It’s interesting that you bring up this topic. I’ve been in NYC for over four years, and I heard a lot of people talk about the “North Indians” when I visited Bombay in Dec ’07.

Two things came to mind…

One, its such a leveler, this sentiment. Here in the States, the Americans are talking about how Mexicans and others from across the border are coming in and stealing their jobs (the jobs that no self-respecting White American wants to do). And it’s interesting to see how that same sentiment is now so strong among all Mumbaiites.

Two, everything comes at a price. So. Mumbai is going through that big boom, where they want to make it the next best city in the world. No self-respecting Mumbaikar wants to be involved in the construction business and building tall structures. So, the Biharis (oops, I said it!) come along, get work, and then stay back to drive taxis and rikshaws after their work is done.

So, you either find a way to stop more of them from entering (which you can’t), or find a way to ensure that they coexist and add to the spirit of Bombay (which may be possible). I don’t know what’s going to happen, but its interesting to see how the entire pulse of the city has changed in the last four years since I’ve left it.

Mumbai is Mumbai because of all the people that contribute to it.

Hypothetically speaking, if the “outsiders” were gone, the only road side food we’d get would be Vada Pav – all those yummy pani puri stalls and pav Bhaji Stalls all gone.