Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan.....Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan !

Mumbai plays a multifaceted role for people residing here. For some its a "Home" ,for some its source of "Rupaiyya" while for few others its a "Dream city". Well, whatever be the reason Mumbai always takes you under her wings. Nobody's invited............ but all are welcome.
After a year of my survival in this metro, I feel its not very tough to survive here.......... whether you really live or not is another question.
What triggered my thought process was a very short but not so insignificant scene in the train compartment. There was a lady sitting next to the door, seemed to be a beggar. She had all the features which defied her profession. Looked hardly 25 yrs., had dusky complexion (quite "in thing" now-a-days) & very lovely eyes. She had a little daughter in her lap. What's so special? one would think. What made me interested in them was that the mother was in a full mood to pamper her little one. In her tiny clasp was a candy & other she was holding a balloon, very tightly. As if she didn't want to loose her happy moment. A good day for her, I thought. Then came a lady selling false jewelry. Now my beautiful belle got interested in that & asked to see it. "Vees rupayala aahe" (For 20/-) said the seller with a smirk. "Baghoo tar dya" (Let me see atleast)................. She went through them and finally chose a stone stud........ "Heerya sarkha distay na??" (Looks like real diamond ??) She asked me.. I smiled my reply........She paid the money in a royal gesture & gave the seller a sly smile..........as if to say "Every dog has his day". I was wondering how a woman who might be living on daily wages basis can afford such flamboyance. I remebered that I too had bought some trinkets that day.
That's whats so special about Mumbai.............there's no discrimination. Be it a beggar or a high profile guy, an illiterate or a scholar, male or female or the third sex all travel by the same transport, eat the same vada pav, drink the same ganna juice, get tanned in the same
beach , shop in the same malls at the road side & well..... inhale the same smoke filled air . Nobody questions you...............Nobody cares to......... Then again what you get for 5,000/- same replica is available for 5/- A diamond solitaire or a fake diamond-looking stud........ not much
difference. So everyone's pleased. Everyone can enjoy little luxuries of life.
Everyone can live,so what is its just for a while.........
Another commendable thing I'd like to mention is the spirit of Mumbaiites. Its known that whoever comes here never leaves empty handed, that is if he ever wants to leave. I know a story where a traveller had come to Mumbai, lost, weary & hungry. It was 2 in night, & asked for help from some drunkards sitting on a katta. Well, he was sent away with a full stomach, some money for return ticket & a little sway in his gait. Though I doubt he would return to this Andher Nagri but its for sure that he would never forget his mentors. Be it a bomb blast, floods or riots Mumbaiites have fought (& helped to fight) there way to glory.

So,here's my new version song for Aamchi Mumbai
Ae Dil NAHI Mushkil jeena yahaan....................
Zara hasaya Zara Rulaye Yeh Hai Mumbai meri Jaan !