I had given a nice book of Busybee ( a famous column writer from our lovely old city called Mumbai) to my friend Rajesh . He is typical punjabi . Flashy but good at heart. I visited him this time in chandigarh after long time. "Please return my book if traceable" I reminded him as if he had taken a loan from me. "Our servant has thrown it in dustbin” again he was straightforward and ruthless like born careless Jat.
"Oh shit! It’s too much man. " I was upset. It was very important book for me. Busybee (Behram Contractor, editor of evening daily "Afternoon") was a great satirical columnist. The book was collection of his articles in a evening daily from Mumbai. Simply fantastic and crispy column he used to pen with simple but juicy English.
I wanted to show the book to my Son. He tries writing blogs and is passionate about it. I wanted him to read Busybee.
Busybee was Master of writing columns on any topic from cricket to politics. Humorous and to the point. It was desert for many Mumbai men after lunch. Taste of it would linger till they entered crowded local train and merge themselves into mess.
I searched it (book) on Amazon. com for online purchase. "Best of busybee" book was showing cost of about 250 dollars. I had miscalculated dream of buying it at Rs. 120.
"Beyond budget" I anyway hated online shopping.
I thought I will go to some reputed book shop and go through lot of books and buy my choice. I had a nice plan.
There was one nice book shop called 'Crossword ' at Kemps Corner. (Poshest of areas in Mumbai. Where richest among rich stay I suppose) I used to go there and glance at lot of books before buying just one or two justifying my long presence in air-conditioned book shop. It was when I was working at worli office in Mumbai.
I started from home at 11 after having heavy breakfast assuming I would be spending at least three hours going through as many books not bothering about needles on my wrist. I am not a great reading buff but had mood and was excited after long time. May be I had meditated thoroughly to generate so much enthusiasm about reading.
I reached Mahalaxmi railway station took bus and reached Kemps Corner. Then visited two nearby temples before searching up the famous book shop called crossword. I did not remember the exact location so asked a grocery store owner who had no idea but a middle aged gentleman standing in the shop informed me with pain "That shop is closed now forever" It took me few seconds to recover from a shock as anyone would after breakup from a serious relationship.
I roamed around the area only to find new restaurants, bars and fashion stores electronic gadget shops mushrooming but no book store.
The city has lost it's old charm and has only become too commercial is a foregone conclusion . Nobody has time to confront even in busy town.
Can't help.
That day I read a story about two oldest book shops about one hundred years old , one in Pune and one in Paris closing down on the same day. Where the hell world is heading! Science has not only occupied all the earth dethroning art from every piece of land but hearts of humans also.
Question is "Are there any hearts left?"
Please let me know if you find anyone with this extinct organ?