My mother was born in Colaba over six decades ago. When I ask her what Bombay was like back then, she tells me that the politicians were fewer and seemingly nicer, electrical goods were sturdier, and the few roads our city had were surprisingly better. There were no supermarkets and few goods to choose from, she says, so people weren’t obsessed or even familiar with concepts like brands. They simply bought what was available and learned to like it.

Senior citizens dread visiting government offices or going anywhere really, as most places don’t have special facilties for the elderly