Mumbai

The  narrow roads of Mumbai were narrowed down further by the congregation which was going to immerse Ma Durga into the sea. I could see nothing but human heads, hear nothing but the medley of tunes, loud and crass, smell nothing but the mix of gulal and fumes, feel nothing but sweat on my brow, and taste nothing but bitterness, when I noticed a man fervidly helping people to make their way through this madness. He smiled at me. I wondered why Mumbai is considered the rudest city on earth. I smiled back – feeling – everyone is welcome in Mumbai, at his own risk.
* This article was included in the anthology on writers and their inspiration, The "I" Word.

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