Saturday, August 13, 2011

My Mumbai

Everyone talks of the spirit of the Mumbaites ( folks of Mumbai or erstwhile Bombay –the commercial capital of India). I, being one of them, would of course agree to the existence of this undying spirit, but not without asking a question ‘ Is it slowly dying, bit by bit?’

There is a bomb blast and the very next day, the city is back to its feet. It never comes to a grinding halt. But the question is ‘is there a choice at all?’ Folks come to Mumbai to eke out a living, and ‘necessity to work’ is all powerful and consuming.

But the other part that I have been observing recently, which really demystifies this undying spirit, is the intolerance observed in the day to day life. Road rage, impatience, quarrels, bickering, fights, fisticuffs and so on seem to be increasing by the day and the ‘live and let live’ accommodative spirit seems to be waning. Smiling faces, earlier seen, have turned to scowling, and externalising issues seem to be the order of the day. Reasons may be galore but what does Mumbai really need to do.

I am reminded of a mother who took her daughter to the departmental stores. The little girl saw some expensive toys and was uncontrollably weeping so that the mother buys the toys. The mother was heard saying ‘Jennifer, relax, Jenifer relax ….’ The girl continued weeping and the mother continued saying ‘ Jennifer, relax, Jennifer relax.’ Some others watching this asked the mother ‘Do you think, the child would understand whatever you are telling her …. after all she is small?’. The mother replied ‘ I am not talking to the child. My name is Jennifer.’

So Mumbai, revive the spirit and say ‘Just relax, just relax.’

7 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Great post as always! I think we are seeing a lot of the same thing in many parts of the world -- certainly here in the US and in the northwest. I say to us as well, Just relax! Hope your weekend is going well!

Sylvia

Brian Miller said...

mmm...yeah i think we could all just relax a bit...sad the violence that disrupts our sense of peace...how is it that we can adress one to truly appreciate the other...

ashok said...

nice blog sir...

Kavi said...

Relax! is the new word. I am used to 'Please adjust' as a natural compass for any of the problems that face us !

:)

Us and our cities !

Cocktail Party said...

Hmm...Relax and come out your frustration/anger...see the world in a different perceptive..that always helps :)

Urmi said...

Brilliant post. I have been to Mumbai several times and always feel that Mumbai never sleeps. Though bomb blast took place but the next day everybody started running for going to office,school,college and for doing other activities. I liked the example which you have quoted about the mother who told "Jennifer relax" and its true we can relax for some time but nobody knows whats going to happen the next moment.
You are welcome at my new posts-
http://urmi-z-unique.blogspot.com/
http://amazing-shot.blogspot.com

P.N. Subramanian said...

As you rightly said, behind the spirit that is quoted all the time, survival needs are at work.