Every city is born out of need. A need for something be it money, food, power,etc. This is a universally common phenomenon. But there are some who existed from long before, so long before than man still questions their purpose. Such is my city - Bombay, Mumbai, Bambai whatever you call her, she doesn't mind.

The city of Bombay, predates any other Indian city in written history. In the 19th century, Surat and Calcutta were the two main ports for trade.With the growing strength of the British in India, the Portuguese thought of a way of giving up this port as well as surviving under the English, Bombay was then given as dowry to King George in his marriage with Catherine De Braganza. The British though, weren't too pleased. The only major trade route in those days was touching the "Cape of Good Hope" in Africa and going round through the Indian Ocean, into the Bay of Bengal or Calcutta. And then, Bombay was not connected with Flyovers as it is today. The British then undertookk the tedious task of connecting the seven islands, to which Warren Hasting remarked "This costs us more than we make here (in this country)". Bombay was renamed as Mumbai in 1997. Historians say, ought to have been the original name taken from the residing deity of Mumba Devi.

The term "Bombay" is Portuguese in origin. It translates literally into "Good Bay" with the building of the Suez Canal, the fate of this city began to turn. Such that during the American Civil War. Major exports and imports took place from Bombay. The city, thus replaced Kolkata as a major port. The British found the city to their liking. They took time in developing this city, sprinking it with marvelous administrative and architectural magnifies. But now Mumbai is a changed city. Life has become harder than it ever was. Real estate prices are zooming. Population is swelling, look at the trains. The lure of city life has taken its toll on people's morality. Crime rates are up and I am really let down. But I know about Mumbai - she will rise just like she did, when she was bombed, just like she did when she was ravaged by rioters. The "Chalta hai" actually means "Chalta rahega" in a positive way. Mumbai never sleeps, and it never ever gives up.