Mumbai Meri Jaan

Made a short trip to Mumbai!! Been here in Bangalore for more than one year but could not visit my uncle’s place in mumbai for even once. Now the time has come to leave bangalore. I got a transfer to Bhubaneswar. Before leaving, just wanted to visit Mumbai once. Always heard from my dad about Bombay (Mumbai formerly known as). My father used to work in BARC. He started his career there, he has fond memories of the place. I always thought of going.. the time ultimately came.

When the plane was landing on Santacruz Airport, It was like a dream to me… a dream I wanted to experience always. As soon as I reached, I completely fell in love with the city. VIBRANT is the word I need to use to describe. The city is full of life. Lots of people, lots of workers… always busy this place is. I was finding similarities with Kolkata. The cooperation from people, the friendliness among them was touching me. Reached at Andheri, my uncle’s place.

Before starting from Bangalore, talked to Marcus who is also a photographer. He is undergoing training at Valsad in Gujarat. Next Day morning before the local trains were crowded, I reached Mahim. Marcus was waiting for me. After a quick chat we started action! Dharavi is a place in Mumbai which has the largest slum in Asia. This slum has a huge difference from others in India.

There is a proper industrial area in Dharavi which houses many workshops. We were amazed to see the different types of industries. Recycling is present in much larger size. Paper, Metal, Plastic etc are some of the materials that are recycled.

Pre Recycling Stage

Post Recycling Stage

Many of the waste materials are centrally processed here in Dharavi. It is amazing to see that though they are not so called literates, processes are very much streamlined over here. Overworking and under payment are two factors that prevail though. Morning when we went there, people were relaxing. Just woke up; enjoying the warmth of fire.

People were friendly enough to allow the intruders. Children were grinning. Government is trying to set up a residential area in the place. Due to that lot of people will face major problems as I understood. To the government, the change is needed because getting free space in Mumbai ecame almost impossible. These large areas of Dharavi slums if demolished and sky high buildings take up the space, it is easier for government to cater to ever growing population of Mumbai. And the main problem is, people doing a steady business in Dharavi, can not get a space to start his business again. It is simply not possible to start from scratch. Even if they are ready to shift, they will not get free space. It may become a big problem if the people working there resort to crime or other activities due to this movement. I did not really get time to study the Mumbai people’s say on this. Next day morning I went to Marine Drive side, enjoyed the local train ride throughout the day. Went to fort area, studied the dabbawallas a bit.

Fort area is the area which houses many offices. Bombay Stock Exchange is here.

Came back in the evening and took my cousin to Bandra reclamation. Bandra-Worli sea link project was going on. It is a very prestigious project and was looking gorgeous in the evening light.

We headed towards Haji Ali dargah side.

The place was looking lovely. Tried a few night shots using hard paper boxes as tripod and then continued towards Juhu beach side.

Had around 3-4 plates of pav bhaji, Kala Khatta and something the name of which I forgot. Then we thought of watching a movie and went to Lokhandwala infinity mall. The movies and the timings both were equally bad. We skipped the plan and sat in the cafeteria for a while. In all, enjoyed the day completely, clicked few photos and came back. Next day morning, I went to check out the extension of Borriveli Park. The place is called Aarey Milk Colony. The place is favourite for the morning walkers and the joggers. I walked alone, went deep down the forest and the lost the track and went somewhere deep inside. The place was absolutely magical.

I found out couple of Kingfishers but could not get those beauties with my sigma lens. Came back, had a very good lunch and afternoon went to cuff parade and colaba area. Touched the Gateway of India.

I started really late for home, it was the last evening in Mumbai for me. On the way stopped at Queen’s Necklace to enjoy the beauty.

A movie shooting was going on. Not many people were paying attention. Mumbaiyas are used to these! Night we went together to a coastal food joint. Had a wonderful dinner. Next morning I started for Bangalore. Trying to shoot from inside the cabin but could not see much due to heavy mist and cloud. I am sure that I will go to Mumbai again, very soon. There are some places which may not be your home, but you feel like home. Mumbai is an example of it.