One of the things that Mumbai (and Indians in general) do is make a lot of noise during their holiday festivals. They shoot off fireworks, bang drums, play music, and just generally have a great time. Apparently this is not always a popular thing among everyone, as evidenced by this sms we got during the Ganesh festival:
Say Ganpati Bappa Morya. Say no to Loud Drums Noise. Have sound less festival with dignity.
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
Remember that old game “gossip?” Apparently it is ready to tear this city apart:
Mumbai Police requests citizens not to believe rumours. As Mumbaikars let us jointly resolve to maintain communal harmony.
Sender – CP (Central Police) Mumbai
Today’s message starts out on a personal note. I knew that paying bribes makes things happen here in India, but I didn’t realize that guilting was a worldwide phenomenon:
CORRUPTION!! Do you realize it starts with YOU and can end with YOU?? Pledge not to give a bribe – sms ‘Jaagore’ to 575758 or log on to www.jaagore.com
I’ve not really found the urge to restart “Free Verse Friday” this school year – maybe it will come, maybe it won’t. I have been receiving a bunch of text messages lately, however, that have inspired my next theme.
Before the first one, however, I will have to give a shout out to my new favoritest webpage – Texts From Last Night. As to the contents of some of the texts contained on that site, I can only echo my father-in-law’s favorite expression of surprise: “Mercy!”
My “Text Message Thursday” posts won’t be quite as racy, but at least they will all be real. What I’ll put up are verbatim sms messages that we receive here in Bombay. All spelling and grammar will remain as in the original.
For the first message, today I received one celebrating today’s special holiday:
Today WORLD OZONE DAY.Save Earth from Suns deadly UV Rays due to depleting O3.UseO3 friendly AC, Refrigerator,aerosols
From Maharashtra Pluttion Control Board.
Watch out for that pluttion…
