Mumbai: The City That Helps You Identify Yourself
Welcome to Mumbai. Some call it Mumbai, some Bombay, or some Mayanagri. People also call it the city of dreams. What do you call it? Hold on and let me tell you some interesting things about this city and request you to read it even if you don’t want to. Strange request no…but give it a shot, you will not regret it.
Okay, now you are here it means I was successful in my pitch convincing you to stay here for some more time, Thanks. Be ready for experiencing a journey within.
Bollywood, Gateway of India, Taj Hotel, Arabian Sea, Ganpati, Haji Ali, IIT Bombay, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dharavi, Vada Pav, etc. It is highly likely to get one of these images at first while talking about Mumbai. In a way, these places and things define the city of Mumbai. Mumbai is a city of hope, ample opportunities, and a world of possibilities. So, let’s go for a ride that you may or may not have taken. Let’s go for a Mumbai ride.
Ah-ha, now you may go through the stoppage list for this ride:
- Arriving At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Station
- Commuting In BEST Buses
- Looking At Taj Hotel
- Walking Around Gateway Of India
- Traveling In Mumbai Local
- Taking Autos Instead Of A Cab
- Studying At IIT Bombay
- Flying From Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
- Unleashing At Marine Drive
- Attending Seminar In Trident
- Shopping At Fashion Street
- Buying At Masjid Bunder
- Exploring Opportunities At Dharavi
- Observing Dabbawalas
- Cleaning Of Versova Beach And Powai Lake
- Escaping To Elephanta Caves
- Going to Alibaug, Matheran, and Nearby Places in Weekend
- Filming At Band Stand
- Praying At Religious Places
- Working At Economic Capital Of India
- Crossing Over Bandra Worli Sea link
- Celebrating Ganpati At Lalbaugcha Raja
Arriving At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Station
Yes, you arrived at one of the busiest railway stations in India. No, don’t be afraid, because people literally come here to see this beautiful station. This Station is listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wherever you are in this country, I am sure you might have seen a photo of this building which looks like a palace and it was earlier referred to as Victoria Terminus (VT), and this palace-like structure is now serving as the headquarters of India’s Central Railway.
This station helps traveling more than a million passengers every day, and if you are there, you are one in a million. This number is greater or comparable to the population of the district I belong to and many other districts of our country, and also some nations like Mauritius, Bhutan, etc. Pause for a minute and just let that sink in…This is enough to intimidate anyone, but wait and ask yourself why are these people here? and most importantly what am I doing here? I got my answers :)
Commuting In BEST Buses
My first encounter with the BEST Buses was for commuting from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Station to Gateway of India. I was confused between many stops to choose the right one from which I could board the bus. I asked people and get directed by them to the right one. One bus just left as soon as I reached the stop. Luckily the second bus came just after that, and to my surprise, it was a double-decker. I boarded that bus and found myself a window seat. I was very excited and ready for the Mumbai Darshan. A well-dressed, wearing Khadi-colored uniform, Kaka (Conductor Uncle) came to me and asked me for my destination and handed over me the ticket, and In less than Rs. 10 and 20 min. , I was at Gateway of India and through this short journey, I got a sneak peek of the Mumbai Heritage.
Looking At Taj Hotel
Sometimes, When we see an affluent place or five-star hotels that are out of our reach, there is a common tendency to not appreciating the hard work that goes into making it but tries to position it as inferior to make ourselves feeling ok for that point in time. This is not the case when people are looking at The Taj Mahal Palace. This Hotel by Tata’s is situated next to Gateway of India and people who visit Gateway of India also spend some time looking at this five-star hotel. For most Indians, a five-star hotel means Taj hotel and it is considered to be the 1st five-star hotel of India built-in 1904. Visitors generally take pictures outside this hotel and take pride to have such a place in our country. Many people come with family, take joy in clicking pictures with this hotel as background, and also enjoy peanuts, snacks, and tea sold by hawkers outside the hotel. This phenomenon of love comes with the respect earned by the brand TATA over the years by serving the nation and contributing to nation-building. This is the reason why people don’t envy/jealous after looking at the Taj Mahal Palace rather they love, appreciate, and aspire to become successful so that they could afford to visit and go inside and use the services of the hotel.
Here I get the motivation to dream big and work hard to make my dream a reality.
Walking Around Gateway Of India
As the name suggests ‘Gateway of India’ is the gateway to enter India through the waterway. Here we go slightly into history; it was built to welcome King-Emperor George V and Queen-Empress Mary, the first British monarch to visit India in 1911. People come here for many reasons, to see this amazing gate, enjoy the sea view, watching pigeons flying, and also take the ferry to commute. This place is a must-visit place on the tourists' list and for locals; this is a good weekend place to visit. You may lose yourselves and enjoy the sea waves coming and going and hitting at the rock wall.
Traveling In Mumbai Local
Here come the lifeline of Mumbai i.e. Mumbai Locals. The number of daily passengers in Mumbai Local could be more than the population of Switzerland. Mumbai local itself is a topic of research and thousands and lakhs of stories are associated with this mode of transport. People include this in their everyday struggle, sometimes as protagonists and sometimes to explain their difficult times. On and all Mumbai Local is Pillar of Mumbai city and support lakhs of families every day.
Although I traveled on Mumbai Locals most of the time the stance that stands out was when, I was being thrown out with the crowd by the crowd while deboarding at Dadar station, there I realized one should be skilled to travel in Mumbai Locals as well. Thanks, Mumbai Local for giving me incredible experiences and teaching me the meaning of struggle.
Taking Autos Instead Of A Cab
The sweetest transport of Mumbai. Mumbai Auto walas are way cooler than Auto walas from any other city, and if you have experienced the Delhi Auto walas then your appreciation for Mumbai Auto walas will automatically go up and you might like to kiss them on their forehead. These are genuine feelings and they prove it time and again. You don’t have to say the Auto walas to go by meters, they don’t take you through the long routes, you feel safe even riding with them at 11 pm, and yes most of them wear a uniform. The honesty and adhering to the policies made by either their group/societies or the govt. is commendable. Here, I learned to be honest about your work and no work is small.
Studying At IIT Bombay
IIT Bombay, India’s best Engineering Institute situated in the Powai area. This Institute is a magical place and blessed with nature, one side is surrounded by serene Powai Lake, on the other side it is being covered by Sameer Hill. IIT Bombay itself is a mini Mumbai or rather I call it a microcosm of the Indian society. This place is full of opportunities and equipped to produce leaders and personalities who can bring changes into society. IIT Bombay is a center of knowledge and possibilities in this beautiful city of Mumbai.
I was fortunate to study here and grateful to work with the brightest mind of our country. IIT Bombay filled me with confidence, taken out the fear of failure and taught me to dream big, and convinced me to the fact that one person can make a difference and achieve the unachievable.
Flying From Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Many things happen for the 1st time in life and flying was one of them. With more than 40 million passengers traveling every year, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the 2nd busiest airport in the country. It has also been awarded as the “World’s Best Airport” by Airport Council International.
It was the month of March 2018 when I 1st booked a flight ticket to travel from Mumbai to Ladakh for a very special cause. I was going for an expedition to electrify a remote village of Ladakh. I was full of energy and excited for the whole journey. I boarded the flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for the 1st time and reached the destination safely. The journey to Ladakh from Mumbai was via Delhi and when we took off from Delhi for Leh, it was a treat to watch. It is very rare when you get a chance to see the Himalayas and that too from the top. It was a surreal experience. The rock Himalayas covered with snow was majestic. I learned that if you work hard for something, sooner or later you achieve that, and if that for a good cause then God helps in achieving it faster.
Unleashing At Marine Drive
“Marine Drive”, does it sound lavish? Yes, for most of us. This place is another jewel in Mumbai’s crown. This could be the favorite place for many Mumbaikars. This is the place near Church Gate Station and it is spread in an arch-like shape stretched over around a 4 km area confronting the mighty Arabian sea. A continuous sitting place is constructed throughout the arch starting from National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and to the Girgaon Chawpati.
This place is being used to achieve many objectives. For relaxing to group performances, for walking to setting the mood, for sitting lonely to spend quality time and chilling with friends and family, for finding yourself to be lost in your partner's eyes, for exploring to meeting strangers. People mostly come to Marine Drive to chill with friends and families.
Whenever, A sea of thoughts in your head jumping up and down, and you are fed up with all the everyday struggle, and not able to find answers to your questions, I have a suggestion to make. ‘Sit at Marine Drive’. Yes, you heard me right, go to Marine Drive and find a place to sit. Sit facing the sea and after some time close your eyes, dwell in your thoughts for a while, and surrender yourself and let go. The sound of the sea waves touching the shore, air passing through the ears, the unending sight of the sea and you. These combinations will lead to a more peaceful, serene, and composed ‘you’. I have experienced this multiple times and this place is one of my favorites to date that helps me find myself and provide depth by unleashing my thoughts.
Attending Seminar In Trident
Trident at Marine lines is also one of the Five Star hotels in Mumbai, and the perks of being in a premier institute are that you get the opportunity to visit such places for conferences and seminars. I registered for an event organized by Columbia Business School on the topic “Renewable Energy & Climate Policy in India” where ‘Columbia Business School (CBS) professors presented their research and debated with business leaders how India can create and finance a world-class renewable energy industry.’ The venue for the event was Trident Hotel. The speakers or the panelists were Mr. Jairam Ramesh former Minister of Rural Development, GoI and Member of Parliament, Mr. Anil Sardana, CEO and Managing Director TATA Power, a partner from Mckinsey, and professors from CBS. I was accompanied by my Guide and Senior to the event. I heard the discussion very carefully and contemplated the discussion. At the end of the event, I got the opportunity to introduce myself to former Minister of Rural Development, GoI, and Member of Parliament Mr. Jairam Ramesh.
Here, I learned if you are in the right place then nothing could be out of reach.
Shopping At Fashion Street
Fashion Street is a place with around 400 street-side clothing and accessories shops situated near Azad Maidan, South Mumbai. The one thing that anyone should be prepared for is that you have to be super talented in bargaining. You will get decent daily wear and other accessories and no harm in exploring this space once you are in Mumbai. Here, I learned that one should be able to analyze and put an appropriate price tag or give importance to things that we buy or willing to have in life.
Buying At Masjid Bunder
Hub of wholesale businesses for all kinds of products, one of them is Crawford market. I used to visit Masjid Bunder to procure hardware related to my study projects and product development. Here you get the things at cheap rates and budget-friendly, because of the sheer quantity of the products. Here, I learned the concept of economy of scale.
Exploring Opportunities At Dharavi
DHARAVI! What comes to your mind when you hear this? A Slum? Big Slum? or Slumdog Millionaire? but if I would say that you should think of industries, hub of industries, $ 1 billion businesses. Am I dreaming? or am I telling a lie? Yes, it is true, that Dharavi is Asia’s largest slum situated at the heart of Mumbai, but it is also true that this slum has an ecosystem for small-scale industries and a host for a variety of businesses, exports their products, and having an annual turnover of $ 1 Billion.
I visited Dharavi once and explored it with a slightly different lens. I visited a couple of factories, shops, and realized the role of Dharavi in every Mumbaikar’s life. I saw the immense opportunities that Dharavi has to offer. Here, I learned, no matter where you are? What sources you have? What do people think of you? One should have the determination to do something and don’t stop until it's achieved and never stop dreaming.
Observing Dabbawalas
“Necessity is the mother of invention”, which holds true for Mumbai Dabbawalas (Tiffin Delivery Service). People from across India come to Mumbai for Jobs and to make a career and settles here. People come from various cultures and this is why the food culture is also different. To cater to this need, people either prefer food from the food services which make according to their taste or to carry the home food, but how to take the Hot Homemade Lunches to their office? Here, the idea of Dabbawalas came into being. Dabbawala service is nothing but the delivery of lunchbox from home to office and return of the same from office to home.
I traveled in Mumbai Local several times and sometimes I used to see the Dabbawalas loading and unloading the Dabbas (Tiffin). It is incredible to see how efficiently this system works and every tiffin reaches the right place every time without mistake. I learned that if our objective is to solve a problem that exists in reality then given the right time and effort we will find its solution and could create a successful business from that opportunity.
Cleaning Of Versova Beach And Powai Lake
Mumbai is blessed with nature and it makes this metro city more livable than any other. Mumbai has several beaches and lakes to visit. Over a period of time, these places became crowded and due to constructions, irresponsible behavior of tourists or visitors, and people failing to adopt sustainable practices across the globe lead to Ocean Pollution, garbage at the seashore and beaches, and polluted lakes. To see our water bodies in this condition puts me in shame and propels me to do something to change the status quo.
I signed up and volunteered for the world's largest beach clean-up project “Versova Beach clean-up” campaign lead by Afroz Shah, a lawyer by profession, ocean lover from heart, and United Nations Environment’s Champion of the Earth. I also went for the Powai Lake Mega Cleanup campaign organized by Abhyuday, a Student-run Social Body of IIT Bombay.
After participating in these clean-up projects, I realized that we humans have impacted our ecosystem at a scale that now makes it very difficult to go back to the old normal and we should be ready to face the consequences. Here, I learned that “The earth has enough for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed”. These incidences alarmed me and made me aware of the situation and prepared me to work towards sustainability. It’s now or never.
Escaping To Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves, a world heritage monument situated on Elephanta Island about 10 km from Gateway of India, Mumbai. The caves and structures are as old as the 2nd century BCE. It contains rock-cut stone sculptures. The carvings at these caves narrate Hindu mythologies and having a monolithic structure as large as 20 feet (6.1 m). Trimurti Sadashiva (three-faced Shiva), Nataraja (Lord of Dance), and Other Lord Shiva Sculpture are the main attractions.
This is a small island near Mumbai and a good place to visit in one day. It’s a good place if someone wants to be lost in History and mythologies. I learned that the sheer determination to do something will make you do something that seems very difficult but motivates you to achieve the hardest goals similarly, to how these caves and magical sculptures were made with limited or no resources on an island surrounded by sea and away from the city.
Going To Alibaug, Matheran, And Nearby Places In Weekend
Geographically, Mumbai and nearby places have a lot of natural scenic destinations. Alibaug beach is one of them and Matheran is another place where people could go and come back in a day. These are the places that take you away from the traffic of the metro city and everyday struggle. You may also visit these places to take a break from your monotonous routine and rejuvenate yourself. These are great places to visit with your friends and also for small reunions and to make and strengthen bonding with friends and groups.
I visited and explored these places with my friends and colleague and enjoyed the scenic beauty that these places have to offer, and yes these visits do strengthen the bonding and also give you memories. I learned that it’s important to find time for yourself and to keep any relation going. It’s like watering relationships with your time and small memories.
Filming At Band Stand
Ah-ha, Band Stand is famous for a lot of attractions. Bandra Fort, Bandra Worli Sea Link, Mount Mary Church, Bandra Bandstand, and Mannat are the most famous. Bandra Bandstand situated along the sea on the western coast of Mumbai and stretched over a 1.2 km long walkway. People do use this passageway to jog and relax. This long walkway ends at Bandra Fort. This place is generally crowded with young people and couples, and one could feel the love in the air. The cherry on the cake is that It is also the same place where a Bollywood megastar and ‘King of Romance’ lives who once said to his friends that “one day I would rule this city” when he wasn’t even started his film career. Now, the same person has won millions of hearts across the world, and famously known as Baadshah of Bollywood (King of Bollywood). Mumbai city and the whole of India love him. He is Mr. Shahrukh Khan. Shahrukh Khan lives in Mannat and his home is the center of attraction for most of the visitors.
This is the sheer love of people for Shahrukh and the magic of Shahrukh khan which brings people to see Mannat. Common Man gets exceptional courage from him to dream big and realizes that it is possible to achieve those dreams. I visited Band Stand a couple of times and sat facing the sea just opposite Mannat and contemplated. It is the magic of love that makes people, who they are, be it in any form, and I was inspired by the same and while sitting there I got inspired to write and film (record) a poem about the feeling of love. I learned that if we believe in our dreams and constantly working towards them and do hard work, we will achieve our dream, how big it may be, and how unreal it may sound.
Praying At Religious Places
Mumbai is blessed to have many religious places for almost all major religions and I was fortunate to visit some of them.
Siddhi Vinayak Temple, It is believed that Siddhi Vinayak Ganpati Bappa fulfills all the wishes of their devotee, and people come to see the Bappa and take his blessings before starting anything important. I managed to visit Siddhi Vinayak Temple a couple of times. I prayed to Bappa to keep blessing us with knowledge and prosperity.
Haji Ali Dargah was long due on my bucket list and got to visit recently. People who visit here, offer Chadar (tomb cover sheet) on Haji Ali’s Dargah, this is a ritual followed generally by the Muslim community in India that whenever someone visits Dargah they offer Chadar and it is being followed by people coming to Dargah from other religions as well. I followed the same and offered Chadar to Haji Ali’s Dargah with love and respect. I prayed to keep peace upon us.
Gurudwara Sri Gurunanak Nagar is situated in Andheri East, Mumbai. It’s a norm to cover your head with a scarf or any cloth while entering the Gurudwara and most of them also have a small space just before the main entrance where one has to wash their feet and then move inside. Gurudwaras are always open to people from any caste and religion. I visited Gurudwara Sri Gurunanak Nagar once with friends and we sat for a while, prayed, and then left with a little calmer self. I prayed to keep all of us happy and united.
Mount Mary Church is located at Bandra near Bandstand and Lakhs of people visit this Church annually. It is believed that Mother Mary fulfill the wishes of their devotee. Apart from people following Christianity, people from Hindu, Muslim and other religions do visit this place. It is a very old Ramon Catholic Church that gives it a beautiful design and attracts tourists. I prayed Mount Mary to keep blessing us and kindle the feeling of generosity.
Working At Economic Capital Of India
While studying at IIT Bombay, I was fallen in love with this city so much that I didn’t want to leave this city and wanted to pursue my career here. With God’s grace and all the prayers, I got a job with one of the reputed and leading private banks of India and posted in Mumbai Headquarters. Mumbai is also known as the economic capital of India and I am lucky to be one of those contributing directly to it.
Although it sounds easy, to work in the midst of a covid19 pandemic wasn’t easy, the fear of every kind crossed my mind, but I survived and learned even the economics of economic capital could be shaken at times, so be prepared for your worst nightmares and uncertainties that life (Zindagi) has to offer.
Crossing Over Bandra Worli Sea Link
The 5.6 km cable-stayed Bandra Worli Sea Link bridge is the next best sight in Mumbai. This bridge connects Bandra Western Suburbs with Worli in South Mumbai. This sea link is very scenic and people look forward to seeing this beautiful bridge. Only Four wheelers and heavy vehicles are allowed on this bridge, and not open for pedestrians and two-wheelers. You may see it either sitting at Bandra Fort or visiting the sea link bridge. I did both, and you know what, both have their merits. When you look at it from far it seems like a dream to achieve and when you are on it, it feels like an achievement.
I took a taxi to experience this journey from Bandra to Worli. This was special, and I was away from the crowded and busy metro life for that moment. It was magical to sailing through the sea and enjoyed this little me time. Here, one could sense the feeling of being at the top, and not only that but also get inspired to be successful and look at the world from a truly different perspective.
Celebrating Ganpati At Lalbaugcha Raja
Here comes the World famous Ganpati, Mumbai Cha Raja (King of Mumbai) also known as Lalbaugcha Raja. Ganpati is the Biggest Festival in Mumbai and the day to celebrate Ganpati starts with Ganesh Chaturthi. Almost Every Mumbaikar brings Lord Ganesha Idol/Photos to their home and celebrates this day wholeheartedly. This festival is celebrated by people of every caste and religion and breaks all the notions of discrimination and spreads the feeling of unity.
As people say that ‘Bappa ka bulaava aata hai tabhi jaana hota hai’ (you could only visit Bappa when he calls) and I think this is the reason why It took me 5 years to visit Lalbaugcha Raja even be living in Mumbai city. It’s so famous that people who visit to get a sight of Ganpati, have to wait in queue for long hours, people wait the whole night in the queue to get a glimpse of Bappa. I was lucky to get the Bappa’s Darshan (sight) in few hours.
It was a celebration within and after getting Bappa’s Darshan (sight), I was elated and felt complete. It is Bappa’s blessings for everything I could do and whatever I do every day. I know many of you might be feeling the same. It is a special blessing for every Mumbaikar to live under his patronage. Here I learned that the feeling of Samarpan (surrender) is the best, strongest, and toughest thing to do. Bappa gives us the strength to perform our duties, identify ourselves, and makes us a better person.
“Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya”
