Life in a metro – Mumbai

Mumbai or Bombay, like London, has been described and glorified a tonnes of times. Both the cities are financial hub; boast of some beautiful tourist attractions, melting point where people from different cultures and backgrounds live and not to forget their experience with terror. So when I decided to make my mood board on Mumbai for one of my assignments, I pondered what can I focus on which will not be a cliché. The answer was a Mumbai citizen or Mumbaikar’s life.

Born and bought up in this thriving city, I could recognise some finer nuances which drive everyday lives of millions and moulds you as a person.Transport is Mumbai’s lifeline. Travelling in Mumbai literally brings out a person’s determination and zest to live. Negotiating your way in the BEST bus, shoving for a seat in trains and dealing with cab drivers requires some sort of expertise, which you gain only by using public transport.

When on this journey, one will not miss a group of people clad in white clothes, pushing some carts filled with tiffins. These are Mumbai’s Dabbawalas, who deliver lunch boxes from home to office and back with a precision that most of the top companies will wonder about. Their dedication and determination to serve the customer, in time without any extra benefits has been applauded by one and all. This also signifies a fast pace life in Mumbai, where people cannot wait for their lunch boxes to reach work on time. What supports these hungry souls is Mumbai rich street food, general signified by Vada Pav.

Mumbai is dotted with many street stalls selling Vada Pav – a spicy potato filling stuffed in soft buns. One helping is fulfilling till you have the next meal. Every citizen, including me, craves for a vada pav from their favourite street stall. City’s grit is tested when the black monsoon clouds engulf it for three months. Though the heavy rains put Mumbai out of gear, they show a different facet of Mumbai life. Personally the feeling of drenching in smashing sea waves on a heavy rainy day is one of the most thrilling and unexplainable experiences of my life. Each year I look forward to one way of getting wet in rains and enjoying near city’s many waterfronts.

What unites this busy metropolis is the passion for cricket and festivals like the Ganesh Festival and Dahi Handi. Since my childhood Ganesh Festival has symbolised devotion, sharing and the feeling of belonging towards your family, friends and community. Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is a living legend we adore, not only for his cricket but as a person. He teaches me that praises and rewards are temporary, what matters is your passion, dedication and determination towards your goal, cherish your family values and be humble.

5 pm - Its time to catch the tube

Today I woke up to an article in The Times of India about one of India's respected industrialist Ratan Tata expressing sadness about fellow industrialist Mukesh Ambani's opulent lifestyle. India media widely reported Mr Tata's published interview in UK's newspaper The Times. In a classic case of picking convenient news peg, TOI chose to ignore Tata's comment about Britain's work culture, which was picked by another newspaper Hindustan Times. The same interview mentions Tata commenting on how unlike their Indian counterparts, British managers are 'unwilling to go the extra mile' and offices are empty by Friday 5 pm even if there is a crisis.

For a first timer in the UK and an Indian like me, this comment is not a surprise. One of my early unusual experiences here was see see shops closing at 5 or 6 pm and empty high streets on Sunday evenings. Banks, fashion shops and offices all shut at 5 pm and people run towards the tube or rail station. As an Indian, am used to spend Sunday evenings outside doing window shopping and eating, here high streets are lonely after 4 or 5 pm on Sundays. Brits believe in partying hard on Friday and Saturday and Sunday is a rest day. My university library is open 24x7 the entire week, except on Fridays and Saturdays. If the university cafe is scheduled to close at 4 pm and you land up at the counter at 4.03 pm, you will be disappointed. Same thing applies to the opening times. I believe here people strictly work on time slots and will not sacrifice their social life for professional reasons. And this makes me wonder how do organisations like my professional sector like media work here? Will have to wait till I personally experience it

The Lonely Traveller

One sunny day, sitting on my cosy bed I thought its high time I travelled in London. Eight months flew away working on assignments and withering the chilly winter. Alas my roomies were now busy with their assignments. This meant I had to travel alone. Travelling alone is a strange concept in India, where your life is full of people. Travelling on my own was on my mind since quite a few years, but never managed to travel alone back home.

But here I was, in my apartment wanting to venture out to see London. And must say the first experiment was not bad. I left home to see British History Musuem, but landed up on the bus sight seeing tour of London. Travelling on the open deck, with cool breeze and sun shine, through busy London road was a one memorable experience. Bus rides, especially sitting on the upper deck of the BEST bus always thrilled me. My digi-cam ditched me and I could not click pictures of this first solo tour.But the memory still gives me a kick. The best part of the day was being able to see the madness about Prince William's wedding. I got the close look of the country's love and fondness with the Royal family. Seeing the battery of media vans, photographers and camera crew was exciting and my thoughts travelled to the media events I handled or attended in Mumbai. The short boat ride from London Eye to Westminster Pier was enjoyable. And here I was back home eager to go on another journey all by myself.