Trip to Mumbai
The University of Columbia landed in Mumbai with its 25 students .Mumbai is the financial and commercial capital of India. From being an ancient city of fishing community consisted of cluster of seven islands , it became south Asia's largest city . It is seventh among the top ten cities of billionairs and ranked as an "Alfa World City".
Entrance of Mumbai harbor is marked by the 'Gateway of India . It is most chaotic and crowded city. For several decades it has become main financial services for infrastructure development and private investment. Until 1970s Mumbai owed its prosperity largely to textile mills and sea-port .Mumbai has witnessed economic boom since the liberalisation trade Act of 1991, the financial boom came with outsourcing , services and export since 2000 .
Along with blue-collar skilled engineers ,the city has large unskilled , semi-skilled population who earn livelihood as hawkers, mechanics , masons and construction workers , auto and taxi -drivers, and large recycling industry located in"Dhrabi"( which is known as the largest slum of Asia), is increasing . They played a key role in the emerging economy of this country . The city has an estimated 15, 000 single-room factories. Thousands of migrants from all over the country thronged here for better income and livelihood All financial regulator sectors such as SEBI, NSE, RBI and BSE are based in Mumbai. Mumbai is the hub of Bollywood Film Industry.Being the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of India, Mumbai alone contributes more than 5%of. the total GDP of industrial output.
The famous Taj Hotel was allotted to the team for staying to attend seven days' class .Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel was famous not only as being marked 'five star' or for grandeur but it trails the glorious history with it .... A reputed story is that Once Jamshedji Tata was refused to WATSON HOTEL due to being reserved strictly for the Europeans. This invoked him to plan the construction of the luxurious hotel with 560 rooms and 44 suits . It is declared as heritage building.Many distinguished guests, politicians famous painter, writers stayed here.
On the first day afternoon ( Before the class started) The professor arranged the 'Taj tour' for the team with designated guide .The guide was smart, young attractive and knowledgeable. He became ever- enthusiastic to see the well reputed team of Executive Management Business School (EMBS) students from America. All the students except three were male fokes . The tour took three hours in the morning half ; again two and half hour in the afternoon from 5:PM. The building , though repaired still some portion of wall is still stained in memory with the horror of terrorist attack of 2009 on some innocent tourists : an assault to humanity as such , a disgraceful chapter in history. ................................ My daughter studied in Mumbai IIT. She could have chosen Brazil instead of India But she had great crush on the 'Taj'. Every time she used to come India from US, she strongly desired but it was so expensive that did not happen . I used to console her "you always stay in best hotel in your official business tour; "
"O mom! office will never allot the 'Taj' of Mumbai or 'the Grand Oberoi' of Calcutta. This was my opportunity to stay here free and that too for seven days !" I knew in her IIT-student life , she with six other friends came to the airport from the hostel to see off one of their senior friend who set out to U K for higher study. From the airport they planned to enter the 'Taj' to take a look . They all gathered money and ordered only one pot of tea. To their dismay, they were allowed to sit only in the lounge and to leave it at 2:AM. Some party was going on inside ; they enjoyed glancing at some big shot guests and some heart-throbbing film stars with dazzling but weird dresses . Outside the gate of Taj hotel they thought to eat some Bombay famous 'bora-pou' or 'golgappa', as substitute for dinner ; but no hawkers or food Staller were found there ; so they came to the beach with the hope of getting warm peanuts ; Instead of any vendors some police were there to drive away everyone . Then they came back with empty stomach to hostel at 3:30 AM.
I also cherished her happiness, her fulfillment of student life dream. I took the 'Taj' tour several times, part by part ,during my stay. The man and another lady guide both became so friendly with me that they gave their cards and personal contact number. Though the hotel stands on the sea bank ,but it takes long walk to reach the beach . I tried and came back from the half way . Even in December the sun was scorching in Mumbai. Crowd around the Taj seemed weird and not up-to-standard . So I stopped going outside the gate by walking alone . After breakfast I used to peep their conference room ; I strongly wished to ask the professor to permit me one day in the class. But my daughter did not approve it ..... My friends of Mumbai were in winter vacation . I roamed alone through the corridor and discovered so many sections ;So many beautiful paintings , sculptures that I spent my time gazing at them without boredom. . Most of the places except the dining hall and lounge were so silent and empty at daytime. only when the door of the conference room was opened at the end of any session ,sight and sound of people were heard . Finally I asked the room service to fetch for me some paper ,pencil and eraser from the receptionist . Rest of the days it kept me busy on drawing sketches ; I was also busy with my creative writing .
American students were not so much impressed with the IT sector or giant tech companies as they were interested in the study-case of emerging country-market. As for example the electricity-run textile mill were locked down since long time ago. Encouraged by the government some private entrepreneurs were opening . One day students were taken to Vivaldi Factory where a private entrepreneur with 20/22. employees was running the business. The entrepreneur was overjoyed to see a team of white young boys from such a prestigious University; and the employees were happier than the employer. The students asked curiously what is 'suiting' 'shirting' ?which was written on the sign-board?They explained that Mumbai and Calcutta were the main market for cloth. The cloth for shirt of male is shirting and the cloth for making formal set of two /three pieces is suiting They made some album which contain samples of different design like formula. there were roll of polyester of different colour and texture in the showcase ; the customers can select the cloth and design from the album and put order with 'advance 'to the company . The students visited eight small factories of similar type .
The students were interested to survey the farmers market of Vivldi. the small businessmen were helped from the "seed-Fund' to start business and later on they become partner. The vegi -sellers were happy to see 'team of white people' in their 'clusters of small shops . The students asked the vendor why aren't you making the shop a little bigger ?
vendor: where shall I get space?I have to give the police RS 50 daily. My father started this business after coming from Bihar. Now I am the owner ; next to me my son will inherit it. ...I am so happy with this ......Just last month some agent took 15 of us to Goa-trip. we had lots of fun there'.We saw lot of 'Firingis ' (which means white- skinned people ) like you ! Then he continued in low voice we people crowded to view from little far , the nude white female absorbed in yoga practice , and sun -saluting . They were known and famous as hippies. Hippies were great attraction for the tourists. Our team was all eager to view that famous 'Nude Firingi' Bitch' ( / beach ) and Cellular jail rather than to visit churches, beaches or other sight seeing .
American students commented to my daughter,"Your country is amazing ! How happy were these vegetable -sellers in such humid small dwelling without any grievance! They were laughing and making fun with each other . Near the traffic signal poor woman and children came running to the auto for begging without fear of loosing part of limb or life, it seemed really scary. They enjoyed how the stray dogs crossed the street smartly ;the babies without diaper in their mother's lap ;abundant food stalls and restaurants and the air is filled with smell of fries and spice to mouthwatering saliva and kick the stomach with appetite without being really hungry.They amused by observing trifling things ; specially when they were stuck in traffic-jam. An overloaded truck was standing before their bus . at the back of the truck was written 'Don't eat too much, master will be annoyed '.
One student asked curiously ,What does it mean?"
"it warns the driver not to steal petrol which may annoy the master". Actually it is a satire .
Many of them were interested about Indian street food. So they planned expedition to 'street food' before leaving the land . Most of them carried with them a lasting impression "A land of unique mysticism amidst apparently chaos."
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