Yeh hai Mumbai meri jaan

We call it by many names. Some call it the maximum city, some the city that never sleeps, some the city of dreams, some the land of Bollywood, some the financial capital of India and so on and so forth. The commercial and fashion capital of India. Almost every other Indian dreams of making it big in Mumbai and living THE lifestyle like a boss! It is probably the only city which has so many songs (& movies too) penned to its name ranging from Yeh hai Bombay meri jaan to Mumbai nagariya. Right from Tendulkar's to Tatas and Bachchan's to Mangueshkars the land has all the dreamy people. Whereas, on the other hand you also have people like KRK and Poonam pandey co-existing. Although it’s a land made up by reclaiming and connecting 7 islands the place never seems partitioned. It's all one rock strong unit just the way Mumbaikar spirit is - Unfazed and unmatched. From Churchgate to Virar, Mahim to Thane; it is one mesmerizing land.

The place is always full of activity. You name it and it’s there. One just needs to know the places to go. Right from duplicate Ulhasnagar stuff, Fashion street, Chor bazar to Crawford market and the huge shopping arcades like Palladium, Inifinti and Phoenix. There is everything for everyone’s need.

They say Mumbai never lets a person sleep hungry, unless one has the zeal to work. One just needs the will to keep on working. Anything and everything can be a profession over here. Sources of livelihood are infinite. You can never underestimate a person over here. A humble looking paan-waala, wadapav vendor and a simple merchant will have more branches and monthly income than you can imagine (Even beggars have a organised syndicate running into millions). Whereas, some people are into business just to serve people. The famous Parsi dairy stores who sell mind blowing kulfis, the cloth merchants in Crawford market, the diamond traders in Zaveri bazar. Many of them are wealthy enough to care least about their income for their forth coming generations too. But business has been way of life for them since they've known it.

Time is money over here & is no exaggeration in any sorts. That’s what counts. You’ll be respected if you value time. That’s why the service here is crazily faster than any other counterparts of India. Thus, I guess it has the fastest and one of the best transport system in India. The first thing that comes to your mind when one imagines Mumbai is its lifeline – the local trains which runs on western, central and harbour route. Spread across 465 sq.km, the suburban railway in Mumbai operates approximately 2,500 train services and carries above 7.24 million commuters regularly. Mind boggling figures indeed! You can Google it. To add to it you’ve the govt. owned BEST bus services, the yellow and black typical ambassador taxis, cabs, rickshaws. A recent addition has been the metro and mono-rail. Talk about better connectivity? (Plans are also on to strengthen inland water connectivity)

Mumbai is blessed with a marvellous sea line. With Arabian sea lining its western boundary, it has formed some fancy sea fronts. With its iconic Queen’s necklace also known as Marine drive heading the list. It has beautiful renowned avenues like Bandra-Worli sea link, Worli sea face, Hajji ali, Bandra band stand, Juhu chowpatty, Girgaum chowpatty, a beautiful sea facing Wankhede stadium, Gateway of India, Madh islands and much more. It also has the Gateway, Mumbai port, Sewri wetlands and the likes to it's eastern coast.

Mumbai is held strong by its unity. It has a cosmopolitan culture.  Vast variety of people lend diverse colour to this city (Mumbai is the only place in India where Parsis cross 1 lakh figure). Probably that’s why one never feels left out because there is no other place as welcoming as it since you always find someone back from your home town. Because of this multi-cultural array, a variety of festivals are celebrated with equal pomp and fervour. Some fascinating festivals are celebrated over here besides the conventional ones.

The well-known Kala Ghoda festival is celebrated annually for 9 days in the month of February to pay rich tributes to art which includes visual arts, dance, music, theatre, cinema, literature, workshops, heritage walks, urban design and architecture, food and stalls selling eco-friendly, hand-made arts and crafts ware. The whole vehicular flow on the streets around the area is closed and it’s just pure creative magic on the streets.  The area that stretches from the Regal Circle Southern end of Mahatma Gandhi Road, up to the Mumbai University on the northern end is all taken up by it. Similarly, the Elephanta Festival is an open air cultural show of live dance and music performances performed at the beautiful Elephanta caves in February or March. The Bandra Fair is held on the first Sunday after 8^th September to commemorate the Birth of the Virgin Mary. Mount Mary church is one amazing place where you climb atop the hill along side several people of all faiths singing carols. Lighting candles and just soaking in the blissful atmosphere and its sanctity. The Ekadashi, sankashti, angarika celebrations in Siddhivinayak temple; One magnificent temple which attracts every soul from Mumbai and outside Mumbai. It is the city's favourite and dearest Bappa which is revered by everyone. Haji ali - It is situated literally at the heart of the Island city of Mumbai that is in the middle of the sea. The saying goes that whatever 'mannat' (wish) you ask for in Haji Ali will always be answered.

Such is the splendid way the area and its citizens are. One of the lands where humanity is answered first and then religion. You’re always helped irrespective of any nonsensical things others may consider to be important. “All they know is that you’re trying to get to the city of gold, and that’s enough. Come on board, they say. We’ll adjust.”That’s what they call Mumbaikar spirit; which is always undeterred come what may. Numerous terrorist attacks, gang rivalries and also mega floods have taken place. But life and activity has never crippled as someone might have speculated, the way it springs back in action so freaking quick is phenomenal and astonishing. Thanks to the numerous helping hands.

BARC to TIFR, IIT To JJ college, Haffkine to Mithibai, Reserve bank of India to Bombay stock exchange, Leelavati hospital to Breach candy, Regal cinema theatre & Prithvi theatre to IMAX, Antilla to Dharavi, Taj & Oberois to Bade miyan, Wankhede stadium to Mahalaxmi race course and Shivaji park. We’ve got it all covered. One wholesome package indeed, where the world squeezes in the form of a miniature,

The place is more enchanting in rains. The sheer beauty makes you remember of all the fond memories associated with the city and its people. It charges you up with so much of happiness that it is enough to get over a feud or quarrel you had with your colleague or family member.  The madness, the pace and the hot-wired liveliness everything adds up to make Mumbai a happening city. It is something you can’t avoid loving. That’s why it’s probably said, once a Mumbaikar, always a Mumbaikar! It makes even a vagabond fall in love with it. The connection is so profound that it soon becomes “Aamchi Mumbai” for all of its dwellers.

To sum it up all I’d say, Mumbai: A city that has hypnotized every soul that has had a taste of it. Writers have a lifelong love affair with the city, artists call her their muse and a common Mumbaikar will tell you that there's no place like Mumbai.