Thoughts revisited

I deleted my last blog towards the end of my "American Rendezvous", but as I returned to Mumbai I felt the need to return to my blog aswell and talk about the every day experiences here.

I am reading this book called "Maximum City", which is a narrative on the various facets of Mumbai. I cannot help but draw an analogy with real life Mumbai where I don't have to deal so much with the slums, hindu - muslim rift, the shiv sainiks etc., however something that I do deal on a daily basis with are the mumbai local trains.

Close to 6 million people travel by the Mumbai local trains every day,and I happen to be one of them. The most common image of a mumbai local train would be people pushing and pulling to get in and fighting for a seat... in short incivility at its peak !!. I stick to the ladies compartment as you would probably get mauled in a general one which is dominated with rowdy male population. However though the other day I had a very redeeming experience. I was as usual late for the 8.04 slow to Andheri and just managed catch it in time and got into the general first class compartment. Being the only female in the compartment I was apprehensive at first as I thought getting off would be irksome with all the males fighting to get climb in and out. As I got ready to board off I mustered the courage for the fist fight, but to my surprise all the males suddenly moved away and made way for me to get off which was indeed shocking at the same the time redeeming. It was indeed pleasantly surprising to experience the respect women receive which you are virtually stripped off while using public transportation.
I guess Mumbai hasn't lost all of its civility after all !!!