Comments on: Why I Will Leave Mumbai

By: Sharell

Sharell — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:06:01 +0000

Hi Amit, I don’t think we’ll move anywhere else in India. I totally agree with you about every city having it’s problems — if it’s not one thing, it’s another thing. I found the humidity in Kolkata almost unbearable. I don’t think I’d feel as safe in Delhi. Then in smaller cities/towns, there’s the problem of lack of facilities. Besides, I’m quite comfortable now in my new living environment, which is less congested.

By: Amit Desai

Amit Desai — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:50:53 +0000

Sharell,

Where are you planning to move in future? I think all cities in India have similar problems Mumbai has to different extents.

Sharell, “The way India’s youth is embracing western culture is quite alarming, and they often take it to extremes too, based on what’s shown in music videos and movies.”

What you said is true and may proved to be unfortunate in future. While young Indians are constantly reminded by other Indians and westerners that they are adopting western culture, even if they like this criticism or not, they will certainly feel an “alienation”. There is a subtle incomprehensible side to this feeling of alienation most people continue to ignore. Take an example of something we both can understand. From Mahatma to Bin Laden, all the easterners who hated westerners were “highly westernized them selves”. Hmmm…

By: T.P. Viswanathan

T.P. Viswanathan — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:11:59 +0000

I fully agree with the writer. Suburban areas are controlled and manipulated by goondas and influential politicians (there is a thin line of difference between these two categories). Therefore, those who dare to complain will face the worst conssequences not only to himself but to his family also. Residents of 90 ft road, Mulund East have been suffering untold miseries for the past few years. One sky scrapper that is coming up near Hanuman Temple has been making lives of residents most vulnerable. Added to that, illegal roadside auto garages drive us mad with unbearable auto emission and noice created while raising auto engines in the process of repairs. Innumerable complaints to Municipal ward hs not had any effect. God save Mulund East residents.

By: Srinivasan

Srinivasan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:25:15 +0000

I agree, the air pollution is out of control. This is precisely the reason I try to venture outside at nights after 1am and before 7am, but in recent times there still is visible dust & smog at these hours. It’s absolutely hellish for the lungs & general composure. The only ways to minimize the impact in traffic IMO, is to use a mask if you’re on a bike (however the fumes and dust still cling to your clothes) or avoid any form of transport other than airconditioned car. I live in a suburb with marginally better air quality but I wouldn’t want to live in Mumbai if I had a choice. Locations like Amby Valley or Lonavala (~2 hours drive from Mumbai) are ideal for those of us who have inseparable ties with the city.

By: Sharell

Sharell — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:30:31 +0000

Hi Linda, welcome and I’m glad you’ve been enjoying my blog! It sounds like we share exactly the same sentiments! The way India’s youth is embracing western culture is quite alarming, and they often take it to extremes too, based on what’s shown in music videos and movies.

By: Linda Smythe

Linda Smythe — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:11:21 +0000

Sharell,
So happy to have found your wonderful site. I have fallen in love with India. It came on gradually and has hit me really hard in the last few months. The country and the people are so inspiring to me. I love the color and the traditions and the endless mystery of it all. That said, I know there is a practical side to life there. I know there is poverty and deep struggle. But, I find it fascinating to watch India re-imerge on the world stage as the west declines. India still has much of its ancient heritage with all its richness still intact. If only the young Indians knew the hallowness of the western civilization they see in western music videos and movies. I bothers me that they want to emulate that. Anyway, thank you for the diversity of information. It is stunning.

By: Ramit

Ramit — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:51:25 +0000

I’ve never been to Mumbai really, but I get stuck in Delhi traffic everyday of my life and it sucks. It truly sucks, and there is nothing you can do about it except leave all work & stay home. Which is not possible. And in the kind of work I do, I cannot leave New Delhi & re locate elsewhere. Oh well… That’s life… Plus, we really need more Metro trains in Delhi. The ones we have are already too congested.

By: Gajanan

Gajanan — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:29:05 +0000

“Can’t beat ‘em? Join ‘em! June 11, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Just settle in a less polluted place, like Goa or Pune.”

Pune is also one of the most polluted places in India.

But Pune is much better than Mumbai as it has cool weather is less crowded and the monsoon here is not as bad as in Mumbai.

I was in Mumbai for 2 yrs and i wanted to get out of Mumbai for many reasons so i changed my job and now I am in Pune and thinking of settling down here.

By: Can't beat 'em? Join 'em!

Can't beat 'em? Join 'em! — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:44:26 +0000

Just settle in a less polluted place, like Goa or Pune.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:29:46 +0000

Hi there! I’ve read your blog a few times, but just now saw this particular post —– and, wow, can I relate! I keep thinking that I would like to live in India for a while, with my husband (who was born and raised in Mumbai). But both times I’ve been there, the pollution has just been the absolute hardest thing to deal with … not the culture, shock, no problems with food, nothing… except the pollution. The last time I was there, I was fine in Pune, and, honestly, within 4 hours of driving, and arriving, in Mumbai, I got sick — a throat infection. I was on antibiotics for a week, and the stupid infection kept recurring long after I left India. I don’t know what to do, I don’t think we could ever settle in India because of this ONE problem