I was watching "Sex and the city" today.Its based on New york. I live in Bombay. And you know there are frequent comparisons between New york and Bombay. Today, Sarah Jessica Parker's character,Carey,who is also the narrator,was describing New york,as in how it can turn from unpredictable to cute. And many times,she is shown trying to catch a taxi.But the New york taxis just whiz by.It kind od reminded me of my situation with autowallahs out here.Carey and her friends go to a sailor's bash.There she dances with the sailor who invited her to the party.After dancing,they were conversing with each other.The sailor says"I'm from St Louisana and here in New york for the first time.It's not for me.Too much dirt and noise.Godknows,how you guys stand it?" She kept quite.
As I watched all this,I felt I was in a dejavu.Quite a few of my friends have come to visit bombay from various places.Everybody says almost the same things like "Mumbai is so crowded","Its so noisy","Its so polluted","Everyone seems to be running out here","Is everyone really so busy here or they just don't know any other way to live,they've become so used to running".One of my friend has also commented"Mumbai has too many crows.Never seen so many crows at one place before".
And like Carey,I don't have anything to say.I mean,what can I say?? Say,for example,the crow comment.I can't defend Bombay here.Coz,you know,Bombay does have too many crows. I say"But you know,Bombay has a life".But I can't seem to explain them clearly what I mean.Ya,in Mumbai,it's sometimes irritating to catch an auto,but there is an assurity that even if the first ten autos refuse or don't stop for you,the eleventh auto will agree to go to your destination,and he will go by meter,annd he will not charge you double coz you are alone and its ten o'clock in the night.The roads are still crowded.There is so much freedom,so much growth in this place for you,despite the crowd.
Mumbai is not a city for tourists,it's for those who live here.Coz only then you can feel the actual beat of the city.Bombay is so professional,that you kinda take it for granted.So,when you go to other cities,you scream"How can you guys be so laid back and unproffesonal???" And even with this professionalism,this city by its basic nature is helpful.People like to enjoy here.You can be yourself in this crowd.Thats why Bombay is beautiful,coz the values on which this city is based is beautiful,coz they are correct.
PS-This was written by me on 26/11,after watching "Sex and the city"which gets over by 9.30.Immediately after watching it,I started writing this article in my diary.After writing ,I came to the drawing room,where my mom was working on her laptop and was listening to the radio simultaneously.She said,"In the radio they are saying that some gangwar is going on in townside." We switched on the T.V for more news about it.And then you all know what happened.A simple gangwar turned out to be a full blown terror attack.That night,my beautiful city was raped.And you know what the sad part is,almost a month later,we still haven't done anything to restore her honour.
