I never thought a
timid, conservative, small town girl could survive in a cosmopolitan like
Mumbai. But, believe it or not, Mumbai & its people can surprise you every
single day! I remember being terrified about leaving the comfort of my home.
Not knowing people or the city was acceptable but not knowing the language made
me feel like an alien and that thought brought with it a whole lot of other
horrendous possibilities. But venture I did, hesitantly at first, confidently
later & proudly after that, for the city embraced the scared little kid
with open arms.
So what is so special
about Mumbai? Words can’t do justice to the charm of Mumbai. Yet I’ll try…
Good food has a 100%
success rate when it comes to creating emotional connections. That’s possibly
why I can’t imagine Mumbai without its food. I’m still in love with the vada
pavs, the samosas, the dabelis, the pav bhajis, the pani puris,… (I can go on
& on J). Be it Ghatkopar’s Khau Galli or Mulund’s busy marketplace,
you’ll surely stumble upon one lip smacking delicacy after another. It’s not
only the taste and the variety but also the experiences that leave a forever
mark on your memory.
Another striking
feature about this city is its “busy”ness. This city can put the working bees
to shame. The buzz starts in the wee hours of the morning and doesn’t stop even
after midnight. If you’re in this city, you’re never alone anytime anywhere (in
a good sense. I’ll save the pitfall for another day).
People are always in a
hurry, oh yes, but I find them amazingly helpful too. When I started going out
by myself, I never had to worry about not knowing the way (These were the
pre-Google Maps days… OMG, I suddenly feel so old!). One question and you would
have the entire route explained to you till you confidently nod to show you
understood. When you are travelling alone, you’re bound to have fears of all
sorts, but more often than not, you can trust the Mumbaikars.
Hindi speaking people
from other states openly criticize the way we speak Hindi. Yeah, we do use
peculiar words, mix Marathi with Hindi but it is this quirkiness that makes the
“bambaiya” Hindi all the more endearing. Can you imagine a conversation without
“Aila”, “waat”, “shaana”, “fultoo”, “chindi”, “locha”, “kalti”…? I can’t! While
Mumbaikars prefer to speak like that, they can pen impeccable “Shudh” Hindi
literature too. Who said non-conformance to the rules is a costly affair. The fun
it brings is totally worth it.
Life in Mumbai is
incomplete without the BEST buses and the local trains. There would not be a
single Mumbaikar who has not spent a large chunk of his travel time in these
modes of transport. I was flooded with nostalgia when I travelled in a bus here
in Bangalore after 2 years. I vividly remember: sleeping with my head resting
on the window sill, frantically searching for an empty seat even while boarding
the bus, giving away my seat to a senior citizen,… The local trains are even
more fantastic. You’ll be amazed at the discipline with which people alight and
board these trains. The entertainment quotient is also high, thanks to the cat
fights. Travelling in Mumbai not only entertains you but also teaches you
lessons for life.
Can you talk about
Mumbai and not talk about Bollywood and Sachinism? From a grandfather to a
housewife to a teenager, everyone loves Bollywood. 286 weeks of Sholay & 1000
weeks of DDLJ are proof of this. And what can I say about the love for Sachin
Tendulkar! People are crazy about cricket and crazier about the Little Master.
I remember people gathering in the office cafeteria leaving aside all their
work just because Sachin was at the crease. The excited shouts when he hits a
boundary and the walkouts when his innings comes to an end are unforgettable
moments. In Mumbai, Cricket is a religion and Sachin its God.
It’s believed that
routine is synonymous with monotony. But year after year, I have awaited the
monsoons with utmost earnest. That’s how much I loved the rains. Getting
drenched in the first rain was always on the top of my favourites list. I have
had to wade through knee-deep water to visit my newborn cousin. I have also had
to save 13 pairs of shoes from floating away when murky water entered our
compound. But nothing could simmer down my love for the rainy season. It has
always been my favourite time of the year. It still is even though the rainy
season here in Bangalore is nothing compared to the one in Mumbai.
If there’s one place
where you can witness every festival of India being celebrated in a grand
fashion, Mumbai will win hands down. Be it Ganesh Chaturthi or Durga Pooja or
Dandiya Raas or Christmas, there is grandeur in every celebration. Dahi Handi
is a must-watch for anyone visiting Mumbai. Innumerable people getting together
on the streets to watch the human pyramid is a wonderful sight. Ganesh
Chaturthi is another festival that Mumbaikars love to celebrate.
I have been in Mumbai
for 15 years and such has been the charm of Mumbai that when I am asked where I’m
from, I quickly say “Mumbai”. I don’t know where life will take me but Mumbai
will always be my “Home! Sweet Home!”
