I have always wondered about the city I live in. Nothing profound, mind you; just about why it is that I am always happy to come back here even after one of the best vacations possible. And it’s not necessarily because MOST (so that my out-of-town loved ones don’t feel let down) of the people dear to me are from here. Mumbai – with all its squalor and filth is still one of its kinds. This is my version of it – uncensored.
Note for the reader:
· The comments below are solely my opinion and people do not necessarily have to subscribe to it.
· The intention is not to belittle any other city / town anywhere in the country. In fact, I am of the firm opinion that every place has its own pros and cons and usually with the right attitude one does find that pros outweigh the cons.
Things I hate about Mumbai
1. The vast divide between the haves and the have-nots.
2. The fact that this divide is ever widening.
3. The abounding dirt, filth and the general apathy towards it.
4. The omnipresent ditches and bad roads that are present every 20 meters you move ahead (if you’re lucky) along with enough flying dust to fill your stomach at least for 1 meal.
5. That commuting to and from the workplace takes up almost one fourth of a typical working day.
6. The amazing pace at which the once-upon-a-time abundant open spaces and greenery are disappearing from the landscape.
7. The ever increasing prices of houses – one has to really forgo a lot in order to buy his dream home.
8. The sheer number of people who die everyday just in road /rail accidents.
9. The “throw-it-where-you-please” attitude reflected in most people when it comes to waste be it paper, vegetable / fruit peels or any other rubbish. Not only are they shameless but they even have the nerve to argue with someone pointing it out to them.
10. How bribery and corruption exists at every level – it’s pathetic that some people would want extra money to do the very thing that they are paid a salary for!
Now for the more pleasant bit:
Things I love about Mumbai
1. The warmth and helping nature of the Mumbaikar – one can never feel lost or helpless in Mumbai, there will always be a helping hand (pun un-intended).
2. How one can satiate hunger pangs starting from the ubiquitous and humble “zunka bhakar” (Rs. 2.00 only) and “vada pav” (Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 4.00 only) to the mid-range Udupi hotels that serve mouth-watering South Indian snacks along with a smattering of “Punjabi” dishes with their own signature style and then on to the high-end pricy restaurants and 5 to 7 star hotels with their menu of world cuisines. In fact, it can be safely said Mumbai has something for EVERYBODY!
3. The way Mumbai is buzzing even at 3 am in the morning. I guess many of us have been addicted to Phantom comics when we were younger: there was this saying in those, “It is said that under the Phantom’s regime, a lady fully decked with jewels from head to foot could safely move around the deep woods even in the dead of night!” Well, though not as far-fetched as that but Mumbai is certainly safe for a woman even at the oddest hours possible for the most part.
4. One of the best public transport systems in India in terms of both roads and rail that in spite of the ever increasing load on them is still equipped to cater to Mumbaikars and ferry them in thousands to and fro countless times each day with hardly a hitch. An added advantage is the ease of navigating from one place to another.
5. The abundance of really good seats of learning in Mumbai – it has some of the best institutes for almost every branch of education possible. And this is not counting the numerous colleges that boast of some of the most amazing “crowds” possible. Sigh!!! Now I’m getting nostalgic.
6. The fact that if one looks hard enough, there is nothing one cannot find in Mumbai – from foreign chocolates to books to clothing brands to spices to musical instruments to medicines to……….whew….am breathless now.
7. The lovely beaches that line the Mumbai coastline right from the famed “Queen’s Necklace” at Marine Drive right uptil the brown sands of Gorai beach at Borivli / Bhayandar.
8. That it is the true land of opportunities where an individual by dint of sheer hard work and initiative can make it big in his own right – just like in the movies!!!
9. The feel of the city – vibrant, alive, buzzing, exciting, modern, traditional all at the same time. If you ever get the chance, stand for some time outside the Eros cinema hall at Churchgate and soak in the atmosphere, you’ll know where I’m coming from. You could perform the same exercise outside Borivli railway station for all you please and still come away with the same experience.
10. The way people behaved during last year’s torrential rains and the flooding that followed – stories of courage, humanity, camaraderie and spirit that are alive even today (directly compared to what happened in New Orleans post Katrina). Keep it up, Mumbai!
11. The number of festivals / occasions that are celebrated in Mumbai with the same amount of joyousness, fun, gaiety – where else can you find New Year’s eve, Holi, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chathurthi, Diwali, Id and Christmas all coming up one after the other and people from all communities and walks of life participating in the festivity with the same vigour and commitment?!
12. In spite of being a heavily criticized lot for a whole lot of reasons, the Mumbai Police is ranked as one the world’s top police agencies.
13. The cheerfulness that prevails (for the most part) in the packed local train where a push here and a shove there are the name of the game.
14. That I get to stand up and sing our National Anthem proudly at the beginning of every movie show in all the cinema halls of Mumbai – we don’t get to do it enough otherwise.
15. Mumbai’s accepting nature – one does not have to think “log kya kahenge” about anything and everything, everybody is left to themselves with passing judgment for judgment’s sake.
16. The home to Bollywood – need I say more?
17. Its history – it’s amazing to know that when it started out Mumbai was a group of 7 islands and formed part of the kingdom of Emperor Ashoka (I did not know the Ashoka part myself till recently!).
18. Its proximity to beautiful locations like Matheran, Lonavla, Mahableshwar and not counting the scores of clean beaches and azure trek spots near the outskirts.
19. Its rains – the city gets a life of its own during the monsoons. Its feels great just to sit at home with a cup of hot tea or even be out wandering around town drenched and soaking in the sights of rain washed Mumbai.
20. Last but not the least, this is the commercial capital of the country – it simply feels good to be where the action is.
Obviously, I could go on and on but for the sake of the reader and my sore fingers I’ll desist. Though I did not know it then, the points I like about my city are exactly 2 times those points I don’t like. Does that mean I like my city twice as much as the things about it I don’t? No, I actually love Mumbai many more times than that. There are many other things about it that make it my Mumbai – things that I may not be able to express adequately here. But I hope this list of mine gives more people reasons to start developing a liking for this great old lady!!
I don’t know if I’m supposed to do this but anyway here goes: Anybody who reads this post is hereby tagged to do a similar post on their own hometown. Other Mumbaikars are excused because I might have eaten into their list already. But of course, if they want to add to the list they are most welcome to do so. Am awaiting comments. Go Mumbai!!!!!!
Note for the reader:
· The comments below are solely my opinion and people do not necessarily have to subscribe to it.
· The intention is not to belittle any other city / town anywhere in the country. In fact, I am of the firm opinion that every place has its own pros and cons and usually with the right attitude one does find that pros outweigh the cons.
Things I hate about Mumbai
1. The vast divide between the haves and the have-nots.
2. The fact that this divide is ever widening.
3. The abounding dirt, filth and the general apathy towards it.
4. The omnipresent ditches and bad roads that are present every 20 meters you move ahead (if you’re lucky) along with enough flying dust to fill your stomach at least for 1 meal.
5. That commuting to and from the workplace takes up almost one fourth of a typical working day.
6. The amazing pace at which the once-upon-a-time abundant open spaces and greenery are disappearing from the landscape.
7. The ever increasing prices of houses – one has to really forgo a lot in order to buy his dream home.
8. The sheer number of people who die everyday just in road /rail accidents.
9. The “throw-it-where-you-please” attitude reflected in most people when it comes to waste be it paper, vegetable / fruit peels or any other rubbish. Not only are they shameless but they even have the nerve to argue with someone pointing it out to them.
10. How bribery and corruption exists at every level – it’s pathetic that some people would want extra money to do the very thing that they are paid a salary for!
Now for the more pleasant bit:
Things I love about Mumbai
1. The warmth and helping nature of the Mumbaikar – one can never feel lost or helpless in Mumbai, there will always be a helping hand (pun un-intended).
2. How one can satiate hunger pangs starting from the ubiquitous and humble “zunka bhakar” (Rs. 2.00 only) and “vada pav” (Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 4.00 only) to the mid-range Udupi hotels that serve mouth-watering South Indian snacks along with a smattering of “Punjabi” dishes with their own signature style and then on to the high-end pricy restaurants and 5 to 7 star hotels with their menu of world cuisines. In fact, it can be safely said Mumbai has something for EVERYBODY!
3. The way Mumbai is buzzing even at 3 am in the morning. I guess many of us have been addicted to Phantom comics when we were younger: there was this saying in those, “It is said that under the Phantom’s regime, a lady fully decked with jewels from head to foot could safely move around the deep woods even in the dead of night!” Well, though not as far-fetched as that but Mumbai is certainly safe for a woman even at the oddest hours possible for the most part.
4. One of the best public transport systems in India in terms of both roads and rail that in spite of the ever increasing load on them is still equipped to cater to Mumbaikars and ferry them in thousands to and fro countless times each day with hardly a hitch. An added advantage is the ease of navigating from one place to another.
5. The abundance of really good seats of learning in Mumbai – it has some of the best institutes for almost every branch of education possible. And this is not counting the numerous colleges that boast of some of the most amazing “crowds” possible. Sigh!!! Now I’m getting nostalgic.
6. The fact that if one looks hard enough, there is nothing one cannot find in Mumbai – from foreign chocolates to books to clothing brands to spices to musical instruments to medicines to……….whew….am breathless now.
7. The lovely beaches that line the Mumbai coastline right from the famed “Queen’s Necklace” at Marine Drive right uptil the brown sands of Gorai beach at Borivli / Bhayandar.
8. That it is the true land of opportunities where an individual by dint of sheer hard work and initiative can make it big in his own right – just like in the movies!!!
9. The feel of the city – vibrant, alive, buzzing, exciting, modern, traditional all at the same time. If you ever get the chance, stand for some time outside the Eros cinema hall at Churchgate and soak in the atmosphere, you’ll know where I’m coming from. You could perform the same exercise outside Borivli railway station for all you please and still come away with the same experience.
10. The way people behaved during last year’s torrential rains and the flooding that followed – stories of courage, humanity, camaraderie and spirit that are alive even today (directly compared to what happened in New Orleans post Katrina). Keep it up, Mumbai!
11. The number of festivals / occasions that are celebrated in Mumbai with the same amount of joyousness, fun, gaiety – where else can you find New Year’s eve, Holi, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chathurthi, Diwali, Id and Christmas all coming up one after the other and people from all communities and walks of life participating in the festivity with the same vigour and commitment?!
12. In spite of being a heavily criticized lot for a whole lot of reasons, the Mumbai Police is ranked as one the world’s top police agencies.
13. The cheerfulness that prevails (for the most part) in the packed local train where a push here and a shove there are the name of the game.
14. That I get to stand up and sing our National Anthem proudly at the beginning of every movie show in all the cinema halls of Mumbai – we don’t get to do it enough otherwise.
15. Mumbai’s accepting nature – one does not have to think “log kya kahenge” about anything and everything, everybody is left to themselves with passing judgment for judgment’s sake.
16. The home to Bollywood – need I say more?
17. Its history – it’s amazing to know that when it started out Mumbai was a group of 7 islands and formed part of the kingdom of Emperor Ashoka (I did not know the Ashoka part myself till recently!).
18. Its proximity to beautiful locations like Matheran, Lonavla, Mahableshwar and not counting the scores of clean beaches and azure trek spots near the outskirts.
19. Its rains – the city gets a life of its own during the monsoons. Its feels great just to sit at home with a cup of hot tea or even be out wandering around town drenched and soaking in the sights of rain washed Mumbai.
20. Last but not the least, this is the commercial capital of the country – it simply feels good to be where the action is.
Obviously, I could go on and on but for the sake of the reader and my sore fingers I’ll desist. Though I did not know it then, the points I like about my city are exactly 2 times those points I don’t like. Does that mean I like my city twice as much as the things about it I don’t? No, I actually love Mumbai many more times than that. There are many other things about it that make it my Mumbai – things that I may not be able to express adequately here. But I hope this list of mine gives more people reasons to start developing a liking for this great old lady!!
I don’t know if I’m supposed to do this but anyway here goes: Anybody who reads this post is hereby tagged to do a similar post on their own hometown. Other Mumbaikars are excused because I might have eaten into their list already. But of course, if they want to add to the list they are most welcome to do so. Am awaiting comments. Go Mumbai!!!!!!
18 comments:
Lovely post, Sachin!!
You are right, for me, it was Mumbai revisited :)
I found myself nodding away to almost all of your points! :))
By the way, "some people want extra money to do the very thing they are paid a salary to do" --- these are my mom's exact words. That, of course, is not unique to Mumbai, it exists here too.
Anyway, I will definitely do a Bangalore list sometime :)
Nice post! Do they really play the national anthem in all the theaters? I had no idea....
After the peace and quiet of Mysore, I was terrified by the hustle and bustle of Mumbai when I visited long ago. But I know from the experience of others, including Shruthi, that if you only stay long enough the city will definitely win you over!
I will take a raincheck on the tag:)
Hey Sachin, it is obvious that that came from the heart!Your "don't likes" about Mumbai are true for any city/town of India, but the "likes" are of course unique! Do they still play the anthem at movies?Never ever been to Mumbai myself, but I too was proud of the way people helped each other during the floods. And the discipline is famed all over the country. Just like the Phantom fable(aah, the good old Indrajaal comics!)I have heard that even if there is a traffic jam on one carriageway, vehicles will not spill over to the opposite carriageway, even if there is only a yellow line and no divider between them!Contrast that with Delhi, where even a divider won't stop vehicles from going in the opposite direction if they feel they are being held up!I have seen scooters and cars going over dividers to the opp side! OK, I consider myself tagged and will do a post on Delhi/Gurgaon!
Dude.. u said it all abt Amchi Mumbai..
I also share the same luv-hate relationshp with the city.. But Mumbai is one plc dat grows on u.. Its like an intoxicating attachment that u develop with the city..
:)
..Me
I have never been to Mumbai... but my spouse lived there for a year and cannot stop raving about the place
Shruthi: Thank you! Shall be waiting your post on Bangalore - one of my favourite cities. Yes, the corruption thing has become a way of life all over the country now. It is very shameful that we are actually surprised when the occassional honest official does his job without any extra money changing hands.
Anu: Thank you for the comment! Yes, they do play the National Anthem in all the theaters in Mumbai just before the start of the movie show. And I must say it sounds amazing in the "Dolby Digital" surround sound systems! I agree, Mumbai is filled with a lot of hustle and bustle but if you observe closely enough, even that is organized. :) Shall be waiting you to hold you up to that tag.
Lak: Thank you! You're right about the traffic discipline; that is the only thing that makes the routine snarls barely manageable. I shudder to think what would happen if people decided to flout rules. Am waiting for your post on Delhi / Gurgaon.
Rose: Thank you for dropping by! Glad to meet another Mumbaikar! And I suspect you are as South Indian as I am too. Would love it if you could do a similar post on our city. Just to get your angle on it. Keep blogging (I see your blog is about as old or new as mine!)
Pridera: Thank you for visiting! Your spouse got it right! :) Mumbai creeps up on you faster than you know. You should come for a visit too. Just visited your blog and though have not really sat down to read (me being at work right now and all of that), I loved the layout and the visuals. I could gather that you're another Bangalore (or whereabouts at least originally) lady too! :) Keep coming.
Whoopee!! You're right ... but you didn't eat into my list, you ate it all up.
Exactly what I would have penned if I did this exercise, but you have done a much better job of articulating those 'hmmmmm.... I love my home' feelings that surge in the mind when you get off the train at Dadar/VT after a long time away from the city.
Gotta run ... good thing I thought to check up on your writing progress. LOL
hayeee!! what a post..i almost got teary eyed...i've dont agree abt ppl saying that it grows on u though..i've been to mumbai for a week in my entire life..i loved it even then...
it's nice to know that u love ur home so much..i love mine too..unfortunately i cant get enough of it..*sigh*..
Pooja.
Sach darling, this got me all nostalgic... I know that I lauve Hyd even if it has bad characteristics too...
I think it's the fact that it's home that makes us love it so much. You know, how much ever you might hate something about it, and how much ever you might want to get away from it once in a while... it's just.. home. Nay?
Belated wishes on your bday :)
Sachin, Please check my blog. I have written about my city, Mysore.
Taking ur suggestion i wrote abt A Cloudburst in Mumbai..
:)
..Me
Hey.. U havnt written in a long while..
Quite obviously a Mumbaiwallah. I am quite the opposite being a Dilliwalli and loving everything about Delhi - warts and all. I guess it just boils down to where you've grown up and what you call home. I did a whole series of loving Delhi and its food posts a while back...
Your post made a great reading after yesterday's tragedy. It was as-if U've said beforehand what would a Mumbaikar do in the case of emergency. It was quiet evident. I've not been to Mumbai, but I know the city thru the mouths of my cousins and friends. No wonder you could have a big post on the same.
I also read about your close escape from the deadly tragedy on Tuesday. Im glad that nothing has happened to you. But at the same time Im disturbed at the way these Terrorists are targetting Indian cities, especially Mumbai. I just hope Tuesday was the last of such things.
Srik: Thank you for visiting and also for commenting. It is through best wishes of many Indians like yourself that the Tuesday blasts did not claim more lives than it did.
Enough has been said about the "spirit of Mumbai" and the "resilience of Mumbaikars", enough to have made them protest - that authorities just praising Mumbai's behaviour during bad times is not enough, there should be action at all fronts. Without action, things will still remain the same, more lives could be lost. I am thinking as to what us, citizens of Mumbai, nay India can do in this respect. If any of us have any suggestions, it would be great to hear them. Cheers.....
P.S. Have to get down to finishing a few incomplete post so watch my space.
Phew!what an exhaustive and interesting list of likes about Mumbai.I totally ignored the things you hate about Mumbai. Look at only positives you see. After spending 26 yrs of my formative years in Delhi,what Mumbai has taught me is matchless.Love the spirit and attitude of this city.
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