Dream in Mumbai

 

Let's just correct this statement - "Dreams come true in Mumbai", I say "Mumbai is made of dreams." The thing is, I recently watched the new series "Modern Love in Mumbai" and that is when it hit me that, I am so lucky to be living in Mumbai.  If a person survives here, they can survive ANYWHERE! And I mean it. 

Mumbaikars wake up at "Platform kramank teen var aaleli local Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus laa janari 4 vajatachi dheemi local aahe" (The train arrived on platform number 3 is the 04:00 am slow local train to CSMT.) This is Mumbai. 

The city is fast and always works by the clock. From the way people eat to the way they live is what defines Mumbai. Yes, some people might call it crowded, busy or even rushed, but Mumbai still stands to be one of the best cities in World. 

In Mumbai even a hawker can become an actor and even the top businessman can become a local, that is how this city works. No matter who you are? Even if you are a very renowned person, if you wish to survive here, you will have to become a part of the crowd and once that happens, the city will do its magic and shape you into a determined and better person. Mumbai is a city of hope with a new twist in every turn, you might achieve what you came here for or might turn out to have whole different identity. Here, no one is rich or poor but everyone is struggling to become something or working hard to reach somewhere. There is not much religious difference because from Haji Ali Dargah to Mount Mary Church to Siddhivinayak Mandir, every place is filled with people.

It is not only the environment around that defines Mumbai, if you ask my opinion, our food also defines us. Now here is an answer for all of you who say, "Tumhara har khana toh pav mein hee banta hai!" (everything you make consists of "pav" only!". If there was no pav, how will you explain this beautiful city. You know somehow "pav" represents the career driven struggling life of Mumbai. Pav which is completely bland with nothing and "vada" is that flavour which brings the fun, spice and excitement in the workaholic life. So, the secret to survive in Mumbai is to cut that pav from the middle and fill it up with spicy chutney and hot vada and live your life. All you have to do is squeeze it in together.

As much crowded and rushing this city is, it is equally an amazing experience. Every person cannot survive, some step in the city but leave due to the competition, and the ones who stay reach great heights; in their life sometimes, bigger than they imagine. More than a city, Mumbai is one magnificent experience. The crowd will never judge you because they are too open minded but at the same time too busy to worry about "what is she even wearing... YUCK!".

Every corner of this place has history with it, be it the Asiatic library, Nariman Point or Gateway of India. Every festival is celebrated with immense fun and enjoyment, the Nashik dhol during Ganesh Chaturthi to the Malpua's available in Muhammad Ali street during Eid to the Christmas Carols on the streets for Christmas, everything is magical. The floods are not the only thing during rains. During these showers, every person shares his/her hot cutting chai with vadapav and sometimes thaske valla misal (extra spicy misal). From the kaalli peeli taxi to the BEST buses, every place is just choker block. Mumbai is a city of hope.  Each and every place, person and thing, defines Mumbai for what it is today.

One thing is true because of all this, "You can take a Mumbaikar out of Mumbai, but NEVER Mumbai out of a Mumbaikar."