Mumbai! Seems so far away! Well, geographically it is - since I am in a suburb near Chicago, but never mind that! This article is a tribute to the city I grew up in- Mumbai.
I did not always think that my heart was so attached to Mumbai or that it's essence and character were so deeply entrenched in me,
I believe in the maxim of 'Home is where Family is'! I've moved in quite a few places and have never even stayed in proper Mumbai. But even then, I realize that I actually miss the place almost as much as I do my family.
It never occurred to me, Ms.Am-So-Comfortable-With-Myself, that I would ever feel such over-whelmimg love for a city. After all, I have never succumbed to discriminating based on city or region, I am very much secular and I look down on dumb generalizations based on one's place of residence. I admit our location does shape us as we sport certain habits but that should not influence our judgement of people.
Anyway, back to my point. I'm proud of being from Mumbai. Yes, but the magnitude of my love of this city sunk in only two months ago when I was watching the song 'Rim Jhim Gire Sawan' [Lataji's version]. I love this song as my parents resemble the star duo in mannerisms- especially my Mom laughingly trying to keep pace with my tall Dad. I've watched it a million times. But the moment of truth came when my hubby asked me with some curiosity- What? He knows I am a fan of Big B but I surely don't look so adoringly at anyone but Hubbyji. My answer stunned me- Mumbai! And in that moment, I knew that this city has a place far larger in my heart than I ever imagined.
After this startling relevation, I decided I might as well as accept the inevitable. I love Mumbai. Proud to say that - loud and clear.
I love the rains, the trains, the tall skyscrapers, the moviemakers, the street food and Fashion street, the malls and the road stalls. I adore the Queen's necklace and the crowded beaches where I find solace. I am proud of the fact that like all train commuters- I consider distances in terms of time and time of the day. I know that like every Mumbaikar, I am resilient and possess an ambitious streak tempered by a tendency to indulge in myself and have fun along the way. I am glad that I lived in a city that embraces all- rich and poor, young and old, classy and dhinchak, khadoos and bindaaz. I am so glad that I am a Mumbaikar.
I did not always think that my heart was so attached to Mumbai or that it's essence and character were so deeply entrenched in me,
I believe in the maxim of 'Home is where Family is'! I've moved in quite a few places and have never even stayed in proper Mumbai. But even then, I realize that I actually miss the place almost as much as I do my family.
It never occurred to me, Ms.Am-So-Comfortable-With-Myself, that I would ever feel such over-whelmimg love for a city. After all, I have never succumbed to discriminating based on city or region, I am very much secular and I look down on dumb generalizations based on one's place of residence. I admit our location does shape us as we sport certain habits but that should not influence our judgement of people.
Anyway, back to my point. I'm proud of being from Mumbai. Yes, but the magnitude of my love of this city sunk in only two months ago when I was watching the song 'Rim Jhim Gire Sawan' [Lataji's version]. I love this song as my parents resemble the star duo in mannerisms- especially my Mom laughingly trying to keep pace with my tall Dad. I've watched it a million times. But the moment of truth came when my hubby asked me with some curiosity- What? He knows I am a fan of Big B but I surely don't look so adoringly at anyone but Hubbyji. My answer stunned me- Mumbai! And in that moment, I knew that this city has a place far larger in my heart than I ever imagined.
After this startling relevation, I decided I might as well as accept the inevitable. I love Mumbai. Proud to say that - loud and clear.
I love the rains, the trains, the tall skyscrapers, the moviemakers, the street food and Fashion street, the malls and the road stalls. I adore the Queen's necklace and the crowded beaches where I find solace. I am proud of the fact that like all train commuters- I consider distances in terms of time and time of the day. I know that like every Mumbaikar, I am resilient and possess an ambitious streak tempered by a tendency to indulge in myself and have fun along the way. I am glad that I lived in a city that embraces all- rich and poor, young and old, classy and dhinchak, khadoos and bindaaz. I am so glad that I am a Mumbaikar.
