Time to slip into an imaginary world. What if there were superheroes in India? Our mundane life would surely be a tad bit interesting, wouldn't it?
Giving tough competition to Gotham city, Mumbai also has its share of villains and vamps. Who do we have for our rescue? Our very own Batman. He would fight with criminals and put an end to corruption. What’s the best about Batman is his wit. Unlike other superheroes, he does not have a superpower per se. His sheer intelligence is his superpower - a great motivation for the aam janta like us.
The first word that comes to my mind with the mention of this metropolitan city is Traffic. The continuous honking, the long waiting hours and a lost hope. But look who do we have here - Superman(s). Yes, we surely need more than one. Or rather an entire army of Supermans. As a child, I always imagined Superman coming and sweeping me off my feet (literally). If only Superman would agree to offer us his valued service of picking and dropping us to work. I would be looking forward to go to office everyday (like never before).
There is another solution to the aforementioned problem. The cities are already so cramped up here. There’s no room for even the ants to have their space. How does one travel easily? Here’s the solution - Flash. With super-speed power like him, you can reach places (again, literally).
Then again, due to scarcity of space not many can indulge into adventurous sports. Where could one try wall climbing, bungee-jumping and err.. switching from building to another. With his unique wall climbing ability and swift movements, Spider-man is the apt solution here. We all need such stress busters and have fun, don’t we?
Being Captain America can also be quite handy in Mumbai. Travelling in public means of transport is nothing less than a battle. His protective shield and ‘Super-Soldier’ features can help immensely. His strength and fast-healing ability are surely needed while commuting.
Last on the list but not the least and my personal favourite- our Desi Hero, Mr. India. In this maddening world, we all need a break sometimes. A chance to vanish from everything and be invisible. A chance to dwell in your own little world. A chance to let solitude seep into every cell of your body. An escape not from the outside world but into your own. Who wouldn't love that, at times? Going Invisible also has other perks. You can always hear what your neighbors are talking about you behind your back.
Time to sign off from the imagination. See you on the other side - the Real World. The world with no superheroes. Having said that, Mumbai still beats in my heart. No matter how cynical one gets, Mumbai has taught us to be our own superheroes.
