I caught the first glimpse of the city I love so much yesterday after 2 months. Or a little more. I was in a flight. And even before I landed, I was already home!
My association with Bombay goes back many many years. My grandpa moved here when my mum and her siblings were really little. Mum studied here, and though she claims to be a Chennai person, I know that she belongs all here. My dad moved in here in about 1977, when post-marriage he got transferred to Bombay. My brother was born here, and so was I. And in the next few years, though we did travel quite a bit (thanks to dad's transferable work), here's where we chose to settle down.
They say home is where heart is. And I certainly know where my heart is. And it saddens me infinitely when certain people want to purge Mumbai of Non-Maharastrians. (Is anyone else reminded of Salazar Slytherin? Or is it just me??!)
Some of my closest friends are Maharashtrians. I can absolutely swear they have never seen me as an outsider in their home. Or in their hearts. And I am proud of this association. Now, dont get me wrong, I am an Indian first. Its just that I have learnt more from this city, than from any schools, colleges or universities that I may have ever attended- put together! Like during those ghastly rains, 3 years back...I was stranded and almost drowned, and the unknown hands that rescued me went unacknowledged in the fiasco. Strangers offered me and several others tea and biscuits, while I sat shivering in the only bus in sight. Anonymous shoulders escorted children back from school safely in the midst of all the chaos. Noone was looking to make profit. It was human life and misery that counted at that point, not money. Some people may say its humanity, and not just a Mumbai thing. But for me, I have seen it in this city. And I treasure the feeling. The Bombay Spirit! Amen to that!
Mumbai...Bombay...Bambai...who cares!!!
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And even before I landed, I was already home!.........*HUGS* I dread going out of Mumbai. More than i dread facing a dead internet connection and not being able to connect!!!!
:) u understand...thanks...for both understanding and accepting...love ya!
Bambai! Lol! Bum boy? No?
Anyhoo, I don't think I empathize really, because everytime I go out of town, I feel terribly sad that I have to return. But what do I know, maybe it depends on the company you have too. In my case I have loads of cousins, aunts and uncles in whose company I just love being. But at the same time, I can't imagine living anywhere else. This is home. Really.
It is, isn't it? And I am not too sure if its the company for me...believe you me, I have some amazing company here in B'lore (other than jyothi...Bangalore jyothi is a lot more inaccessible than Bombay jyothi)...but I keep thinking, this place is weird!!! Maybe its me...
hey Ramz.. staying far from Mumbai in another country is a different ball game all together! its been more than a year now, but i still miss everything of my home, which is Mumbai, and not kolkata (or calcutta)btw. i miss the pulse, the connection that i shared with friends and family, the food, the energy, the simplicity, the resilience!!! its just incredible to have had that sort of an experience.
I know, Koel...I have been there too (for a shorter period maybe)...but being away from your country is a different (and perhaps tougher) ball game altogether...but yes..I miss mumbai...And India misses you!!! Thanks for stopping by...
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