Monday, February 3, 2014

TWO FACES OF MUMBAI

Memories,
take me down your lane and
get me connected
to the posh areas
of South Mumbai
from the vast stretches of
slum forests of Dharavi.
The pungent and
nauseating odour of
Illicit liquor pervading
the atmosphere
emanating from each slum
sale of illicit liquor to
those who visit the areas.
Drunken brawls
choicest epithets
violence and murders 
the order of the day
prevailing across the slum forests of Dharavi.
The sight of residents in the slums
openly defecating
even on the street-sides
the pigs having a sumptuous feast on
the excreta every morning
no sanitation facilities
no pure drinking water
none to take care
of their minimum needs.
Dharavi is a dark spot
on the face of Mumbai.
Memories,
get me to a train to
Churchgate station of South Mumbai.
Get down at the Churchgate station
after covering different stations
proceed to the heart of South Mumbai
see for yourselves this sprawling concrete forests
across vast areas
wonder and marvel
at the sky-rocketing buildings.
Fat cats visiting the marine drive
to have morning walks
the calm, serene, tranquil sea
the cool breeze blowing from it
with its charming arms around each
of the morning walkers
and the residents who come out
into the balconies of their
flats to take a bath in the morning sea-breeze
and freshen up.
South Mumbai is the
charm of the city
exclusively of the city
the necklace of the city.
Compare it with Dharavi.
Both in the same city.
Memories,
you often take me
to the vast dense
forests of Dharavi and
the exquisite beauty
called South Mumbai.
Dharavi and South Mumbai

the two extremes… 

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