Wealthy Wednesdays: Shop Around Mumbai, For Two Rupees Only

Imagine buying a sandwich in 50 paise or a house in Rs.10, in Mumbai. Unbelievable right? Your parents and grand parents could; pocket money of Rs.2 per week was considered good, they'll tell you, and by the time they've recalled all the fun they had with just Rs.2, you'll probably feel left out. But don't. Take a bag and fill it with everything priced at Rs.2 or less you'll find many reasons to smile.Start your day with coffeeWhether you like Nescafe Classic, Sunrise or Bru, you can buy a pouch for just rupees two. Add another two to purchase 100 gms of sugar; but if you're weight-conscious, get yourself a steel teaspoon (for the same price), scoop out just the right amount of sugar, stir, smell and sip.And biscuits to munch onThe tiniest pack of Parle G, available in this precious amount, is not so tiny. With seven biscuits, it makes for a good breakfast for one. If your first meal is incomplete without a fruit, a small banana maybe available too.White magic for the washing machinePick up a sachet of Rin, Surf Excel, Ariel or Tide, whichever has most convincingly sold you the ‘safedi ki chamkar’  tagline.Shave, or cut paperIf your favourite razor is not available or if you’ve misplaced your paper cutter, a simple blade available for Rs.2, can do the job.Take a head bathPink for luscious, thick and long hair, black for a stunning shine and yellow for less hair-fall, Sunsilk’s sachets work for several hair types. A sachet of Clinic Plus promises to drive your dandruff away and that of Vatika's Henna and Olive shampoo is for you, if you're looking for natural ingredients.A bindi to complete the ethnic lookFeel like going to work in an ethnic attire with jhumkas et al? A simple red or black bindi (our budget allows a pack of 10) can complete the look.Ingredients for lunchOn a trip to bhaaji gallis, you will experience the power of two. Available at that price, any of the following can feature in your lunch: one lemon or olive, a small bitter gourd, brinjal or carrot, a handfull of chillies or a thin bunch of corriander. For those in dire need, vegetable vendors are willing to part with cucumber as well.At fair price shops you can get 50-100gms of a variety of pulses, cereals and rice. To spice up your food, cut open a sachet of Badshah Masala, and for a sweet and sour drizzle to accompany your finger food, Kissan and several others give you tomato ketchup pouches too.Oh, and that yummy dessertCan any meal be complete without it? The Rs.2 superhero rescues you again. Nibble on Melody, Cadbury’s Eclairs or Dairy Milk Shots, Sweet Hearts, Hajmola candies or chew Centre Fresh gum. Craving Indian flavour? Aam papad is attainable too.Feel happy about your weightThe good thing about consuming such small desserts, in such small quantities, is that when you spend Rs.2 to check your kilos on a roadside weighing machine, you feel really good about yourself.Got a shoe bite? Wait, there’s band-aidAlthough we usually stock up big boxes of band-aid at home, several chemists sell singles to customers, and guess for how much?

Refreshments to savourHalf your work-day has passed, you need some conversation for a break and some sugar to kick the energy back into your system. While the conversation is free, your Rasna refreshment in Orange, Mango and and Pineapple flavours, is also, almost free.It’s evening, light a diyaIf you’re returning home in time for sunset (I know, I know, that rarely happens), pick up a small clay diya and set it aglow, inside or outside your house.Head still hurting? Pop a pill, get an oil massageWhen all else fails to relieve your headache, Crocin (single tablets available at several medical stores) will usually do the trick. And if you want some pampering to go with it, an oil massage with a sachet of Parachute, Dabur Almond or Navratna hair oil, followed by a good night's sleep, will ensure that you wake up feeling much better.

If you find any other interesting things in Mumbai, priced at Rs.2, click a picture of it and share it with us on amyfernandesdna@gmail.com. The subject line of your email should be 'Two Rupees Only'