Except for the two things-the tiffin box supply to the office goers and the elephantine caves,rest of the things dealt by the author are not only the minor things but tip of the ice berg also.The real things that make Mumbai a great and lovable city were dealt by me earlier vividly in some other context.To repeat, the excellent work culture,the fastest modes of local conveyance by the electric trains and BEST buses,unparallal traffic discipline,matchless employment opportunities,time sense of people,space management,concern for the fellow human beings amidst their own busy schedule,fastest falling in the line with the Mumbai life discipline by all the new settlers,superb friendly but strict police force which enable even ladies go alone and commute even in the midst of night and above all affordability of life styles according to the purse of the person-from pauper to billionnaire are the real best things of the Mumbai city.Though,like any other big city,Mumbai too has darker sides like its night life,red light area,mafia fights,smuggling activities etc..the common man's life goes smoothly as long as he purposely does not poke his nose into them. Daunted by busy schedule,though some people say that Mumbai life is mechanical and suffersome,there is always pleasure in pain.It is a highly regulated and disciplined life which one should go through at least once in life time failing which the life could be stated incomplete.Once got used,none feels like moving out.I love Mumbai.
RE:I love Mumbai
by C.V.RAMAN IYER on Mar 25, 2008 01:10 PM Permalink
Yes, if you have fire in your belly to make it good in Mumbai, you will definitely succeed. those who blame for all the short comings, shall soon leave the city, cursing the system and its people. Struggle / adjustment to life style, never to get frustrated are the Mantras for common man's success in Mumbai and when he achieves it, he will never forget / leave Mumbai.
RE:RE:I love Mumbai
by bhim rao on Mar 25, 2008 09:50 AM Permalink
I completely agree with Mallaiah.There is something mysterious,unexplained romaticisim attached to this city.Everytime I visit Mumbai, I fall in love with the city.There is no other city in India which is as cosmopolitan as Mumbai.The people of Mumbai makes all the difference. I certainly hope that Mumbaikaras will not fall prey to false vote bank and hate politics played by some politicians in recent times and will continue the friendly and caring spirit.
in Travel Leisure. ...................................................... So sad for all us Mee Marathi manooses of Amchi Mumbai that every one, including ex film star and Mayor Usha Kiron, still say Bombay.
RE:Such Poocho Toe
by All Right on Mar 25, 2008 08:44 AM Permalink
Hmmmm.... Good that you didn't give your name Mr. Non-chain-smoking-idiotic retrograde.
Else to show that no one is afraid of Amar Singh and Peter Ustinov, you would have been called the "Head-hunter's guide to the 9 wonders of Iraq".. :-)
Here in U.S...thousend of miles away from my homeland and amchi Mumbai...this post made me go really mushy and sentimental with nostalgia.Though originally a Delhite,I was truly engulfed into the culture of Mumbai,when I moved there.I was really overwhelmed by the cosmoplitan outlook of the people...and boy they have some grit and determination!!Its not easy to live in a city which is just about ready to burst and overflow into the ocean...but still play cards and antakshari in the train and give that EXTRA LITTLE space to another person to sit.Somehow that city has always managed an amazing balance of tragedy...more tragedy and then bouncing back.The serial bomb blasts did a lot of damage to the morales of the common people but they cudnt kill it totally.People of Mumbai fought back...showed their nonchalance to those terrorists. No point comparing and eulogising the virtues of the cities of India,Im sure there will be some '%uFFFDelligent critics' who will point out ...the crowd,the pollution,the slums...etc.Sounds weird but that whole picture goes into making India and its states what it is...a warm, hospitable,friendly,ever welcoming place.Like ones mother.I miss Mumbai.
RE:Oh amchi Mumbai....
by jay b on Mar 24, 2008 08:53 PM Permalink
Not many people would agree that the crowd,the pollution,the slums,overflowing sewage make people warm, hospitable,.... There are many places in india where things are quite clean and still people are genuinely warm,friendly,hospitable..... unlike the superficial version which you find in mumbai. Dirtiness and pollution do not lead to good people and behaviour infact it is the opposite in many ways. door se toh chaand bhi achha lagta hai. Good points about mumbai : relatively safer than other big cities in daytime
RE:Oh amchi Mumbai....
by sanchita datta on Mar 24, 2008 09:10 PM Permalink
Two points.. I never really wanted anyone to agree with what I wrote...entirely my feelings.
Dirtiness and pollution need not necessarily breed bad behaviour and people.A case in point is Kolkata...the people of which are famous for their hospitality.No one can call Kolkata clean or slum free.
Take the sea out of Mumbai, it would look like an outdated kasba. There is no use bragging about our city without doing anything. Kuch kar, mumbaikar !
RE:Mumbai-kuch-kar
by jay b on Mar 24, 2008 08:24 PM Permalink
same here , except south mumbai and few suburbs mumbai is an over congested and neglected city in terms of infrastructure.be it the very old sewer system,people overflowing trains and buses , severly potholed roads and high pollution . Add to that the high stress of living in a big city with 60% slums and now MNS.This city has set a bad example and model for other indian citites in many ways. do we need any more .... The travelling is the worst part. As a tourist you may like most places (even a desert) but that does not mean it is a liveable place.
Nobody can miss any kind of food in delhi because we get momos, dosas, gujrati stuff, pao bhaji, punjabi, bengali every kind of food. Delhi is not about speed. its about taking life easily. Going to office is not a mission for anyone (unless office is really really really far). I finish 35 kms of drive in 45-50 mins flat. Hence i get enough time for my family, my health etc and I can only feel happy about it.
In the end every city comes with its own goods and bads. A human is one who adapts himslef, learns to live with it, change his surroundings for better.
Long Live Mumbai and Delhi.
Lets not fight over which city is better. Lets understand the fact that we are talking about a city which is part of our country.
RE:Mumbai and Delhi - From a Delhite
by a a on Mar 24, 2008 08:23 PM Permalink
I agree with you. Although a pucca Mumbaikar,I must say that day to day life is an ordeal. Things are hectic and my friends tell me that things have become more hectic now. Despite all the problems we have in Mumbai, we still love our city. There is something about Mumbai which is very addictive. I ve been in the USA for last 6 years but every morning I remember Mumbai. Delhi is more royal and I think classy. Mumbai is all business and fun.
Mumbai is a very good city, no doubt. Its the crowd of mumbai only that brings in so much enthusiasm, so much spirit in this city. I have been to mumbai quite a number of times and I make sure I travel in a local train though I can travel in bus/auto/taxi also. My overall experience says that its the people of the city and their disciplince that is running Mumbai otherwise this city would have collapsed considering the infrastructure we have there. One good rain brings the complete mumbai to a screeching hault. I just love the speed at which people walk, trains run and there is so much fun just to reach your work place (only when u r going by local) otherwsie Bus/Auto/Taxis are in every city. Food can be a problem sometimes specially for the people who come from other parts of the country and if they are bachelors and stying alone. Dance bars are other attraction. I loved spending my evenings on Marine Lines with my girl friend ( a marathi from Mumbai only). It was a incomparable expereince.
Now Delhi - Delhi is known for its well planned , well laid out roads and fly overs almost on every junction (Makes a lot of sense). Traffic will run, drag but will never stop. Food freaks, fun freaks, enjoyment freaks is what every Delhite is all about. Roaming with your wife/girl friend on Lawns of India Gate, Old Forts build by Mughals, President House, Central Park bring in so much romance that it is as good as roaming on Marine Lines. Nobody can miss any kind of food in delhi beca
RE:Mumbai and Delhi - From a Delhite
by CMat on Mar 24, 2008 08:15 PM Permalink
Tanuj No one is saying anything about Delhi...The articale is about Mumbai Kuch Jaruri hai Delhi ke baare mein kuch jodne ko..?? Tarif bhi khule dil se nahi kar sakate ?? I lived in chandigarh, which is actual first planned city of India... I have very few good freinds from Delhi and Sure Delhi has special place in Indians heart and mind...par artical Mumbai ka hai dost...
RE:RE:Mumbai and Delhi - From a Delhite
by ANAND MOHAN on Apr 04, 2008 11:10 AM Permalink
About Dilli 1. Killer bluelines 2. Extreme weather 3. Maa Behen ki gaali 4. Dilli ke Thugs 5. Rape capital 6. Sardar,Jats,Biharis,UPites,Chinkis,Punjabis 7. Road rages 8. Declining Law and Order 9. Child Abuse 10. Asharam Bapu( and his chelas)
RE:bombay is full of ghaatis who shit on railway track. even ghaatis mothers give birth on railway track. ghaatis are born by street dogs, thats why their behaviour is also like street dogs. ie uncivilized and uncultured. lol
by Edwin Rodrigues on Mar 24, 2008 06:47 PM Permalink
looks like you are very civilized with the kind of language you have been using.
RE:RE:bombay is full of ghaatis who shit on railway track. even ghaatis mothers give birth on railway track. ghaatis are born by street dogs, thats why their behaviour is also like street dogs. ie uncivilized and uncultured. lol
by golden chariot on Mar 25, 2008 12:37 PM Permalink
PAAV WALA IS A DIRTY PEOPLE, EVERYBODY KNOWS IT.....BEWDAS
