The City and State of Bombay
I came across a very interesting paragraph in an article about Gujarat and Gujaratis.
Many people forget — or do not realise — that until 1960 the state of Gujarat did not exist. Till then, Gujarat was part of the old Bombay state. And few Gujaratis regarded this as offensive or unfair. In many ways, Bombay was the capital of Gujarat in that era and the city was built on the efforts of Gujaratis and Parsis. It was the Maharashtrians who objected to being lumped with Gujaratis and when the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat (including the old state of Saurashtra) were created on May 1, 1960, it was in response to Maharashtrian demands for their own state. (When the Shiv Sena was launched in 1967, its first targets included Gujaratis — the anti-Muslim platform took a decade to emerge.)
I have always known that till 1960 we were the erstwhile Bombay State, formed somewhat on the boundaries of the Bombay Presidency from the times the British ruled us.
If indeed we had remained Bombay state, we would have been one of the largest states in the country and definitely the most powerful economically, commercially and politically. Instead we are now at a point where it would be better off if Bombay was made a city-state like New Delhi so that we dont get lumped with the rest of Maharashtra.
Wot say ? Should that become the goal of all Bombayites or Mumbaikers? How about May 01, 2010, exactly 50 years after the dissolution of the State of Bombay, we have a new City and State of Bombay.
I read that article as well, Arzan. I’m not so sure that becoming a seperate city-state would be a great idea.
From what little I know, Maharashtra is still a struggling, backward state. Mumbai is a stark contrast there and brings up the average. On the other hand, it’s probably a drain on an already poor state’s resources (for example the July 2005 flood hit other parts of Maharashtra hard too but I believe Mumbai soaked up all the attention and relief work that was promised simply because it was ‘better known’)
What happens to the rest of the state then, once the cash-cow called Mumbai is cut off from it? From Mumbai’s perspective, it is a fact that the seven islands are groaning under the load of the existing population with more getting added every day. There’s some effort to extend beyond boundaries (like Delhi is enveloping the neighboring areas like Gurgaon and Noida) and mainland is the only solution. I wonder how the geo-political situation will turn out if Mumbai is a different city-state from the mainland then.
What so ever your comment is one sided. its Maharastrians rights to fight for their state non of others. If Dubai is built by Indians then what do you think Indian should claim Dubai?
First think what you talking is bullshit !!!!!
Pradeep Pawar
Jai Maaharashtra