SPEAK UP

MUMBAI | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

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SURVEY NUMEROLOGICSI Despite being hailed as a city of dreams, a majority would prefer to move out of Mumbai and eventually settle NO POLITICAL WILL
According to the Quality of Life Survey conducted
jointly by DNA - AZ Research, it was observed that down in another city. Why would they migrate and where would they want to go? Brinda Majithia finds out TO BRING A CHANGE
overall in Mumbai, 43% of the people don't like the
city and would prefer to settle elsewhere.
Surprisingly, 46% in Mumbai alone are not happy
with the city. The reasons in Navi Mumbai for
migrating are due to family commitments (54%).
However, in Thane, 38% would like to shift
because of the prevalent political scenario here.
(Sample: 1200, SEC A/B, Age: 28-60 years, M/F)
‘We don’t want to settle in a “The quality of life in
Mumbai has surely de-
teriorated over the
years. Transportation
is one of the major is-
sues in the city and

FAR FAR AWAY

The following charts represent the reasons why
city that never sleeps’ traffic is getting worse.
Jaywalking is common
and incidents
drunken driving are
rising. There
of

people want to move out of Mumbai in the long have been

run. 43% don’t like the city and for some, there many talks
are personal reasons for leaving. for improving
the bus serv-
ice but there
is no imple-
mentation.
EXPERT Elderly
zens in the
citi-

VIEW city too suffer

the most as
there are no open
spaces nor many gar-
Overall dens or parks. But the
main problem is that

43% there is no system or

accountability for any-
thing. The very special
ingredient that is miss-
ing is political will.
Once this will change,
the city can indeed be
made a better place.”

Neera Punj,
convener,
Citispace

Mumbai SURVIVAL OF THE

46% FITTEST APPLICABLE

“I’m unsure that a ma-

jority would want to
move out of Mumbai.
The saying ‘survival of
From left: Tania J, the fittest’ comes into
Daksh Juneja and play in cities like
Khushbu Rege Mumbai. It is tough
would like to settle currently to buy a
in some other city, house in Mumbai. The
Navi but not Mumbai. definition of middle
Mumbai —Mukesh Trivedi DNA class has changed in
the last 10 years. Today,

54% “A city like Bombay, like New York, that is move out and relo- That’s the unusu- peaceful and less polluted.”
a two bed-
room apart-
ment costs
a recent creation on the planet and does not cate to a more al bit — the love-hate There are many others who would like over a crore
have a substantial indigenous population, serene destination relationship with the to move to a new city altogether. Twenty in Malad. If
is full of restless people. Those who have in India. city. Rajni Bakshi, au- five-year old Daksh Juneja who is origi- someone is
come here have not been at ease somewhere There are several thor and freelance nally from Dehradun, wants to move to a looking for a
else. And unlike others who may have been reasons for this, writer says, “Despite developed and planned city like Chandi- one or two
equally uncomfortable wherever they came some of which we all our complaints garh. “It’s the most organised and system-
from, these people got up and moved. As I are familiar with. about traffic jams atic city. Mumbai is bursting at its seams.
MARKET bedroom
apartment
have discovered, having once moved, it is dif- The snail’s pace at and pollution, most of Now other cities too have great work op- VIEW in a budget
ficult to stop moving…” which the infra- us enjoy the energy of portunities.” of Rs20 to 50
—Suketu Mehta in Maximum City: structure projects the city. Anyone who And there are some like Khushbu Rege, lakh has no option but
Thane Bombay Lost and Found are making has the option finan- a social media catalyst who has been born to go to Mira road,
progress, the potholes that you bump cially would seek a more peaceful place. But and brought up here, who would eventual- Bhayander and beyond

38 % The title of the book, Maximum City, has

become almost synonymous with Mumbai.
It still remains the city of dreams for many,
but not necessarily a city that many see
themselves settling down in future. Ac-
cording to the Quality of Life survey by
DNA and AZ research, more than two fifth
of adults don’t like Mumbai and one third
have their own compulsions for not will-
ing to stay in Mumbai.
Simply put, Mumbai’s stature as the
glamour, glitz and commercial capital of
India may attract people from all over the
country, but a majority would prefer to
into, the omnipresent traffic are all con-
stant reminders that one has to give up a
lot to simple pleasures to make a living in
the city of possibilities. Arpit Sharma,
who is a territory manager with a phar-
ma company, says, “Mumbaikars are hos-
pitable, but I hate the slow progress of the
city’s ambitious infrastructure projects.
Rains play havoc in the city and the atti-
tude of the city’s cops and civic adminis-
tration is terrible. I plan to move to the
US for a better lifestyle and income. If I
stay in India, then probably I’ll relocate
to Bangalore or Delhi.”
almost all the people I know who have the
second serene home elsewhere still live in
Mumbai most of the time. The city would
ly like to move out to explore a new city.
“The traffic scenario is just worsening
everyday and the pollution levels are ris-
Thane. The Metro
should come as a relief
but it would not solve
be better with more open, green spaces that ing. I want to move to Bangalore since it’s the entire issue as con-
everyone can enjoy and with less honking. an upcoming hub and there are equally nectivity would be to
And if I have to live in a metro, I’d rather good work opportunities over there.” limited locations. Navi
live here than anywhere else.” So has the disappearing lush greens, the Mumbai and beyond,
There are some who would want to move continuous in-flow of migrants, the mush- are places that need to
back to the city where they grew up. Rubi- rooming slums, lack of open spaces, the get better connected
na G, an interior designer, says, “The work growing political and religious bigotry, with the city.”
culture in Mumbai is amazing compared skyrocketing prices of the real estate tak-
to my experience in Delhi. However even- en the sheen off aamchi Mumbai? For Chetan Narain,
tually, I would love to go back and stay in many Mumbaikars, the answer is yes. president and
Jaipur (my hometown) which is far more m_brinda@dnaindia.net CEO - Narains Corp

IFEEDBACKI
Avoid excuses, allocate time for
exercise everyday
‘Mumbai attracts people from all over’ SUCH IS LIFEI Sudhir Shetty

In response to, ‘Gym, walk, run or shake a Brinda Majithia

leg, Mumbai loves fitness’ (Speak Up, Sept 10)
Often we see people have a tough time try-
ing to reach their toes. Every day, we notice
at least someone
who huffs and
puffs to climb
that one floor to
their home or
that one flight of
stairs to the plat-
form. But that is
not seen as a sign of being unhealthy—the
panting is attributed to stress. The usual ex-
cuses when explaining our inability or un-
willingness to exercise are; financial con-
straints—a gym is too expensive, I just
don’t have the time, I’m fit—I don’t need to
exercise, exercise is for the old to keep
themselves fit, I get enough exercise climb-
ing the stairs at my work, I get enough exer-
cise running after my kids, there’s no good
gymnasium around my place. This list can
go on and on. Heart diseases, diabetes,
arthritis and so many other diseases strike
those who are unfit and obese.
—CK Subramaniam,
Navi Mumbai
Even while there are many who
would prefer to settle down in oth-
er cities, there are those who love
Mumbai so passionately, they
wouldn’t live anywhere else in the
world.
According to the Quality of
Life survey, overall, two-third of
adults in the city believe that
money and professionalism
makes this city worth living.
Mumbai’s standing as the heart of
Bollywood is also a big attraction.
Veteran ad man Prahlad
Kakkar agrees. “Mumbai attracts
professionals from all over the
country. One might be the best
chef in Hyderabad, the best IT
professional in Bangalore but un-
less you make it big in Mumbai,
other accolades don’t matter.
Mumbai gives people recognition.
We are willing to pay a premium
as here the competition is between
the experts. We are a business city,
very professional and reliable and
we refuse to do a job unless we can-
SECOND CHOICES
38% 13 % 9% 6%
are not sure Delhi Hyderabad Bangalore
which city
they want to 12% 7% 6%
move to Ahmedabad Kolkatta Lucknow
We are a
business city and have
a very professional
and reliable attitude.
Competition here, is
between the experts”
—Prahlad Kakkar,
ad man
not deliver.” city. The cosmopolitan nature and there’s nothing like Mumbai. I
Indeed, for many there’s more vibrant co-existence of people would never want to move. I am
to the city than just fame. Sohini from all over India delights me. used to living in the fast pace of the
Mitter, an editorial consultant Not even for a moment do I feel city and the neighbourhood is like
originally from Kolkata, says, like an ‘outsider’ here.” one huge family. There’s corruption
“The much-talked about ‘spirit of Mandar Lad who is an adminis- and pot-holed roads, but I wouldn’t
Mumbai’ does exist. I can feel it trative executive, adds, “I have trav- want to move to any city even if I’m
in every soul on the streets of the elled to most cities in India but sponsored for a lifetime.”

Across
1 Jump in the well (6)
4 Prank ceased being funny
when father came in (8)
9 One type of fan club (6)
Crossword no 1727
5 A result of smoking in bed? (5,2,5)
6 What’s it like in the Kalahari Desert? (4)
7 Fish cooked inside and covered in oil (6)
8 Note condition of property (6)
11 As in pre-stage make up? (12)
sudoku Download SUDOKU on your mobile for Rs 99 per game. SMS <SDK>to 57575. Only on
GPRS WAP enabled mobile sets.
How to Fill each of the blank boxes with the number grid from 1-9, and the
letter grid from A-I with no letters or numbers repeating in vertical,
play horizontal rows or 3x 3 grids. Do not repeat any letters in a line.
Each puzzle has only one solution.

10 Not a visitor I’d outwardly object to (8) 15 Half a minute or less (5)
12 Find fault with the price (4) 16 Employing uniformed soldiers
Yesterday’s solution

13 Summonses arising out of a in New Guinea initially (5)

broken wrist (5)
14 Sign of a blow in a garden tool (4)
17 Warm water to them is a vital
necessity (8,4)
20 Profession in which people are sure
to take an interest (12)
23 Crackers - or what they’re required
for? (4)
24 Begins to enjoy writing on battles (5) 27 Famous Venetian game (4)
25 Mediocre appeal for help and love (2-2)
28 Rode round and round giving
commands (8)
29 Headgear that involves work (3,3)
30 Lunar settlement? (8)
31 Lyrical writer gets the twitch (6)
Down
1 A group of society women (8)
2 Turning a list into new form (8)
3 He ruled in one Roman era (4)
18 A wounding glance maybe (8)
19 In a religious sense he
believes in coasting freely (8)
21 Fit to tell (6)
22 You may find a working
model in it (6)
26 Source of power on the
American football field (4)
Solution No: 1726
Across: 1 Jeans, 4 Flouted, 8 Cos,
9 Intestacy, 10 Dosages, 11 Get-up,
13 Wraith, 15 Staple, 18 Baton,
19 Allured, 21 Smugglers, 23 Wan,
24 Elector, 25 Tarts.
Down: 1 Jackdaw, 2 Assistant, 3 Sling, team speak up Brinda Majithia, Meghna Sharma and Nitin Kumar
4 Fetish, 5 On sight, 6 Tea, 7 Dry up,
12 Top drawer, 14 Tonight, 16 Endings, GET IN TOUCH: Please email us your views at speakup@dnaindia.net , or call on 022- 43888455 or post
17 Career, 18 Baste, 20 Liszt, 22 Use. feedback to DNA Wing, 1st Floor, Oasis Complex, Kamala Mills Compound,
PB Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013