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India is many things. Depending on where you are, stunningly beautiful, dangerously dirty, or both. My first trip to Mumbai, when all I knew was the US and bits
by themartorana 12y ago
India is many things. Depending on where you are, stunningly beautiful, dangerously dirty, or both. My first trip to Mumbai, when all I knew was the US and bits of Europe, was the first truly culturally significant and mind opening experience of my life.
Modernity had brought with it trash and pollution of an unprecedented degree, and poverty, culture, corruption, and overpopulation do nothing to improve the situation. Open sewers line city streets that wind directly through ancient relics because the city had been continuously occupied and built up and upon since that time.
I mention this mostly because of the cultural significance of India, and the danger it faces in losing those cultural artifacts if they are not given the respect and care they deserve. Much of the culture, while incredibly peaceful and inviting (witnessing festivals in the slums of Mumbai, paid for by people scraping together their pennies, caring more about their community than their personal situation was... I still don't have the right words for the emotional experience), knows nothing of preservation and conservation.
I don't know the answer to any of this is... It's just something I think about whenever I read about ancient India.
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- th3iedkid 12y ago>>the cultural significance of India, and the danger it faces in losing those cultural artifacts if they are not given the respect A very interesting city (Mumbai). A recent bill for development of mumbai is caught along the same line.[1] As for cultural festivities you mention in mumbai, its largely driven by political intentions.Mumbai is largely multi-cultural and every community wants to rival another.Its also driven by xenophobia amongst the local marathi-speaking.Am not sure how long such a model can withstand but things seem to be changing slowly. Much of Mumbai's core infrastructure like water-lines etc are more than a 100 year old, they are crumbling.Corruption rids quality out of any recent project,these don't last long either. Population and long commute for work (under crowded conditions i.e.) are very common too! The one biggest difference is the people , who tend to change the outlook.They help each other and treat strangers better than most indian cities i've seen.People make all the difference. [1]:http://scroll.in/article/717914/loss-of-heritage-open-spaces-and-coastline-why-mumbais-development-plan-is-so-controversial http://scroll.in/article/717914/loss-of-heritage-open-spaces...
- themartorana 12y agoThat's an insight I'm unable to have, from the outside looking in. Thanks for your perspective :)
- ignoramous 12y agoYou may have come across this: http://markmanson.net/a-dust-over-india http://markmanson.net/a-dust-over-india but posting it anyway, as it is related.
- themartorana 12y agoI haven't read this before. Thanks for the link!
- junktest 12y agohttp://www.thebetterindia.com/22545/my-story-7-months-in-india-and-i-love-it-south-african/ http://www.thebetterindia.com/22545/my-story-7-months-in-ind...
- vithlani 12y ago>> and the danger it faces in losing those cultural artifacts if they are not given the respect and care they deserve. It is too late, already lost. And about to get worse with the new far right government that wants progress at any cost.