Close to eighteen months back, I was sitting right at this place – my home – and wondering how life in US would be. And now that I am home for vacations, people inevitably ask me one question, ‘Hows life in US?’ Tough question. ‘Is it better than here in India.’ I really dont know. ‘Are you going to settle in US?’ Stop asking me questions I have no definite answers to!

But today, I am thinking. Thinking how things have changed in India, or Mumbai to be more precise. ‘Hows life in India after eighteen months?’ Nice! Nice question I mean!! The city has improved I must say. For a shocker, I find ‘Do not litter. Else pay Rs. 200/- in fines’ huge billboards along the Eastern Express highway. So whats new? Do people even read that, I asked my dad. Smiling back, he replies he has seen some cops collect the fine. Wow, Mumbai has taken the first step towards a disciplined life. Shocking enough. Although I still find litter along the roads, I appreciate this small step taken and executed.

The next major thing that stands out is the increasing number of tall towers sprouting up everywhere. I climbed one up in Matunga opposite Ruia College, still under construction. Onto the twenty-second floor, shall we? It was slightly hazy that day. To the north, I could see the hills at Ghatkopar. A peep down and I could see some toy trains. I immediately identified them as Central Railways. A toy train was just halting at its toy station of Matunga. And yet another vanished under the Tilak bridge to reach Dadar. At some distance north-west, I saw a plane which had just taken off. Maybe on a clear day, I could see the airport as well. I thought I would identify other landmarks for you, but that would spoil your fun when you see this bird’s eye view yourself. I wandered more in my thoughts and imagined how Mumbai monsoons would be from this height. I can see the rains coming from the south-west, the north is still sunny. Soon, everything will be drenched. I can spend hours after hours by the window watching the rains, the trains, planes, tiny vehicles maneuvering themselves in the maze below full of concrete. Few trees. Countable if I should say. Not many flying creatures around as well. That leaves me sad again and I make my way down through the temporary elevator.

Vehicular traffic has gone up. Roads are being widened. Construction work is everywhere. The air is full of fine cement and asbestos particles. Trees still do have green leaves, but covered with a brownish gray veil of dust. Malls have sprung up everywhere. A good decent lunch now costs you Rs. 200/-. The stock markets are seeing an unreasonable growth. Kids are no longer seen playing on grounds in the evenings. Mosquitoes have grown immune to Good Knight. Ofcourse, pollution is on the rise. I dont have the count of the number of human beings a train carries at peak hours, but can feel more humans per square feet. A man is delighted to find a parking space for his car, 100 metres from his destination. Where is he heading? Where are we heading?

Hmmm, its not that bad. Unemployment has gone down. Our maid-servant’s son spoke understandable English and good Hindi. He did his math good too. Thane Vashi commuting is now a breezer thanks to Central railways. Two extra railway lines have been laid by the Western Railways. ‘Gold cabs’ have been introduced. Number of beggars and homeless people have gone down. Significantly. Dont ask me how, just an observation. Computers have become very affordable; number of laptop owners are on the rise. Cell phones are no longer luxury items, but are necessities. The new tax scheme for VAT is ingenious; loop holes are now sealed. The minimum thickness of polythene bags has gone up considerably. Emission norms for vehicles are in place. Numerous bridges are being built, not to forget the Mumbai Metro project. The work is slow, true, but its promising. Calls to cities all over the country and world have come down. Number of internet users is going high. My mom knows how to operate a PC and internet. Where is she heading? Where are we heading?

And countless other things from both viewpoints that I can bore you with. So, can I ask you some questions now? Is life improving in India? ‘Tough question!’ Given an excellent opportunity on foreign soil, would you like to move to a foreign country or stay in India?

Dont answer that. Yet.