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.
