Saturday, February 12, 2011

Mumbai ko Macau Banao......!

















Okay guys.... these are some of the images I clicked in Hong Kong and Macau. Like???

And here's the column that goes with it....




Macau is so pacau….!

Unbelievable as this sounds,it was not all that easy to forget Balwa ka Jalwa and A.Raja’s manifold deals in distant Macau. I mean, I gawked at all those impressive buildings, the eye popping flyovers – the infamous casinos that are the size of mini-cities, and wondered who ran this show… and how many Balwas were lurking in the shadows of this surrealistic destination that is giving Las Vegas a serious complex, plus a run for its money. Macau has a compelling, almost sinister charm about it. Even for idiots like me – someone who doesn’t know her Baccarat from Black Jack. And hates to use the word ‘Craps’ because it sounds dirty. I am not poker faced enough to attempt the game. And roulette is something I associate with Russians holding a gun to a victim’s head. Macau is not meant to be my kind of town – but guess what? I loved it! On a much needed break after months of majdoori, we decided to spend Chinese New Year in Hong Kong ( yes….Kung Hai Fat Choy to you, too ). While In Hong Kong, a friendly ghoul suggested a decadent weekend in Macau. It’s only a one hour turbo jet ride away, we were told. Just go! That was it… off we went to check out this high roller’s den, which saw the best and brightest from Bollywood at the fabled, entirely OTT ‘The Venetian’ for an awards’ ceremony a while ago. But here in Macau nobody cares a fig about movie stars, no matter how big. This is a destination for people with a single point agenda – gambling. Forget the bizarre, surrealistic architecture ( come on…. Venice in China?), the vast , vaulted ceilings of the casino with gaudy versions of the Sistine chapel - and focus on the people working those tables and slot machines. They never take their eyes off the main game and barely look up from the cards they clutch on to like their lives depend on the hand that’s been dealt . In fact, some of them forget to go to the loo, drink water, eat or sleep for hours at a stretch. They wouldn’t blink if Kim Kardashian roller bladed into the place, wearing nothing but a sexy fragrance. Better still, if Amar Singh performed the full monty as he threatened to this week ( but seriously, in case of such a calamity, we would all need to shield our eyes). As we strolled through those garish halls, watched by beady eyed bouncers and maybe thousands of cctv cameras, it was a liberal education of sorts. Macau is the perfect example of how the Chinese execute mega projects - emphasis on ‘execute’) . Macau is the apt symbol of mean Chinese ambition.
I have no doubt modern day Macau was created by a Chinese Kalmadi. Someone who saw a gigantic opportunity in positioning this tiny island as a heaven and haven for good time gamblers with enough lolly to blow up a nuclear plant. The financials were obviously calibrated to the last Yuan or Hong Kong dollar. The humungous investments are there for all to see…. and enjoy. From the crazily constructed Grand Lisboa, to the super swish ‘The Wynn’, and the magnificent MGM Grand, Macau has put up monumental, futuristic buildings ( many more coming up) that rival the best in neighbouring HK. The infrastructure is faultless – from the time visitors show up at the busy jetty in those bright red turbo jets that ferry them to and from HK every half an hour, to the limo pick- up at the airport as Russian tycoons ( molls in tow) arrive in spiffy private jets. Floor length minks complement limited edition bags and serious rocks, as pampered ladies float into the dazzling lobbies of these monstrous hotels ( ‘The Wynn’ plays wrap around Frank Sinatra through cleverly concealed speakers in the shrubbery … his velvety voice catching visitors off guard).I swear I saw several Chinese men sporting Fedoras and resembling Oriental Bogarts from another zamaana. Yup, it’s that lunatic! The main thing about Macau is that everything works! It’s all good and tickety-boo at every level. Perhaps we should have packed off Kalmadi and gang to Macau before handing over the CWG on a platter to them … and getting royally ripped off. Not that it would have helped…. mainly because Kalmadi would still have messed up. You and I know why. Chinese bosses are not pussycats and weaklings . Had Kalmadi’s counterpart in Macau not delivered, he would have been chopped up and fed to the sharks in the South China Sea. So would his cronies and contractors. You really don’t want to mess with those guys… the level of efficiency and security one encounters at every stage, is evidence enough of that.There are water tight systems in place… the message is loud and clear. The place bristles with menacing looking cops ( the only people who understand English), who are constantly on the move through those unbelievably crowded shopping areas in central Macau. Talkng of security in India, just two days after I got back from HK, I traveled to Baroda. Idly, I looked at my boarding card and saw to my horror that I was identified as a male and my name appeared as Mr. S. De. Not a single person noticed it – not the airline staff , not the cops ( who often stare intently at boarding cards they are holding upside down ). My ID was nothing more than a club membership card with a blurred, old picture in a corner. No problem. I was waved through regardless.
I remember Vilasrao Deshmukh’s constant band – baaja about converting Mumbai into Shanghai. Unfortunately for Maharshtra’s ex-C.M. he ran straight into me a few days after I’d returned from Shanghai ( this was a few years ago). I pounced on him and asked how he could make such outrageous comparisons. He smiled and smiled ( the man is amazing – he smiles through any and every embarrassment), and answered calmly, “ But madam, I have never been to Shanghai myself!”
I rest my case.
Just hoping and praying Prithviraj Chavan doesn’t talk about making Mumbai into another Macau. Though… why not? If we can get great roads, clean public spaces, super efficient policing, dynamic bureaucrats, no water and power cuts…. plus, casinos!! Hey… that’s a good plan.
Chalo Chavanji… Mumbai ko Macau banao!




19 comments:

SEPO said...

awesome post and lovely clicks! hope your stay was enjoyble

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Anonymous said...

Shobha,

That will be the day...

These guys all come from villages and they have turned Mumbai into one.
With all their dirty mugs lining the streets of Mumbai on even messy rags and stilts.

We would love to see Mumbai even what it was when it was called Bombay.. but;

with these parasites living off the people, filling their own coffers, where will the funds come from.
People of all stature, rich or poor, educated or not, have no pride in seeing this lovely city clean. They mess up the place as if they have a right/duty to do so.
Request these characters to keep the streets and even society clean and they look at you, as if you are come from Mars..
Guess they are so used to this way of life, that we who look forward to some quality, have to tag along..

Cheers!

India is shining, but the gilt is with only a few, who milk the system..

Radhika Gupta said...

lovely pics shobhaa... n nice post! Mr. vilasrao's idea of converting mumbai into shanghai was truly amusing... n the way you compared the security measures in macau n india was quite amusing as well..!

Daniel. I said...

Ma'm,

I have initially read this in Deccan Chronicle, but couldn't help reading it again. A wonderful piece of writing! While your writing generally might unsettle some political foundations it will definitely won't fail in pulling your readers' heartstrings!

Anup Kumrawat said...

nice pics, thanks for effort.


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Pooja Rathore said...

I loved the pictures simply beautiful!
your conversation with Ex Cm was fun, a good joke.
we have lot of money our country is rich but we have a curse in the form of corrupted people who are intrested in turning their homes,lives and bank balance beautiful like macau at nations expense.
Dost keep traveling and keep posting beautiful pics.

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

Nice pics. But where is place in Mumbai to make Macau out of it. better try some other place.... Maaf karo baba :)

Tsomo85 said...

LOL Shobha De that would be something! Btw nice pix. Your comment remind me something from the past. Once during my india trip I met this desi NRI guy in aircraft & he asked me what's my destination & I said India. The guy was pissed & said "out of all these place in world, why INDIA"? The guys seem to have such a BAD experience that he had to swear never to go back to INDIA ever again. :( I don't blame him either. If I would had never grow up there or had those wonderful childhood memo attach to me @ my very own (temporary hometown) even I would never dare to make it my destination as well. Unless M M Singh & his government do some more action in terms of changing India in to NOT Shanghai or Macau but.....................SHANGRI-LA<3 hehehehe Got cha!

goodluck said...

More than the pictures, you writing captivated me.These Chinese, Russians have double standards or double faces. One that of communist and the other that of a perfect anti thesis. Any day I prefer the easy going Las Vegas to Macao. And the friendly ruralistic mumbai to Macao. Can we ever see beggars, petty thieves and assorted human beings in Macao? Mumbai's underworld must be having its own representatives there.
It seems you just could not get rid of Kalmadi, Raja, Balwan? out of your system even in quixotic Macao.

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Yaluncute said...

Ahh.. Macau is a nice place.. n I love ur pics.. awesome clicks.. I've been there once n wished to spend this Chinese New Year wid ma loved ones.. Thanx to you I have ma virtual trip now ..

M a avid fan of Chinese pop music.. So i've been to macau once to watch a concert ...


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Anonymous said...

awosum pix...........
dreamy world

gangrade.vasu said...

Dear Ma'am,

I am 21 and pursuing B.Tech from iit.. i am a great fan of your writing.. for me they are like reading a satire.. i read your book Superstar India (i know i am a little late).. simply loved it

keep writing.. keep inspiring the young generation.. like me & the other half billion like me(i wish all of them could read and write)

about this blog.. its really nice.. in one word.. Apropos :)

Looking forward to your reply,
King Regards,
Vasu Gangrade

Harish said...

kalmadi and barbadi go hand in hand, and tongue in cheek... (and what in what)

************************

vilas-lao-vikas-bhagaaao-deshmukh was one chapter in the history of bollywood, for he would rise from his hood only for filmy functions... and terror tourism... poor he...

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The prithviraj chavhan seems like a breath of fresh air. but im waiting for him to prove that im wrong. id not be surprised.

im toh waiting for a chief minister for mumbai who will work rajni style.. wear goggles... have a dumb mona darling like - ash... and do the city chakkachak with just a tichki.

Shankar said...

It will go well with all the high profile corruption happening. Now add the sleazy world of Macau.

Kamalahar
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