Street Life and Street Politics
98,603 items / 596,358 views
This is a unique community that lives on the pavement of Mori Road diagonally opposite Mahim Station weaving baskets , baskets that are used for storing fish by the koli women, baskets are in demand with vegetable and flower sellers too.
The women of this community go about their work diligently, the men are laid back play cards drink ..and take life as it comes , some men the older ones assist the women in weaving the baskets.
The kids beg at both the traffic signals the one at Mori Road the other at the far end of St Michael Church.This brings in the extra bit for the concerned family.
The kid beggars of this community are very convincing with their begging speech invoking Allah, Makhdoom Shah Baba the Mahim Saint , or any divinity in keeping with the person they are begging from , if it is a Hindu than they will appeal on behalf of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, or Durga Mata , this also depends on the seasonal religious flavor of a Hindu feast.
During Navratra they begged with Gharbi pots in their hands.
This community has a branch at Mahim off Mori Road closer to Fisherman Colony, the other branch or offshoot is close to Nargis Dutt Colony at Bandra Reclamation..
This is a nice study if one is passionate about street photography..Mumbai street life shows you facets of domestic quarrels on the road , kids playing cricket cars zooming by, hawkers plying their trade undisturbed , as they pay hafta to the authorities and the local Bhai or don of the area.
Most of the street settlers are touts of politicians as this huge chunk is a powerful vote bank..they raise the flag of the party that feeds them..first come first serve basis.
On the night before the elections I was told in confidence by a resident of the street of Bandra Reclamation, a lot of money flows to garner support in terms of vote..He said sometimes people paid by a party go and vote for the opposing party too.. Politics is a perfect pass time for the jobless , Rs 250 is paid to a person joining the rally .. more if they have kids.. more if they are in burkhas..yes this democracy..one wise man and a million blind fools..the Muslim card is the most sought after ..as the Muslim vote can change the face of the hustings here , those at Band Stand , Pali Hill , Carter Road go away for a long well deserved holiday during voting time...Most of them ensconced at their holiday villas at Alibagh , Murud Janjira or Igatpuri..
The first rally at Bandra Reclamation was that of the BSP last night I kept away but saw it from my balcony..the people in the fray here at Bandra is sitting MLA Baba Siddiki of Congress NCP combine , Ashish Shelar BJP /ShivSena combine and a lone Independent candidate municipal councilor Rahebar Khan.
The walls are still pristine white soon you will see the writing on the walls ..Vote For ...Stable Government ..and such jocular tongue in cheek verbosity..
The shrilly chorus of kids Ek Do... Phek Do..Sab Se Pehle Hath Ha Hum Tumhare Sath Hai..Rahebar Khans election symbol is a cricket bat.. and he is going to hit a six his supporter told me..but than he got upset when I told him that both Baba Siddiki and Ashish Shelar are great bowlers too, one a fast medium pace the other a left arm spinner..he has since last two days stopped talking to me..Strange are the ways of democracy..
The BSP will be soon canvasing with a huge statue of a White Elephant and if they come to power here in Bandra .. well will have a statue of smiling Madam M at Carter Road.. one opposite Sharukh Khans house at Band Stand .. another one of a Dalit leader opposite Salman Khans house..
Democracy and the electoral process is the true pulse of our cultural ethos.
The MNS is not putting up any candidate ..this is one question or statement that needs no answer..Politics makes strange bedfellows too.. sometimes your enemies worst enemy becomes your best friend too..
Street Life and Street Politics
98,603 items / 596,358 views
This is a unique community that lives on the pavement of Mori Road diagonally opposite Mahim Station weaving baskets , baskets that are used for storing fish by the koli women, baskets are in demand with vegetable and flower sellers too.
The women of this community go about their work diligently, the men are laid back play cards drink ..and take life as it comes , some men the older ones assist the women in weaving the baskets.
The kids beg at both the traffic signals the one at Mori Road the other at the far end of St Michael Church.This brings in the extra bit for the concerned family.
The kid beggars of this community are very convincing with their begging speech invoking Allah, Makhdoom Shah Baba the Mahim Saint , or any divinity in keeping with the person they are begging from , if it is a Hindu than they will appeal on behalf of Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi, or Durga Mata , this also depends on the seasonal religious flavor of a Hindu feast.
During Navratra they begged with Gharbi pots in their hands.
This community has a branch at Mahim off Mori Road closer to Fisherman Colony, the other branch or offshoot is close to Nargis Dutt Colony at Bandra Reclamation..
This is a nice study if one is passionate about street photography..Mumbai street life shows you facets of domestic quarrels on the road , kids playing cricket cars zooming by, hawkers plying their trade undisturbed , as they pay hafta to the authorities and the local Bhai or don of the area.
Most of the street settlers are touts of politicians as this huge chunk is a powerful vote bank..they raise the flag of the party that feeds them..first come first serve basis.
On the night before the elections I was told in confidence by a resident of the street of Bandra Reclamation, a lot of money flows to garner support in terms of vote..He said sometimes people paid by a party go and vote for the opposing party too.. Politics is a perfect pass time for the jobless , Rs 250 is paid to a person joining the rally .. more if they have kids.. more if they are in burkhas..yes this democracy..one wise man and a million blind fools..the Muslim card is the most sought after ..as the Muslim vote can change the face of the hustings here , those at Band Stand , Pali Hill , Carter Road go away for a long well deserved holiday during voting time...Most of them ensconced at their holiday villas at Alibagh , Murud Janjira or Igatpuri..
The first rally at Bandra Reclamation was that of the BSP last night I kept away but saw it from my balcony..the people in the fray here at Bandra is sitting MLA Baba Siddiki of Congress NCP combine , Ashish Shelar BJP /ShivSena combine and a lone Independent candidate municipal councilor Rahebar Khan.
The walls are still pristine white soon you will see the writing on the walls ..Vote For ...Stable Government ..and such jocular tongue in cheek verbosity..
The shrilly chorus of kids Ek Do... Phek Do..Sab Se Pehle Hath Ha Hum Tumhare Sath Hai..Rahebar Khans election symbol is a cricket bat.. and he is going to hit a six his supporter told me..but than he got upset when I told him that both Baba Siddiki and Ashish Shelar are great bowlers too, one a fast medium pace the other a left arm spinner..he has since last two days stopped talking to me..Strange are the ways of democracy..
The BSP will be soon canvasing with a huge statue of a White Elephant and if they come to power here in Bandra .. well will have a statue of smiling Madam M at Carter Road.. one opposite Sharukh Khans house at Band Stand .. another one of a Dalit leader opposite Salman Khans house..
Democracy and the electoral process is the true pulse of our cultural ethos.
The MNS is not putting up any candidate ..this is one question or statement that needs no answer..Politics makes strange bedfellows too.. sometimes your enemies worst enemy becomes your best friend too..