Writing this as I see endless row of vehicles ahead of my bus and I am stuck in a bad traffic. I am just praying that I reach home on time for an important meeting I need to attend in next 40 minutes or so. As much I am irritated and cursing the traffic outside, "Part of life in a metro," I tell myself.
Well, living in Mumbai, traffic is not a new thing at all and we are born and brought up with it. I have learnt to deal with it in several ways, catching up on sleep, reading newspaper or books, making lists of things to carry in an upcoming trip, thinking through any problems at hand in office, and so on. Angry with the traffic jam and reflecting on life in Mumbai in general, I remembered one recent incident and it brought smile on my face.
The other day I was standing with my 6th grade son on the bus stop waiting for the school bus. He saw a poster for some Bhojpuri movie and asked me who will watch this movie here in Mumbai. I got into explaining how people come to Mumbai in search of job and livelihood, how many villages across India are under developed and fail to provide the same to these people. I mentioned that Mumbai is a land of opportunities. Everyone can become someone and earn their livelihood here.
Incidentally 2 days later, my son was asked to write a letter to friend about advantages and disadvantages of living in a metro in his English paper (can 6th grade students really think through on this topic!!) and he wrote whatever we had spoken along with the line 'Mumbai is a land of opportunities' :))
I have been a Mumbai-kar all my life, and have been thankful to all the opportunities this city has provided me. Opportunities to learn what I wanted, to get into and sustain a job i love, to get an exposure to diverse and open community, and freedom to wear what I like, the list is endless. My father who still reveres his small village he lived in his childhood, came here after his graduation to work in RBI and I think the opportunities he got in the city along with my mother changed the life he gave to us completely opening a lot of doors for us in life.
When I look at the possibilities and opportunities the city presents, the traffic really looks like just another price to pay to live here, in this land ( or should I say sea or ocean) of opportunities.
Other angles to the life in a metro at some other time, need to get down and run for the meeting now...
Well, living in Mumbai, traffic is not a new thing at all and we are born and brought up with it. I have learnt to deal with it in several ways, catching up on sleep, reading newspaper or books, making lists of things to carry in an upcoming trip, thinking through any problems at hand in office, and so on. Angry with the traffic jam and reflecting on life in Mumbai in general, I remembered one recent incident and it brought smile on my face.
The other day I was standing with my 6th grade son on the bus stop waiting for the school bus. He saw a poster for some Bhojpuri movie and asked me who will watch this movie here in Mumbai. I got into explaining how people come to Mumbai in search of job and livelihood, how many villages across India are under developed and fail to provide the same to these people. I mentioned that Mumbai is a land of opportunities. Everyone can become someone and earn their livelihood here.
Incidentally 2 days later, my son was asked to write a letter to friend about advantages and disadvantages of living in a metro in his English paper (can 6th grade students really think through on this topic!!) and he wrote whatever we had spoken along with the line 'Mumbai is a land of opportunities' :))
I have been a Mumbai-kar all my life, and have been thankful to all the opportunities this city has provided me. Opportunities to learn what I wanted, to get into and sustain a job i love, to get an exposure to diverse and open community, and freedom to wear what I like, the list is endless. My father who still reveres his small village he lived in his childhood, came here after his graduation to work in RBI and I think the opportunities he got in the city along with my mother changed the life he gave to us completely opening a lot of doors for us in life.
When I look at the possibilities and opportunities the city presents, the traffic really looks like just another price to pay to live here, in this land ( or should I say sea or ocean) of opportunities.
Other angles to the life in a metro at some other time, need to get down and run for the meeting now...
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