Mumbai Mania

The Monsoon is a pleasant season, beautiful skies filled with colour, fresh green trees and plants that get a wash, less pollution in the air, the sweet aroma of wet mud and the blossoms of love in the air. But like every thing in life the pros and cons come together, with the beauty of the monsoons disease is the beast. Leptospirosis, Dengue and Malaria outbreaks are common in the rains, due to the garbage and stagnant water around the place. To top it all corrupt governance adds the nail to the coffin, this year though the Malaria menace has gotten out of control.

34 people have died in Mumbai in this month August 2008, with over 14,000 hospitalized since June when the monsoons started, in the last three weeks, more than 3,663 people have been admitted to various civic hospitals because of malaria.

Dr J Thanekar, civic executive health officer, who found around 100 mosquito breeding spots in the F South and North wards during a Saturday morning survey said, "We are a bit worried about malaria, this is because there is water stagnation at most construction sites there."

While the BMC blames the constructions that are helping propagate Malaria, it has been rumoured that the BMC has eaten away the money that they receive every year to fogs areas with mosquito repellent smoke canisters. But to make it even more interesting is the Mumbai civic standing committee recently approved the purchase of 175 German made fogging machines as part of its anti-malaria efforts.

A particular contractor had supplied two similar machines in 2006 for Rs 73,000 each This year as well the requirement specifications of the foggers were only met by the same contractor while a BJP corporator Yogesh Sagar states that similar fogging machines were being manufactured in Malad and were available for Rs 23,000 each.

On a quest to discover a new place in Mumbai, we went to the historical Banganga tank, situated in Walkeshwar temple complex on the southernmost tip of Malabar Hill in South Mumbai.

It is hidden behind one of the posh areas in Mumbai. Banganga Tank has holy significance, dating back to the 14th century, when it was built over a freshwater spring under the Silhara dynasty, and today it shows the contrasting landscape of Mumbai.

With traditional temple complex and slums on one side and towering buildings on the other, Banganga is the oldest surviving structure in the city. It still retains its old world charm to some extent.

We ended up spending good amount of time at this place, adn discovering different flavors of Mumbai at one place. Lets take a look at variety of pictures of Banganga.

The narrow path leading to the tank takes around 10-15 minutes, with two-storey houses on either sides and colorful temples, resembling Bombay of olden times. Straight ahead you can also see the Arabian Sea and the sky was lovely that day.

For a moment it felt as if I wasn't in Mumbai, and then when you look beyond the small houses you see the encroaching structures.



Opposite to the entrance of the tank was a Shiva painting on the wall, surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the himalayas.
The Holy Quotient

Its an ancient stepped tank, where devotees believe that the mossy waters has healing powers and originated from a natural spring created by an arrow shot by Rama (the hero of the Ramayana), who rested here while on a mission to rescue his beloved Sita from the demon king's abode in Lanka.

The source of the spring is said to be an underground offshoot of the Ganga, and the waters are considered just as sacred as those of the great river itself. The tank's name derives from this story - Baan (arrow in English) and Ganga (is the Ganges River). which is believed to have has some newly constructed and some dilapidated. There were few workers replacing the old stones with new ones.

Banganga is suppose to be a heritage structure, here is the remain of the ancient stone step, while newer stones are being placed.

What immediately strikes on seeing the tank is the presence of marine life in this 25feet deep tank. There were large number of ducks, little Cormorant, ....gently floating on the water surface. Along with them, different species of fishes like Rohu, Mangoor, Kolkatta fish, and Turtles are also present in the tank.


So the tank was littered with remains of a religious ceremony - garlands, banana leaves, plastic bags - a common feature in any water body in Mumbai. This duck didn't want a bite of that, as several moved around searching for fish.

A pujari chanting his prayers on the other side of the tank, behind him are ducks taking a break! Banganga is a popular attraction Mumbai as many tourists visit the place. Banganga Music Festival was an important cultural event held every year, which had various artists showcasing their talent. But Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the organisers, won't host the event anymore, putting curtains on this show. MTDC pulled out of public-private partnership because it felt exploited by the joint organisers and sponsors. The original entrance to Banganga used to have diyas to decorate them in ancient times. The kids residing in the same vicinity playing in the water. It seemed their daily entertainment, diving, performing all kinds of stunts, in water. In fact few of them asked us to take their pictures jumping in water. They definitely seemed excited and energetic of their evening activity. Few workers painting the temple shrine in the background. Another colorful temple in the background. In the vicinity are some really old temples like Venkateshwar Balaji temple, a Peshwa era temple, Rameshwar Mandir (temple), making it a devotional hub. Two corners of the tank had garbage floating in it, a pity sight, considering how vibrant and peaceful the place is and little has been done to keep it clean. Mnay people wash their utensils, take a dip in the water, and even fill pots. As Janmashtami, the festival to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, was on the following day, people around the city have handi (a clay pot), suspended high above the ground, containing prizes. Then youngsters form a human tower to break the handi. Here a group of boys were getting ready to put the handi up. It was a big occassion, accompanied by music, dance and lot of enthusiasm.

The magical sky with the sun setting behind the clouds was an absolute treat. On the coastline nestled several slums, and opposite them were skyscrapers. That reflects the disparity between the rich and the poor.

As we walked ahead entering unknown lanes and bylanes, we were amazed to see that people living here were in a way cut off from the main city. They all were willing ot strike a pose for the camra.

There was a small garden close by, looked like it was recently opened for people to take their evening walks. Unfortunately the garden was fenced from all sides, making it impossible to sight the seafront. However, if you look close, it had a slope for handicapped people to move up their wheelchair, a rare sight in Mumbai as it is not handicap-friendly.
At the end of the day, we were satisfied with the experience of seeing a different part of the city. Mumbai is quite cosmopolitan in nature. Banganga is a true example of its diversity.

How to Reach Banganga Tank

Coming up via the Walkeshwar slope from Chowpatty, take the straight road to Teenbatti Junction. From Teenbatti, go further ahead to reach Walkeshwar Bus Depot. Banganga Tank and Temple complex is a 10-minute walk from Walkeshwar Bus Depot.

Finding an open space in Mumbai can be quite a task; a place to chill out with your friends or go for a stroll after a tough day at work. The number of open spaces as compared to the rising population is definitely less. It is so important to have a place where you can breathe some fresh air and unwind from the chaos of the city. There are patches of greenery spread across the city either in suburban areas or heart of the city.

Let’s travel to some of the open spaces available in Mumbai, which acts as the lung of the city.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Popularly known as Borivali National Park, it is a well-preserved natural oasis in the heart of an urban sprawl. A protected area spread across 9000 hectares, the park is fringed by a flourishing population of more than 12million people. That makes this park one of the largest in the world located within city limits.

The park is just an hour's drive from South Mumbai, and one can see the change in the environment instantly. We've been there for a trek and had a lovely experience. It has a mix of lifeforms, from different species of flowers, plants, to migratory birds, and it also has a few panthers roaming around after dark. People come for their morning walks, or trekking to Kanheri Caves, sculpted by Buddhist residents, bird-watching, as different species of birds are visible here. Overall its a good place to visit and be one with nature.

How to Reach National Park?

Suburban trains is the ideal way to reach the park, it can be boarded from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Central Railway) or Mumbai Central (Western Railway), which are about 40 km. and 36 km. respectively from the park. You can get off at Borivali station, from there take a rickshaw to the park, which is less than 2 km away.

Manori

One of the few nice beaches in Mumbai, Manori is 40 kms away from the city. The quaint fishing village is a great hangout to watch the sunset or see the waves lashing on the shore. The beach is about two kms long and fringed with palm trees and rows of seafront hotels, making it a weekend retreat for locals. Cliffs along the beach stretch gives a good view of the shore. A little further away from Manori is Gorai beach. Both were famous for their night-long parties at one point of time. Now its filled with couples and families who want some peace on the weekend.

How to Reach Manori?

Malad station, on the Western line, is the nearest railhead. From Malad one can take a rickshaw to Marve. Catch a 15-minute ferry to Manori village, from there a short trek of about 15 minutes will take you to the top of a cliff that overlooks the beach.

Aarey Milk Colony

I passed this area on the weekend, and was really glad to see the vast green expanse and picturesque surroundings. It was a refreshing change and just felt so peaceful. Situated in Goregaon East, a suburb of Mumbai, on the main Ghodbunder Road, Aarey Milk Colony is quite well-preserved, so far. The huge area comprises gardens, a nursery, lakes, an observation pavilion from where people can see the scenic landscape, picnic facilities, and milk plants. The city gets its dairy products from here, and also my favorite drink - Energee - is produced here. Some of the must see places in Aarey Milk Colony are the Aarey Garden Restaurant, Chota Kashmir and the boating ride on a serene lake. Many school children come here for sightseeing tours of the bottling plants and dairy farms.

How to Reach Aarey Milk Colony?

The best way to reach Aarey would be to board a train to Goregaon Station, from Churchgate or Mumbai Central. Get off on the west and a take auto rickshaw going towards Western Express Highway.

Navy Nagar
As the name suggests, the area is a cantonment area for the Indian Navy and Army personnel. Situated in Colaba, extreme south of the city, the place is a mini township in itself.

We’ve often gone there for a bike ride, and it feels as if you are in a different zone altogether. The place has residential societies, a mini theatre, where only the navy and army is permitted, restaurants, church, school etc.

The area is well maintained and has a large amount of greenery. The only Golf Course in South Mumbai is located in the US club in Navy Nagar, which also hosts the Navy ball every year.


IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), Powai

Nestled on the banks of Powai lake is IIT, one of the largest institutes in the state. Powai lake is a large artificial lake in north-eastern part of Mumbai. The campus area is huge, clean and green, due to its proximity to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. You will find several outsiders in the campus as well, sitting by the lake, or cycling or just riding around. It sure is a pleasant ride.

How to Reach IIT Mumbai?

The closest railway stops to IIT Mumbai is Kanjurmarg and Vikhroli, both are on Central line.

These are some of the open spaces in Mumbai, if I have missed out on any, do let us know, and we can add it.

The 110 hectare Deonar dumping ground rises up to seven stories high, the dumping ground was opened in 1927 and accepted approximately 1,450,000 tonnes of waste in 2006. Currently, the site has approximately 9.2 million tonnes of waste in place.

Dr Neelam Rane, vice-president of Smoke Affected Residents Forum (SARF), said, "Until now, we were agitated because garbage from all over the city was dumped but now we find even bio-medical waste is being incinerated here. This is injustice. Why is the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) not finding an alternate site to dump the city’s garbage?"

"As per an affidavit filed in the Bombay High Court, the BMC was to install a ‘Garbage Recycle Unit’ within a year. Even the police had promised to set up a chowky outside the Deonar dumping ground within a year following the high court order. Both promises were made 11 years ago and are yet to be fulfilled," she explained.

Girish Deshpande, who sold his apartment near Deonar and bought one near Ambedkar Garden at Chembur at a much higher price. "I lost my father due to lung problems caused by polluted air from the dumping ground. My mother was suffering from acute asthma while we were stayed near the dumping ground. She is feeling better since we shifted. I do not want to take any more risk. I will support this campaign till it reaches a logical end," says Deshpande.

A 11-month-old boy diagnosed as Mumbai’s first confirmed polio case of 2008 in April, in Govandi, where the winding alleys reek of the 110-hectare Deonar garbage dump next-door. In 2005, Infant Mortality Rate in Govandi was 60.8 per 1000 live births while the average for Mumbai is 35.12 per 1000. In the past year, health posts in Govandi registered 1629 TB patients, while asthma, skin diseases and malaria is common here as well.



The Solid waste department had proposed to take up the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project (MSDP) which was to be completed in the year 2003, with loan of US $240 million from the World Bank but no progress was made in that effect. The Deonar Landfill is a controlled open dump owned and operated by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) that seeks specific cooperation to advance the development of a Bio Gas Project.

Because of dumping of garbage without segregation, the bacteria present react with it which releases an estimated amount of 4,251 m3/hr of biogas, mostly containing methane. Currently this gas combusts and creates fires and releases smoke and other pollutants into the air.

This month the BMC came up with a rather ridiculous situation to control the stench in Deonar by spraying it with deodorant, the perfume costs US $114,000 for 42,000 litres, which is required to perfume the landfills for six to eight months. Currently even people who segregate their garbage are more than likely wasting their time, as its all combined together and dumped.

As citizens our efforts go to waste until the government provides a method for segregating garbage, but lets take a look at our sewage. In Mumbai we have the Methi river and other outlets that dump untreated sewage into the sea. Take a look at this map below, you can see the Black outlets of our sewage flowing into the sea, this is the same water that the fish live in that are caught and eaten by us.



Recently thousands of fish were found dead in a fresh water lake that supplies water to Mumbai, yet there has been no reason provided as to how the fish died.

Mumbai desperately needs a solution for its waste disposal, more importantly it needs citizens to stand up against a shoddy system that is on the verge of collapsing.

It is a freedom struggle of a different kind. A day after the country celebrated its 61st Independence Day, the gay community held a parade in Mumbai to demand their rights and change in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which states that homosexuality is illegal.

In June, India participated in the Gay Pride Parade for the first time, held in Bangalore, Calcutta, Pondicherry and Delhi. The Mumbai parade was held on August 16th to show their struggle to get freedom in a society that has been indifferent towards the gay community, and not having the freedom to live with dignity.

Groups representing gays, lesbians and bisexuals came out on the streets at the historic August Kranti Maidan, where over six decades ago the Quit India movement was launched. Gay activists also asked Britain to apologise for introducing anti-sodomy laws in the 19th century, which calls for up to 10 years in prison for engaging in carnal intercourse.


But what's unbelievable is that India has still stuck to the same law since gaining independence in 1947, while Britain has already scrapped that law in their country.

You can watch a clipping of the parade in Mumbai in the video below.

The apology statement stated, "We call on the British government to apologize for the immense suffering that has resulted from their imposition of Section 377. And we call on the Indian government to abandon this abhorrent alien legacy of the Raj that should have left our shores when the British did."

Over 500 people turned up for the parade, as marchers chanted slogans like "Closets are for clothes" in Hindi, Gujarati and English. They sang, danced and played drums as people watched from sidewalks and balconies.

The march was also at the right time as the case against Section 377 is now in the final stages of hearing in Delhi High Court.

Its a common sight to see a BMW or a Mercedes in Bombay, although its not so common to see a Lamborghini or a Ferrari. But we know for sure that people have purchased cars that cost more than a crore without taxes.

But can Mumbai roads that are laden with potholes and are with speed breakers that sets your vehicle airborne handle super cars. Well the owner of this Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 found out the hard way.

The price of the Murcielago LP640 is Rs. 1,28,33,000 without taxes, if you know that our tax laws are pretty high on imported cars, this means hes paid more than two crores for his raging bull, but considering the corruption its possible he got it much cheaper.

Anyway these pictures are extremely rare as you usually do not get to see a LP640 and whats even better you may never get to see a crashed Lamborghini Murcielago LP640in Mumbai. This is probably the most expensive car crash in India, by the way 60% of Mumbai's population lives in slums.

Chor Bazaar, literally meaning thieves market, is a place where people craving for bargains and discounts flock in large number.

It has a notorious reputation because all the stuff sold here comes without any guarantee or warranty, as most of them are second-hand goods. It is a basically an "organized" flea market, where one has to rummage through dirt to find treasures.

Located on Mutton Street in Grant Road, downtown Mumbai, Chor Bazaar is like a sprawling maze of alleys, which is buzzing with life, chaos, people and crazy discounts. What's available here?

Almost everything, be it antiques (more popular here), lamps, Art Deco clocks, coffee tables, grandfather clocks, gramophones, old maps, paintings, or shoes, watches, bags, clothes and everything else under the sun, even bizarre items like brass milk can. The place got its name also in a bizarre way.

When Queen Victoria visited Bombay, a violin went missing from her luggage. It was found later at one of the stalls in Mutton Street which is today known as Chor Bazaar. The shops here have been owned by nearly five generations of families.

One of the resident of Chor Bazaar said, "Chor Bazaar earlier used to be a place where thieves used to come and sell their wares. Now the goods sold here are those which people have discarded from their homes and have found their way here on to the streets."

Haggling is compulsory or else you will be fleeced, as many items here are reproductions of the original. So if you can identify genuine products, then you are safe. Chor Bazaar is open between 11:00 am to 7 pm from Saturday to Thursday.
So shopping at Chor Bazaar is not easy as there is so much stuff, you might have to spend good time to find what you like. Be rest assured its a crowded It sure is an interesting place, alas, I haven't been there yet!

How to reach Chor Bazaar:

Get off at Grant Road station (East) and from there its about 25 minutes away. Its between S V Patel and Maulana Shaukat Ali Road

We often complain that we don't get good phone network in certain areas and blame the service provider. On calling the customer service, we are generally told that the company is coming up with a new phone (cell) tower to ensure good network all the time.

Now the fact is that there are too many cell towers in the city, leading to higher emission of electromagnetic radiations, way beyond safety levels, according to a study conducted by Cogent EMR Solutions.

Being exposed to such radiation, leads to problems like loss of appetite, irritation, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, headaches, problems in vision, infertility and deformity of foetus. Medical experts feel it is a ‘slow and invisible killer’.

The study says that the safe limit of radiations for human beings is up to 50 microwatts per square meter and the upper limit is 100 microwatts per square meter. But in certain areas in South Bombay - Vidhan Sabha and Nariman Point - recorded highest readings, while other areas like Cuffe Parade, Breach Candy Hospital, Lower Parel, Bandstand and Versova also recorded high readings. The radiation readings was more than 1000 microwatts per square centimeters.

So better technology would mean faster communication and being advanced, but it definitely has its disadvantages when you think of it. In India there are no stringent laws in place against the risks that they come with.

The city is cosmopolitan in many ways, and is tagged as the financial capital of the country, where language has never been a barrier. People either communicate in Hindi, English, Marathi or a combination of Hindi and English - Hinglish (very popular in Mumbai).

That is set to change, as the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC), the local civic body, has made Marathi the official language for all future documentation of companies. Now in a city, which aspired to become a global commercial hub, English has generally been the language used to conduct daily business, and this new move has left many in a tight spot.

It is going to be a concern for several white-collar work force, because most of them would probably understand the local dialect but would struggle to strike a conversation in Marathi. Even lower courts and the police have long worked in Marathi, but the state government has Hindi and English documents. So the transition is going to be difficult.

The documentation in the BMC will now be written exclusively in Marathi, and even the city’s software system will be converted into the local language. The last time such a proposal was mooted in the city council was in 1986 but failed to be passed.

Several offices have been asked by the BMC to put their office signage in Marathi as well, and not only in English. Will this affect the financial capital status of the city? Will global companies refrain from operating here?