When I walk around Mumbai, I keep in mind all the seven islands: Colaba, Fort, Parel, Byculla, Worli, Matunga and Mahim. They are testament to a single land mass being formed through successive reclamations. When I sit on the outside patio of one of the Best Restaurants Mumbai has, I can’t help but be amazed, but not surprised as the city extended up to Mahim until recently when the greater Mumbai has not completely evolved, or ever will completely evolve. Integrating with the city, the entire creek extending up to Bassien Creek in the north. I know it’s misleading to call Mumbai and island, for it’s no more an island in the full sense of geographical terms; it’s a true peninsula. Some are of the opinion that all the islands are a part of the mainland during the prehistoric days and that they appear to have evolved so due to volcanic actions.
As I sit here, drinking my Indian tea and looking all around, I also am amused at Mumbai’s name change. Mumbai was once known as Bombay. I prefer Bombay, maybe because I do have a fondness for Bombay gin, or that Bombay sounds more cosmopolitan, but I also like the mystic sound of Mumbai. For what I know, Bombay is a derivative of Mumbai Ai or Maha Amba, a patron goddess of the Kolis. And Mumbai’s meaning does have something to do with it’s bay. Mumbai is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea and it’s prosperity is largely due to its harbors. Even with the ‘back to origins’ name change, Mumbai has developed into India’s commercial capital with several leading industrial, financial and commercial business centers centrally located. It is, of course, the Gateway of India and has an outstanding culture and a civilization of different people. Today, as I finish my tea, I’m overwhelmed with this confluence of varied currents and cross-currents of my native country and am humbled at her achievements.
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