From CST
CST – is similar to the Chennai Central (Railway Station) – as railway track ends in both places. As I stated walking around, I noticed CST was full of people moving around in hurry, there were almost thousands!!! As I saw the Big clock near the tracks the “26/11 Mumbai Terrorist attack” came to my mind. Those terrorists had attacked CST at peak hours killing hundreds of them. For a moment I felt proud of Mumbai. So many terrorist attacks have taken place in Mumbai City so far, but still Mumbai has never let down its spirit. The more it has been attacked – Mumbai has bounced back with strong will. This "never give up" spirit can never be seen in any other city.
The moment I came outside a huge crown had gathered near the GPO side exit watching a film shoot. With curiosity I mingled in the crowd, it was scene being picturised with Prateik Babbar & Kalki Koechlin. I stood and watched it for almost 10 mins. Tell you guys what!! watching a movie shooting is really boring!!! I started moving, asking the cops directions for “Gateway of India”. They guided me to a stop near GPO. (In between the CST and that stop you will find few ppl selling dress material like in our Jaynagar 4th block complex). As I was waiting for the bus which took almost half an hour to arrive, few taxi guys approached me asking to jump in on fare sharing basis. But I had decided before Blore itself I will roam in Mumbai only though local train or any public transport. Luckily for me this bus ride was not like the local train experience. Along with me seated were a group of couples from Scotland, who were watching the old buildings with awe, like me.
I got down at Regal theatre stop. Once I got down, I found a different kind of Mumbai. The first thing I noticed is - autos are barred from entering(unlike the flood of autos in other suburbs of Mumbai). This part of Mumbai is well planned with wide roads, buildings beautifull built which even today depict the British Era. In the same vicinity I found few 5-star hotels, elite clubs, where "the rich and the have's dine and shine"!!
As I started walking towards Gateway of India, it started raining. Within minutes I could see people with umbrellas all over the way!! (A mumbaikar always keeps a Umbrella with him for 6 - 7 months in a year). And in 10 mins - the rain is gone. The moment I stepped in the compound of Gateway of India, I was spell bound to see the huge magnificent monument which we all have seen in many movies. It was standing there with its royal look on the edge of a seashore - as if silently telling that "I have seen a lot standing here since ages". History says it was built to welcome King George V on his maiden visit to India in 1911, YES 100 years back!!! Today it stands there as the Pride of Mumbai and Mumbai's Spirit.
I had forgot to take my camera along. I managed to take some snaps with my mobile in that late evening. On the diagonally opposite side is the Taj Hotel, yes the same hotel where the Pakistani terrorists has attacked and killed many foreigners. It was back in shape!! For a moment I was wondering - those terrorist has entered the heart of Mumbai to kill people – all the way from Pakistan. They came all the way from their country, killed hundreds at CST and Taj Hotel. What was done after that?? These places have been made more rigid with rules for the citizens, for which they will comply. On the other hand, the people who were the mastermind of these incidents are still roaming free, and the country where these all planning was done is still pleading that they are innocent. After years, now people have forget it and this will be soon forgot by the government as another attack on Mumbai. That's all.
With all these thoughts running in my mind – I lost my enthu to roam around. I just sat on the compound wall of Gateway of India which is right opposite to Taj Hotel. After some few minutes I saw some horse drawn carriages which were all lit with colourful lights and the colorful baloons tied all over the carriage. Few more of them passed one by one. The moment I saw them passing in front of me carrying smiling couples, happy families - unknowingly a smile came on my face. This all was happening in front of me as if they were conveying me that – life has some bad moments, we need to overcome them, we nedd to live toay, we need to live happily – as life goes on!! Probably this is the reason why Mumbai is not yet bogged down at all. Instantly I was charged, got up from there took more snaps, roamed around ate channa watching the sea, enjoyed watching families spending their evening, friends hanging around, couples standing together and asking passers by to take their pictures, children fighting with their parents for a boat ride!! The atmosphere around was so lively with full of laughter and fun.
With smile and contentment I headed back to CST. On the way to Regal stop I had Vada Pav & Chats followed by tea to soothe my physical tiredness. Guys, if you like eating chats and vada pav, believe me you are eating it at a wrong place. Just head to Mumbai, atleast once. Your taste buds will be satisfied for years!!
Managed to reach CST in drizzle. On my way back to Vile palre from CST the rains lashed heavily. I had not seen such heavy rains since quite a long time. The heavy rains stopped after some half an hour, by the same time I reached Vile Parle. After getting back to the lodge I took a very long hot bath. Dinner soon after my bath started pulling my eyes. By the time few of my other counterparts had arrived. I came out with them to have pan. There was a pan shop quite closeby. I ordered a culcatta sweet pan and was waiting for it. In the mean time I heard people talking in Kannada. I turned back – it was the panwala talking with another guy who had come to his shop. Instanly I interfered their talks and said “ nivu kannada davra?”. They said yes. We introduced ourselves and started talking. I was happy to talk in Kannada there. (I was getting bugged up by few mallu colleagues of mine who were all chatting n their own language, they soon left once the interaction continued in Kannada – no offense to mallu guys out there)
The panwala was from a village near Udupi. The other guy who was talking with him also introduced himself; he is from a village near Sravanabelagola, Hassan. He directed me to the opposite side of the road showing two carts (like the ones where we usually eat chats). He said "I own them, me and my family maintains it along with me. We prepare breakfast in morning and dosa in evening". On knowing that I was put up nearby. He asked me to come next morning to have tea. He said I will guarantee you will drink the best chai in Mumbai, we will have a good talk with hot chai. I said for sure.
Munching the pan I headed to my lodge. I saw my watch for the time. It was 11.45 PM. Good Night!!
TO BE CONTINUED....
Be a part of my FB page. Visit me on www.facebook.com/raju.hiremath7
