The hot question in Mumbai these days is one posed by Raj Thackeray, “Why should outsiders be allowed in Mumbai?” It sounds foolish to common people, political to politicians, communal to liberals and what not. But if we try to remove Raj thackeray out of it and politics out of it and communalism out of it I think it is a very serious issue.
From Mumbaikars point of view the influx of outsiders is increasing congestion at all places be it traffic, schools, hospitals and not to forget the most important rail transport of Mumbai. Practically the whole of Mumbai thrives on this rail system. And what a pathetic scene it is to watch people getting in and out of the trains every day. (Some of my near and dear ones are among them.) Also the state is required to deal with providing basic facilities of health, education, employment, residence etc to the migrants. We should give some credit to the state that it isn’t an easy job. It can be too challenging for any administration.
From non-Mimbaikars point of view it is shameful that we are creating regionalism in a country whose lifeline is “Unity in Diversity”. It takes away one’s freedom to move freely in one’s own country. This regionalism can kill our spirit of patriotism to some extent and no doubt benefit our enemies, as history shows. It is humiliating to watch our very own countrymen being attacked, their houses being vandalised in Mumbai just because they are from other states. What is freedom if I don’t feel safe in my own country? Is it any better than being under foreign rule?
So, the big dilemma is should this question be raised or not?
I feel that the influx of people from villages and concentration of population in some selected cities is a serious cause of concern. Something must be done before the cities collapse due to overburdening and before the villages go barren with dying or fleeing farmers. I think we could start by considering it as a problem of the country and of big cities and not as a political or regional problem. Is it possible to make a change by distributing job opportunities all over the country? With increasing technology and shrinking world can we not give Mumbai a respite by taking off its financial pressure? Why do all industries… be it basic commodities, IT, telecom or finance need to be in and around Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune?
There could be many more questions like these. I am sure if a proper brainstorming is done loads and loads of ideas would come out. But it is heart-breaking that all our intelligentsia is a puppet at the hands of unconstitutional morons with vested interests.
From Mumbaikars point of view the influx of outsiders is increasing congestion at all places be it traffic, schools, hospitals and not to forget the most important rail transport of Mumbai. Practically the whole of Mumbai thrives on this rail system. And what a pathetic scene it is to watch people getting in and out of the trains every day. (Some of my near and dear ones are among them.) Also the state is required to deal with providing basic facilities of health, education, employment, residence etc to the migrants. We should give some credit to the state that it isn’t an easy job. It can be too challenging for any administration.
From non-Mimbaikars point of view it is shameful that we are creating regionalism in a country whose lifeline is “Unity in Diversity”. It takes away one’s freedom to move freely in one’s own country. This regionalism can kill our spirit of patriotism to some extent and no doubt benefit our enemies, as history shows. It is humiliating to watch our very own countrymen being attacked, their houses being vandalised in Mumbai just because they are from other states. What is freedom if I don’t feel safe in my own country? Is it any better than being under foreign rule?
So, the big dilemma is should this question be raised or not?
I feel that the influx of people from villages and concentration of population in some selected cities is a serious cause of concern. Something must be done before the cities collapse due to overburdening and before the villages go barren with dying or fleeing farmers. I think we could start by considering it as a problem of the country and of big cities and not as a political or regional problem. Is it possible to make a change by distributing job opportunities all over the country? With increasing technology and shrinking world can we not give Mumbai a respite by taking off its financial pressure? Why do all industries… be it basic commodities, IT, telecom or finance need to be in and around Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune?
There could be many more questions like these. I am sure if a proper brainstorming is done loads and loads of ideas would come out. But it is heart-breaking that all our intelligentsia is a puppet at the hands of unconstitutional morons with vested interests.
2 comments:
Dear Abha,
With financial pressures also come great financial benefits. With every new person that comes to Mumbai, there is an increase in the GDP. In fact Mumbai contributes quite a significant percentage to the country's GDP. The real question is not whether Mumbai should let outsiders in. That will only be determined by how lucrative the city is to outsiders. Tremendous economy and not to mention the film industry. The real question is when will the government pick up the slack and do something about this. I am sure they have enough money in their treasury to build railway lines (and man power is not going to be a problem either). Another option they need to exercise is claiming land to increase the size of the city (like Tokyo). Although claiming land from the sea is expensive, there is always the east side, the north side and the south side.
i agree that the inflow of people in a city depends upon how lucrative the city is.
I am not an economics person so don't understand much about the GDP and all but if the GDP of Mumbai is increasing with the inflow of people then surely some palce's GDP is falling down from where there is an outflow. some trades at those places are surely being shut down and definitely some occupation is lost.
one of the reasons of rising inflation as stated is various reports is the decline of agriculture as an occupation. this could be due to migration of farmers to bigger cities in search of better incomes also.
all this is a complete web, where one thing leads to other. we cannot pick up just one thread for any change. work needs to be done parallely in many areas.
Also there is no need to expand the cities as they will themselves expand as per the growing demands. Delhi and other metro cities for example. there is a huge area called NCR which is bigger than Delhi itself and is bearing/reaping all the disadvantages/fruits of being attached to Delhi.
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