Starting from the Gateway of India, the 200-odd group were guided through some of the city’s historic and architectural landmarks by expert guides.
To encourage visitors to stay longer in the city, the Indian Merchants’ Chambers (IMC) took a large group of city expatriates and consular staff based in Mumbai through a Heritage Walk highlighting 30-odd monuments and buildings in South Mumbai on Saturday morning.
Starting from the Gateway of India, the 200-odd group were guided through some of the city’s historic and architectural landmarks by expert guides.
Even for someone who has been a lifelong resident of the city, the tour was informative and cleared many myths about the city’s most iconic buildings. For instance, the guides informed the visitors that it was not true that the European architect who designed the Taj Mahal Hotel killed himself because, contrary to drawings, the building was constructed the other way around. Apparently, the hotel’s owner Jamsetji Tata wanted it built that way.
And do you know why the Gateway of India appears a little off-centre compared to the road that leads to it? As guide Parvin Misstry explained, that’s because the initial plans to have a grand avenue leading to the monument could not be implemented as it required the demolition of quite a few buildings in the area.
The tour, created by architects Abha Bahl and Brinda Gaitonde, ended at the Indo-Saracenic Western Railway headquarters at Churchgate. During the two-hour-long walk, visitors time-travelled through two centuries of architecture, ranging from the Bombay Gothic style of the high court building to the Art Deco structure of Eros cinema.
Pradip Madhavji, chairman, IMC’s tourism and hospitality committee said, “We want to tell visitors that Mumbai can offer more than money. There is more to see in the city.” Madhavji has calculated that if each visitor to Mumbai stayed for an extra day to see the city, it will amount to foreign exchange of around $7.8 million. “Our target was the exp community because they can convince their visiting co-patriots to stay longer in Mumbai,’ he said.
One of the expatriates was Stuart Davis, chief executive officer, HSBC India. He has lived in Mumbai for 20 months, but his view of the city’s marvels has been restricted to that of his car window. “Every day, I pass by these buildings. But to stand near them and have someone explain its history is fascinating,” said Davis.
The consul general of Argentina, Fernando Ras has lived in Mumbai for a relatively long time without seeing its landmarks. “I have lived here for three years and my vision has been restricted to the first floor of these buildings,” he said.
The dilapidated condition of buildings like the Esplanade House, formerly Watson’s Hotel, moved some of the participants. Marcos Tekle, a member of the Ethiopian consular staff, said, “This tour made me aware of a Mumbai I never knew,” he said while admiring the ornate blue facade of the Keneseth Eliyahoo synagogue.
“I hope the buildings are well cared for so the next generation can see the city’s architectural wealth.”
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