Waking up, I looked at the grim overcast Mumbai sky, thought a bit and then decided to go to work after all. This was two years ago, when I worked at my bank’s headquarters at the Bandra Kurla Complex. As I travelled from my house in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, the rain kept advancing along the 50-minute commute on the bus and local train. I reached office quite smoothly, but a few hours later, our phones started buzzing with news of flooding in various parts of the city.
Looking out of the window, my colleagues and I found that the steady drizzle had grown into a downpour, while gusty winds whistled through the streets. Though no one spoke about it, we got a bit nervous—none of us in the city have forgotten that July day in 2005 when Mumbai faced its worst floods.
At about 12.30 p.m., after an alert from the municipality, the bank let the staff leave early.
Some colleagues, who had already left, called to say that they were stranded—train services had been stalled and there were no buses or autorickshaws available either. At the office lobby a senior colleague, R. K. Kularay, who happened to live in Nerul, offered me a lift in his car. I agreed happily, since it would have been foolhardy to walk into the driving rain. We were joined by another colleague, Arvind Rampuria, and a vendor, who also hopped on.
Bu hikaye Reader's Digest India dergisinin September 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Reader's Digest India dergisinin September 2019 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS
These book summaries highlight Siddharthya Roy's exploration of conflict and violence, Michael Castleman's deep dive into the history of publishing, and Swadesh Deepak's examination of social issues and masculinity through Hindi literature.
Man with printed sarong
A lawyer, pianist, critic, and mentor to artists, Lionel Wendt is best known for his photographs of Sri Lanka, especially those of people indigenous to the island, captured amidst the lush landscape or posing in his studio.
Too Much?
New studies show that even moderate drinking is a health hazard. Here’s a frank look at the toll alcohol takes on the body
ME & MY SHELF
Coimbatore-born Prashanth Srivatsa is a science fiction/fantasy writer whose stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance. magazines such as Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance.
Small Business, Big Heart
Caring for people is part of the deal at family-run shops
Spill the Beans
Everyone has secrets. Here's why you should share yours
It Happens ONLY IN INDIA
Angry lovers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
I GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE WORLD'S LAST SCHEDULED STEAM TRAIN
Stressed and Worn Down
More and more people are clenching and grinding their teeth. Here's what to do about it
THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP
I was recently given bacon-flavoured dental floss for my birthday.