Mumbai, the city of dreams, the business capital of India and this is where i got my internship in ICICI Prudential. This was my first visit to Mumbai. I boarded my flight from Bangalore and in 2 short hours I landed in Mumbai. I was always quite apprehensive about visiting Mumbai, mainly due to what i seen in movies- the crowded mumbai local, pickpockets and gangsters, and just being a number among millions.
I stepped out of Airport and got a standard black and yellow top Mumbai taxi. The driver was a old man with white beard. Being the first time in Mumbai, I told with sincere display of respect " Bhaiya Ji, Jogeshwari west chalo, 24 carot multiplex" and suddenly the guy saw me with anger all over his face
"I'll take you wherever you want but you should not speak with somebody like this" but continued driving. For a moment I was speechless and wondered what i did or is it a scheme to create a scene by typical mumbai taxiwala. Now he asked me where i was from. I said Uttarakhand cautiously. The bearded driver turned again while driving and said "You are from north and calling somebody Bhaiya, dont you have respect for others". And then it occured to me and I understood my mistake. Its common in Northern India to call someone out of respect, "Bhaiya Ji",but not in Mumbai. I apologised to the driver and after some exaplanation the driver understood and calmed down "In mumbai only Milkman are called Bhaiya ji, one should never call somebody with this word, this is same as insulting somebody". So that was my first lesson as soon as i landed in Mumbai, but it was just a start.
Once we were comfortable, we started chatting.The old guy was a Muslim from Allahabad, and was in mumbai since 1971. We had a long discssion about living in mumbai, life and other matters. He had seen Mumbai transitioning from Bombay. He was vary about the problems due to religion happening in India currently, and explained me the true meaning of religion and conduct. He told me Mumbai has its own charm and its hard to leave this city once you live here.
After an hour of driving we reached the destimation. The address was clear so we reached without any problems. I bid adieu to the taxi driver and thanked him for the good talk. There i found that Da has gone to Panvel for some work. The security guard Mr. Pande there was also from Allahabad. After some small talk he agreed to keep my luggage in guard room till Da return in evening. The movie theatre was at walkable distance from the house, so i went there to kill time.
I think it was after 5 years i saw a movie alone. Last time it was Lagaan in 2001 and now it was this comedy 'Shadi se pehle'. The movie was fine but nothing much to think about. The only surprise was National Anthem being played before the movie. I did not know that in Maharashtra movies play National Anthem before the movie.
When i came back Da was home. I thanked Mr. Pande and picked my luggage. I met the family and then spent rest of the day at home.
The first day in Mumbai definitely brought some new learnings.
I stepped out of Airport and got a standard black and yellow top Mumbai taxi. The driver was a old man with white beard. Being the first time in Mumbai, I told with sincere display of respect " Bhaiya Ji, Jogeshwari west chalo, 24 carot multiplex" and suddenly the guy saw me with anger all over his face
"I'll take you wherever you want but you should not speak with somebody like this" but continued driving. For a moment I was speechless and wondered what i did or is it a scheme to create a scene by typical mumbai taxiwala. Now he asked me where i was from. I said Uttarakhand cautiously. The bearded driver turned again while driving and said "You are from north and calling somebody Bhaiya, dont you have respect for others". And then it occured to me and I understood my mistake. Its common in Northern India to call someone out of respect, "Bhaiya Ji",but not in Mumbai. I apologised to the driver and after some exaplanation the driver understood and calmed down "In mumbai only Milkman are called Bhaiya ji, one should never call somebody with this word, this is same as insulting somebody". So that was my first lesson as soon as i landed in Mumbai, but it was just a start.
Once we were comfortable, we started chatting.The old guy was a Muslim from Allahabad, and was in mumbai since 1971. We had a long discssion about living in mumbai, life and other matters. He had seen Mumbai transitioning from Bombay. He was vary about the problems due to religion happening in India currently, and explained me the true meaning of religion and conduct. He told me Mumbai has its own charm and its hard to leave this city once you live here.
After an hour of driving we reached the destimation. The address was clear so we reached without any problems. I bid adieu to the taxi driver and thanked him for the good talk. There i found that Da has gone to Panvel for some work. The security guard Mr. Pande there was also from Allahabad. After some small talk he agreed to keep my luggage in guard room till Da return in evening. The movie theatre was at walkable distance from the house, so i went there to kill time.
I think it was after 5 years i saw a movie alone. Last time it was Lagaan in 2001 and now it was this comedy 'Shadi se pehle'. The movie was fine but nothing much to think about. The only surprise was National Anthem being played before the movie. I did not know that in Maharashtra movies play National Anthem before the movie.
When i came back Da was home. I thanked Mr. Pande and picked my luggage. I met the family and then spent rest of the day at home.
The first day in Mumbai definitely brought some new learnings.
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