A remarkably contrasting city. Biggest slum of the world, ‘Daravahi’, nearly a 2 square km area where around 1 million people reside, and most expensive house of the world ‘Antilla’ worth $1billion – both are in Mumbai. Contrast! Three generation of poor living literally on the footpaths with no facility just outside a glittery Audi car showroom. Contrast! Different religion followers live peacefully in Mumbai, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikhs, Parsis, etc., yet they have separate areas for their houses. Contrast! People from all over the country come to Mumbai for work, estimates are that around 5000 people come to Mumbai every day. Cosmopolitan metropolis, Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven islands. The debilitating infrastructure of Mumbai is providing housing to some 17 million with a population density of 25,000 per square km is one of the most densely populated towns of the world.
It rains around 5 months in Mumbai.
Rain in Mumbai can be disruptive, as well as fun.
Life suddenly becomes chaotic, road jams become rampant, people running around to avoid getting wet, umbrellas sprout opens, speedy rainwater flowing on the roads, shopkeepers putting plastic over their open stocks – the rain continues unabated, washing and cleansing road filth. Waiting passengers on the bus stations wait for their delayed buses. People running after already occupied autos while trying to avoid colliding open umbrellas with each other. Tyres of cars splashing water around. People switch to rubber slippers and shoes very quickly. All schedules getting spoiled, everyone getting late for their appointments.
Surprisingly in all this haphazard people don’t get frustrated, very few angry brawls. Almost all of them know how to contain themselves and tolerate the situation and one another. Somehow people get a kick out of Mumbai rain. It seems they get a high on the onset of rainy season. There is a sense of celebration and joy and happiness. The otherwise worried and uneasy faces get cheerful. People tend to enjoy the cutting tea of Mumbai a little more.
Although life does pose a grave struggle to destitute dwelling in the slums, living on the pavements, and footpaths. All they do is put a blue colour plastic with the support of wooden sticks, as a roof over their head. The daily workers find it very difficult to find job during rainy season. Sometimes that does for days even weeks. Poor get poorer.
Clean lush grass lawns / parks are a very rare sight in Mumbai, and it has shrunk over decades. Mumbai residents like preservation; they won’t let go even the broken pot in the park. They do talk about the decay in the system – after all Mumbai deserve better infrastructure. Cleanliness and hygiene are compromised nearly everywhere.
Even though there is a lack of deployment of proper resources from state, environment of Mumbai is such that they tend to help each other. Few youths will volunteer themselves in rain to take charge of the traffic jam for smooth traffic flow. They don’t fight over chaos – they keep themselves mellow, calm and at ease. With wide spectrum of people from different places and all walks of life in chaotic rain, keeping cool is commendable.
Yes, rain in Mumbai brings best in people – tolerance & acceptability.
By: Owais Ali Khan
Meditator & Life coach
Before meditation I wasn't able to connect with nature .I wasn't able to feel unheard of sounds and invisible things that have connection with soul . I can now feel good and bad vibrations if I go somewhere .I enjoyed my company alone .I became familiar with the word "energy" and "chakras" and know that there is a whole world to study upon onwards in future.I am now a better version of myself than before, more powerful and clear towards my decisions .I am trying to become more positive in my thoughts through meditation and breathing techniques taught by Sir Awais .I am thankful for Sir Awais , because of his sessions I am a different person now .