After almost an year visited mumbai for a few days . Being a hater of big cities (i dont like big cities impersonal nature for starters nor the endless traffic ) i was not expecting much in this visit . But as usual going after an year brought out the contrasts between many other cities , the state i am in (kerala ) and mumbai .
Lets start with the autowala . Those who have worked or visited mumbai knows that its so busy that it is a wonder that the autowalas there are not dying early due to stress related illnesses . Maybe they do . But as a visitor or commuter most of them are so chilled out and friendly that you look again if you are in a busy metropolis . And to top it all they never overcharge and even their metres smart so that night charges come automatically . At 12 midnight for a charge of 71 rs when you get a 1 rs balance back after giving 72 rs there is no other word than "impressive " .
Contrast my lovely state where yesterday i paid prepaid charges to an autowala (to prevent fleecing ) and the look on his face was as if i had trespassed on his property or to put it more bluntly like a beggar who has hitched a ride . Not an isolated incident has happened numerous times .
Ok , cars also tell a story in mumbai . All high end models like jaguar , audi and bmw are there along with the poormans cars like alto but on the road they are all equal . Having driven in mumbai i know this for sure . Long back my car had broken down in the middle of the western express highway in mumbai and this city where seconds are precious except for one random person who glared at me all others patiently diverted their cars and drove . If it was in kerala i would surely have been reminded even of my grandfathers and fathers names by fellow drivers ( not all but our states people has great road manners and they take things personally ) .
I had lunch at french restaurant , dinner at japanese restaurant , next day in punjabi restaurant and mumbai is truly cosmopolitan . Being a foodie i appreciate it that there are 1000 s of good restaurants in mumbai with all the cuisines in the world . You may tell me its a "cosmopolitan" city and dont compare kerala with mumbai . I know but considering the well travelled keralite is there a proportionate number of restaurants which serve the great cuisines in the world in kerala . Agree there are a few (even a sushi place in kochi ) but quality and standards ...no comments . We could do a lot better .
Mumbai is a very busy city and many people spend hours on the road in heavy traffic (not a great thing whatever the reason ) . But inspite of this the man on the street is more helpful and unassuming than many other places . Mumbai had its share of major crisis like terrorist attacks , severe floods and at all these times the mumbaikar has helped each other in ways which are an example to many other places including my state .
Still i love to be in kerala mainly because this is were i am born and the "place " is so much beautiful and i have my share of friends and relatives here . But still the "man on the street " its mumbai winning hands down anyday .
PS : I havent touched on the marathi spirit instilled by the politicians there for their own gain . But the vibrance of mumbai is its cosmopolitan culture , its history and the native marathis who by and large are very nice people (except a few who are brainwashed by their politicians ) . Would like to have your comments and thanks for reading
Lets start with the autowala . Those who have worked or visited mumbai knows that its so busy that it is a wonder that the autowalas there are not dying early due to stress related illnesses . Maybe they do . But as a visitor or commuter most of them are so chilled out and friendly that you look again if you are in a busy metropolis . And to top it all they never overcharge and even their metres smart so that night charges come automatically . At 12 midnight for a charge of 71 rs when you get a 1 rs balance back after giving 72 rs there is no other word than "impressive " .
Contrast my lovely state where yesterday i paid prepaid charges to an autowala (to prevent fleecing ) and the look on his face was as if i had trespassed on his property or to put it more bluntly like a beggar who has hitched a ride . Not an isolated incident has happened numerous times .
Ok , cars also tell a story in mumbai . All high end models like jaguar , audi and bmw are there along with the poormans cars like alto but on the road they are all equal . Having driven in mumbai i know this for sure . Long back my car had broken down in the middle of the western express highway in mumbai and this city where seconds are precious except for one random person who glared at me all others patiently diverted their cars and drove . If it was in kerala i would surely have been reminded even of my grandfathers and fathers names by fellow drivers ( not all but our states people has great road manners and they take things personally ) .
I had lunch at french restaurant , dinner at japanese restaurant , next day in punjabi restaurant and mumbai is truly cosmopolitan . Being a foodie i appreciate it that there are 1000 s of good restaurants in mumbai with all the cuisines in the world . You may tell me its a "cosmopolitan" city and dont compare kerala with mumbai . I know but considering the well travelled keralite is there a proportionate number of restaurants which serve the great cuisines in the world in kerala . Agree there are a few (even a sushi place in kochi ) but quality and standards ...no comments . We could do a lot better .
Mumbai is a very busy city and many people spend hours on the road in heavy traffic (not a great thing whatever the reason ) . But inspite of this the man on the street is more helpful and unassuming than many other places . Mumbai had its share of major crisis like terrorist attacks , severe floods and at all these times the mumbaikar has helped each other in ways which are an example to many other places including my state .
Still i love to be in kerala mainly because this is were i am born and the "place " is so much beautiful and i have my share of friends and relatives here . But still the "man on the street " its mumbai winning hands down anyday .
PS : I havent touched on the marathi spirit instilled by the politicians there for their own gain . But the vibrance of mumbai is its cosmopolitan culture , its history and the native marathis who by and large are very nice people (except a few who are brainwashed by their politicians ) . Would like to have your comments and thanks for reading
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