My experience at Worli Koliwada

My experience at Koliwada

After a bitter experience at Rajbhavan in bit angry mood me, Pranali and Priyanka moved to Koliwada. In bus I was thinking about how will be the area and houses of Kolis who are original residents of Mumbai. I was taking clue from the houses I saw in the gavthans at Borivali and Dahisar. The houses in gavthan were small, and while walking through gavthans I felt as if I have come in some village. I thought I will have some similar experience in Worli Koliwada too. But the experience was surely was not the same. While walking through area I felt this area and the Koli community have evolved a lot. But then a second thought came to my mind, that is what we are studying through our assignments, how has urbanization has impacted the Koli community?

Me, Pranali and Priyanka started with a walk in koliwada to get the idea of the area and too see the people. I was observing the houses, name plates, people, etc. It was a relaxed afternoon for the residents. Women had just finished doing household chores, some women were picking children from school bus, some women were chatting among themselves. Even the men were in no hurry, many youth were chatting and standing in groups. We entered in one bylane after spotting few women there. But they were reluctant to talk to us. So then came forward Ravikant Kalikhan a 30-year-old man from Koli community. His surname, made up of two surnames Koli and Khan surprised me a bit, so I thought I will ask about in the end. Ravikant worked in Bombay Port Trust. When asked about newly constructed ‘Worli-sea Link Bridge’, Ravikant said he has used the bridge but it is not so useful for common public. But I could not strike much conversation with him so we left from there soon.

Next we three decided to try our luck with a woman named Mrs. Rebella Purushottam Worlikar. I thought talking to her is good idea because things kept in her house like a boat shaped pot, fishing net and her surname clearly indicated that she belonged to Koli community and she was chatting with another woman that means she can spare some time for us. Upon hearing her name, Rebella, some more questions came in my mind. Even Pranali’s face showed that we have many more questions to ask. Rebella’s husband does service whereas fishing business is handled by her brother-in-law. She has noticed change in the catch of fish but could not tell much how sea-link has impacted the fishing business. She said, “My brother-in-law and husband talks about it. I don’t know much about it as I am always busy with work.” She had traveled on the bridge just out of curiosity. She said that due to the pillars of the bridge fishes has displaced and there could be increase in pollution. But Rebella said her brother-in-law can only tell if the displacement of fishes and huge pillars would impact his business or not as she does not intervene much in his fishing business. This time in the end of conversation we did asked about difference in Christian kolis and Hindu kolis. About this Rebella informed us that there is not much difference between these two. The rituals of both Christian kolis and Hindu Kolis are the same. They both worship the same God. Also these two groups marry among themselves. We signed off this conversation with huge smile on faces as it was first nice interview we got on that day.

After this we were guided to house of Narayan Koli whose wife sells fish. Narayan Koli, a 63-year-old man lived with his wife and a son in his ancestral home. He worked in Bengal Chemical factory. As we were explaining them about our research ideas he suggested us to shoot the ‘Narli Pornima’ festival. Asking about Worli-Bandra sea link road he said now traveling has become easy for commuters. From first floor of his house where his brother stays the bridge was visible so Pranali and Priyanka went upstairs. I stayed to chat with his wife Vanita Koli. Vanita Koli started selling fish when she was around 16 to 17 years old. She answered my questions while simultenously doing her house hold works. She spoke at length about her profession. From past two-three months she was at home as construction work was going at her home but she intended to resume to her work so that she can live independently. Vanita buys her fish from Elphiston market and sells at Bhoiwada fish market in Parel. She needs to buy ice, pay for taxi fare, tea, so fish selling business is becoming expensive. In addition less number of boats comes so fishes coming market are also less. Talking about the trends in the fish market she said, people nowadays buy small fishes, they don’t go for big fishes as they are expensive. In the market initially there used to around 50 to 60 fisher women but now there are hardly 20-25 have left. Vanita said there is not much profit in the business and everything in it has become very expensive and when children start earning women retire from the work.

Vanita also said that not many girls are coming in to this profession because after taking education, girls aspire to do something better than selling fishes. But she asks if you want earn money then how can do it if your ashamed of your profession? There is no need to be ashamed of this profession.

When I asked about Worli-Bandra Sea Link, she replied, the bridge is near the sea-shore and fishermen go deep in the sea how it can affect them. Since I am not into that profession if at all it is affecting them the fishermen then I am not aware about it.

After talking to all these people, I felt striking a conversation is important to know a person. Interviews which we collected on day one were not enough to draw any conclusions bit day one gave me an idea life at Koliwada.

My Experience in New BEST

That day i was travelling back from Patkar college with my brother and I got to sit in this new BEST bus especially designed for the handicap (not at all meant for handicap). The bus was quite spacious but stinky it had rained a while ago and it was all messed up. As I moved in I noticed that the windows are above seats. The ventillation was unbalanced. Secondly, number of seats are less compared to our regualr buses. There is no reservation too for ladies! It's on first come basis. Bus is divivded in to two parts. The first half is at low level and the tail is at upper level and you have to climb to get in to the seats. Hardly, anyone was ready to go towards tail side so the crowd was there in front. Lastly, the worst part, bus is very light so slight brake and there you land up somewhere else. The jerk and torque created can be really accidental. Conclusion, bus is not at all safe for the handicap as well as public. Bus needs lots of changes to make it more safer and comfortable.

Dera Sacha Sauda and the recent violence

I have a problem when people talk of religion as a reason to fight. I mean why does a Guru Ram Rahim Singh have to strut around looking like Guru Gobind Singh?

He knew it would garner more publicity. And now, his bodyguards did not think twice before shooting one of the protesters. Why do these so-called 'spiritual leaders' decide that they are equal to some 500-600 years old spiritual leader? And above all, how on earth does a common man follow these fakies? A peace-loving leader would not roam around with a fully loaded gunman for once. He is a spiritual leader for God's sake! Give examples of peace and non-violence rather than cheap publicity.

The protesters who created ruckus in Central railway line in Mumbai are also to be blamed. But it will take some time for a common man to understand that such incidents are highly politicised and the best way for opponents to throw mud at the ruling party.

I will not be surprised if the protest becomes nation-wide tomorrow. And of course! In such cases never blame the police. They are all hand-in-glove with these protesters.

Should on-screen smoking be banned?

Recently Union Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss remarked that Shahrukh Khan should not smoke on-screen. This has created a controversy that whether the smoking on-screen influences people to take up the habit or not. Movies and television have a great influence on people’s mind. In India we give status of demigod to the actors we love. Whatever they wear becomes fashion. Let it be Madhuri’s purple sari or green and white sharara from Hum apake hai kyon, it is instant hit. People still can’t forget the friendly gesture between Shahrukh and Kajol from the movie Kuch kuch hota hai.
Clearly these are the signs that people get carried away to what their favourite actors are doing on the screen. Under such circumstances smoking on-screen by popular actors is too followed by their millions of their fans. Though it is argued that the youth have their own brain and they know what is right and what is wrong. But smoking shown on screen may have very adverse effects on the school going kids who cannot judge what is wrong and what is right. They simply follow their icons blindly and think whatever they do is ‘cool’. These smart kids have access to the internet, mobile phone and cable TV. They know everything but do not know what is good for them. If in this tender age they know that the smoking is bad for health then they will learn better.
Fans not only copy the fashion and mannerism of the film-stars but they believe them completely. Few months ago, youth started thinking differently after watching path-breaking film ‘Rang de Basanti’. The film made such impact on the minds of the youth that they started taking issues on the internet, made protest to pressurize government, (protest for Jessica Lal case and reservation) etc. Another example of media having impact on people is ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’. Gandhigiri was the new mantra of the life. These are some of the positive examples. But murder or robbery scenes from movies like ‘Satya’ and teleserial ‘CID’ has been used to actual robbery. If these movies manage to influence the youth of the country then children are even easier to influence. Even if the movie or any other media do not intend to spread smoking even the subtle actions may affect the children.
Another argument given against the ban of the smoking on screen is the ‘creative liberty’. There are hardly any critically acclaimed or box-office hit movies which revolve around smoking. So if smoking or similar habits are not the integral part of the film, then they can be easily removed from the film. If they are the integral part of the film then the film-makers or actors should not glorify it. Because bad habits portrayed by the protagonist and the same habits depicted by the antagonist may have the different effects.
Mass Media is definitely a great tool of education. Even if one small action is having a negative impact on the very small section of the society then we should introspect and try to eliminate that action. Because on the receiving end of that action are the children who are the future of the India. If they have the right guidance then nothing can stop them from doing what they want to do.
Hollywood’s one of the biggest studio Disney has decided to ban smoking from their films. Other big studios too are taking similar steps. So anyways when we copy lots of things from Hollywood we can copy their idea of banning smoking on-screen too.

Tollywood betimes Bollywood

It might sound bizzare! But it's true. Bollywood is well known for the glitzy, glam and money it puts into industry but down south Tollywood is no less. The recent films released in Tollywood have taken a toll over many big-budget Bollywood films. The reason is simple, originality and meaningful stories. Now that doesn't mean that Bollywood doesn't procreates meaningful stories, but look at the list of films released lately and you know. Most of the Hindi films are either taken from the Hollywood flicks or Tollywood (latest trend). It has been a tradition followed since the begining. Twenty years back most of the Bollywood flims were adapted from the Bengali cinema then came a romantic era where we found some original stuff. This was followed by gen-next who thought that re-making the Hollywood films in Bollywood ishtyle would work with the audience. Last but not the least is picking up hit films from down south which is working really well.
The reason is simple that there is still some originality left in the south. Though they too have picked handful of meaningful Bollywood films and remade it to huge success. Bollywood is going through a phase, where the directors and producer believe that showing skin and black comedy can get audience. Whereas down south audience have a hunger for entertainment. They believe in complete packaging which has action, comedy and romance too. And yes not to forget a social angle too in their films. It's also the craze people carry for their favorite stars that has made Tollywood such a big industry. For Bollywood they need to take some lessons from Tollywood rather than borrowing stories from them.
Please comment on this........this is incomplete but I would like to know whether it's sounding interesting. Lately I have been watching some blockbuster cinemas of down-south and this are the things I have noted.....

hey fellas just request

What if we shift our blog from blogspot to wordpress. Wont be very sificult coz we haven' writtn much here. so just copy paste and thats it. I mean nowadays wordpress is the new in thing. blogspot at many places is blocked and doesn't give many options. i feel wordpress will have a much wider reach. if i hav ur consensus let's do that

What’s in an identity?

By Shruti Ambavat (zippy3)

What is an identity according to you? I tried to look up for the definition on the net but got thoroughly confused. There are various forms of identity; gender identity, cultural identity, national identity and the latest, digital identity.

As far as acknowledging my own identity is concerned, I only realised I was a Maharashtrian when I came to Chennai. In Mumbai, my identity was that of a Marwari (a community from Rajasthan). Though I haven’t travelled abroad yet, my friends and relatives staying there made me realise that an Indian Hindu or Muslim share the same identity that of being an Indian.

When these people return to India, they come with a distinct identity of NRI (Non-Residential Indian). Sarah Jacob, a student in Chennai says, “I have never been to Delhi but from what other people have told me, it certainly colours my perception of the city.”

The maximum number of times, a person must have encountered the question of his identity is when bio-data for matrimonial proposals is prepared. What is your gotra? Are you from the same caste? And many more such questions.

When a Hindu and a Muslim from India stay in London, they form a group of their own due to the similar identity of one motherland. But back in India, that same Hindu or Muslim will make his own group based on similar religion, caste etc. Or if not make friends based on religion at least hold prejudices and have slight contempt for the other religion. As Navya, a student recalled, “My cousin Sachit stays in Mumbai, he once mistakenly dashed his motorcycle on a group of Muslim boys standing nearby. The boys immediately asked him his name. His name sounded like Urdu to them so, they left him saying apni hi biradari ka aadmi hai (he is from our religion).”

I wonder whether this trouble with identity arises only in metropolitan cities. Few of my friends who hail from rural or small town areas say that only big cities have clashes and riots based on religion or place. In Mumbai, MNS and previously Shiv Sena have created problems for people from outside Maharashtra and for non-Hindus. In Delhi, soon after the Sikh riots there were tensions between Hindus and Sikhs.

In villages, one does not encounter such a friction between two religious identities because the place will generally have people belonging to a same religion. E.g. most of the small towns and villages in Haryana have Hindu population. The distinction between identities in villages is based on caste or work. In Haryana, people differentiate between a Brahmin and a Jat for instance. A person from upper caste will attach more respect than a lower caste farmer. The Sarpanch (Head of the village) will command fear and respect even when he walks in others’ homes.

So clashes between different identities occur in all places whether developed or underdeveloped. And political parties with strong religious identities take full advantage of the clashes between them. If BJP has his Hindutva identity against Muslims and Christians then Congress has the identity for lower caste against the upper caste. However the question is ‘is it really necessary to have so many identities? I feel identities are the root cause for all wars in the world. What do you think?’