Stories from Mumbai

दौएश बैंक / पिझ्झा हट etc ...
Stores/commercial establishments in Mumbai generally have their names written in two languages - English and Hindi (or is it marathi?). I remember reading something about a particular movement in Mumbai long time back where every shop was forced to have their names written in Hindi [It was 2 decades ago I guess, Family Matters has a mention about it too]. How much of it was actually fiction? I don't know. But looking at the names, it feels that it was actually true. Most of the old shops have name written in a peculiar small font. I guess it was massive drive that a painter or two took. Mahim side this effect is particularly evident.

Locals in Mumbai
Last night I had my first local train journey after coming to Mumbai for summers. Good Friday holiday made it a very easy experience though. Sitting in the coach, I realized that the coach walls are filled with posters. From sex specialist to Haldiram ke namkeen. Ofcourse all of it done unauthorized and in an unorganized manner. At first I thought there is lot of advertising opportunity on those walls. But looking at the people around me, the feeling changed soon. Everybody is just too used to their daily commute that they just don't notice anything. They have their own ways to pass time (which actually is a considerable duration for most of the people). Reading news paper, filling Sudoku, listening to radio and naa jaane kya... It's just amazing how things get adjusted and become a routine. Will surely think more on this idea of advertising in local trains. If there can be a kurkure express, then there should be chances for something similar here too.