Although for most people the phrase 'city that never sleeps' is associated with New York, there is another city that has earned this nickname—Mumbai, India's largest city with a population of over 21 million people, located 12,500 kilometers from New York.
This bustling metropolis features slum settlements along the coast, where the poor live side by side with the wealthy. Luxurious high-rise buildings tower over shacks covered in blue tarpaulin, and this contrast seems natural to the residents of Mumbai.
A group of foreign journalists, who visited Mumbai after covering the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi at the invitation of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, were shocked by the sight of makeshift stalls right outside their five-star hotel, The St Regis. However, they soon were captivated by the real Mumbai—vibrant, chaotic, entrepreneurial, diverse, and exciting.
This city, comprising seven islands on India's west coast by the Arabian Sea, is the country's financial hub. People from all over India flock to Mumbai in search of economic opportunities, many hoping to succeed in the multi-billion dollar film industry for which the city is famous. It is no wonder that the city that never sleeps is also called the 'City of Dreams.'
Mumbai, home to Asia's oldest stock exchange—the Bombay Stock Exchange—and the Reserve Bank of India, is India's wealthiest city and has the highest concentration of millionaires and billionaires in the country.
Mumbai's colonial heritage, shaped by the Portuguese and later the British, is evident in the architecture of many public buildings, including the majestic Municipal Corporation building.
One of the city's most iconic landmarks, the Gateway of India, is also a legacy of the British Empire. Located on the Mumbai Port waterfront, it was built by the British Raj to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Later, it became a powerful symbol of the end of British rule: the last British troops leaving India after gaining independence passed through this gateway, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.
A ferry trip to the Elephanta Caves, located east of the Gateway of India, served as another reminder of India's outstanding artistic talent and rich cultural heritage. These ancient cave temples, situated atop a hill, required a climb of 120 steps. The temples, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, dating back to the 5th–7th centuries, were vividly described by guide Dilshaad Modak, who recounted the history of this remarkable complex.
It is hard to imagine that massive, awe-inspiring stone sculptures with their intricate detailing were meticulously carved by local artisans using simple tools such as iron chisels, hammers, and wedges. The artistry is breathtaking.
A visit to the Film City in Mumbai allowed the journalists to relax. They walked through sets where popular Bollywood films and game shows, such as Kaun Banega Crorepati, featuring Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, were filmed, and where generations of India's most famous actors worked. The highlight was the opportunity to wear glamorous Bollywood star costumes—a moment of pure fun after the intense coverage of the BRICS events.
Naturally, a visit to Mumbai would be incomplete without exploring its noisy markets and bazaars, where beautiful Indian clothing, colorful kurtis, saris, and handmade footwear are sold at very affordable prices. Equally attractive are the city's upscale shopping malls, offering international and local designer brands at competitive prices. Three South African journalists from the BRICS delegation went shopping.
The author discovered an impressive knack for bargaining, slightly exceeded the budget, and returned home with far more shopping bags than planned. Overall, Mumbai proved to be fascinating. Several days spent in India's City of Dreams were among the author's most memorable trips abroad.
