Majhi Mumbai Post 5

Language.

The dictionary would probably define it as a verbal form of communication, associated to various places and regions.

So how does one define the language they speak? Based on topography? What about people who live on borders? Or for that matter what about people living in 'no man's land?' Do they even speak to each other?

Language as the primitive man would know it, was a simple tool to communicate his basic needs. "ME HUNGRY! NEED FOOD NOW!" or "ME HORNY! WANT TO DO YOU NOW!"

Why make such a ruckus out of simple words used simply to communicate simple feelings?

You probably must be wondering, why are we reading a write-up on language and not on Mumbai?

Well that's because, i feel there is a certain need to tell the people of this city, that no matter what you speak, or what colour your tounge is, if you love a place, you belong. Mumbai, no matter who it is, accepts one and all her own. But it is the people who need to get the equation right. However, like all things fair and equal, and the basic fact that 'taali ek haath se nahi bajti', one needs to understand that even though the city has accepted them, they need to respect it back, If you can't speak the local language, atleast do not condemn it. It is not lowly to speak your native tounge. Infact at times it's cool!

Make an effort. It always pays off. So the next time you visit anyone in Mumbai, don't forget to ask, "KASA KAI MUMBAI?!!"

Majhi Mumbai Post 4

Every city has something of it's own. Something that truly defines the city. Like Kolkata has it's sandesh or rasgullas, Jaipur has it's HawaMahal, Delhi has it's brash abusive people, Chennai has it's idli-dosas...but what makes Mumbai special??

I know the obvious answer will be 'VadaPav' or even the Dabbawala! But i think it's a mix of everything. Mumbai, is a cosmopolitan city and no doubts about that. But what makes this city special is the interesting mix of everything. It's got a culture of it's own. It doesn't need a west, east north or south to borrow it's culture from. It s a hedonistic mix of all and the end result...i'm loving it!

The best part about living in a metro is that you are not bound by any religious sect or any other cultural norm. You're as free as free could ever be. You don't believe in something, that's your problem. If you do, well good for you! People don't bind you in shackles and ask you to do particular things, because if you don't some god or some 'parmatma' might get annoyed! It doesn't matter. What you do or what you don't depends on you. If you believe in something, and are more than sure about that, then there is nothing in the world that is going to stop you from doing it.

Ok now i'm digressing. But this is exactly what this city does to you. You start off with something and you end up someplace else. With only a certainty that even though your destination was different, the new one is guaranteed to be more enchanting. This is Mumbai. Nothing is less that SPECIAL!

Majhi Mumbai Post 3

So Mumbai has fabulous people, a great flower market, but that's not all that Mumbai is made of. When it comes to eating, i doubt any other city has as much diversity as this place does! Name it and ye shall EAT it! From Chinese, Lebanese, Japanese, Arabic, South Indian, Punjabi, Italian, Mexican, typical Maharashtrian to roadside chaat, dosawala ana, pav bhaji, mewad ice cream...this city lives to eat! What more no matter what time you hunger strikes, you shall be fed. I think hardly anyone will believe but there are certain restaurants or local street stalls that open only after mid-night! The workaholics or the night-sleep eaters who just can't get enough of the yummy meals that are served hot for absolute peanuts! The best part about eating at these local joints is that they don't burn a hole in your pocket, and second of all they are way tastier than the expensive, flashy, fake-rich-ambiance creating restaurants!! Another amazing fact about these places, they're always over-crowded! You'd go to such a place at 2 in the night expecting it be free and devoid of people, but surprise! It's overflowing with people from all over the city! At 2 in the night, people actually have the patience to stand in the line, just to savor the rich, heavily oiled/buttered delicacies probably cooked in a lowly kitchen that underscored on the food-inspectors rating! But nonetheless, it is a special place and people flock in to have a gala time!

So the next time you're in the city remember to stay hungry, because your stomach might get full, but your plate never will!