Spirit of Mumbai - Random acts of kindness

I am a typical Punekar. In Maharashtra, there is a healthy competition between Pune and Mumbai residents about which city is better!

Over the years Mumbai has endured many calamities including floods, building collapses and terrorist  attacks. Every time the city faces a challenge, we hear about the spirit of people to rise over the difficulty and help each other. 

I have traveled the world over, but Mumbai still tends to overwhelm me! Especially the local trains. 

During a recent trip, I was at a cousin's place in Vile Parle suburb from where I had to go to Cuff Parade, the place I was staying at. 

I had planned to take a cab back home. My Mumbaikar relatives were shocked to hear that. This distance is good over 25 kms and by road during peak hours it would take nothing less than 2 hours and would cost over Rs.400. 

My cousin insisted that she would put me on a local train and I had to get off at Churchgate, from where my home was a short distance by taxi. She then put me on an almost empty and comfortable train. She entire trip cost rs 60 !

When getting off the train, I wasn't sure which direction to take for cab. I asked a sweet Parsi lady and she immediately asked me to follow her. She accompanied me to the taxi stand, made sure the driver knew where to go, waved happily and left. 

This was a small dose of Mumbaikars' kindness. I can now imagine how they must be rallying around each other during crises !

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