Mumbai.
For some it is a city of dreams and glamour, some had "haadsaas (accidents)", many made a "good life" out of it, few made generational wealth while enduring here.
So what is this Mumbai exactly?
Is it a home to slums or glossy sky-scrapers, curvy-flyovers or is it a thriving economy, or a culture or a simple habitat? Maybe all of that.
Most importantly, it is like a sea of wealth!! With every incoming wave it brings wealth to many, and with every outgoing tide it erodes wealth of a few!
This “sea of wealth” has been a relentless attraction for majority of its inhabitants. For ages and Generations.
All socio-economic classes thrive on that sea of wealth : the ultra-mega-super rich to neo-rich to upper middle-class to middle class to lower middle-class to financially constrained. This sea of wealth gives rise to aspirations to each of these classes – every moment.
All of these classes have a symbiotic relationships with each other, and that's how this city is not only surviving but also thriving. It's been doing that for centuries. We are lucky to have witnessed a few decades.
What does Mumbai needs to sustain this for next centuries. Development, Infrastructure, systems, culture or wealth?
In every time series, the city had most of them at an aggregate level, but most importantly it always had a "no-nonsense" approach towards its identity. Although It is multi-linguistic, multi cultural yet it is more rooted. The roots to Bharatiya culture are happily visible throughout a year via various social and religious celebrations.
But - Will that sustain forever? Do such urban landscapes change? Well, change is a continuous process - climate, infrastructure, development, administration, lifestyle etc. All these are function of time and necessity. However, Shift in cultural identity of an urban setup doesn't happen that quickly though, but, again it is dependent on the people who rule that setup.
How can such a change get effected? Force? Choice? Discussions?
Now a days, the most lethal medium of any such changes is electoral means. Democracy is demography dependent (Just like in stock market, “Screen is God / Bhav Bhagwan Che”). If one looks around globally, visible changes can be seen. They seem to be systematically effected through demography in many megapolis’ across the world - London, New York, Zurich, many European countries and many states of USA.
Such change cycle typically start with liberalism or Pro-climate or pro-diversity themes. While many global cities are in transition so can't say how such a “change” do they end. But to get the larger picture - whether citizens of these cities are happy or concerned at large. And, Whether or not that will affect a civilisation or not. However, the transformation seen in some cities can certainly ring an alarm. Of course, it is the choice of the inhabitants however, implications are far reaching, even can impact a nation. Big ones too.
Does such a change happen overnight or can it be forced through some political party or group of people? No.
All this can happen through a very local level electoral process, like elections of a municipal council. Although, the power structures in India, the UK and other countries are different, still a mayor or a local councillor is very significant cog in the wheel that shapes a city's future and adds to sustainability of its culture.
Leave fate and destiny apart, a citizen of Mumbai has the most powerful weapon - right to vote in every electoral process.
Elections of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and several leading growth centres Like Thane, KDMC, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Ch. Sambhaji Nagar are overdue. If all goes as per the schedule, these cities will have an elected mayor by the end of January 2026.
As a citizen - Be prudent to focus on the roots and future of the city, culture. Development, infrastructure are by-products of administrative resources. Maintainance is the key. What is crucial is not to loose the focus on sustainability of heritage, culture for many decades to come.
Agree, Demography is destiny, but Democracy is a tool which can machined or sharped to either grow or wipe-out unwanted weeds. It can become a dangerous weapon which can effect disastrous change without a drop of blood. Majority always has the last laugh in democracy, hence it is important that the so-called majority is not blinded by neo-themes of the west.
Be it Bombay, Bambai or Mumbai, the big heart of this wonderful megapolis has always been happily beating during Janmashtami, Ganeshotsav, Navaratri - for ages. Decisive moments loading for all Mumbaikars.
Jai Bharat. Jai Maharashtra.
Jai Mumbai.
Very True..👌👍
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