The serial blasts in Mumbai on Wednesday were the last straw for the spirited workforce of the country’s financial capital.
The serial blasts in Mumbai on Wednesday were the last straw for the spirited workforce of the country’s financial capital. For once, the ‘spirit of Mumbai’ sagged and practically half the working population took the day off on Thursday. Many even extended it to a long weekend to escape the stress and stay away from the din in their beloved city.
The traffic was more like one experiences on a lazy Sunday morning. The trains were running half-empty. Offices registered a thin attendance, and even those who made it to work packed off early to avoid getting stuck midway due to heavy rain and the bolstered security arrangements after the blasts.
“Thanks to the nakabandi at Vashi check-post on Wednesday evening, vehicles had lined up right up to Mankhurd. It took me four hours to reach home,” said marketing professional Sumit Desai, who took the day off on Thursday. “In case it continues to rain heavily tomorrow as well, I may drive down to Lonavala to enjoy the monsoon weekend.”
The laidback approach of Mumbaikars reflected the fatigue experienced by the city to live up to the ‘spirit of Mumbai’ tag. “Getting back to work the next day does not mean the city is back on its feet. People go to work out of necessity and insecurity — not because they want to represent the spirit of the city,” said Mira Road resident Abhishek Nair.
He added that ‘spirit of Mumbai’ is more like a balm to soothe a city on the edge. “For me, just getting to my office in Worli and returning home itself takes a lot of spirit,” said Nair, adding that he is glad he did not have to do it at least this day.
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