7 things I LOVE/ HATE about Bombay

HATE
1) People call each other by making a “puch puch” sound with their lips which bug the hell out of me. I mean even a small “oye” is better than this cranky sound
2) The taxi’s refuse to go for small distances. I mean how else will people travel those distance. I had to go to the hospital to get a tetanus injection and no taxi was willing to go because the hospital was too close for their earnings. To go to PCP from Dadar, I don’t get a single cab in the mornings and beat this, in the evening things are even worse.
3) First thing the localites ask is “u marathee”? Why is this city moving towards attitude arboured by banglorians and madrasis. This city is made by all the people who come here and bring their talents and still contribute to the growth of this city, state and ultimately the country as a whole. But alas!!
4) Rainy Season Stinks : When it rains like crazy in the city and the whole city closes down!! I mean no drainage system for a city that claims to be the financial hub of the country and probably is the same!!
5) Well lack of mall and shopping complexes: Apart from Atria there isn’t even a single place in South Bombay which qualifies as a mall. Reason: no space!!!
6) Lack of reasonable priced houses (even for renting purposes) and lack of playgrounds. Well this is one thing that I really feel from the heart. In my younger years I spent more time in such playgrounds than at school or home. Worse, here even the schools don’t have playgrounds. No wonder the kids here have nothing else to do than become couch potatoes!!
7) No Posh Colonies: Unlike the other cities like Delhi and kolkata where colonies are either posh or not so posh, Mumbai has none or rather has both in the same place. In Delhi you have like GK and Sunder Nagar or the Embassy Road which are the posh and rich and beautiful countries, Mumbai doesn’t have even a single one like that. Bandra might be posh place(so to say) but right there on the beach there are huge jhuggi jhopdi’s. Colaba migh be one of the most expensive places but still have a huge fishermen jhopdi’s right there.


LOVE
1) Night Life: This place has one of the best night life in the country. The pubs are rocking and the crowd in the pubs is a lot lot better than anywhere else. The music played is awesome and the best part is that there are so many of them that you can go and explore as many as you want to.
2) Public Transport: It may be over crowded. But at the end of the day, the local transport system is something that keeps Mumbai alive. The trains though crowded and filthy are still the lifeline of the city. They are the only form of transport that can guarantee that you will reach your meeting in time. Also the taxi system is so nice that you can never really feel the pinch of not owning a car here.
3) Winter Weather is another thing that I love about Bombay. Well Delhites (unlike me though) complain that the weather is too bland and that there is no cold here in Bombay. But I quite hate the cruel freezing winters of Delhi and am quite happy and at ease with warm cozy winters,
4) Safe: Well though a lot of people might not agree, but I still maintain that Mumbai is a safe city. At least a lot lot safer that Delhi and other places. This is one place that I cam go out in the night with my girlfriend and not worry about street hooligans or worse even blood (read money) sucking Policewaalas.
5) Walk down the marine drive: Well the sea is here and the sea breeze is very refreshing. It still is very crowded, but believe me, the feel of a walk down the marine drive in a clouded afternoon is as good as it gets!
6) Friends: Well nearly 80% of my batch from IIM L is placed in Bombay. So meeting them, staying with them, partying with them is something that keeps me going. They are all over the place, when I am in my office, out for coffee, in the gym, out for dinner and even while sleeping. And the best part is that people who are not here, WANT to be here!
7) JOBS! Finally the reason why I am here. This is the financial capital of the country. All big banks, financial institutions, MNC’s are based out of this city and thus give the maximum exposure as well as variety of options in terms of work opportunities. I am sure that I cant get the same profile along with the remuneration that I am getting here. The salary of my heads is all mind boggling and the kind of work that they do is also splendid. So what to do!!