Mumbai: Humming without Missing a beat!
The image of Mumbai being a liberal city stems from the fact that it is one of the world’s biggest metropolitan cities, a home to multifarious religions, languages, cultures and traditions. Interestingly, Mumbai’s street lingo, commonly known as Tapoori or Bambaiya language, incorporates words from Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Marathi, Konkani and English. Bambaiya is quite famous across the length of the country because of its prominent depiction in Bollywood movies like Munnabhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munnabhai and Company.
Mumbai is often regarded as the city of dreams, a land filled with endless possibilities. It is here where a gas station attendant became one of India’s most successful business leaders (Dirubhai Ambani). It is a city that turned an ordinary Allahabadi boy into the Bollywood’s “King” (Shah Rukh Khan). It is here where a million dreams have been lost, fulfilled or broken. It is the city where hope and determination keep people awake at night. It is here where miracles happen.
Much like some of Pakistan’s bigger cities like Lahore and Karachi, the streets of Mumbai don’t sleep. The colourful lanes of South Bombay’s Crawford Market and Bandra’s Linking Road sell some of the cheapest (yet the finest) commodities.
The food here reminds people of home- Simple and yet rich-with eloquence. The city’s street food, specially vada pav, bhel, pav bhaji and paani puri, sold at the famous Juhu Chowpatty beach, should not be missed by those who intend to visit the city. Last but not the least, one of the oldest cafés in India, the Leopold Café, deserves a mention. Built in 1871, the café with a majestic aura has drawn a plethora of French, Portuguese and British Tourists. Although the café is a tad bit overpriced, the chilli beef teriyaki and butter garlic prawns are worth every penny.
Mumbai is home to some of the most historic spots like the Gateway of India, the Castella de Aguada and the Flora Fountain which have been built by the British and the Portuguese. A walk across Marine Drive (Also known as the Queen’s Necklace), reminiscent of the Sea View, is refreshing after a long day.
While, Peshawar, Karachi and Mumbai have witnessed some gruesome terror attacks over the past few years, the ever burning spirit that both the cities share has refused to die down. I can recall a heart-warming moment at a famous eatery in Colaba. My Pakistani friend was placing an order, when the gentleman at the counter interrupted her and asked, “Where are you from?” When she told him that she hailed from Lahore, he welcomed her with a broad smile and some sweets. Before we left the place, he handed her his card, “You can always drop by again! We are friends now!”