After 3 long years, I came back to a city where I have lived for the most part of my life and a place I call 'Home'.
Bombay has been a very integral part of my identity - I have always introduced myself as someone from Bombay although my family roots have been in Gujarat.
It always felt special being from a city that never sleeps, the so called 'resilience' of a Mumbaikar, the charm of Bollywood or dreams of making it rich. For a wannabe star or someone trying to make it big in cricket, Bollywood or even the mafia, Bombay is always the place to be.
Bombay is one place where your pedigree, which school or college you went or whom you know just does not matter - you are all treated equally as just another Mumbaikar. Be it on a local train or celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi there is very little that separates one Mumbaikar from another.
Bombay was always unique and will forever remain so, no matter which city in the world you go to, Bombay always has its charm.
My short stay in Bombay has been nothing but delightful - from the usual Bollywood star sighting (Juhi Chawla at the airport), a train ride in the second class compartment from Khar to Charni Road, long walks on Marine Drive, shopping in the crowded by lanes of Bhuleshwar, it was just amazing to see professionalism at scale - from a taxi driver to a salesman at a mall, everyone is always so respectful of your time.
The most eventful part was a short visit to my college - Jai Hind @Churchgate, as I walked into the college I was greeted by a watchman who remembered me as a student from the science class of '91. For someone who spent just 2 years in junior college to be remembered by a watchman 22 years later was really a surprise.
As much as I love the city, I could not but help notice that very little attention has been paid by the city administrators, from water to waste management, the 9 coach local trains or the 30 year old BEST buses - nothing has changed.
I worry that what does not change will decay, I would not like to see that happen to a city with so much character like Bombay.
I hope the average Mumbaikar wakes up and demands what is rightfully theirs - a world class city.
As I take my flight back - on old song continues to play in my head - Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke , Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan .... Aha Ha Ho Hoo Heehee Aaa Hmm Hmm......
Bombay has been a very integral part of my identity - I have always introduced myself as someone from Bombay although my family roots have been in Gujarat.
It always felt special being from a city that never sleeps, the so called 'resilience' of a Mumbaikar, the charm of Bollywood or dreams of making it rich. For a wannabe star or someone trying to make it big in cricket, Bollywood or even the mafia, Bombay is always the place to be.
Bombay is one place where your pedigree, which school or college you went or whom you know just does not matter - you are all treated equally as just another Mumbaikar. Be it on a local train or celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi there is very little that separates one Mumbaikar from another.
Bombay was always unique and will forever remain so, no matter which city in the world you go to, Bombay always has its charm.
My short stay in Bombay has been nothing but delightful - from the usual Bollywood star sighting (Juhi Chawla at the airport), a train ride in the second class compartment from Khar to Charni Road, long walks on Marine Drive, shopping in the crowded by lanes of Bhuleshwar, it was just amazing to see professionalism at scale - from a taxi driver to a salesman at a mall, everyone is always so respectful of your time.
The most eventful part was a short visit to my college - Jai Hind @Churchgate, as I walked into the college I was greeted by a watchman who remembered me as a student from the science class of '91. For someone who spent just 2 years in junior college to be remembered by a watchman 22 years later was really a surprise.
As much as I love the city, I could not but help notice that very little attention has been paid by the city administrators, from water to waste management, the 9 coach local trains or the 30 year old BEST buses - nothing has changed.
I worry that what does not change will decay, I would not like to see that happen to a city with so much character like Bombay.
I hope the average Mumbaikar wakes up and demands what is rightfully theirs - a world class city.
As I take my flight back - on old song continues to play in my head - Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke , Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan .... Aha Ha Ho Hoo Heehee Aaa Hmm Hmm......
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