Life in a Metro - Mumbai Meri Jaan !

The hustle & bustle of life in a metro city like Mumbai is a far cry from the quiet, serene country side. Quite often people suffering from chronic ailments would prefer the quiet, serene surroundings of country life. Sometimes it just feels like running away from this maddening city life. This thought might have gone through every one's minds once in a while, chronic illness or not. But of course, the city life means access to top class medical facility & support for emergencies and a haven for career focused people. 

So here goes, some of my experiences and thoughts on living in Mumbai with chronic illness - autoimmune and another related to eyesight.

Travelling in Mumbai should be considered as a daily chore. It is an integral part and parcel of everyday life in Mumbai. Mumbai has got one of the best transport systems in  the country. It comprises of Railways (western, central, harbour lines), BEST bus service, rickshaws, taxis and coming up are the metro & mono rail services in next couple of years.

Travelling by Train : 
Picture this, if a train compartment can accomodate 60 people then here one compartment will contain 100 people. You have to count the people who have legs planted on the floor boards and rest of the body hanging outside ! So to get started you need to get your tickets, if you have a monthly pass then the time spent on long queues will be saved. Once you have your ticket / pass, get ready to walk stairs ! On an average you will have to climb about 30-50 stairs I guess. Then on an average you need to walk for at least next 10 mins through a slow moving crowd often being banged into by impatient folks. Finally you get to a railway platform, you need to get into a local train. For DM patients, this means stretch your legs and get ready to jump in to a moving train ! Well if not, like me get ready to stand for the rest of your train journey. So a train journey can be easily compared to a daily workout session at a gym for people with DM !

First thing You also need to learn while traveling is all the stations and your destination station appears on which side - left / right side. The new trains have now got a speaker system and a monitor that informs passengers about next station and sometimes even which side the next stations gonna be. Be ready to be shoved by the crowd ! Also thumb rule is to wear shoes, wear sandals/chappals at your own risk as some one might just step on you with spiked shoes ! Getting down from the train can be equally challenging task, as you have to possibly jump out of the train. As people will push you from behind and at the same time people getting into the train will push you in the opposite direction.

Anyways for my last job, I used to travel to Navi Mumbai from western suburbs so had to travel from western, central & harbour lines sometimes. That means, whatever I explained before has to be repeated 3 times ! On lucky days I used to go by a direct train to office in the mornings and got to sit, more importantly. One way journey takes about 1 hour 15 mins to my previous workplace.

Some incidents worth mentioning -
Once while getting down from the train, I kind of sat down at the door step as people were jostling to get in. One of my friends accompanying kind of freaked out since he didn't see me and thought I forgot to get down. Fortunately, I was able to leave in one piece but little roughed up. This happened when I was traveling after many years (after DM recovery) and had less experience traveling in crowded trains.
Once while getting down, the train was just slowing and some a$$*!*e pushed me from behind and I kind of jumped of a moving train. Luckily I had my cat instincts on and landed up on my two feet.

Both the incidents scared the hell out of me, but the fastest way to travel in Mumbai for long distances are trains so one has to live with it and get used to it. From all modes of transport, this one is the most challenging though.  

Travelling by Bus : 
In Mumbai, BEST bus service is present across on all main roads. If you thought the "RED DEVILS" refers to Manchested United, then think again !! Although the buses here are more like red beasts who will cut lanes at free will without being held by cops and freaking you out when driving. Along with trains, bus service is the life line of Mumbai. So when the last 20 auto rickshaws have refused for going to your destination, you can count on these red beasts (like in the beauty & the beast) to come rescue you.

I really appreciate the bus service in Mumbai. Come rain/nation wide strikes/ bandhs, they are always present on the road. Since, I have to wait endlessly during eveings/night time to catch a rickshaw, I usually prefer to go by bus. So then what's the downside ?

Well to get started, if there is a queue its not much of a problem. But people tend to just crowd on these bus stops in evening time. I usually get in, by the time all seats are full ! So have to stand for most of the journey. Most of the seats at the front are reserved for ladies/senior citizens/handicapped so rest of the few seats are on offer. I usually wear a messenger bag so thats my hands are free to hold on for dear life ! Since the bus drivers have a tendency to zip through the road. I usually get irritated by the bus conductors. Since some of them are cribbing with passengers all the time for change/to move,etc. But again can't blame them, as the bus are almost full during peak times. So usually have my ear plugs on to some music. Another problem, is that I don't see the bus number early due to eyestight. So often have to scamper to get in.

Auto Rickshws / Taxis : 
These are the best modes of transport for anyone. All the auto rickshaws/taxis are in a rush always. You don't mind it since everyone wants to reach home early ! Auto rickshw drivers tend to be smart a$$ most of the time. You have to ask atleast a couple of rickshaws till you get a ride. So evening time for me, it can be 10-20 rickshaws before some one agrees. But of late, a very cool thing of auto sharing has started, similar to a car pool. So atleast we get a ride early and at less cost.

Taxis are similar to autos, and are ready to come for long distances not for short. Since with the rising petrol prices, its not economical any more for them to go short distances. Also, air conditioned cab services are a big hit in Mumbai. Although pricey, its a life saver when you have to attend that "special" meeting at work or some place else.

Driving : 
This is my most favoured form of transport. One because I get to sit, two because I love driving. Challenges - well other than traffic that most cities are used to now, all of the above transports - bus,rickshaws mainly. They will drive you crazy as lane cutting is a comman practise here. In horrible traffic conditions, you often have to drive bumper to bumper against traffic coming from all sides at a junction to get through quickly. I drive a hatchback, which is very good choicefor Mumbai conditions.

Parking : 
Well like any other city, you need to be able to park in the shortest possible space. Also watch out for those tow trucks. I usually park very well, so this is not much a problem for me, but I am usually wary of those tow trucks now and then. Usually park illegally when I am getting those shawarmas from the deli in Bandra ! 

Weather : 
Mumbai weather is humid thats all I can say. We don't have much of winter. But its my favorite season, since on most winter days weather is pleasant not cold but not too hot. Summer is extremely difficult as energy levels tend to be at an all time low. Usually prefer to be in office during those summer months and travel mostly after its dark. So initially when I had the DM rash, it used to be very difficult to get out. Those were the school days, so mostly used to manage quite well. But now with the 2-3 hours traveling need to be much more careful. Rainy season is very messy. Rains can be unpredictable and often create a havoc for travellers. Most trains are late and get extremely crowded on harbour/central lines during rainy months.

Work : 
Work has been a mixed bag for me. During my initial days, I worked really hard for my internship. But was jolted back to earth when the failed me in the pre employment medical test. But since then, it has been pretty smooth sailing until this year when I had the relapse in May. Like in any other city, work here is not 9-6 anymore. To meet deadlines, you have to work past your shift timings. That means, often putting in 50-60 hour weeks. Last year and a half, I consistently put in 12 hours a day at work. Sometimes I feel that might have cranked up the DM inside me. But from now on, will definitely take care about it. Most office (those that don't have pre employment medical tests,etc) would often understand "invisible illness" situation if you explain them in a proper way. That means keeping a watch out about current circumstances and take a calculated guess who to explain it to. But at the end of the day, if you are leading a team or have major chunk of responsibilities for project deadlines then no one really cares about your illness and wants the work done by the end of the day. Often explaining your situation to collegaues will defintely help, as they will try their best to help you out. But while explaining it to bosses there is a fine line that you have to decide for yourself. This is one area, I have no answers yet. But I try to take things as they come and don't think too much ahead when I am working.

I find reading some blogs/websites on the internet very helpful while coping with work & chronic illness. There are some great life coaching experts out there. I mostly do reading online when I have doubts taking any particular decision.

Medical Facilities : 
Medical facilities in Mumbai are top notch I think. Although I was misdiagnosed for couple of months in '97. But then again it could happen to me if I were at any part of the world. As DM is not just another cold / cough ailment ! For eyesight, I had gone to Chennai to Shankar Netralaya hospital which is one of the best  eye hospitals in the country. But here in Mumbai, I have formed a circle of doctors, who are my go-to doctors in times of emergency. So I have my rheumatologist,  homeopathy doctor, cardiologist, physician (my family doctor), ophthalmologist (a very humble & kind man who had advised me to go to Chennai for Optic Nerve Atrophy diagnosis/treatment), ENT specialist for those cold/cough episodes that happen every season change & of course my physiotherapist (who is more of a mentor & gives great advice) !


Awareness about differently abled people : 
I think Mumbai folks are the world's most fearless people. With all the cultural / religous / ethnic diversity that we have, still manage to help total strangers when in need. So its a very comman sight to watch visually impaired people walking across Dadar station(one of the most crowded railway stations in Mumbai) ! Every person born in Mumbai, has that tenacity & will power to jump across all the hurdles and impossible situations thrown by the city. Although its not a very disabled-friendly city. Wheel chair ramps are not present in most important places. I remember when I was wheel chair bound, we had to build small ramps across all places that I used to visit. But again, people are willing to help and support total strangers here. So thats simply amazing. There are some very good NGOs working for the differently abled people here. Like when I was working at my previous company, we used to do CSR activities for a NGO that helped visually impaired children. These amazing children used screen reading software and could actually type and use the computer like any other kid. I hope more and more companies encourage their employees to do CSR activities. In fact, if I was the HR I would put it up as a KRA activitiy for the year.

Phew, so its been a long post. But these are some of the points I always wonder how people in different cities in India or other places react to ! Mumbai is one place I will always want to live at any stage of my life. The occasional road trip across country side always helps though !

Ciao n Peace.