Raveena Tandon - Mumbai has the eclectic fever.

Earliest childhood memories about Mumbai?

Earliest childhood memories are about the Juhu beach which used to be a clean stretch. There was luscious greenery around with so many trees.

Mumbai’s traffic problems?

Every family has at least 2 cars per apartment. People are using the roads for parking leading to traffic jams. There are illegal structures and garages everywhere. I am all for city development but it has to be  well planned and organized. 

Best thing about the city?

It is the cosmos spirit of the city which is blended with the right mix of people. Mumbai could be on par with a New York since it has the eclectic fever and mercurial temperature to shower so many opportunities to so many people.

Mumbai has changed over the years?

There has been a definite a rise in violence. During my childhood days, riots and bomb blasts were unheard of. Today the crime and security angle has worsened. A working woman is no longer safe to travel alone at 3 o’clock in the night.

One thing you’d like to change about Mumbai

I would like to campaign strongly and create an awareness pertaining to the hygiene and civic sense. It is the need of the hour. Sadly, you have street kids who are living and playing in the same areas where you have garbage heaps strewn all over.

The solution to improve the city’s hygiene?

Start penalizing people who throwing their ghar ka kachra on the roads or spitting around. The minute it starts pinching their pockets, their minds will prompt them to keep the city clean.

Mumbai’s cultural heritage?

We have some culturally rich beautiful buildings which are conspicuously hidden in by shops and ugly vendors. We should convert and preserve these old architectural buildings and restore them, maybe overhaul them into café, restaurants or commercial outlets. Preserve and not demolish but restore our rich cultural heritage should be our focus.

What expression have you picked up since you have been here?

When I am angry, I go berserk with this totally Mumbaiya tapori language. It is a healthy mix of Marathi and tapori baasha.  

Qualities do you need to be successful in Mumbai?

You need to be hard working determined and have a fortified will to survive.