मुंबईत फिरण्यासाठी जागाच नाही...
गझ्बझलेली, कोंडत हि अशी आमची मुंबई
अशा ह्या शहरात मुलांनी, आजी-आजोबांनी जायचं तरी कुठे??
जरा पाय मोकळे करावेसे वाटले तर निघायचं तरी कुठे?
सोसायटीत गाड्यांचे पार्किंग
जरा पाय मोकळे करावेसे वाटले तर निघायचं तरी कुठे?
सोसायटीत गाड्यांचे पार्किंग
रस्त्यावर त्राफ्फिक जाम
शाळेत नो प्लेग्रौंद
आणि समुद्रावर नुसतीच घाण
फूथ-पाथ व्यापले भाजीवाल्यांनी
बागेत झोप्नार्यांची रांग
संग्राह्लायात भलताच शुकशुकाट
मल्तिप्लेक्षच्या तिकिटांनी तर दिलीच टांग
अशा परीस्थित मग घरीच बसावे
टीव्ही लावून रिमोट धरावे
पाय पसरून चायनीज मागवावे
असे करत मग वजन वाढवावे...
Isnt this the lifestyle of most of us ( read Mumbaikars)..specially on weekends?
We then blame it on our office stress, household chores and general fatigue!
Isnt this the lifestyle of most of us ( read Mumbaikars)..specially on weekends?
We then blame it on our office stress, household chores and general fatigue!
And ofcourse then we always have the BMC, traffic police and the goverment to pass the buck !!!
I have been wondering about the quality of life in Mumbai for sometime now. Agreed that this is an overcrowded city with loads of pollution and filth and ofcourse a busy life to cope up with...
However, one can manage to take out a few moments of solace in this city as well! Dont believe me?
Visit शिवाजी पार्क:
Built in 1925( by BMC !!!) in the heart of the city, this park with a circumference of around 1+ kms offers a varied scope for activities. During my 5 years in its vicinity, I have had the fortune to visit it at all possible hours in the day and i have found it bustling with a variety of activities....
Early mornings are full of walkers and joggers and a few laughter clubs too....its like a health park, healthy juicewalaas selling pulps of karela, wheat germ etc and fresh fruit vendors occupy the entrances! I will not be surprised if somebody opens a mobile gym in a huge van soon! ;)
Mid mornings are filled with adjacent school children enjoying their play sessions...also this time witnesses some net practice for cricket (fyi: once upon a time Sachin Tendulkar practiced here too!!)
Afternoons are not sleepy at all, its like equidistant plotting of points all around the katta (circumference)...no, its not some bmc project, but couples both young and old sitting cosily chatting engrossed in their little world of love! Ofcourse there are tiffin eaters (yes... people opening dabbas and eating) sitting cross legged under the tree shades too...
Early evenings witness some oldies with walking sticks and young mothers bundled up on the katta watching their children on the football practice...a little later come the vigorous evening joggers and many more youngsters who flock the katta upgrading their bird watching skills...Maids, grandparents and parents bring their little ones to play in the beautiful garden in the park which houses amazing swings, slides and other kiddie stuff!
Early evenings witness some oldies with walking sticks and young mothers bundled up on the katta watching their children on the football practice...a little later come the vigorous evening joggers and many more youngsters who flock the katta upgrading their bird watching skills...Maids, grandparents and parents bring their little ones to play in the beautiful garden in the park which houses amazing swings, slides and other kiddie stuff!
Sevenish; and you will again see a few more couples but with their office and laptop bags clutched on their laps...young children attending a variety of classes from mallakhaamb (gymnastics) to kho-kho to karate and taekwando! name it and you find it!
Devotees busy taking darshan around the Udyaan Ganesh and Kali Mata mandir.. This hour sees many bachelors and working class groups occuping the inner grounds of the park too...I think, gazing at the stars and dreaming of a bright tomorrow!
Not long from then and you will see early post dinner walkers ..husband wife taking a light stroll while their little children run in circles laughing and playing near the parents...
If you are lucky, at this time you may also bump into some die hard fitness enthusiasts who are in full sports attire and practicing things like rock climbing, box kicking etc! hats off to them!
If you are lucky, at this time you may also bump into some die hard fitness enthusiasts who are in full sports attire and practicing things like rock climbing, box kicking etc! hats off to them!
As the night soars in, one witness the katta sleepers on one hand and high class youngsters thronging the adjacent coffee outlets like barista and Cafe coffee day...loads of coffee, smoke and hustle bustle makes sure that the park never sleeps!!!
शिवाजी पार्क as far as I know caters to needs of all...young and old, runners and chatters, devotees and homeless....one can visit it at the time of ones convenience and it welcomes you with streched arms and a warm smile...here there is hope in the city for all!
Peace of mind on a piece of land....I have found mine...Have you?
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