Help me…Mr. Raj Thakeray !!!
When you announced your decision to launch a separate political party of your own, I was among the many happy Mumbaikars who was your ardent supporter. I had expected a fresh breeze of youthful ideologies from your party. Alas!! Even you fell into the same political trap into which we are seeing the rulers of the nation today. Your desire to reach the top has held the state to ransom. Even you have dashed my hopes.

Well to start with, I am South Indian, who is born and brought up in Mumbai. And I proudly proclaim that I am in no ways a lesser Marathi Mulgi than most of them. I speak flawless Marathi. I have taught the language to many Maharashtrian students, bagged many academic awards for topping the language in the state. I can challenge you that my Marathi is far superior than most of the people of Marathi origin. I love Maharashtrian food the most and I cook it well myself. Though I am native of Kerala, all my loyalties lie with this state and I don’t need to prove that to anyone. I have an emotional attachment with everything that I have received from here. Whatever I am, whatever I have achieved, I owe it to the state and I proudly say that I am from Maharashtra and I belong here. No one can take that away from me.

Coming back to your ideology, Mr. Raj, I agree with them to a great extent. Yes, we must stop the influx of migrants into the state since the city is already bursting at its seams and many security issues have cropped up along with it. I was also highly miffed with Mrs.Jaya Bacchan for all the statements that she had made on stage. I reacted the same way a true Maharashtrian would have reacted. But all that ends there sir. I do not support the hooliganism propagated by your men. Breaking shops, damaging goods, beating up innocent people is in no way justified and trust me sir, you are losing your credibility as a leader among the people. The youth today is looking up for a leader who will bind the society well and not one who will divide and rule.

Just-in-case your party feels that there are no greater issues than the issue of “Marathi Manoos”, let me bring few very small but important issues to your notice. About the recently concluded, Ganesh Festival: there are unspeakable things happening around the same time. In case you are not aware sir, duing those ten days I have seen a lot of gambling happening inside the pandals. Men drink and make merry in front of the idol. The day of the visarjan is the worst because I have seen most men in inebriated condition making lewd passes at women and vulgar music and dance being exhibited on the streets. I guess our dear God needs a better farewell. What say, Mr.Thakeray??. And let me tell you that most of these men are “insiders’ and not “outsiders”. What can you do about them? Or are they excused for the sheer reason that they are ‘insiders”. Everyday we are harassed by the rickshaw drivers who do not want to travel short distances and make us wait on the streets endlessly hoping to catch one. Again, many of them are “insiders”. How can you help with the security issues in the state, developments required in terms of infrastructure? Why don’t you fight for the endless suicides happening in Vidarbha which is not a part of Bihar or is UP but our own Maharashtra? Why don’t you encourage your men to patrol the city of Mumbai and see to it that we save our city from the tentacles of terrorism? Why don’t you ask them to fight against corruption happening in all government departments across the state? Yes, having Marathi signboards outside shops alongside English ones is important, but is that more important than the issues listed above? And cant these issues be sorted out in a more human way than resorting to street culture. My city is very accommodating sir. Everyone lives here in harmony and peace. Let’s try and improve upon that. We need this unity to fight terrorism which has engulfed our country at the moment. People all over the world know Mumbai for their spirit and unity. Please do not take it away from us. Throw away people who do not respect our state, those who create problems here, involved in terrorist activities, but leave the hard working people alone. There are people who are here to earn their bread and butter. Please show them some respect.

I am sure sir….you are not going to disappoint me. Can you help me since I am a Mumbaikar??…and a true one at heart!!!!

This song sums up my life....

In Dino from Metro..Awesum Lyrics

in dino, dil mera, mujhse hai keh rahatu khaab saja,tu ji le jara

hai tujhe bhi izaazat, karle tu bhi muhabbat

berang si hai badi zindagi kuchh rang to bharoon

main apani tanahaayi ke waaste abbb kuchh toh karoon

jab mile thodi fursat,mujhse karle muhabbat

hai tujhe bhi izaazat, karle tu bhi muhabbat

usako chhupaakar main sabse kabhi, le chaloon kahin door

aankhon ke pyaalon kse pita rahoon usake chehre ka noor

iss jamaane se chhupakar, puri karloon main hasrat

hai tujhe bhi izaazat, karle tu bhi muhabbat

in dino, dil mera, mujhse hai keh raha

tu khaab saja, tu ji le jara

hai tujhe bhi izaazat, karle tu bhi muhabbat

MY FIRST TIME IN THE MUMBAI LOCAL
My journey by train to my new workplace has just begun after a long hiatus. I haven’t traveled by train much before since bus was the most convenient mode of transport to Andheri. On the first day, after taking my pass I reached the Thane platform. I went searching for the first class compartment. I had heard all horrendous stories about the treatment meted out in the ladies first class compartment. I was anxious and hoping that things would be different for me at least on the first day of travel. As the train, chugged down the platform, the experienced lot was all set to barge in to the compartment. They looked like they were preparing themselves for a war. I somehow managed to squeeze in and secure a place to stand. As the train reached Mulund, I realized it was indeed a war. The never-ending stream of ladies were gushing as if there was no tomorrow. The small compartment was splitting at its end and this was just the second station. I was wondering what would happen next.

As the train passed by other stations, the crowd only increased. At Ghatkopar, I was relieved to find many people getting down. But my joy was short lived!! More than double the people who got out boarded the train. It was a total mess. Ladies were screaming and lunging at each other, holding on to each others dresses, hair and whatever they could lay their hands on. The people who were already seated acted snooty if anyone brushed against them. There were a few nice ones who offered their seats to others for sometime and some who didn’t even move an inch. Even pregnant ladies were made to stand while young college girls continued to be glued to their seats. My friends have told me that ladies in the second class are more considerate than the ones in the first class. I guess people here need more lessons in humanity.

At Dadar, the crowd eased out a bit. But it was time for me to move out as I was going to get down at Parel. There wasn’t much crowd near the door amd I heaved a sigh of relief. I got down at Parel and the train began to move. I turned back to look at the passing train and saw that all the compartments were spilling at their ends. I was amazed at the spirit of the people who were fighting with life and death to get to their workplace. I guess that’s life in MUMBAI!!!