the ELECTIONs are here.....

Mumbai goes to the polls on the 30th April.

Its time to be responsible and exercise the vote wisely to let the politicians know for once whose the boss....

Mumbai's PARSI Colonies

The PARSI community of Mumbai stays in numerous walled colonies all across the city,
popularly they as known as the Parsi Colonies.

Some interesting facts about the Parsis:

Indian census data has established that the number of Parsis has been steadily declining for several decades. The highest census count was of 114,890 individuals in 1940-41, which includes the crown colony populations of present-day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Post-independence census data is only available for India (1951: 111,791) and reveal a decline in population of approximately 9% per decade.

According to the National Commission for Minorities, there are a "variety of causes that are responsible for this steady decline in the population of the community", the most significant of which were childlessness and migration (Roy & Unisa 2004, p. 8, 21). Demographic trends project that by the year 2020 the Parsis will number only 23,000 (less than 0.0002% of the 2001 population of India). The Parsis will then cease to be called a community and will be labeled a 'tribe'(Taraporevala 2000, p. 9).

One-fifth of the decrease in population is attributed to migration (Roy & Unisa 2004, p. 21). A slower birthrate than deathrate accounts for the rest: as of 2001, Parsis over the age of 60 make up for 31% of the community. The national average for this age group is 7%. Only 4.7% of the Parsi community are under 6 years of age, which translates to 7 births per year per 1000 individuals (Roy & Unisa 2004, p. 14).

The gender ratio among Parsis is unusual, as of 2001, the ratio of males to females was 1000 males to 1050 females (up from 1024 in 1991), due primarily to the high median age of the population (elderly women are more common than elderly men). The national average was 1000 males to 933 females.

Parsis have a high literacy rate: as of 2001, the literacy rate is 97.9%, the highest for any Indian community (the national average is 64.8%). 96.1% of Parsis reside in urban areas (the national average is 27.8%).

In the Greater Mumbai (formerly Bombay) area, where alomost 70% of all Parsis reside, 10% of Parsi females and 20% of Parsi males do not marry (Roy & Unisa 2004).

City bird : The Flight of the Pigeon

The Pigeon is one bird that has adapted successfully to the of the city.
It is the 'city bird' along with the crow.

It is a delight to see these beauties flap their wings and take to the sky, the sight is both liberating and refreshing.

Fishermen

Fisher-woman returning home.

The Fishermen are the original inhabitants of Mumbai , locally they are known as 'Koli's.

Fishing was once a thriving business in Mumbai but the increased sea water pollution and unchecked construction along the sea front have led to a decline in fish catch over the years.

Fisher folk at work

The Sacrificial Goat

Shakurbhai purchased this goat(he-goat) a few years ago while it was small and vulnerable, it was well fed and looked after over the years.

He takes pride in walking with the goat in his locality and is popularly identified as the " Shakurbhai with the tallest goat" in his neighbourhood.

With time he has become fond of the goat and now he plans to sacrifice it on Eid this week.

Flying High : Going places

Here everyone seem to be going somewhere, albeit the means differ .
Some are on the flight, the others on the bus whereas this man and his son prefer the walk.

India seems to be going places, flying high!

Wirefree in Dharavi

wirefree in Dharavi


The Telecom revolution is here to stay and the increased competition amongst the Telecom companies translates into a lot of smiles for the customers,like this man in Dharavi;even his goat seems impressed.

Religious Tolerance : The true Indian spirit

A Busy Mumbai traffic wades patiently & discreetly to make space for their brethren to offer Namaaz during Ramadan.

Religious tolerance and spiritual freedom have been the hall marks of the Indian way of life.

A true Mumbaikar respects and understands this and has adopted it as a way of life.

Ganesha once Again

Mumbai once again bid farewell to it's favourite Elephant headed god 'Ganesha' with chants of ' Phudchya Varshi Lavkar Ya'.

Children of the Rooftops

                    Munni with brother Raja on the rooftop of their house,its their 'playground' by default

'Open Spaces' in Mumbai are a rare luxury, more so in the shanties.

In the absence of open spaces and play grounds these children play on the rooftops of their houses.They don't dare go on the crowded streets below so are forced to spend most of their free time here.

There is little  care and concern for the need of play grounds for  children; Housing the ever growing population seems to be the priority with one and all.

Consequently many childhoods in Mumbai are being lost forever by each passing day in this mad quest for ' development '.


                                   Playing with the pigeons

Akhara Kusti : a Struggle for Survival

Akhara Kusti or Indian style wrestling was once a very popular sport in India.
But now it is struggling for it's survival.Except for these spirited and passionate wrestlers who work by day in menial jobs to make a living, this fascinating sport will be lost forever.

Two Views

A wise man once said , "Saawan Ke Andhe ko sab Hara Hi Hara Nazar Aata hai."
-- What you 'Perceive' is 'perceived' by your own 'Perception'.

Here are two views, two perspectives,two extremes of Mumbai.
The city has all the colors there that are, its a matter of choice what exactly you are looking for.

Cuffe Parade aerial view





Dharavi aerial view

Waiting for the Ascent : Dharavi

Waiting for the ascent: a woman ponders outside her house

Mumbai is undergoing a sea change and no where else can this change can be felt more than in the big slums like Dharavi where the shanties are being razed by the day to make way for swank buildings & skyscrapers in various projects being undertaken by the SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority).

Millions of residents of the slums are awaiting with bated breaths and hopeful eyes to make the Ascent from the urban poor to the Great Indian Middle class.


hopeful eyes : one of the families in Dharavi in their prayer room cum bedroom cum living room


Dharavi due to its proximity to the swank Bandra Kurla complex and also the airport is inviting the attention of the super big corporates of the likes of the Ambanis and the Godrejs who are competing to corner the largest pie of the slum redevelopment schemes.
























Electric dreams

The Rich or the Poor ,Who makes the biggest ascent in this game remains to be seen........... but many have already made the obvious assumption.

An Indian Wedding at Dharavi

Bride Groom & Baratis at a wedding,Dharavi

Its November again and it is the beginning of the Wedding season in India which lasts upto March.The streets are abuzz with Bandwallas and Baratis dancing with such hysteria and trance that it will put any hard rocker to rethink his moves.Everyone from the neighbors (and their guests), the relatives (and their relatives),family members(and their friends),people on the street(and those on the few streets beyond) join in and play a part in realizing this great Indian Dream with such fanfare and aplomb that it rivals the best Samba parade in the world.

balloon seller at Girgaum Chowpatty

balloon seller Chowpatty

Girgaum Chowpatty is a good place for an evening stroll as well as some photography with the local vendors selling everything from balloons,key chains,kites to Kerala ayurvedic massage oils and other fancy knick-knacks.Its a refreshing experience.



Masks

' Do You want to buy my fish or not.........'

fisher women selling fish

' Do You want to buy my fish or not.........'


Its not a threat nor is it a request......, but its a statement hurled at you by a busy fisher woman of Mumbai in a distinct and definite authoritative tone if one tries to bargain too hard with her.The fisher women handle the selling of the fresh catch from the seas every morning .Typically, the fisher men go for fishing in the high seas and the job of selling the fish is left to the fisher women who go about their job like a true professional.She can be ruthless and requesting,friendly and aloof,calm and agressive all at the same time but one thing is for sure; she does manage to sell all the fish by the end of the day.



a fish market

A peaceful co - existence

a peaceful co-existence

In today's troubled times...........what more can one ask for......

Ramzaan delicacies on Mohammed Ali Road

Open air Eateries on Mohammed Ali road

Minara Masjid on Mohammed Ali Road  is the heart of Ramzaan festivities in Mumbai.
Days of fasting are punctuated with nights of feasting as families gather at the eateries on the open arterial streets 
around the  Masjid savouring mouth watering delicacies.


streetview Minara Masjid

Mumbai set to lose a part of its heritage

view of Crawford market against the backdrop of the Mumbai Harbour


With the talks of the redevelopment of CRAWFORD MARKET (now christened Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market) Mumbai is set to lose a part of its heritage. Some may feel an exagerration but to me this can be compared to the destruction of the Buddha Sculptures at Bamiyan in Afganistan by the Taliban, though the means and motives are different the results are the same: the loss of heritage.

monsoon magic

The Monsoon in Mumbai leaves you breathless , wet and oh so romantic!
Enjoy while it rains!

Farewell To Ganesha

Mumbai finally bid farewell to its favorite god Ganesha.Ganesha festival is the most important festival in Mumbai and the whole city is abuzz with "Ganpati Bappa Morya" chants throughout the ten days of festivities.

Bollywood

bollywood stuntmen

Mumbai lives and breathes 'Bollywood' - the unofficial name of the Indian Hindi Film industry based in Mumbai.It is the largest film industry in the world and produces more films every year than any other film industry in the world.
In Mumbai Bollywood makes its presence felt everywhere on the streets, the tea stalls,hoardings et all.
Here are some pictures of the Mumbai junta's bollywood madness.

Johnny Flower-bollywood double at a tea stall


Mumbai street view outside a Theater