Bombay… Bombay…Pa ra ra rap pa

Bombay (Mumbai), The Economic Capital of India, definitely is not love at first sight for many. The first time I visited it in 2006; I found its extremities and contrasts, off-putting. For me, it seemed like it was an Indian city trying to be more western. Great Leaders always talked of transforming Mumbai into Shanghai but the fact is that they had not even spared Mumbai to be in its original form. When anyone walks into the street in this city, they shall only think of one thing, "Wow what a mess!”. But none cares for it. People walking from place to place, taxis stuck in horrible traffic, auto rickshaws avoiding the traffic jam by driving around the cars, and cows and other animals running across the street in the midst of pedestrians making their way across the crowded street.

I have heard many saying that life at Mumbai is too fast. I don’t understand what they really mean by that. The office timings here are the same like in any other cities and the amount of work is too the same. Then why is there a fast tag with Mumbai life alone. The only difference which I can see here is the traffic jam and narrow lanes.It’s been about 10 months in Mumbai now. If I compare my life in Chennai and in Mumbai, there I have to use my vehicle from my home to Railway Station, then Local train, again by walk to my office. It’s not only me, many people takes bus, then local train and either walk or takes auto rickshaw to reach office. It’s very rare to reach a venue by using only one mode of transport. I could see the same happening here too for many; thankfully I got an accommodation near my office in a walkable distance. Does that make this city faster than other city, since people have to travel a lot in fact very far? Only reason I would say for that is the Housing prices, which are on par with those of New York City. The other thing which I have noticed is the speed of Pedestrians. Here the people walk too fast, unlike Chennai or any other cities. I think that is only because to reach the place on time, not because they are very active.

My first few months living in Mumbai weren’t much better. I found plenty to dislike about it — the traffic and pollution, honking, crowds, and heat. The lack of space and privacy really bothered me. Not to mention how the city continually crumbles during the monsoon. Yet, as my first year of living here in Mumbai draws to a close, I have really grown to appreciate what the city has to offer. Strangely enough, I now love how its contrasts are confronting to people. It requires certain strength to live here, appreciate the city for what it is, and fall into its groove. Everything exists side by side in Mumbai. I can shop at a mall, or a simple local market. I can dine in a dhaba or a big Hotel even very late at night. I can go out alone safely at night, take a rickshaw and not get threatened and cheated. Although the city is stretched for resources, we have never had power cuts as I have never seen it.

Behind this is the blooming western culture interfacing with the traditional Mumbai culture on the street. Rapidly a western craze has come over this city. Though not severely effecting most rural areas and suburbs that badly, but the urban centre of the city have been hit very badly. Few days back I could witness a lady in a Western outfit with a cigarette in her mouth said, "Indians have spoiled their own wonderful heritage. We have no culture anymore". I didn’t know how to react on that. Wandering the streets of Mumbai now-a-days you can now rarely see the traditional salwar kameeses on teenage girls. I could see a fad of miniskirts (many times ultra mini-that’s how I call it), jeans, and even shorts/night dresses has taken over the minds of not only the teenagers but also the entire women community. The makeups and designs have altered the lifestyle making it very difficult to find the difference between 16 and 60.Bollywood has played a major role in this transformation.

Discos and pubs have opened all over the city. A few years ago, going to a disco was unheard of for teenagers, but now-a-days the opposite is true. Almost every teenager here has gone to a disco somewhere, sometime. But, surely Mumbai must have plenty in its favour for so many people to keep living there. The most frequently cited factors why people are proud of Mumbai were Bollywood, entrepreneurship, and cosmopolitanism. I’d certainly agree with that. Also, what makes Mumbai a heaven is the spirit of Mumbai which never dies. Am very sure that nothing would derail this city or Spirit of Mumbai from its tracks even if 100 Kasab's enter the city, and obviously am included in it as I am a part of Mumbai and now I am ready to live my life in Mumbai whether it is hell or heaven it doesn’t matter.

P.S. The post is not to offense any Mumbaikar. I love the city and the people here.

Bombay… Bombay ..Pa ra ra ra pa
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Bombay… Bombay..Pa ra ra rapa ra
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Bombay… Bombay…Pa ra ra rap pa
Bombay… Bombay…Badi hi hai dream{Cant get}
Bombay… Bombay…Pa ra ra rapa ra