Well, today happens to be the day when I saw the world for the first time about 25 years ago. Birthday used to be a very eventful day till last year, after which I left IIM Ahmedabad.
During schooling days, it was an opportunity to break the shackles of uniform and just for one day be a bit different from the others. There used to be a huge buildup for the birthdays then. A lot had to be arranged a day before like chocolates, new clothes, return gifts etc. The one advantage of the birthday was that I wasn't punished that day in school, otherwise which was a common phenomenon :-) I was kinda trouble child for my teachers. The day usually began with going to Mandir and taking blessings from all the Gods possible. And I am sure that I needed that very much :-)
As the years passed by, birthday became more of a family affair when my relatives would come to my home. There would be a big celebration and a family dinner. Till then friends were never a part of my birthday other than in the school. The best part of having many relatives in a birthday is that one gets good number of gifts which I did enjoy then.
After class X, the whole idea of college life grilled into me. Birthdays then became a friends affair. Treats, cakes and bumps became an integral part of the birthday. The times changed very fast till I completed engineering. The birthday was then celebrated at 2 levels. Once at the level of friends and other at home. At home it was the usual affair with family and friends. Only difference was that more of my relatives had shifted from other cities into Mumbai, so more gifts that's it [:-D] Due to time constraints at the college, the Mandir visits were shifted to afternoon when I used to return from college back home.
During the stay at IIM Ahmedabad, the birthdays were painful. But the whole idea of bum bashing, cakes, GOH(s), dunking, Top 5 and lotsa photos was a different experience. And form D23, the Devils Den there used to be additional fire crackers in the menu. The idea of treats was limited in IIMA to groupies who by then became integral part of your existence at IIMA. I actually had one single group for the first year and if I find a chance we still meet for those "Group treats". In IIMA the nearest temple was that of Hanuman. So from taking blessings of many Gods, I had zeroed down to one, not because of choice, but by chance and the lack of will to travel beyond 1 km of the campus for anything.
Today again is my birthday, the first one post IIMA. The day began as usual. Was up late night watching Heroes. So woke up a bit late. Being my birthday got my favorite breakfast of Ajwain waali puri. Since it was too late, decided to head to the Gods in the Mandir in the evening, when the day would have ended almost. The peril of traveling in trains and being late is that you get free body massage even if you don't intend to. In the morning fought my way into the fast train and waited till Dadar in a heavily crowded compartment. Somehow got down at Byculla and reached office. Luckily there are few other good friends who remembered my birthday and wished me in the morning itself. I promised them a treat, but unfortunately I am heading for Delhi tomorrow to the most hectic week of mine till date! Another year passes by and we move closer to the light!
I don't know how the next year will turn out, but the corporate life is turning once the best day of my year into "just another day". :(
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Mee Mumbaikar!
I have been trying to pen this down since last many days, but couldn't because of work and other time constraints. Yesterday a news headline of MNS workers rampaging on the shops that didn't meet the "Marathi Signboard" deadline provoked me to think. And when I think, I write.
Since last many days, I have been thinking of what Raj Thackeray and his men have been up to. Many people believe its insane. But I have other feelings. I agree when Raj Thackeray says that Mumbai is getting crowded and the infrastructure cannot support it. We Mumbaikars have to keep the check on the rising population of the city as the amenities have already started to explode.
What I don't agree is that Marathis should have the first right on the city. When the fate of the state of Bombay was being decided during formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat, many people were of the idea that if there has to be a regional and linguistic split then Bombay should be a union territory. The reason being, it was so multi cultural that it could not be classified as a part of Maharashtra. However the politicians then were sure that Bombay would serve as a Golden egg laying hen being a port and a textile haven of the West before that title went to Ahmedabad.
So despite pressures from various sections of the society, Bombay or Mumbai was merged with Maharashtra.
Mr. Thackeray believes that if people from UP and Bihar leave the city, the problems will be solved. I say that with the cost of living in Mumbai, a person has to earn a minimum amount so that he holds on to the boat of opportunity. A person who doesn't have a capability of earning a minimum amount will feel the pinch and will be eliminated automatically from the system by the "Darwin's natural selection theory"
The city supports the one that it needs. The others have to go some time or the other. However till then everyone should have the chance to make it big and being an Indian nobody can deny them that chance!
My father has a factory and he tells me that, MNS is demanding 80% reservations for Marathis in small scale in their industrial estate. He opines that if he does that, then the efficiency of the factory will come down by at least 50%. Not only because Marathis are inefficient, but also because the employees will not respect the employer then. They will feel there is someone more stronger than the employer. This will lead to havoc as industries will start considering to move to states like Gujarat which are more industry friendly.
Also recently, Jaya Bacchan made a comment about speaking in Hindi as she is from UP, which was criticized by Raj and his men. They disrupted premier of "The Last Lear" a Amitabh movie. I think they are forgetting that India's national language is Hindi and it always comes above any other regional language. However Jaya Bacchan should have avoided to make any such comment in public as she is a national figure. I don't say anyone is right or wrong here. I just say that whatever happened was wrong and both parties contributed to the wrong.
Last but not the least, MNS started as a party to bring about a change that, the useless parties like Congress and BJP couldn't bring in Maharashtra. I saw it as a party that will change the face of Maharashtra and bring it back to the top by bringing more industries, employment and investments. But sadly it has turned into, A bunch of goons with a fool sitting at the top shouting "Mumbaikar mhanje Marathich aso" which means "Mumbaikar should be Marathi"
Since last many days, I have been thinking of what Raj Thackeray and his men have been up to. Many people believe its insane. But I have other feelings. I agree when Raj Thackeray says that Mumbai is getting crowded and the infrastructure cannot support it. We Mumbaikars have to keep the check on the rising population of the city as the amenities have already started to explode.
What I don't agree is that Marathis should have the first right on the city. When the fate of the state of Bombay was being decided during formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat, many people were of the idea that if there has to be a regional and linguistic split then Bombay should be a union territory. The reason being, it was so multi cultural that it could not be classified as a part of Maharashtra. However the politicians then were sure that Bombay would serve as a Golden egg laying hen being a port and a textile haven of the West before that title went to Ahmedabad.
So despite pressures from various sections of the society, Bombay or Mumbai was merged with Maharashtra.
Mr. Thackeray believes that if people from UP and Bihar leave the city, the problems will be solved. I say that with the cost of living in Mumbai, a person has to earn a minimum amount so that he holds on to the boat of opportunity. A person who doesn't have a capability of earning a minimum amount will feel the pinch and will be eliminated automatically from the system by the "Darwin's natural selection theory"
The city supports the one that it needs. The others have to go some time or the other. However till then everyone should have the chance to make it big and being an Indian nobody can deny them that chance!
My father has a factory and he tells me that, MNS is demanding 80% reservations for Marathis in small scale in their industrial estate. He opines that if he does that, then the efficiency of the factory will come down by at least 50%. Not only because Marathis are inefficient, but also because the employees will not respect the employer then. They will feel there is someone more stronger than the employer. This will lead to havoc as industries will start considering to move to states like Gujarat which are more industry friendly.
Also recently, Jaya Bacchan made a comment about speaking in Hindi as she is from UP, which was criticized by Raj and his men. They disrupted premier of "The Last Lear" a Amitabh movie. I think they are forgetting that India's national language is Hindi and it always comes above any other regional language. However Jaya Bacchan should have avoided to make any such comment in public as she is a national figure. I don't say anyone is right or wrong here. I just say that whatever happened was wrong and both parties contributed to the wrong.
Last but not the least, MNS started as a party to bring about a change that, the useless parties like Congress and BJP couldn't bring in Maharashtra. I saw it as a party that will change the face of Maharashtra and bring it back to the top by bringing more industries, employment and investments. But sadly it has turned into, A bunch of goons with a fool sitting at the top shouting "Mumbaikar mhanje Marathich aso" which means "Mumbaikar should be Marathi"
Monday, September 8, 2008
30 unique things about Mumbai
A lot can be said about Mumbai for days together. But here I just compile a list of 30 things that are unique to this city which has been a part of my life for the last 24 years.
1) An evening walk along the Queen's Necklace
2) A typical Mumbaiya bhelpuri at Juhu beach
3) A night cruise along Gateway of India
4) A Victoria ride from Taj Mahal Hotel to CST
5) A midnight biryani at Bade Miyan
6) Local trains the lifeline of Mumbai that run for 21 hours a day
7) IMAX Wadala, the biggest dome theater in India
8) Lalbaug ka Raja, a place where every wish gets granted
9) Fashion street
10) Aadi galli, in Byculla where the black market for shoes opens at 3am everyday
11) Mumbai rains which go on and on!
12) Mumbai-Pune expressway to express yourself at 150Kmph
13) Essel World where the fun never ends
14) Vada pav....The Staple food!
15) Mysore Cafe at Matunga with ultimate Southie cuisine!
16) This one's for Bubba....Cricket at Shivaji Park on Sunday mornings
17) Bollywood
18) The Nariman point--- where the money is generated
19) Dalal Street where dreams come up and crash together
20) The Malabar hill....the strip of land that costs a fortune to own
21) Leopold, Mondy's, SBX...all seem to be in one line as of now ;-))
22) Andheri traffic :-D
23) Siddhi Vinayak- There is something unique out there
24) A walk to Haji Ali when there is high tide looming around!
25) Nirmal Lifestyles, the biggest mall in Mumbai
26) Go Karting Hill in Powai
27) The IIT Mumbai campus, there is a full world out there!
28) Dharavi, Asia's largest slum
29) Mangaldas market, the largest cloth market on can imagine
30) And finally the unmatched pace and the spirit of the city which keeps people who live here to go on and on and on!
There are many more such things about Mumbai that no other city can promise, but that is what differentiates this city from others. Its here that moolah stays!!!
1) An evening walk along the Queen's Necklace
2) A typical Mumbaiya bhelpuri at Juhu beach
3) A night cruise along Gateway of India
4) A Victoria ride from Taj Mahal Hotel to CST
5) A midnight biryani at Bade Miyan
6) Local trains the lifeline of Mumbai that run for 21 hours a day
7) IMAX Wadala, the biggest dome theater in India
8) Lalbaug ka Raja, a place where every wish gets granted
9) Fashion street
10) Aadi galli, in Byculla where the black market for shoes opens at 3am everyday
11) Mumbai rains which go on and on!
12) Mumbai-Pune expressway to express yourself at 150Kmph
13) Essel World where the fun never ends
14) Vada pav....The Staple food!
15) Mysore Cafe at Matunga with ultimate Southie cuisine!
16) This one's for Bubba....Cricket at Shivaji Park on Sunday mornings
17) Bollywood
18) The Nariman point--- where the money is generated
19) Dalal Street where dreams come up and crash together
20) The Malabar hill....the strip of land that costs a fortune to own
21) Leopold, Mondy's, SBX...all seem to be in one line as of now ;-))
22) Andheri traffic :-D
23) Siddhi Vinayak- There is something unique out there
24) A walk to Haji Ali when there is high tide looming around!
25) Nirmal Lifestyles, the biggest mall in Mumbai
26) Go Karting Hill in Powai
27) The IIT Mumbai campus, there is a full world out there!
28) Dharavi, Asia's largest slum
29) Mangaldas market, the largest cloth market on can imagine
30) And finally the unmatched pace and the spirit of the city which keeps people who live here to go on and on and on!
There are many more such things about Mumbai that no other city can promise, but that is what differentiates this city from others. Its here that moolah stays!!!
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