This new year’s day, I spent my noon convincing the
receptionist at ‘The Museum of History of Catalonia’ to open up as advertised.
We were visiting Barcelona around that festive time of the year and probably I
had my stakes high expecting them to open on Numero Uno of 2017. Perhaps, that
was just the museum enthusiast in me.
So, my father-in-law gave up practising his Spanish or
rather trying to understand the local Catalan and we made our way to
Barcelonnetta beach instead. The promenade reminded me none other aapli Mumbai,
our Marine Drive.
My colleagues do ask me about Mumbai or India and express
their desire to visit it someday. “Oh, The Golden Triangle”, pat comes my
answer. Kerala for people seeking quiet retreats. Andaman or Ladakh for the
adventurous. But rarely do I suggest Mumbai. … if you are going to Goa that is.
Yes, Goa doesn’t feature on my top list. (I am willing to have an argument over
this.)
“Perhaps, you could do 48 hours in Mumbai. Don’t forget to
book the Taj though”, I add. I don’t think Mumbai would count on an average
tourist map. One could really do the city in a day if they wanted.
But at the same time, I do have a bond with my birth city.
The global me thinks, what will I show my child at Mumbai when say they are 8
or 9? Say, in another decade’s time. You would say take him to a local
playground. But that’s where the new station is planned! It wouldn’t be there
anymore. “Your mother had watched some amazing concerts here”, I will point
out. “Oh and that was Dadar beach”.
Of course, I could take them to the Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Museum. I could tell them how visiting that Museum at 15 by herself was their
mother’s first travel adventure.
How about a ferry to see the statue of Maharaj? No, I don’t
want a Statue La Grande of Chattrapati Maharaj in middle of the Arabian Ocean.
I have deep admiration for the king’s bravery and statesmanship but I don’t
think spending ex-chequers money for that monument is a wise idea.
Apologies, but I don’t want a tour of the slums, I don’t think
making a living exhibition of someone’s lifestyle is ethically correct. Did you
say there were two options instead? The usual shanty towns and the masses of
ugly tall buildings sprawled all over?
Nor, do I want to visit the many Socials opened at every
corner with less than average fare on their menus. Maybe I could treat them to
the Caramel Custard or proper bun maska at Café Military instead. If it is still around, of course.
I would be delighted if there were state of art facilities
at Elephanta Caves. We could break the Caves image as the scandalous shack haven
for average couples seeking a solace in the city. We could add a sound and
light show at Bandra Fort explaining the Fort’s history.
Perhaps, something else might help my children appreciate
Mumbai and inform them about the changes which transformed Mumbai in a decade’s
time.
How about a Museum for Mumbai?
I would certainly take my child to a Museum – a place which
celebrates the 18 million Mumbaikars who have stayed together through riots,
terror attacks, poor infrastructure hazards and torrential rains. Spirit of
Mumbai as they say. Or even our cool Chalta Hai attitude.
But, I do wonder if my children would ask me about the survivor’s
fate in all the mishaps which occur in Mumbai. Did their families get a compensation,
where the guilty bought to justice, was life same for them again or their
families?
Would the Museum tell also the survivors story in a
compelling way as much as that of a Bollywood super star who made it big in
India’s city of dreams?
I wonder if my children would equate the very celebrated
Spirit of Mumbai with Mumbai’s Chalta Hai attitude. For lack of accountability
in Mumbaikars and failure to stand up to their rights?
What will they think when they come to know about the recent
stampede at Elphinstone station in the Museum? That was the very local station
which their mother travelled from every single day in her Mumbai commute days.
Would we record in the Museum about the inquiry which bought
the concerned civic department to justice for their failure to monitor the
stampede or the team who failed to recognise a need for new bridge looking at
the ever increasing crowds during the last decade?
I hope there is an answer in that Museum.
Otherwise, how would we explain our children that their existence
matters? I am sure all the family members in India get excited enough at the
thought of grandchildren just when a couple has got engaged. Then why is it
that their lives don’t matter. Would the relatives say Aur ek bacha kar lo? Or
do they quote the Geeta and say, Death is but inevitable? Mar gaya bichara.
I really hope that a strong wave of change grips all the
Mumbaikars. Not just saying #Mumbaikar #cool #different #liberal #Delhisucks.
That they shout of loud and beat drums not just during
Ganpati. But that they claim the amount of money they pay for shoddy
infrastructure. For better governance and civic sense.
For Accountability. Not Chalta Hai.
Show the World What Spirit of Mumbai actually stands for!
P.S. We did visit the Museum of History of Catalonia the
next day at Barcelona. I learnt about the history of Catalan life and their
take on Modernism. The Moroccan immigration wave. I wonder what the fate
decides for Catalans today as they take a referendum much to the opposition of
the Spanish government.
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| Barcelona city from Park Guell |
