Wednesday, January 31, 2007

A. H. Wheeler Book Stall

You will see the A.H Wheeler bookstall at every station in the city, and also at stations outside Mumbai in India. From Classics to love stories, newspapers, magazines, comics and books in English and regional languages, it's all there. The reading culture it has instilled among travelling Indians is beyond praise. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Dadar Railway Station


Dadar is the only railway station in Mumbai, common to both, the central line and the western line. It is a transit point and the most crowded railway station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway. The crowd you see in the photo is at non peak hours.(Oops, I'm a bit late. My internet connection had a problem)
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Monday, January 29, 2007

Ladies Compartment



The ladies compartment in Mumbai local trains is also very crowded in peak hours. This photo is of a ladies compartment in an Andheri bound train from Churchgate in the afternoon.
You will find women and young boys selling all kinds of articles like hair clips, bindis, fancy key chains, bangles, money purses, and sometimes even salwar kameez dress material.
Some of it is good quality stuff and a good bargain too. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Mumbai Local Train Week

Mumbai local train is the lifeline of Mumbai. If you visit Mumbai, you must experience a ride in the local train. Try avoiding peak hours. This week will be Mumbai Train Travel Week. The Mumbai local trains carry more than 6.1 million commuters on a daily basis. It has the highest passenger density of any urban railway system in the world. Overcrowding is a major problem, especially during peak (office going) hours.

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Saturday, January 27, 2007

Ferry Ride At The Gateway

You can take a ferry ride in one of the motor launches for a short cruise into the harbour and enjoy a view of the Gateway Of India and the city. An hour-long ferry ride to Elephanta Caves Island. The island has a beautiful rock-cut Shiva temple on the top of a hill. It is also a great getaway from the hustle and bustle
of the city. Dont forget to check with the motorboat man about the timings of the last ride back from Elephanta Caves Island. Posted by Picasa

Friday, January 26, 2007

Happy Republic Day


Today, we celebrate India's Republic Day, the day on which The Constitution Of India was formally adopted by the Parliament, and India declared itself a 'Republic' on 26th January, 1950. I couldnt get a picture of the flag-hoisting but here's a tree at Marine Drive. I agree to the publisher of singaporedailyphoto.blogspot that trees are photogenic.Posted by Picasa

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Siddhivinayak Temple

The Siddhivinayak Temple at Prabhadevi in Mumbai is a temple devoted to Ganesh, the elephant-headed God of good fortune. Tuesday is the main day for worship, but the temple is frequented by hundreds of devotees everyday. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Ghaslet wala

Even today, kerosene is transported in the city in this manner with help of a bullock cart carrying a small tank. Kerosene is used by many people for lighting stoves to cook food.Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Mumbai Double Decker Bus

The Mumbai Double Decker Bus looks similar to the London Double Decker. There is one conductor on each deck, and the conductor on the lower deck makes sure that all passengers have alighted and got in. Posted by Picasa

Monday, January 22, 2007

Poverty in Mumbai


Mumbai is home to Bollywood, the Hindi film industry. It is India's business capital and tells the story of India's economic success. It is the home of Bombay Stock Exchange, with a recent more than 200% increase in the Sensex index.
But there is another side to Mumbai.
The cost of living is increasing and there is ever growing unemployment, poverty, hunger and misery in the life of the common man.Misery and poverty all around us, and how long can we ignore it?
Are we really a progressive nation if our rich become richer and our poor become poorer and fail to survive?
Where are we heading MUMBAI?
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Sunday, January 21, 2007

Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan


Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (earlier known as Victoria Terminus) is a historic railway station and is considered architecturally one of the best stations in the world. It serves as the headquarters of Central Railway and is one of the busiest stations in India. The station is the hub of the suburban local train network. It is the final destination of the Central Railway main line and harbour line trains and also for some long distance trains.
The Mumbai CST building is shown in most Bollywood movies whenever they show anyone migrating to Mumbai. A view of this building and the surounding areas indicates that the hero of the movie or as the case may be, has arrived in 'The City Of Dreams'.
The station was constructed in 10 years time and was after Queen Victoria, who was the reigning queen. The dome of the station has a statue of queen Victoria. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Signs at Mumbai Traffic Lights


DRIVE CAREFULLY, LIVE CHEERFULLY.
Such signs have been seen recently near traffic lights across the city. The message changes after a short time interval. These are new to the city, and mark modernisation and progress of the city. Such signs are common in countries like Singapore, where traffic status on all routes ahead is displayed on highways.

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Friday, January 19, 2007

Bridge to Mumbai

The Vashi Creek Bridge connects Mumbai to Navi Mumbai. This is the bridge as seen from the railway bridge. The two bridges are for vehicles by road and trains respectively. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Taraporewala Fish Aquarium


The Taraporewala Fish Aquarium is located at Marine Drive. It has a fairly good number of fish and other marine life. It is popular among children. I remember it used to be on our list of destinations along with the Gateway of India, Juhu Beach and other places for the summer vacations when we were in school.
A proposal to develop this aquarium into an oceanarium (like
Underwater World at Sentosa in Singapore), where people can take a walk in a tunnel and watch marine life, is under consideration.
Note: The aquarium is open on all days except Mondays.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Victoria At The Gateway



You will find these beautifully decorated silver Victorias (horse-drawn carriages)at the Gateway of India. They are popular among tourists. Its fun to ride in one, so don't miss the ride when you visit the Gateway of India. And don't forget to click a photo of you and your friends on the victoria.

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Toll Naka at Vashi


When you enter Mumbai by road from the Pune or Goa Highway, you have to cross the Vashi Toll Naka at Vashi in Navi Mumbai to go over the Vashi creek bridge and enter Mumbai. The charges are Rs.25 for cars and Rs.53 for buses.
This is the new Toll Naka (which means check-point) and is closer to the Vashi creek bridge than the old one. This was done so that many vehicles that took a shortcut from Vashi Gaon directly to the bridge could not bypass the Toll Naka. This means higher revenue at the Toll Naka.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Mumbai Slums



More than 55% of Mumbai population stays in slums. The city attracts a large number of migrants, who come here in search of employment. Many of them stay in slums as an inexpensive option in the otherwise prime areas of Mumbai.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

Kabutar Aa Aa


Feeding pigeons is common in Mumbai. Here, pigeons are busy feeding on grain that people buy from a vendor and toss it on the ground, at the Gateway Of India.
Mumbai has a good number of pigeon lovers who leave pulses and grain on the road.
There are several 'Kabutar Khanas' in the city at Bhuleshwar, Matunga, Dadar and CST. Pigeons are fed here and also checked by doctors for disease.

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Giant Balloon


Balloon sellers at The Gateway Of India were trying to lure young children to buy their balloons.
This photo was taken on 1st January, 2007. It seemed like half of the city people had gathered there.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Gateway Of India


The Gateway Of India is the most popular and the most photographed site in Mumbai.
It was built during the British rule to welcome King George V of England.

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Taxi Taxi


A fleet of empty taxis near Sewri seem to be there for a long time. A passerby said there were too many in the city, and not enough business, so they are parked here.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Baby Doll


Here, in Mumbai, 'Baby Doll' to the common man means Deepal Shaw ( more popular as Baby Doll) of the sizzling video 'Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar' and the movie 'Kalyug' fame.
Baby doll is also a short night wear for women.
Baby Doll is also a perfume made by Yves Saint Laurent.
I wonder what
Baby Doll means to the owner(or driver) of this taxi I spotted near Haji Ali.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

The Sacrificial Goat


I spotted this goat being transported for Bakri Id, a day before the festival.
Bakri Id, the festival of sacrifice is one of the most celebrated festivals among Muslims of India.
The sacrificial meat is distributed among family, friends and neighbours after Id prayers.

Monday, January 01, 2007

Mumbai Taxi


This is the Mumbai Taxi, the black and yellow metered Fiat taxi. A mechanical meter decides the fare and is proportional to the distance travelled. There are also blue and silver airconditioned metered taxis, known as 'cool cabs'.
Taxis ply all over the city and its suburbs, the minimum fare being Rs 13/-. Blue 'cool cabs' are ideal for summers but 25% more expensive than regular taxis.