Unnati's take on Mumbai

Mumbai, the melting pot of cultures, or so say they say. Mumbai is known as the New york of India. It is probably the most developed city in the country. A horde of young men and women come to this city everyday, from all over, in the hope of making their dreams come true.

They say that the city welcomes all with open arms. But there is a marked difference between what they say, and what the stark reality is.

Why do I say this? Well my statements stem from my experience. My friend and I, both single working women, have been residing in this city for the last 3 and 10 years respectively, and we can both vouch for how modernization is just a myth when it comes Mumbai.

We are looking at emerging as the strongest and a highly advanced economy, but how is this possible when the thought process of individuals living in the so called metros is closed to any kind of adaptation or change.

Doesn’t the youth drive the economy of any country? Then why is there so much oppression existent within the Indian society as far as the youth is concerned.

It’s been 30 whole days since my friend and I have been looking at renting an apartment in the suburbs of the city. Innumerable houses, and something that I can only call a wild goose chase later, we are still looking!!

And why has our hunt resulted in such a disappointment?? Simple, housing societies in Mumbai look upon single people as an uncivilized lot, incapable of adhering to the norms set by the society. So something as basic as finding a house, has become a nightmare in this day and age. Things were so much simpler 3 years ago, so is the country progressing or regressing?

Even reference letters from the company we work in & from our ex landlord, which were a proof of our credibility, haven’t managed to help us get a decent house. So where do we go and who will help us? Is the city really this closed minded??

Isn’t it enough that the real estate rates are sky rocketing, and the youth has to worry about how to make ends meet in the city? Do we really need the additional burden of worrying about how we are going to find shelter in this concrete jungle? Can no one come to our rescue, and highlight how ridiculous these rules are?

Just because there have been unfortunate instances in the past, where singles have been involved in some sort of scandal, is it fair to generalize that every unmarried person is going to turn out like that? Mishaps can occur with anyone, irrespective of their marital status. Why is this city so ‘YOUTHIST’?

I am not writing this to create a controversy, nor am I trying to pinpoint fingers at anyone. The only reason I’m writing this is so that the day to day turmoil that the young men and women go through in this city comes out in the open. In the larger scheme of things, this might seem like an irrelevant problem, but it’s these small things that really matter in the end. If the country cares about it’s future, then it becomes essential that it makes things easier for its citizens.

I appeal to all those people who have been through similar problems, and to those who create these problems………it’s time to look at things from a different perspective, its time to live up to the true Mumbai spirit, it’s time to welcome one and all with arms wide open!!