G's Spot

Kurla is not the first choice you make, if you want to fix a meeting. As fact, in my 25 years of Bombay - i've not had a business meeting in Kurla. It just sounded far too counterproductive, to make it through the traffic snarls and the impatience that brings with it. Till today.  The meeting was worth it, and business was conducted.  The travel, on the other hand - was a revelation. I marvelled at the new SCLR that has been built, while chatting with my cabbie about why Mumbai is the noisiest city in the world, his faith in Modi (despite being a Muslim), improvement in the city's infrastructure etc. I finally saw the markets where spare car parts come from and teak and timber. The  journey to the meeting showed me a part of the city, that earlier was a place you don't just boldly go... For my return, I hitched a tuk-tuk. And then, the following happened in less than a few minutes: A slight jam, before the SCLR signal. Road packed with vehicles... Our ...

June 15, 2014. This month, Mumbai earned a dubious superlative. That of the " Noisiest city in the Worl d".  If you've lived on the streets of Bombay long enough, it should not aurally surprise. Yet, the title really did. Nosiest city in the WORLD? Here are some facts: 1. Drivers on the streets of Mumbai are horny. So, they honk. The average number of horns per minute at a "normal traffic junction" is a staggering 260 horns per minute. That is about 5 horns per second. (We counted, so we know.) 2. These drivers think that it is not a PROBLEM, if they hit the horn. "It's just the way it is."  3. Most people did not know that Mumbai is the noisiest city in the world. Did you, before you read this? 4. Mumbaiites don't give a f*^k. they have no clue that noise pollution is a BAD THING. "frankly my dear, i don't give a damn." 5. "Decibels?" What is that? Most people don't know what the norms for noi...