India Shining
Well this piece is not about political campaigns. Its about Marine Drive in Mumbai.
There is always a breathtaking view from you, be it at differing times of the day or be it from differing heights.
If its early in the day, the sea somewhow seems calmer and bluer and it is truly a humbling experience to think that there exists a world beyond these endless waters that you still have to visit and explore. While you are on your way to office towards Nariman Point this sight gives you a very good perspective to things as you start your day.
Somewhere in the afternoon, when the tide is high and the road is full of cars and people you can experience something very unique. Sit on those embankments, turn towards the road, you see life in all its action and you turn towards the sea you sea tranquility once again (there aren't much waves around here). In fact I have often marvelled at the lovers who sit on those embankments totally oblivious to the bustle behind them as they stare into the horizon, hands quietly held.
However its the early evening which is when this place is resplendent in all its beauty. At this hour of dusk, the sun sets on the sea filling it with an orange glow while slowly but surely the lights on Malabar Hills come up in the background. As darkness sets in you see a panorama of lights, some call it The Queens Necklace. I however call it India Shining.
While the former name comes from the ring of street lights, mine comes from the lights of the towering buildings at Malabar Hills. It is a different sight from the beach at Chowpatty or from the heights of Express Towers but beautiful neverthless.
Yes, I did give this name about a year back when the BJP name was at its full and I used to come out of office everyday on to Marine Drive and every single day be astonished by this show of lights. Malabar Hills also happens to be the most expensive residential area in not just India but also quite a bit of South East Asia and seeing the lights there and with this campaign in the background, the little part of communist in me ( I come from Calcutta after all) couldn't help but wonder who India really shone for. I must still stand and testify who ever it might shine for this is is one breathtaking view, and this beauty is mine to see, who cares if I own it or not.
So someday if you want to catch me in a really really good mood for cconversation join me for some beer at Mondegar and then we ll catch up on this fabulous road.
There is always a breathtaking view from you, be it at differing times of the day or be it from differing heights.
If its early in the day, the sea somewhow seems calmer and bluer and it is truly a humbling experience to think that there exists a world beyond these endless waters that you still have to visit and explore. While you are on your way to office towards Nariman Point this sight gives you a very good perspective to things as you start your day.
Somewhere in the afternoon, when the tide is high and the road is full of cars and people you can experience something very unique. Sit on those embankments, turn towards the road, you see life in all its action and you turn towards the sea you sea tranquility once again (there aren't much waves around here). In fact I have often marvelled at the lovers who sit on those embankments totally oblivious to the bustle behind them as they stare into the horizon, hands quietly held.
However its the early evening which is when this place is resplendent in all its beauty. At this hour of dusk, the sun sets on the sea filling it with an orange glow while slowly but surely the lights on Malabar Hills come up in the background. As darkness sets in you see a panorama of lights, some call it The Queens Necklace. I however call it India Shining.
While the former name comes from the ring of street lights, mine comes from the lights of the towering buildings at Malabar Hills. It is a different sight from the beach at Chowpatty or from the heights of Express Towers but beautiful neverthless.
Yes, I did give this name about a year back when the BJP name was at its full and I used to come out of office everyday on to Marine Drive and every single day be astonished by this show of lights. Malabar Hills also happens to be the most expensive residential area in not just India but also quite a bit of South East Asia and seeing the lights there and with this campaign in the background, the little part of communist in me ( I come from Calcutta after all) couldn't help but wonder who India really shone for. I must still stand and testify who ever it might shine for this is is one breathtaking view, and this beauty is mine to see, who cares if I own it or not.
So someday if you want to catch me in a really really good mood for cconversation join me for some beer at Mondegar and then we ll catch up on this fabulous road.
posted by Abilin Mukherjee at 8:11 AM
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