I’ve been thinking of the Kolis of Mumbai for the last couple of days. They are the fisher folk. The oldest community in the city. From Cuffe Parade to Gorai, Mumbai’s western coastline is dotted with picturesque Koliwadas. During this lockdown, I wonder how they are managing. In front of their homes, their boats have been dry-docked after being hauled out of the sea. As if the monsoon is here. Like everything else, the fishing business has come to a standstill. Though I wonder what Covid-19 threat a lonely fisherman trawling the deep sea would face. The problem would be when he returned to the shore. He would not find buyers for his fresh catch. Sad, when you think of Mumbai’s seafood-loving people and Mangalorean coastal food restaurants now shut.
Most Koliwadas have a fish market. But Mumbai also has some standalone fish markets that have made Lonely Planet. Like Sassoon Dock here in the picture. One of the oldest. And largest. Located where the road ends at Colaba. At the mouth of the harbor. For years I lived off Wodehouse Road which led to Sassoon Dock. And got used to the fishy smell in the air. When giving people directions to my home, I used to say, “Reach Colaba Post Office and follow your nose!” Getting used to the smell of fish heads, tails, and entrails from garbage vans leaving Sassoon Dock at midnight was never easy. They took this wet waste to the Deonar dumping ground. Leaving a slimy trail on the road that stank like nothing else on earth.
Sassoon Dock is open to the public. Mornings, I would spot restaurateur friends coming to buy fish. On-the-spot auctions are held, the fisherman with the biggest Pomfret and Prawn hoarsely calling for bids, while housewives haggled with fisherwomen for smaller quantities to go into their cooking pots. I often wandered past the imposing archway with its clock tower and weathercock pirouetting in the breeze. The fishing boats would still be coming in, gently riding the waves, flags gaily fluttering on their masts. I would walk to the edge of the pier from where I could see the Indian Navy’s heavily fortified Oyster Rock Island. Warships and aircraft carriers sometimes sailed past. And once a large, snub-nosed black submarine bobbed in the water. I thought it was a Killer Whale.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going 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.
