Overworked, Overcrowded

There's something about a town that draws you to it- the people, the weather, the job opportunities, the sanctity or even the familiarity.

I gave myself many of these reasons when I chose to work in Bombay instead of Dubai, causing my whole family to uproot their lives in Dubai, only to start a new one in Bombay.

At the time I thought it would be great. My only apprehension was the fact that I would have to live with my parents after 3 years of living on my own, doing whatever I wanted. But I'd adjust.

What I didn't think about was the population...the overcrowding...the close proximity at which you always find people around you.

Bombay is a populated city for sure-over populated rather! A ride in the local trains during peak hours can give you an idea of just how many people this city is infested with- those clawing to hang on, those fighting to get out, those heaving a sigh of relief that they have a place to sit, those burrowing their way through the masses, those hopping from one compartment to the next selling everything from clips to books to clothes and of course those you see outside as your train trudges on.

I've heard people say that our population is our strength; definitely! After all it takes the utmost of strength to just push through the crowd to get on with your day.

And if you thought that what you see on the local trains is a rough estimate of the crowd, think again! During the same peaks hours, people in their cars are travelling on jam-packed roads.

So what do I do about it? Well on some days I put a smile on my face, swear that nothing, or rather no one can get me down, and just trudge on. And on others? Well, let's just say there's frustration...and a hunger for a license to kill.

Day 1: Mumbai to Delhi

After a very exhausting fortnight of late nights, parties and other such excitement, what can one do on a 2-hour flight, other than sleep it off? Apart from being woken up by an air hostess asking for my meal preference, and to click a couple of in-flight pictures, I was completely out, not knowing how the two hours passed.

What greeted me in Delhi was the biting cold, something I had definitely underestimated. I left Bombay thinking that a sweater would be enough to take care of the Delhi cold, during the day at least. Boy, was I wrong! The cold January winds of Delhi definitely had different plans. Fortunately for me, I love the cold and embraced those cold winds with a warm, comfortable jacket.

Having been to Delhi before, I expected the first day of the trip to be uneventful and relaxing. Not possible. After some quick shopping (to pass our time until check-in) at Palika Bazaar, we headed to our hotel. My first impression of Delhi? The weather matched the people's attitudes. Just looking at the city, I felt cold and unwelcome.

With great difficulty, we found out hotel - Ginger Hotel, owned and maintained by the TATA Enterprise. If I was to describe the night I spent at Ginger Hotel in line, I would be pure value for money. To be truthful, I didn't expect much from a budget hotel - all I was interested in were clean sheets and a clean toilet. I had actually even prepared to go for some days without a full shower. But their cleanliness, maintenance and service truly impressed me. Would definitely even recommend the place to any cleanliness freak.

While Delhi is filled with several tourist attractions, there was only one evening to our disposal and a large city to cover. After visiting the 'gate' of the Lotus Temple (which is shut on Sundays), the Iskcon Temple and the Red Fort, we knew what we really came to Delhi for - the FOOD! I made this journey with 3 pure foodies and what is Delhi without having some delicious food from Chandni Chowk.

After getting clued in on what's good in the city, the hunt for Paranthewale gali began. The reviews we heard about the place were utterly descriptive and oh so mouth-watering! Being used to our Bombay time, with everything being open well beyond 12am, we reached pretty late, and only one place was open. Seemed like a famous place - after all Cyrus Broacha and some other famous celebs had also visited there. The variety amazed me. Being a hard core non-vegeterian, I would never have even imagined the variety of paranthas that were on offer.

The highlight of the night was actually the egg burjee we went on to have from a roadside stall. Hands down, best burjee I've had.

What was definitely a downer, was the biryania from Kareem's, that was touted to be the best! My Goan mother can make better biryani. Imagine a biryani with no flavour! An old ad aired in the UAE comes to mind - 'It's like tea without Rainbow' (People from the Gulf would get this)

Before we knew it, we were sipping some alcohol with a friend in our hotel room, not knowing what to expect the next day. After all we had a road trip ahead of us - Agra the next day and then on to Himachal Pradesh. Who knew what this trip had in store for us.

My getaway city

There are many times when I want to get away from the city... away from the daily routine.

My getaway city has always been Pune - it takes me back to the days when life was simpler, when even though we thought we were putting off growing up, we all changed and grew up. And of course, just driving through the streets of Pune, brought back endless memories.

It was my untouched city, a city I could turn to when the pressure of Bombay got too much.

Now there's just one place on my mind, and while it brings back fond memories, it brings along with it a whole lot of fear.

Pune just doesn't seem safe anymore.

I understand that no one can really feel safe in any city. I live in Bombay, the city which is apparently always on high alert. But it felt good to know that there was a city, just a 4-hour journey away, that could make me forget.

And while that city still exists and life will get back to normal there, it has been scarred; with a bomb, blood and charred bodies.

So the next time I want to get away from the hectic city life, will I still think of Pune? Yes! It may no longer be untouched, but as I mourn the loss, I would definitely go back there to celebrate the glory of the place.

The comeback

What started off a with a comment by the King Khan himself, has turned into a full blown national war, the effects of which are only mainly felt by the aam junta, because they are being denied pure entertainment.

The Shiv Sena hope that by pulling down posters, thrashing theatres and disturbing public peace, Shah Rukh will realise his apparent mistake and say sorry.

But is he really affected?

Media channels have been solely focusing on this clash for the past week – Shah Rukh's movie gets its publicity. After all, all publicity is good publicity.

While stars roam to corners of India to promote their movies and reach out to their fans and the public, Shah Rukh has been doing through this controversy. Pick up any newspaper from the last week – Shah Rukh is everywhere.

So while the Shiv Sena were hoping to get Bombay against the King Khan, they have achieved the exact opposite. While they got their 60 seconds of fame, they have not realised that they have given the film great amounts publicity – a level which even the producers may not have thought of.

Firstly, I ask why are the Shiv Sena given so much importance? They are not in power; their opinions and rulings shouldn't hold any weightage. Yet it does.

Why? Media.

Right now, the media is their only voice to the people. Imagine a scenario where the party heads spoke and spoke with no one to listen? Wouldn't it tire them?

Perhaps it's because we are giving them importance and 'letting' them have a say in what's happening in the state, that they are taking undue advantage.

It's time to switch off people!

After all, 'zara hatke, zara bachke, yeh hai Bombay meri jaan!'

From experience

A day will come when your fingers itch to write, but your mind is filled with a million different thoughts. Don’t try to sort it out; just take a blank page, and watch the words flow.