Column

A week ago, on a morning flight en route to Mumbai, I was convincing my British co-passenger on how the megapolis encapsulates Swiss-born psychiatrist, Elizabeth Kubler Ross’ view that “the most beautiful people are those who have known suffering, struggle, loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have a sensitivity that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern.”

That’s how I said I would love to recall my city as a Mumbaikar — always, every hour of the day, obviously recalling the 26/11 terror attack two years ago. The British national was impressed.

Upon landing in Mumbai, I decided to travel by a local train to gauge Mumbaikars’ feeling towards the second anniversary of 26/11. The sight in the adjoining first-class women’s compartment during rush hour hurt me deeply.

No one was willing to offer a seat to a pregnant woman, as a fellow commuter clarified with an air of hauteur, “All seats are for three. A fourth can’t be accommodated.” My mind went back to the days we used to travel from far-flung Dombivli to VT (now CST) daily some 20 years ago, exchanging seats with those standing so that everyone got a chance to sit for some time.

Impoliteness is not a feature of a mega city which takes pride in resilience and, to quote from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, ample “milk of human kindness” to define its character. Where’s that feeling for others vanished? Is the pressure of daily life getting the better of us? Have we become too intolerant, way too insensitive?

There was this recent incident at Ulhasnagar where, apparently, many were left injured in a nasty fight that ensued over the lift of a housing society being detained for long to exchange pleasantries.

Every other day, we have news about lives being snuffed out due to rash and drunk driving. This week, Mira-Bhayander municipal corporator, Vasudeo Munj allegedly opened fire on a local resident following a dispute over parking. Munj was arrested and booked for attempt to murder.

Hey, stop. This is not the Mumbai I know. What is happening? This is the megapolis which shows its robust character, in times of crisis. Why is the same absent in course of our daily affairs? It’s time to look inwards and ponder over.

In the words of former president John F Kennedy: “There is a private hope and dream in each one of us, which fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone.” People need to realise that extension of courtesy to their co-inhabitants, co-passengers, fellow pedestrians and colleagues is a must for felicitous co-existence in a multi-cultural society.

Replicating the sensitivity exhibited during 26/11 in our daily life is what can actually transform Mumbai into Greater Mumbai.