Yes, Bombay is a city in a hurry. And yet it has never forgotten to take time out for its own. One quiet Sunday afternoon I got off the bus to head to my ATM before I went in to my newspaper office. A few seconds later a man walked in behind me. Thinking nothing of it I was startled when another man came rushing in. The first man suddenly darted out and I found myself being soundly ticked off.

It seems the first man had been following me — on to the bus, off it, into the bank. This man was not comfortable with what he saw and he decided to check it out for himself.

I don’t know what would have happened to me that day but I was bundled into a taxi and dropped off by a really angry man. He told me to watch my back. The city is not as safe as you think, were his parting words. But I disagree. A total stranger taught me that I would be safe in Bombay because the city would always be watching out for me.

I could go on about the people of this city and their acts of kindness. I made so many mistakes when I first came to Bombay. And I continue doing so. Yet I am never scared that I will get hurt because time and again someone has stepped out from the shadows and supported me.

It amazes me, this spirit of the people. In spite of bad roads, bad traffic, lousy infrastructure and even worse governance Bombay and its people are always rising to the occasion.

... contd.