The beauty of Mumbai’s proud sea face has been forever scarred by the ugly construction work on the new Coastal Road coming up there. Old timers of Marine Drive, Breach Candy, Haji Ali, and Worli Seaface regret that there is no view left of the sea and setting sun when they step out to take the air in the evening. The construction activity fills the southwest skyline.
It is sad. Mumbai’s character has been stripped away. Leaving citizens with nothing for all this but the hope of a smoother, better, and faster ride in the future. But growth is inevitable. Especially if Mumbai ambitiously compares itself to Shanghai. And with growth comes change. The old hat must give way to the new. Old roads, bridges, buildings, and railway stations of the Raj are making way for new state-of-the-art infrastructure.
The city is groaning in protest. However, you must break some eggs in order to make an omelet, as the saying goes. And indeed the Bandra-Worli Sealink today is one of the city’s most picturesque carriageways. A popular and successful marvel of a road. An airport runway-smooth ribbon of asphalt on concrete legs deeply rooted in the seabed curving its way across the waves. Despite all the criticism it faced from environmentalists and opposition from Koli fisher folk when it was coming up.
The Kolis are up in arms again. Protesting forcefully against the Coastal Road this time. They are Mumbai’s oldest community. And also it’s most bitter and aggrieved. Any development along the coast they allege is sabotage of their livelihoods. It disturbs fishing. But fishing I always thought was a deep sea business. Spread out far and wide. Going up to Sri Lanka, Oman, and Pakistan. Not conducted in a shallow sea. Who would want to eat the fish of the polluted and stinking waters close to Mumbai’s shore?
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. He was interviewing almost every role model of this country and getting stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
About Storyofsouls
Leave your comments on how did you like this story. If you love it, share it to bring that change we wish to see in the world.
You can also share your inspiring story with us at replytosos@gmail.com. Story Of Souls is an initiative where we invite people to bring their stories to us. We want people to “write to heal.” The idea of Storyofsouls is appreciated by ALL INDIA RADIO. An Online Platform where you can share your real-life stories. The impact of our stories has reached the UN, and Harvard University. For some real-life stories, web series are also planned. You can also visit our Youtube channel. You can follow us on Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
Storyofsouls is glad to inform you that we are now a Google news-verified platform.
We are proud to inform you all that storyofsouls.com is the official TedX MotiJheel Kanpur Partner for their upcoming event.