Two festivals, Dussehra and Vijaya Dashami both signifying the triumph of good over evil, ended in a blaze of bright lights and fireworks. Like the ten-headed demon, Raavana felled by blazing arrows, here are ten city problems that need to be conquered
Two festivals, Dussehra and Vijaya Dashami both signifying the triumph of good over evil, ended in a blaze of bright lights and fireworks. Like the ten-headed demon, Raavana felled by blazing arrows, here are ten city problems that need to be conqueredu00a0
REALTY
Realty rates are going through the roof, here, though we speak metaphorically because millions of Mumbaikars still have to get a roof over their heads. Property in Bandra in 2009 went at Rs 20,000 per sq foot. Today, it hovers at Rs 30,000 per sq foot. In Andheri, land was at Rs 7,500 a sq foot, now, it stands at Rs 14,000 a sq foot.
UNFARE!Taxi fares have risen from Rs 14 to Rs 16. A cabbie with an electronic meter himself admitted that they have had to change their meters thrice already, because of the galloping fare hikes. Meanwhile auto fares went up from Rs 9 to Rs 11. Fares have been jumping higher than a rickshaw over potholes.
EDUCATIONA pre-school in South Mumbai charges a fee of Rs 45,000 for three months for children under two. Another International Baccalaureate (IB) school charges Rs four lakh a year for four-year-olds. A sarcastic parent asked, "I do not know if my child is learning ABC or studying for a degree in engineering in a foreign university."
UNDERWORLDThe rash of films on the underworld, the most recent, the zippy, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai proves that the underworld, once a remote, shadowy subject has woven itself in the fabric of our existence. Builders now, actually put away a part of their project costs as protection money to pay off the underworld for projects.
TERRORu00a0With not even two months left to mark the second year of the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai, the citizen is still seething with a sense of injustice - who supplied those faulty bulletproof jackets to the police? What happened to the commission formed to probe the attacks? Were there only ten terrorists? Mumbaikars want closure, but it is not coming.
CENSORSHIP
Sometimes, it is a ruckus about Rohinton Mistry's novel, Such a Long Journey, at other times; it is problems about television programmes. The city is being held to ransom by political parties. While ideology is one thing, the use of force and blackmail now rules. Solve differences through debates and dialogue, not threats.u00a0
FASHIONWhile some may argue that the plethora of Fashion Weeks everywhere are an indicator of the vibrancy of Indian fashion scene, experts claim that it is an eyewash. The Fashion Weeks are quantity rather than quality. In 2010 itself, there have already been six Fashion Weeks. The accent on celebrities at shows, is putting focus on famous faces.
SPORTMumbai's vanishing open spaces and playgrounds continue to be a cause for concern for the city. Even Mumbai's velodrome (a competitive cycling track) has been reduced to rubble at Haji Ali. Sports grounds supposed to be used for sport are used to hold rallies and dharnas.
BOLLYWOODActors are now demanding and getting more than Rs 1 crore and more per episode. Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan all command more than Rs 1 crore an episode. Television channels have to generate tremendous advertising revenue. Those who watch, have to suffer numerous breaks between programs.
VIOLENCEThis city's reputation of being one of the safest cities for women, is now in danger of disappearing. Over the weekend in Vashi, a 30-yr-old woman alleged that she was raped by a doctor on duty after being admitted to Lotus Hospital in the vicinity. When healers turn violators, where do women go?u00a0
FOLKLOREDusshera and Vijaya Dashami (last day of Durga Puja): The day symbolises the victory of good over evil. According to Hindu mythology, it is on this day that Lord Rama killed Ravaana, who abducted his wife Sita. Ravana's effigies are burnt all over the country to celebrate the victory of Lord Rama. It is believed that after a battle, which lasted for 10 days, Lord Rama with his Vanar Sena defeated the ten-headed demon, king Ravaana.
According to the Mahabharata, after the Pandavas were defeated by the Kauravas in the game of chausar (gambling), they were sent to exile for 13 years (12 years in the forest and one year in disguise). During this one year, the Pandavas had concealed their weapons under the Shami tree. At the end of the year, the Pandavas went to the Shami tree to worship Goddess Durga, goddess of strength and victory and to fetch their weapons. After this, the Pandavas straightway went to the battlefield and won the war, which is famously known as the Battle of Kurukshetra. The day when the Pandavas had declared war upon the Kauravas has since then been known as Vijayadashami.
Another belief is that, during Vijaya Dashami, Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed devil. The battle between the goddess and the demon went on for nine days. Finally on the tenth day, Mahishasura was killed and the auspicious day is being celebrated as Vijaya Dashami.
