By N P Mohapatra

On transfer from Lucknow, I joined in our office at BKC. I returned to Mumbai after almost 16 years. In sixteen years many changes had taken place. Bombay had changed to Mumbai. The office, which was at Poonam Chambers ,Worli, had shifted to its own premises at BKC . Poonam Chambers, once the prestigious address for many corporate and blue chip companies, had collapsed and was under renovation. Dr. Annie Besant Road was now garlanded with many fly- overs .Out of mangroves, the BKC had been created by the side of Mithi river which had become financial hub of Mumbai.

During 1980s I used to stay at Dahanuharwadi, Kandivli(West), which was a secluded place. I used to take the reverse (many mumbaikars in distant suburbs use reverse technique to get a confirmed seat in the locals) 9-41' Jogeswari -Bombay Central local from Kandivli to have a safe landing at Bombay Central. From BC I used to catch circular bus 154 for Worli which was lifeline for the commuters from Mahalaxmi, Byculla and Bombay Central. On Saturdays I used to hang around Marine Lines. I occasionally visited IPTA Theater at Nariman Point or scanned in the Jahangir Art Gallery or spend a lazy afternoon at Gate way of India .There was a restaurant behind Taj to fill your belly with sumptuous roasted chicken and biryanni at throw away prices. I used to visit Rhythm House to collect my favorite albums of Pankaj Udas and Anup Jalota.On Sundays, I used to be at Prithvi Theater and occasionally visited ISKCON Temple. The annual Prithvi Theater Festival was an obsession with me. I was thrilled to be there. Some times, if a bachelor friend lost his domain after marriage, the couple invariably visited my place and I had the honour of carrying them both behind my Bajaj Chetak Scooter, which was booked under foreign exchange scheme in early 1986, to the Madh Island and give them a gala time there .No traffic police used to check the scooter,even if we were three, in that road which was very secluded. Like film hero and heroine, they used to surf around the sea beach, and made a voyage of adventure to Gorai beach. we used to have dinner at my place in the night and they had the most cost effective honeymoon .

Now, after sixteen years, back to Mumbai, I had the luxury of staying in Lower Parel. I was able to drive my car from Lower Parel to BKC with my stereo on which is a luxury in Mumbai.I am now used to mall shopping at High street Phoenix, Magnet and Inorbit Mall.I can have a morning walk at Worli sea- face or have a Sunday evening there with soft corn roasts and week- end dinner at Sadanaanda. I can have the blessings of Sri Sidhi Vinayaka to visit him as and when I feel free and whisper my wishes in the ear of his disciple ,Holy Rat.(This is also being done by Amitabh Bacchan and Aishurya Raiand many more Mumbaikars!) I have the luxury of scanning the early morning vegetable market at Dadar or bargain for stuffs at SUVIDHA where' the retails are sold at wholesale rates'. How ever , I am now, being a full fledged family man, and a responsible father, do not have the luxury of visiting the Jahangir Art Galery or Prithvi Theater or IPTA Theater and the Chicken Joints. I do not have the opportunity to listen to Pankaj Udas and AnupJalota because my son has broken all the old cassettes.How ever,I have the opportunity to make calls for free delivery of Domino's Pizza and Macdonalds or Chicken biryanni from Banjaran or Masala Dosa from Alankar. I have also the privilege to book Internet ticket for Rang De Basanti at FUN adlabs or for Harry Potter at " largest Dome of the World " at wadala. I have full opportunity to make a Van Gog or Picasso at Bowling mall for both my kids and become their watcher and security guard while they enjoy the video games and my wife enjoys the fried Kentucky roll. I have also the opportunity to pay school fees,bus fees,attend the National Science Day at the school or the parents- teachers meet which are compulsory.While I was a bachelor, I was happy in Bombay. Now as a family man , I am also happy in Mumbai!

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