Personality shapes our destiny and us. Don’t think so? Well, neither did I till some time back. You see I had grown up in a pretty cool neighbourhood with friends who shared the same history and culture as a backdrop. Plus, our mutual sense of belonging to Mumbai meant that there was natural affinity amongst us.
This dream run ended when I decided to become a journalist. My friends go into more Mumbai-friendly professions like engineering, medicine or management leaving me to fend for myself in a new environment. Now, without going too much into details, I should say that my journalism college was a melting pot of cultures. We had students from all over India studying there. And with them came their different personalities shaped by their upbringing in their states.
Like my friend from U.P. He showed an absolute disregard for the law but at the same time was in awe of politicians. He used to find it shocking that people here didn’t even know the names of the local corporator. Before his arrival in Mumbai, he had thought that the best way to move up the ladder was befriending the local politician! He also never understood why such a hue and cry was made about infrastructure and environment here.
Another friend from North India truly surprised me with his 18th century thinking while yet another had come to Mumbai only because he had heard that it was the party capital of the country. But while it has been really fun to learn these different personalities, I am very surprised by the lack of belonging they show to their own states. While it is no crime to work anywhere, I know that my heart would always remain here in Mumbai no matter where I went. After all home is where the heart is, right? Cheers!!
Shakti said
Well I think once you come to Mumbai, your heart just doesnt leave… that’s the beauty of the city and also the cause of sustainablity issues that we face.