INDIA |
In this article, you will read about Mumbai. |
In July 2015, I have had a chance to experience a far more distinct culture and life style in the city of Mumbai, India, through a social impact project with KU GlobalAid, which I could have never imagined before. It was the first time that I have been to an Asian country and my excitement was undeniably immense.
It was a 6-hour straight journey to Mumbai from Istanbul. Before going there, I lowered my expectations as much as I could. I knew that we were going to face maybe the harshest conditions we had up to that time. We were going to be completely out of our comfort zones.
Dharavi, which is the second largest slum in Asia, was waiting for us. Yes, that's right, Dharavi which is in the movie, Slumdog Millionaire! Our purpose there was to ameliorate the water resources that the Dharavi community has and training the second-grade children in the Royal City School about hygiene and sanitation. We even showed them how to wash their hands with a soap as almost none of them were not thought about hygiene.
With the fieldworks and interviews we conducted with the Dharavi community, we found ourselves outside our comfort zones! Streets that were 50-cm wide, electrical cables laying on the basis and at the ceiling of these streets, garbage heaps waiting to be dissolved for years and much more!
I witnessed how and in what conditions almost a million people live in just 2-kilometer-square area. And when we came to the other side of the city, there was a completely different picture: Buildings like in Manhattan, and people living in luxury. As if they were not aware of the other side of the city. In that particular time, I felt the severity of income inequalities and the caste system. I also realized that there is a different world which was really different than the boastful European understanding of international law, human rights and core values of humanity. Then I thought that the world is not just about Europe, and there may be valid excuses for India for not adopting the “human rights” to which they had not contributed at the time of their formation.
It was a 6-hour straight journey to Mumbai from Istanbul. Before going there, I lowered my expectations as much as I could. I knew that we were going to face maybe the harshest conditions we had up to that time. We were going to be completely out of our comfort zones.
Dharavi, which is the second largest slum in Asia, was waiting for us. Yes, that's right, Dharavi which is in the movie, Slumdog Millionaire! Our purpose there was to ameliorate the water resources that the Dharavi community has and training the second-grade children in the Royal City School about hygiene and sanitation. We even showed them how to wash their hands with a soap as almost none of them were not thought about hygiene.
With the fieldworks and interviews we conducted with the Dharavi community, we found ourselves outside our comfort zones! Streets that were 50-cm wide, electrical cables laying on the basis and at the ceiling of these streets, garbage heaps waiting to be dissolved for years and much more!
I witnessed how and in what conditions almost a million people live in just 2-kilometer-square area. And when we came to the other side of the city, there was a completely different picture: Buildings like in Manhattan, and people living in luxury. As if they were not aware of the other side of the city. In that particular time, I felt the severity of income inequalities and the caste system. I also realized that there is a different world which was really different than the boastful European understanding of international law, human rights and core values of humanity. Then I thought that the world is not just about Europe, and there may be valid excuses for India for not adopting the “human rights” to which they had not contributed at the time of their formation.
At the end of my three-week-journey in Mumbai, I was a different person: more confident than before, more aware of what is going on in the world, more dedicated to human rights issues, inequalities and change-making. Then I imported my Mumbai and Dharavi experiences into a comic book, Bad Cat Cannibal in Mumbai, in which I narrated my impressions, feelings and observations from the eyes of a character that I created at the age of 11.
Are you ready to explore the city of Mumbai? Enjoy reading! |
Mumbai
Mini Info about the City
Earlier during the colonial era, the city of Mumbai was known as "Bombay". With more than 20 million population, the city is one of the populous cities around the world. The city is situated in the east part of India, and one of the most significant port cities of the country. It was July-August when we were in Mumbai, which was during Monsoon rains, and you wouldn’t know when it was going to rain. The funny fact about Monsoon rains is that there is no solution against getting wet! Whereas we had taken raincoats and boots with us before coming to Mumbai, that the locals wore light clothes, sandals and flip-flops has been a big culture shock for us. So, if you are going to Mumbai between May and October, this is lesson one: Wear as locals and take light clothes as many as you can, as you will not be able to avoid the dirt and wetness ☺ |
While going out of the airport, my first inhale was full of humidity and spice. Yes, the city smells like spice! It is in the food, in the air; in everything! Wherever you go, you will feel it deep in your lungs and mouth! So lesson two: Get used to spice and spicy food ☺
During your journey in Mumbai, you will recognize something very crucial: All eyes are on you! It is not because you are a celebrity or a famous football player, but merely because you’re different! Your skin color, dressing style, language you talk… So, lesson three: Get used to the locals staring at you ☺
Must-See Places
The city of Mumbai is very large, and we were not able to see all the touristic places during our stay there, including the Elephanta Caves. Therefore, you will see only some of the must-see landmarks of the city below.
The city of Mumbai is very large, and we were not able to see all the touristic places during our stay there, including the Elephanta Caves. Therefore, you will see only some of the must-see landmarks of the city below.
- Dharavi is not a touristic place, but a must-see of the city if you want to have a real Indian experience. I was so impressed about the contrast within the city, as I was able to see both the Dharavi slum and the richest areas, such as Colaba and Bandra. Within Dharavi, there are several tours such as Reality Gives, which takes you to unprecedented spots in the slum, and give you information about the locals and living conditions of the slum.
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- Juhu Beach is a beach located in the north-west of the city of Mumbai. What was really shocking about the beach is that it wasn’t suitable for swimming as it was full of trash ☹ When we were walking through the beach, we had been welcomed by a boy who was acrobatically tumbling, and a group of children.
What Can You Taste (*heavy breathing*)
Well, there is a lot to write about Indian food! Indian cuisine is so diverse and mouth-watering as there is food for everyone as long as you are not fed up with spice ☺ I was prejudiced about Indian food before going there as I could not eat spicy food, and also worried about the hygiene of the food. After going there, everything has changed: I got used to spicy food, and did not care about the hygienic conditions at all as I had to survive ☺ Yet, the food was extremely delicious! In general, India is very cheap compared to European countries or the US in terms of transportation, accommodation, food, etc. When we were eating out, we used to order different types of food for 6-8 people, and the whole table only coasted for about €20 in total! Hard to believe, isn’t it? ☺ |
Spring Dosa is a type of crepe which is special to Indian subcontinent. The original name of the food is “dosa”, and spring dosa is only a variation of it which is served with fresh cooked vegetables. And it is delicious!
Butter Naan is an oven-baked flatbread, which is served with other food.
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of my favorites in India. It is served as grilled and chopped pieces of chicken in a spicy sauce.
Veg Crispy is my another favorite ☺ It is a food consisting of different types of fried vegetables. I was almost in love with this food after trying it, though it was extremely spicy!
Pav Bhaji is one of the most popular street foods in Mumbai. The food is usually served with rice and naan. I missed this food a lot when I left India though at the dorm we stayed, they used to serve it a lot at dinners ☺ I was so amazed when I saw the locals mixing Pav Bhaji with rice and eating with their hands, whereas we kept using our spoons!
Mango Lassi is one of my disappointments in Mumbai as I didn’t like its taste. It is a cold drink made of mango, yoghurt, milk, and sugar (let’s say, mango smoothie/milkshake ☺).
Old Monk & Thumbs Up: Old Monk is an Indian dark rum, and it is usually served with the coke, Thumbs Up, in most restaurants in Mumbai. It has a spicy taste, and worth to try during your journey in Mumbai!
Butter Naan is an oven-baked flatbread, which is served with other food.
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of my favorites in India. It is served as grilled and chopped pieces of chicken in a spicy sauce.
Veg Crispy is my another favorite ☺ It is a food consisting of different types of fried vegetables. I was almost in love with this food after trying it, though it was extremely spicy!
Pav Bhaji is one of the most popular street foods in Mumbai. The food is usually served with rice and naan. I missed this food a lot when I left India though at the dorm we stayed, they used to serve it a lot at dinners ☺ I was so amazed when I saw the locals mixing Pav Bhaji with rice and eating with their hands, whereas we kept using our spoons!
Mango Lassi is one of my disappointments in Mumbai as I didn’t like its taste. It is a cold drink made of mango, yoghurt, milk, and sugar (let’s say, mango smoothie/milkshake ☺).
Old Monk & Thumbs Up: Old Monk is an Indian dark rum, and it is usually served with the coke, Thumbs Up, in most restaurants in Mumbai. It has a spicy taste, and worth to try during your journey in Mumbai!
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Highlights