Just recently I came across a picture that said – Bombay because, Mumbai is a city and Bombay is an emotion. The words reverberated in my ears and I could identify with it completely, wholeheartedly. For me, there may be a thousand name changes for this city, but Bombay will remain Bombay for what it represents, for what it is made of, for what is it. And it’s not because I was born in Bombay, but because Bombay is infectious. Once you have lived here, you will love it. The city and its people exude warmth which is difficult to find anywhere else. Each city has its pros and cons. There are many reasons not to like Bombay, but those reasons are always outnumbered by the number of reasons why you would like Bombay. They city that houses Bollywood, the commercial capital of India, the city where more dreams are realised than any other city in the country… ye hai Bombay meri jaan.
Though I have moved out of Bombay some time back, the memories of my city never move out of my head. There isn’t a single day when I don’t think about it and my life there, especially certain things; like driving around in Mumbai. The drive in Mumbai used to be very smooth when I started driving; but that was almost over a decade back. Like is the case everywhere, things have changed a lot and it has become seemingly difficult to drive with a cool head in Bombay; because of the sheer growth in the number of cars and the traffic congestion. Sometimes it does get difficult to time yourself to reach a certain place and it is always better to leave a bit early to avoid getting late. Having said that, driving is still a pleasurable experience in Bombay in places like Marine Drive, Bandra, the Eastern express highway and the freeway. A lot also depends upon the car you are driving. During traffic hours it is always better to drive a smaller vehicle like one of the Tata cars, to make life smoother, easier and simpler!
The city of Bombay is made up of seven islands, so I don’t think there was ever a concept of design at the time the city was formed. Yet, there is so much character and depth that one finds in Bombay. A lot of it is due to the beach and waters. Water brings a sense of calm and hence even if one is stuck in traffic in Marine Drive it doesn’t hurt too much. The default design of Bombay is beautiful though it was never really planned like a few new cities in India. Things are changing rapidly now and the slums and old dwellings are giving way to skyscrapers and new concepts of living and life is surely getting better than before.
But what makes Bombay the true city of Gold is the connect that the city has with its people. Whether you talk about the local trains that connect the entire city or the game of cricket that makes the whole city go wild or simply the people who appear in a minute if something disrupts the way in which the city is supposed to function, life in Bombay is a thrill on its own. It is the people of Bombay who make the city what it is. It may not be your city but it easily becomes your kind of city because Bombay has something to offer to everyone. It is truly a city #madeofgreat!
You are so right.. i just mentioned in my latest blog post that Mumbai and Bombay are two different cities…. 🙂 and then I see this post…
Ah.. don’t we all Bombayites feel that way, Prasad?! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I already miss Bombay even before visiting 🙂
And you will miss Bombay even more after visiting 🙂 who knows you may even decide to relocate, my friend… :-p
I used to think about relocating, then I realized that nothing is going to happen in my life except for falling asleep in this room and got used to it 😀
Oh cmon.. lots will happen if you allow it to happen 🙂
I have kept the doors open 🙂
Super 🙂
We always have some inseparable relation with the place where we grew as we have so many memories embedded there .I can not tell about Bombay but i can relate the emotional part to my native place .
Absolutely Sadhvi… and that happens with everyone 🙂 Thanks dear 🙂
Archana, you brought tears to my eyes. This is my Bombay, hum sab ka Mumbai and how it welcomed me with open arms. I am missing the city terribly. There is not a single moment where I don’t think about the city and the deep sense of connect be it locals, BEST Buses, Pani Puri at Bandstand and evenings at Marine Drive. Mumbai rocks. The song sums it, Shola hai ya bijuriya yeh hai Mumbai nagariya…lakh lakh roz roz aake bas jaate hai iss sehar se dil laga ke phas jaate..sone ki rahon…shola hai ya hai bijuriye dil ki baazariya Bombai Nagariya.
Now, I am promising myself to be back:)
I was hoping you would read this one Vishal… because I knew you would relate with it completely.
Well you should get back there if you can buddy 🙂 Mumbai calling … 🙂
You inspired me to write my Bombay, Mumbai story…
https://vishalbheeroo.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/your-bombay-my-mumbai-our-bombaiya/
Hey!!! Am super happy… getting to it right away 🙂 Thanks Vishal… 🙂
I have never been to Bombay but after reading you it feels like I must go…at least for once 🙂
Oh yes you must Simran… it’s a wonderful place with wonderful people… 🙂
I couldn’t agree more. I was born in Banaras, but have lived all my life in Bombay. And, it’s always Bombay for me. Bombay is a lifestyle. A culture. It’s not just a city.
Totally totally agree with you Rakesh… 🙂 Thanks a tone buddy 🙂
Bombay through your post has brought back childhood memories when all my maternal cousins used to meet for summer vacation and we used to paint the city red..
Very nostalgic Archana …
http://www.specs-buffy.blogspot.com
Happy about that… Thanks Sunita 🙂
I have hardly ever experienced the city. Mostly one night trips for events! Maybe one day …
Ofcourse, there’s always that one day to look forward to Mridula… 🙂
For me, Bombay will always be the fast paced, slightly scary neighbor of my home, Pune 🙂 That being said, once I lived there, I fell in love. Bombay is indeed a lifestyle.
It sure is a lifestyle Hema… but don’t be scared… neither Bombay nor the Bombayites bite… 🙂 I promise 🙂 hugs!! 🙂
I have been to Bombay may times. It indeed a very good city with good people. I really liked the way people follow traffic rules despite all the congestion. Hats off to the spirit of Bombay.
That’s what Bombay is all about afterall Aniruddha 🙂 Thanks buddy 🙂
yeah…so true…have lived in bombay can never forget it…city sure has lot of spirit and rises above mediocrity in its own way…
Hi Ruchi, welcome to Drishti… 🙂
True true 🙂 Bombay does that to you… 🙂
Wow wonderful
I cam very much relate with this as been born and raised up in the city of Dreams and I loved it and reading this reminds me the famous Rafi song (thought m not that that ancient 😛 ) but still that is Aye dil hai mushkil jeena yahan Zara haat ke Zara Bach ke Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan.. I had a old pic of Gateway of India ..here’s sharing it 🙂
Beautiful song, beautiful picture and beautiful comment too… Thanks Bhavikk 🙂
I can never make myself say I stay in Mumbai.. it is always, bombay.. or bby for short.. there is something about Bombay that I cannot even begin to explain .. that I love about it. the emoticon beautifully done Archana.. Let me see, what I can come with too.. you’ve given me something to write about ..
hahaha, I cannot totally relate with that..
so share when you write the post… and thanks for visiting… hope to see you here more often 🙂
I have never preferred staying in Mumbai for my lifetime but then that has not stopped me in falling in love with the city . My work took me there and I stayed there for 1 year and then frequented the city from Pune . Love the drive, connect and and design of the city
You always fall in love… that’s what Bombay is all about..
Thank you Anindya 🙂
Not having grown up in Mumbai. Can’t say that I feel the same way about the city as many others, but the South Mumbai architecture and heritage is gorgeous, and so is the unique culture which ha smanaged to stay alive in small pockets like Bandra etc.
There is so much still left to explore….
I guess I have always heard that people who have lived in Mumbai truly love it while others who haven’t don’t really like it :P.
But then considering its the financial capital and has so much to offer in terms of opportunities, career, life and the likes, there are still millions who keep coming to the city every year in search of a better life :).
Love the way you connected the post to the Drive, Design and Connect topic :).
Nice Read Archana 🙂
Its always good to read about Mumbai… Its a tonic ! My Bombay memories…yes Bombay because its laden with Emotions: http://lifethroughmybioscope.com/mumbai-memories-a-must-walkdown/
Three cheers for Bombay 🙂
Bombay ki baat hi alag hai! I love the place too 🙂