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A Journey to Madh Island - Part 2

I came out of the Malad Station. It is a typical suburban station with a bazaar sprawling in its vicinity. A newspaper stand stood right next to a lamppost. I asked the person, “Where I can find the bus stop?” He had committed himself in reading the newspaper, without shifting his gaze he pointed straight towards the serpentine road that went into the market.

I started walking along the road on one side I could see the main entrance of the Malad Station and on the other series of Hotels. The hotels made way to the snacks and sweets centre. The air was filled with aroma of Gulab Jamuns, Jalebis, Dhokla, Samosas and other bucket load of calories. I was amazed with the volume being prepared in each store at the end of the street there was Soda pub where you could cool down your senses after a fiery intake.

I took a left turn. Now the street was full of apparel stores. Clothes for men, women and kids. Every store seemed to be busy with people buying something or the other. I could finally see a bus. I asked the driver, “Is the bus going to Madh Island?” “No, take a left down the street, you will find the bus.” He said. I started walking amidst the crowd. I was waiting at the bus stop with other passengers. Getting on the bus I sat near the window.

The traffic was moving at snail’s space. It was twelve in the noon the sun was directly overhead and was blazing incessantly. I had put on my white handkerchief as a bandana and was gazing past the window. The happenings on the road where slow paced. It took at least half an hour to traverse the first half a kilometer. Coming out of the traffic the bus waited for the signal to turn green. I could see an elegant cafe with suave decor.

The demographic of Malad city is dichotomous. Urban locality settled in the middle of the city and the villages along the coastal region. Situated in Northern Mumbai Madh Island is cluster of quaint fishing villages and farmlands. It is nestled by the Arabian Sea to the west and by Malad creek on the east. The bus passed through the city of Malad that has been growing in population and developing through the years. It is one of the fastest growing suburb in Mumbai. The city has been inhabited by people speaking Marathi, Malwani who are largely hindus and the Catholics.

The bus passed through the Hamala Naval Base. I could see their training grounds and open football fields. The air here was mixed with the sea breeze. Smell of dried fish caressed my nostrils relentlessly. The Palm trees ran along the sides of the road. Small shops were selling essentials. While a fisherman was enjoying his afternoon siesta. I could see the enormous Arabian Sea with its waves crashing along the Akasa beach. Small boys and girls in their colourful uniforms played on the streets and waved towards the bus.

I got down at the Madh Jetty. There was a small shop selling snacks and cold-drinks. A boat was about to leave the Madh island. The shore was lined up with colourful boats. The passengers where all seated in their place. I took the ticket and got on board. The boat took us to the other side of the shore. Small buildings coloured yellow, blue and white where clustered together around the coast. The area seemed to be unattractive and unscrupulous. I started walking in a way that said I know how to walk on the road. I went into the departmental store and asked, “What’s this place called?”. “This is Versova.” The person said. “This is Versova?!” I exclaimed as I had expected much more out of it.

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