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November 02
Red Lantern
Driving in Bombay is a far from pleasant experience. But having no other choice, I've been driving an awful lot ever since I've got my car here.
It's the festive season, Diwali- a couple of weeks back. On my journey ( I have to call it a journey, since it takes forever) back
home I usually pass by a section of Dharavi, otherwise known as
slumville, home of the slum dogs in Mumbai. This part of the city
comprises of acres and acres of grimy matchbox houses built for matchstick people, stacked unevenly over one another. Square houses
with tarpaulin roofs and grill covered windows, hanging from them for dear life- bright colored saris and dirty brown vests, competing for space with pigeons that have made it
their crap area, or stuffed with various 'junk items' like
broken buckets and plastic bottles and old utensils- probably haven't
been used in ages, but too precious to throw.
What is life in a hundred square foot bedroom-hall-kitchen-bathroom? What are it's people like? Why do they come from all over the country and choose this hot and harsh city to live a life like this? What are their inspirations and aspirations, fears and dreams?
Looking closely, through the piles of clothes and the muck, I see a red diwali lantern peeping out from every tiny window. That's my answer- 'Hope'. A hope that this red lantern, will bring them more fortunes this year than the last. A 'hope' that all's ok, and there's still reason to celebrate this Diwali along with the rest of the city. A red heart beating strong inside every hole... there's always enough space in their windows, enough money in the wallet and room in their lives for this 'magic' lantern called hope.
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