Should We Have a Times Square in Mumbai ?
I have been to New York on two different occasions. Every time I enjoyed being in Manhattan area which is the most thickly populated Borough among all the five Boroughs of NY City is divided . This part of New York City especially its Times Square area attracts tourists from all across the globe and the best part is that it never sleeps. You may find it crowded even in the wee hours of night, people moving around, the pubs, cafeterias, restaurants, stores doing brisk business. Then there is Broadway for plays, Madison Square and Central Park for cultural activities . The area is also famous for its street food, most of the foodcarts are owned by people who proudly call themselves Desi. Broadly Indian, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis even those who come from far distant countries Jordon, Yemen, Afganistan falls under this category
What makes Times Square so unique ? It is the feeling of liberation, urge for creativity, freewheeling and most importantly a confluence of various cultures, sub cultures, ethnic groups which make this area so special, so different and so loveable. By the way, many people call it Melting Pot.
On Sundays and holiday, at least 12 areas are converted into No Driving Zones, people sit there on their folding chairs relaxing taking Sun Bath if the Sun God is kind enough. In many areas restaurants are stretched on the road, giving it more leisurely place. Believe me if you have visited the area once, you will long to visit again and again.
When I heard that Government of Maharashtra has earmarked Rs. 5 Crore budgetary allocation to develop Kala Ghoda area on the line of Times Square. I was surprised how it is possible to replicate the spirit of a city or its specific pocket in a different city far away. This also reminded me some zealots talking about converting Bombay into Shanghai few years back.
Let us be very clear in our mind, Times Square is a state of mind and frankly speaking Bombay, which is called Mumbai from last 23-24 years simply does not have it. It is a grim reality that we have not yet understood the very concept of freedom of speech and expression despite our 67 years of Independence. We use culture and tradition as an excuse to stamp out originality. Tell me any other city in the civilised world where painting done by an artist to the stature of M F Husain were hastily removed from the walls of a luxury hotel for the fear of offending, it is not a city, which can understand the very spirit of Times Square. During past few years, Kalaghoda has emerged as one of the Bombay's recent cultural successes. No doubt the credit goes to organisers of Kalaghoda Festival, which helped it to become a confluence of heritage, art and culture. This is in spite of carping and quibbling by residents-performance art, literary discussions, music, theatre, dance, art, food, handicrafts and so much more jostle for attention.
Times Square is also known for, bright neon signage and huge digital screens showing live video streaming, not try to replicate that, it will only detract from that-and who knows how the residents of the area will react to. Whatever cultural transformation in Kalaghoda area has taken place is purely the citizen's initiative. Government intervention in the form of grant will destroy its color and flavor. A leafy area with heritage buildings, art gallaries and iconic institutions like Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)-does it needs massive neon signage.
As per the authorised figures, during 2011 52.17 Million tourists arrived in New York , for the same period only 1.9 Million tourists arrived in Mumbai, so Mumbai is far behind comparing New York it is amply clear that there is a great potential of growth in this area. In case if the tourism potential needs to be improved in Mumbai and for that we are looking New York as a role model, then hypocrisy that has been shown by politicians to be dropped. Our politicians have to stop worrying about the size of skirt or the fact that teasing, torturing couples celebrating Valentine day. also we need to re look laws, that govern restaurant timings, dropping anarchic Bombay Police Act and get rid of the concept of 'Permit Rooms'. There is a need to open mind and give space to 21st century.
So my suggestion is make Bombay a neat, clean , tourist friendly city, improve city infrastructure , show case heritage and history, where people come and enjoy rather than copy any other city as a role model.
 |
| Freedom of Expression |
 |
| Parade at Times Square |
 |
| Busy area become Carnival Place on Holidays |
 |
| Neon signs and digital scrollers keep it bibrant |
 |
| India Day Parade at Times Square |
 |
| Times Square by Night |
What makes Times Square so unique ? It is the feeling of liberation, urge for creativity, freewheeling and most importantly a confluence of various cultures, sub cultures, ethnic groups which make this area so special, so different and so loveable. By the way, many people call it Melting Pot.
On Sundays and holiday, at least 12 areas are converted into No Driving Zones, people sit there on their folding chairs relaxing taking Sun Bath if the Sun God is kind enough. In many areas restaurants are stretched on the road, giving it more leisurely place. Believe me if you have visited the area once, you will long to visit again and again.
When I heard that Government of Maharashtra has earmarked Rs. 5 Crore budgetary allocation to develop Kala Ghoda area on the line of Times Square. I was surprised how it is possible to replicate the spirit of a city or its specific pocket in a different city far away. This also reminded me some zealots talking about converting Bombay into Shanghai few years back.
Let us be very clear in our mind, Times Square is a state of mind and frankly speaking Bombay, which is called Mumbai from last 23-24 years simply does not have it. It is a grim reality that we have not yet understood the very concept of freedom of speech and expression despite our 67 years of Independence. We use culture and tradition as an excuse to stamp out originality. Tell me any other city in the civilised world where painting done by an artist to the stature of M F Husain were hastily removed from the walls of a luxury hotel for the fear of offending, it is not a city, which can understand the very spirit of Times Square. During past few years, Kalaghoda has emerged as one of the Bombay's recent cultural successes. No doubt the credit goes to organisers of Kalaghoda Festival, which helped it to become a confluence of heritage, art and culture. This is in spite of carping and quibbling by residents-performance art, literary discussions, music, theatre, dance, art, food, handicrafts and so much more jostle for attention.
Times Square is also known for, bright neon signage and huge digital screens showing live video streaming, not try to replicate that, it will only detract from that-and who knows how the residents of the area will react to. Whatever cultural transformation in Kalaghoda area has taken place is purely the citizen's initiative. Government intervention in the form of grant will destroy its color and flavor. A leafy area with heritage buildings, art gallaries and iconic institutions like Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)-does it needs massive neon signage.
As per the authorised figures, during 2011 52.17 Million tourists arrived in New York , for the same period only 1.9 Million tourists arrived in Mumbai, so Mumbai is far behind comparing New York it is amply clear that there is a great potential of growth in this area. In case if the tourism potential needs to be improved in Mumbai and for that we are looking New York as a role model, then hypocrisy that has been shown by politicians to be dropped. Our politicians have to stop worrying about the size of skirt or the fact that teasing, torturing couples celebrating Valentine day. also we need to re look laws, that govern restaurant timings, dropping anarchic Bombay Police Act and get rid of the concept of 'Permit Rooms'. There is a need to open mind and give space to 21st century.
 |
| Glimpses of Kala Ghoda Festival |
 |
| Kala Ghoda converts into market place for traditional stuff during festival |
 |
| Artifacts |
So my suggestion is make Bombay a neat, clean , tourist friendly city, improve city infrastructure , show case heritage and history, where people come and enjoy rather than copy any other city as a role model.
Comments
Post a Comment