Simply Mumbai - 8

Survival In Mumbai

Simply Mumbai - 2 : Young Entrepreneurs

These two little girls were collecting bunches of coriander (cilantro) leaves, discarded by the wholesale sellers in the APMC vegetable market. A couple of sprigs of each bunch were spoilt.

They were sorting the coriander leaf bunches, removing spoilt sprigs and making fresh bunches. When I asked what they would do with them, one of them said 'we will sell them for Rs. 5 a bunch'. They looked busy and focussed and didnt really care to be photographed, and got on with their work after replying me.
 In a market where retail sellers buy cartloads full of veggies, or a basketful to carry on the bicycle and sell, these two girls found their own way of making money.

They seem to have acquired life supporting skills to survive in the fast paced city. I am inspired by these little workers and would like to call them 'Young Entrepreneurs'.

Mumbai Weekend Snapshot by Krrish - 1

Hi friends, this is my first photo on mumbaidailysnapshot. 
I clicked this one from the auto yesterday, when this boy came asking for some money or food. 

Mom and I usually carry biscuit or wafer packets to give the children who beg on streets, but we never give them any money. We also make sure we open the pack a little so that they cannot resell it. 
These children have a tough life, and buy 'Gutkha' - (Wikipedia meaning - a sweetened mixture of chewing tobacco, betel nut and palm nut) for Rs. 1 or 2 instead of food. Mom has even seen a little boy go to a cigarette and pan shop, and exchange the Rs.2 biscuit pack for a Rs. 1 'Gutkha' pack. So opening the pack is important so that we are sure we gave snacks and not gutkha.

I feel very bad for them and want to do something for these children. When I see them, I feel blessed to have such a nice home, family and school. 

I hope you like my post. Please come back on next Sunday to see my Mumbai Weekend Snapshot.

Making A Living

I spotted this 12 year old girl near the gift shop that I posted on Tuesday. She was selling bracelets made of alphabet beads. I asked her to make one with my son's name on it. It was interesting watching her, as she weaved the bracelet in less than five minutes.

Have a close look at the beads she had.

Here's the bracelet she made for me.

Living for Today

These children and women are sorting bunches of fresh green chick peas, for selling in the train or in the evening market. I took the shot from the train. Seeing me standing with my camera in the train, they were waving out to me, excitedly. So joyous and carefree.
It seemed like they are not worried about tomorrow, and are making the most of today. How many of us live such carefree lives without worrying about tomorrow?

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?