Colaba’s Fishy Air

at gateway of India Mumbai

I recently traveled to Mumbai, and the moment I stepped out of the airport, a strong fishy smell hit me. I had never imagined experiencing that kind of odor lingering in the air. On the way to my guest house, I noticed towering high-rise buildings packed closely together with small apartments. The taxi driver pointed out Isha Ambani diamond shaped house, and drove us along Marine Drive. The highways were impressive, but the traffic was overwhelming. Coming from North India, I could immediately notice the difference — at least on the main roads, traffic moved in lanes more systematically.

When I reached my guest house in Colaba, the sea breeze was so refreshing that I didn’t even feel the need to switch on the AC. My father, however, insisted because he felt the heat. I’ve always preferred natural air over artificial air conditioning. The room felt quite small, but overall, the guest house was comfortable.

In the evening, we visited a nearby marketplace and passed the Sassoon Dock entrance. The fish odor there was so intense that I almost felt sick on my way back. It made me reflect on my long-held vegetarian lifestyle. I’ve always found it difficult to understand eating animals, and moments like that strengthen my personal belief in vegetarianism.

Last year, when I visited Sydney and stayed in Burwood, I noticed a mild odor only near certain markets, but otherwise the air felt clean and fresh. Recently, I also realized that vegetarians are actually a minority worldwide. Research suggests that around 75–85% of the global population consumes non-vegetarian food, while only 10–15% identify as vegetarian.

For me, vegetarianism is deeply connected to my personal beliefs, spirituality, and the values I grew up with. I feel fortunate to have been raised in a family that shares those values. While everyone has the freedom to make their own dietary choices, I personally believe that choosing a vegetarian lifestyle can be a more compassionate way of living.

At the end of the day, I think change begins at an individual level — you can only make choices for yourself and let others decide their own path.