Mumbai is synonymous with Mayanagri or the ‘City of Dreams’
not just for the people of India, but for many well beyond the billion
strong country’s borders. We have listed the top reasons why this
historic, bustling city is nothing short of its epithet.
Economic hub of India
Mumbai isn’t just the wealthiest city in the country, but among the
wealthiest globally. It is where the headquarters of multiple financial
institutions are located – from the Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank
of India, National Stock Exchange, and the Mint, to Indian business
giants such as the Tata Group, Aditya Birla Group, Essel
Group and Reliance Industries.
Attractive to migrants
As the commercial capital of the country, Mumbai has much appeal to
anyone in search of work and better career prospects. Migrants from
every part of the country move to the city every day in search of a
better life, hence the name ‘City of Dreams’ was coined. In spite of its
many slums and alarming extremes in wealth distribution, it is seen as a
city that will reward anyone who is willing to work hard.
Bollywood
Bollywood, India’s largest and one of the world’s largest film
industries is synonymous with Mumbai. The city has accordingly
established itself as the film capital of India. It is where many
Bollywood storylines are based, where top studios are located and where
the most famous directors, producers, actors and crew members live. And
so, to the rest of India the charm and appeal of Bollywood holds true
for Mumbai as well.
Architecture
From the stunning Bandra-Worli Sea link to the pristine white Haji
Ali Dargah, Mumbai’s architecture is complex, rich and exceptional.
Marine Drive whose lights form an arc resembling a string of pearls
dubbed as Queen’s Necklace, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus whose
Victorian architecture has resiliently stood through more than a century
of events from terror attacks to freedom struggles – are all symbolic
of Mumbai’s charm to the rest of the subcontinent.
Past and future
Mumbai’s dream-like quality has as much to do with its rich past as
it has with its promising future. While the city’s global importance and
position grows by the day as India re-positions its economy globally,
it was a hub of civilization and exchange with other great civilizations
even 2000 years ago. The stunning
Kanheri Caves,
Elephanta Caves
are remnants of a rich past where Mumbai fared as a commercial and
ideological hotspot. Even Mumbai’s journey from a scattered group of
seven historic islands to its current form is nothing short of
dream-like for onlookers from elsewhere in the country.
City of firsts
From India’s first five star hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace, to the
country’s first movie screening – by the Lumiere Brothers in 1896 –
Mumbai has been home to many ‘firsts’ and ‘premieres’ in the country.
The subcontinent’s first passenger train ran in Mumbai from the now
defunct Bori Bunder station to Thane in 1853, and the country’s first
civil aviation airport opened at Juhu in 1928 – showing how Mumbai holds
promise of innovation beyond that of any other Indian city.
Arts and entertainment capital
Mumbai isn’t just the film capital of the country. A majority of the
city’s leading ad agencies, media companies, television studios, music
production companies and cultural movements are concentrated here. Some
of the city’s premier art institutions including the legendary
Jehangir Arts Gallery which has played an important role in the country’s modern art movement, are all located here.
Best city to live
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