"I take in a breath of fresh air
As the sea wind blows my hair back
Thinking about who I am,
What I have, what I want.
It has offered me chances
And warnings too,
It’s given me a new page
To write a new book."
Mumbai...
Is it really such an extraordinary city? Why does every resident of this city take so much pride in living here, in being a Mumbaikar? Believe it or not, it means a lot more than just that. I wasn’t a Mumbaikar until recently, and I can’t say that I’m one now either. Living here means facing tremendous crowds, taking up responsibilities and being busy all the time. You get to see the whole of India compressed into a city. But trust me, it is hard. It is extremely difficult for an outsider to just get accustomed to the city’s ways, let alone trying to practice them. Living here has its own perks, pricks and quirks.
My first few months in the city, I was simply taking in everything that goes on like clockwork here. But one thing that gives you a sense of relief is that mostly everyone is accommodating. They’ll help you out in whatever way possible, and treat you as equally as anyone else. An apt example would be the local trains, which everyone travels in at some point, and everyone means everyone regardless of their status. In the city itself you get to see stark differences- extreme poverty on one hand and lavish, crass display of wealth and power on the other, a beautiful sea bound by horribly littered beaches, lots of independence paired with lots of responsibilities, and beautiful century-old British architecture pitted against modern skyscrapers. Anything can happen at any time here, and you must be ready for it- an attack, a rally, a riot or even heavy rains in the middle of winter! (Y'know, the unpredictable, popular Mumbai rains).
I got to see the strangest of people here, too. Beggars who use cell phones, live in 3 BHK apartments and offer you change. Men who sell hay to people and then charge them to feed the same hay to his own cow!
All in all, it is a weird city. Yet, I love it! It is just the kind of place I would want to live in. I go to an awesome college, with great professors, wonderful friends and the best food (haha). I have lots of opportunities, and lots of encouragement to “go get ‘em”! Every day I read a new page of the book called Mumbai, and every day I just get a bit more engrossed in it… Soon, I too, may be able to call myself a Mumbaikar, and take the well deserved pride in being one.
- RT
[Follow me on Twitter @ruchatakle or read my blogs]
As the sea wind blows my hair back
Thinking about who I am,
What I have, what I want.
It has offered me chances
And warnings too,
It’s given me a new page
To write a new book."
Mumbai...
Is it really such an extraordinary city? Why does every resident of this city take so much pride in living here, in being a Mumbaikar? Believe it or not, it means a lot more than just that. I wasn’t a Mumbaikar until recently, and I can’t say that I’m one now either. Living here means facing tremendous crowds, taking up responsibilities and being busy all the time. You get to see the whole of India compressed into a city. But trust me, it is hard. It is extremely difficult for an outsider to just get accustomed to the city’s ways, let alone trying to practice them. Living here has its own perks, pricks and quirks.
My first few months in the city, I was simply taking in everything that goes on like clockwork here. But one thing that gives you a sense of relief is that mostly everyone is accommodating. They’ll help you out in whatever way possible, and treat you as equally as anyone else. An apt example would be the local trains, which everyone travels in at some point, and everyone means everyone regardless of their status. In the city itself you get to see stark differences- extreme poverty on one hand and lavish, crass display of wealth and power on the other, a beautiful sea bound by horribly littered beaches, lots of independence paired with lots of responsibilities, and beautiful century-old British architecture pitted against modern skyscrapers. Anything can happen at any time here, and you must be ready for it- an attack, a rally, a riot or even heavy rains in the middle of winter! (Y'know, the unpredictable, popular Mumbai rains).
I got to see the strangest of people here, too. Beggars who use cell phones, live in 3 BHK apartments and offer you change. Men who sell hay to people and then charge them to feed the same hay to his own cow!
All in all, it is a weird city. Yet, I love it! It is just the kind of place I would want to live in. I go to an awesome college, with great professors, wonderful friends and the best food (haha). I have lots of opportunities, and lots of encouragement to “go get ‘em”! Every day I read a new page of the book called Mumbai, and every day I just get a bit more engrossed in it… Soon, I too, may be able to call myself a Mumbaikar, and take the well deserved pride in being one.
- RT
[Follow me on Twitter @ruchatakle or read my blogs]