.jpg)
The saffron brigade has done it again, Monday's Economic Times reported that the Sena has managed to rope in food-giant McDonalds to sponsor a convention of prospective 'Shiv Vadapav' vendors in Mumbai.
Before you jump the gun let me state that I have nothing against the corporatization of this city's much beloved carbohydrate-bomb, Jumbo King got there first remember? All I'm asking is would the vada pav taste less delicious without the 'Shiv' prefix? I mean common! You've already renamed the airport, railway station, and museum, can't we at least refrain from unleashing politics on to the poor man's stomach. ET describes it 'the culinary dimensions of politics'
Sure George Wittet the man who designed Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, the Indian Institute of Science and Ballard Estate must've rolled in his grave when Wittet Street in Fort was renamed as Walchand Hirachand Marg. But hell he had no right to argue for starters he was dead, and secondly and more importantly he was a Britisher. But what did the Vada Pav do to deserve its fate. I'm sure a Happy Meal comprising Shiv waran Bhath and Shiv kokum Kadi are in the pipeline.
I'm not an elitist anti- Marathi which I'm sure ill be accused of by the end of this article all I'm saying is; pause, before you obliterate the history of this city.
The situation is so bad that I recently spotted an irate tourist at Pydhonie junction jumping over his copy of Lonely Planet. When a street overflowing with locals can't help you find an address it sure is a "lonely planet". I'm surprised the editors of this travel magazine haven't initiated a lawsuit for its losses running into billions thanks to BMC's naam Karan bug. If you think only streets, junctions, and chowks that are renamed then you're wrong, the good ol' footpath hasn't been spared either. The footpath opposite Wilson College at Chowpaty is called Khote footpath.
Rumor has it, running out of things to rename the BMC is considering initiating a proposal to name the street lamps of this city. Don't be surprised if you spot a lamp post with the name Shri Ujaala Marg or something.
Thankfully the people of this city have trouble catching up with the times, do you ever hear people say that they're going for a stroll on Netaji Subhash Bose Road (Marine Drive)? Since when did rechristening roads, becomes a benchmark of patriotism?
I believe that every time you rename something, you willfully chip away it's history, disrespect it heroes and their contribution to make this city what it is. Apart from the ethical and practical dilemmas about renaming anything and everything, isn't it odd that Mumbai -this glorious city has only one hero? What? Did you say JRD Tata? Nonsense! Like the tooth-fairy and unicorn he was a mythical creature made up by some ageing Parsi to tell his grandchildren at bedtime.
Before you jump the gun let me state that I have nothing against the corporatization of this city's much beloved carbohydrate-bomb, Jumbo King got there first remember? All I'm asking is would the vada pav taste less delicious without the 'Shiv' prefix? I mean common! You've already renamed the airport, railway station, and museum, can't we at least refrain from unleashing politics on to the poor man's stomach. ET describes it 'the culinary dimensions of politics'
Sure George Wittet the man who designed Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, the Indian Institute of Science and Ballard Estate must've rolled in his grave when Wittet Street in Fort was renamed as Walchand Hirachand Marg. But hell he had no right to argue for starters he was dead, and secondly and more importantly he was a Britisher. But what did the Vada Pav do to deserve its fate. I'm sure a Happy Meal comprising Shiv waran Bhath and Shiv kokum Kadi are in the pipeline.
I'm not an elitist anti- Marathi which I'm sure ill be accused of by the end of this article all I'm saying is; pause, before you obliterate the history of this city.
The situation is so bad that I recently spotted an irate tourist at Pydhonie junction jumping over his copy of Lonely Planet. When a street overflowing with locals can't help you find an address it sure is a "lonely planet". I'm surprised the editors of this travel magazine haven't initiated a lawsuit for its losses running into billions thanks to BMC's naam Karan bug. If you think only streets, junctions, and chowks that are renamed then you're wrong, the good ol' footpath hasn't been spared either. The footpath opposite Wilson College at Chowpaty is called Khote footpath.
Rumor has it, running out of things to rename the BMC is considering initiating a proposal to name the street lamps of this city. Don't be surprised if you spot a lamp post with the name Shri Ujaala Marg or something.
Thankfully the people of this city have trouble catching up with the times, do you ever hear people say that they're going for a stroll on Netaji Subhash Bose Road (Marine Drive)? Since when did rechristening roads, becomes a benchmark of patriotism?
I believe that every time you rename something, you willfully chip away it's history, disrespect it heroes and their contribution to make this city what it is. Apart from the ethical and practical dilemmas about renaming anything and everything, isn't it odd that Mumbai -this glorious city has only one hero? What? Did you say JRD Tata? Nonsense! Like the tooth-fairy and unicorn he was a mythical creature made up by some ageing Parsi to tell his grandchildren at bedtime.
1 comments:
whoa! this was a topic I have been meaning to cover on my blog for a while. So I wont accuse you of being an elitist anti-Marathi , but a thought stealer you definitely are(ok..that sounds lamer than I thought it would)
Post a Comment