai gives to you, to prove yourself, to challenge your limitations, to take on the mighty, to be heard, to sustain, to live, to grow, to evolve and all in all, to be you, the way you want to be. It doesn’t makes you toe the line, never. Just like it doesn’t confines itself in predefined boundaries, it doesn’t keeps you chained in the names of historic culture or way of life. You simply contribute to it, Mumbai accepts it from you and keeps evolving – yes, it’s that dynamic! Mumbai celebrates life not on basis of religions – but celebrates the spirit of the population. You might find few abusing the traffic, many complaining about the roads, all about corruption; Mumbai has it all, and top it up with misgovernance, yet it thrives to be what it is – Mumbai! You will find a long queue of vehicles waiting for the Ganpati Bappa to pass on for the visarjan, or traffic coming to halt for the Friday prayers at Masjids all around the city. There would be hundreds stuck for the “matki” to be broken during the Dahi Handi celebrations right in the middle of the junction and may also witness animal slaughter in the middle of the road during Eid which may not be the sight of the day, just like forcibly getting drenched for the Holi. Celebration for some, nuisance for others but then its Mumbai that you keep experiencing, it’s your tryst with what you are destined to witness here. Some may abuse, some will keep staring, while others would simply try to soak in the moment, cause many such experiences remain unique to Mumbai. Mumbai gives you no time to stand and stare, this is what people say about it. But it’s the same city, where a stranger will give you a hand to help you catch the local train when it has already started moving. Even inside the train, some find it amusing, others take it as an offence, yet you will see people asking you if you are planning to get down at the next station! You will be bombarded with advices to position yourself properly before the train halts at the next station, particularly at Dadar and Kurla, where one part of Mumbai interacts with the rest. You may find some running for the B.E.S.T. and cursing for missing it, and you will also see the driver with that supposedly cunning smile, slowing the bus giving you a chance to get on board, but mind you – he won’t halt for you. It’s how much you stretch your arms for the city to hug you back. This is Mumbai! And when we speak of food, the argument of Mumbai being the true melting pot of India, and with globalisation, of the world, gets consolidated further. The Udipi restaurants throughout the city will ensure you have best of the dosas, upmas and uthappas right in the city, well within the budget for the masses and also the exclusive ones for the classes. Gujarati restaurants and snacks outlet will simply outclass the native ones in native town. Best of Hyderabadi and shahi Lucknow menus have embraced the bylanes of South Bombay, SoBo, with numerous khau gallis justifying their presence by the sheer crowds they attract, from the elite to the commoner. Pani puris, Mumbai’s answer to Gol gappas, and other junk foods from North India has been whole heartedly accepted and can be seen at every nook and corner. From Chinese to Italian, English to French and American, Mumbai cuisine has seen and adapted it all. The best part being, for every exclusive or royal treat, somewhere at some corner of the city would be a cheaper alternative brewing up the same dish at an affordable price. Loves all, serves all – yes this is Mumbai! Mumbai houses the world’s costliest home – Antilla and Asia’s largest slum – Dharavi, both within a range of few kilometres from each other. The elite may stay at the sea facing pads of Bandstand, but have their Bandra village neighbours at stone’s throw away distant. The original Koli in habitants share same civic amenities with the super rich at places like Worli and Versova. The way to Colaba, the queen’s necklace at plush Marine Drive passses through middle class Mumbai Central-Grant Road and ghettos of Bhendi Bazar. Malls too depict this Mumbai way of survival, where rich and poor, haves and have nots, come together to celebrate life. This is Mumbai what I believe it is. And yet, at the same time, it is much more beyond this. This is what I want it to be, for now and forever. But I know it will keep evolving, to be what it is, to be more than what it is now. To sum up this piece is as difficult as to sum up Mumbai in a few words. For only Mumbai can define Mumbai, for itself and for its citizens. For those who are now , for those who keep coming in the city to be a part of it, every minute, from different regions, states, cities and even countries. For many this is what every Mumbaikar experiences every other day, for some – it has aspects they are yet to witness, and for others it might be just a part of their greater experience. This experience has is without boundaries, beyond words, above facts and lies deep – within Mumbai, Maharashtra, India #Mumbai #loveMumbai
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 16:20:07 +0000
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