Mumbai to New York: Only a bridge away?

I am simply in the category of thousands of Indians who uprooted themselves from their home in search of new heights of success in the Unites States. I am also one of those who have an inherent desire to return to India in the coming years and finds utmost joy in reading "Return to India" articles. At the same time, I can’t help wondering if traveling over 7800 miles from New York City to aamchi Mumbai will be something like seeing a reflection in the lake, for the two cities fundamentally mirror each other in so many ways.

1. In Mumbai, you will find people from every other state in India. In NYC, you will find people from every other country in the world.

2. Both are big believers in the concept of East and West. The famous train line defines it in Mumbai and Central Park plays the same role for NYC.

3. Financial capitals - one boasts of Wall Street, the other Dalal Street.

4. Cars? Who wants to waste hours traveling in the midst of traffic? Buses and trains - thats the way to go! In spite of that thought, wonder what makes the roads in the two cities so crowded?! And why is parking so hard to find?

5. People, people and more people everywhere. They take pride in the crowd.

6. $2200 per month for a studio in Midtown West, the size of a hole, but it’s a steal. A one bedroom for 1.2 lakhs per month in Nariman Point, again the size of a hole, but it’s a steal.

7. Whether it’s a yellow cab in NYC or an auto in Mumbai, you can find one effortlessly even at the oddest hours of the night. The cities indeed never sleep.

8. Mukesh Ambani and Bill Gates have made it to the #1 richest spots in the world. Yet homeless people are not hard to find on the roads of Mumbai and NYC.

9. Its 3am in the morning and you will find delicious food and coffee not too far from where you are. Not to mention, street food is a popular choice for many in both cities, especially in the wee hours of the night.

10. Both cities are Theater hubs. One captures the hearts of millions with its Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, the other with talented acts in a wide variety of plays.

Like most other Mumbaikers, I would often take pride in saying "There is no place on earth like Mumbai". I would just like to rephrase it and say "There is no place on earth like Mumbai, except New York!”