I Love Bombay
The Afternoon Colour Page
November 27, 1994

I am very fond of this city where is first came as a student and went on to hold important positions in civil and government offices. I came here from Surat to pursue my college education. My hostel was the Makichan Hall, near Wilson College, where I studied.

Chowpatty was then a big place but it has since been eaten up by the widening of roads. The same goes for Makichan Hall. The Hall had a tennis court too. It has long since gone and the hall has now shrunk at the cost of the road outside.

The British left this city with many historic arches, monuments, green areas and the sea surrounding it. A lot has changed, but the hills and the seas make this city very beautiful for they are there throughout the city.

I think the beauty of Bombay has been marred by two buildings, the Vidhan Sabha and the Mantralaya. Just look at these two structures! They lack soul, and heart. These two buildings have no architectural splendour. And also that other huge structure – the new Churchgate station, in stark contrast to the grandeur of the old building it faces. Earlier, one could see the entire stretch from Boribunder to Churchgate, but now, huge hoardings have spoilt that view too.

The government has plans to create a green belt in the place where the bungalows now exist opposite Mantralaya. One more reason for all of us to love Bombay even more!

I am eternally grateful to this city for it provides good educational facilities. What brought me to this city was the excellent educational facilities that it provided then and does so today.

I love Bombay for various reasons. Firstly for the individual culture that is particular to this city and is reflected in its work ethics.

I love this city for its cosmopolitan nature. There are no cultural or religious biases among the people. All that is created by vested communal elements. The common man is not at all concerned with it. When the riots took place and communal parties created a frenzy, the common man got together to help his neighbours. None of us changed our shopkeeper, furniturewallah or our favourite actor or actress because they profess a different faith. That is the strength of Bombay. The common man remains far removed from these petty differences created by political parties and vested interests.

I love Bombay for its resilience. Nothing affects the average Bombayite. Whatever the calamities, disturbances, the Bombayite wakes up to another day with the same zest, energy and enthusiasm. That is another reason why I love this city. The warmth and the culture of the Bombayite is very different from others living in other cities.

The city is very beautiful. It has beautiful buildings and monuments. I strongly feel that citizens should come together and raise resources locally instead of asking for help from the state, Centre or the World Bank. I believe it is possible because all parties are willing to come together to develop the city. The beautification of Bombay was achieved through a consensus arrived by all political parties. That only goes to show that everyone loves Bombay.

Show me a city which has such a large National Park within municipal limits like Bombay. Bombay’s achievements on various fronts are the result of its strong unique character. But it should be followed with a strong civic sense among its citizens. Otherwise filth and squalor will negate these gains. The municipal corporation needs to rise to the occasion.

There has been an absence of a strong political will to tackle problems affecting the city’s growth and development. The chief minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, is helping the city in a big way. What is needed is that everyone should cooperate. Otherwise, problems like transportation, housing, water-supply will continue. These are gigantic problems and need the attention of all political parties and citizens.

There are many who complain about the various problems and lack of facilities in Bombay. But I have yet to meet a person in Bombay who would like to leave this city and go elsewhere. That shows the tremendous potential and promise this city holds. If political will, commitment, sincerity of purpose is reflected in all political parties, the citizens will cooperate and believe me, this city can easily beat Shanghai and Singapore!