Scratch

Cam

Upon arrival in Mumbai, word went around that we were on the easier leg on the journey, the home run so to speak. The city of Mumbai and some of the specific things I saw proved this mindset wrong.

With nice restaurants, respectable accommodation and a general western feel to the city (perhaps influenced by Christmas) I think most people, including myself, started to relax. I couldn't help but feel a dilution of the Indian culture that we were supposed to be immersing ourselves in. 

For example, dining at a 6-star restaurant on Boxing Day did a good job of distracting us from the fact that we were in a hectic country of 1.2 billion. Later that day however, the group was confronted with the huge contrast of the Daravi slum. Comparing this to the skyscrapers, lush hotels, the extravagance of a recently-watched Bollywood movie and even a 27-story house, I felt so saddened, confused and frustrated by the unfair distribution of opportunity and mere luck in Mumbai. As an individual that respects a lifestyle of results reflecting work-ethic, I felt lost. I felt struck by this whirlpool of inevitable poverty that millions of people face, born into circumstances they can't control, neglected by a fast-developing society and simply non recipiency of opportunities and rights we take for granted in our own country. No matter how hard these people work (and despite a few inspirational success stories in this area), it's nearly impossible to escape this cycle of poverty.

To further my shock, Ben, Leo and I unfortunately witnessed a dead homeless lady on the side of the road. I found myself struggling to fathom the concept of this person's devastating death. Such a significant occurrence that would be seen as an obligation to show respect to, was treated so insignificantly. The hundreds of busy people walking past without a second thought made me feel confused again. I know that I would be so saddened if my death were to be neglected, deemed unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes a little effort can mean the greatest deal to some people.

Long story short, the luxury of Mumbai that we have had the pleasure in indulging ourselves in did a good job of masking the inequality of this magnificent city. It's easy to be distracted by this lifestyle. I've discovered that all it takes however, is a scratch of the surface. One scratch, one little dig and you can see the true light and the dark, see what the terrain you're in has to offer.