#52WoG: The City You Live In #Arundhati

Mumbai: My heart beats for this city. My Mumbai, My Bombay! It is truly said that Mumbai is a city; Bombay is an emotion. Mumbai, a land of dreams, opportunities, happiness, drama, noise ... one can see every array of emotion in this beautiful city. Bombay, my city. Its hustle bustle, the people, the warmth, I love everything about my city. It is truly a city that never sleeps. Go out for a walk at 2 a.m and you will still see people drinking tea at a tea stall. The beach, the salty smell of the sea, the warmth in the weather is also seen in the people. I have visited other cities and have never been able to get over the life as a Mumbaikar. I start missing the sound of traffic, people, within four days of my trip to any other city. My first introduction to Bombay was Chowpatty. My grandparents (paternal) would stay very close to the beach near Opera House. Evenings were meant for long walks on the beach, making sand castles and eating chaats. A weekend would be spent visiting the aquarium, the museums and gardens full of greenery and slides, swings and see-saws. Every summer vacation, we would visit my maternal grandparents in Pune and within a week I would start grumbling, “Apan Bombay la parat kadhi jaicha?” (When do we go back to Bombay?) As I grew up, started going to college, I was introduced to the daily train travel. The chaotic train timings, crowded trains, fighting to get down at your station and finally huffing and puffing my way to college. Exploring Bombay by visiting different places, monuments, theatres, malls, heritage buildings, beaches, amusement parks, NGOs and slums. I was very upset when we had to write ‘Mumbai’ instead of ‘Bombay’ officially. I felt like the word doesn’t describe the true essence of my city. Truly, Bombay is an emotion! Though it is not an easy city to live in; it is addictive and fascinating! I am very possessive about my city...BOMBAY! My most favourite places in Bombay are Juhu Beach and now the Bandra Worli Sea Link.

Aye dil hai mushkil jeena yahaan... Zaraa hatke zaraa bachke yeh hai Bombay meri jaan...