Nagpur from the eyes of a Mumbaite?

What is Nagpur’s identity as a city? Being an upstanding member of today’s digital generation, I googled it. Wikipedia defines Nagpur as the winter capital, a sprawling metropolis, and the third-largest city of the Indian state of Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune. 

While factually correct, I beg to differ. I think, Nagpur in essence, is something else altogether. Nagpur is a snoozing snake, which is waking up and Mumbai and Pune are not going to know what bit them. The orange city has got under my skin and it’s here to stay. In order to further describe Nagpur, from my perspective, I would like to describe myself first.

I am a ?proud resident of Nagpur, who was born and brought up in Mumbai and also obtained an MBA in

Marketing from the same. I say ?proud, because since my five years post-marriage, that I started nesting in Nagpur, it has made me feel more that welcome on multiple occasions. I have left a Mumbai for a Nagpur, as it’s where my husband is born and brought up, and I see my future here. Hence, I want to talk to you about Nagpur. I hate it when Wikipedia and rest of Maharashtra underestimate it.

Nagpur has borne the tag of a smaller and less significant city for too long. Nagpur got stuck with this tag because it too underestimates itself. I have worked in Mumbai, visited Delhi for education and trips and travelled almost the length and breadth of India but something about Nagpur has and always will, for me, stand out. This city has its own understated charm, which gives you the breathing space to grow and discover yourself that other faster paced cities don’t. It is in Nagpur that I have got the opportunity to work in the best ad agency, best NGO and one of the biggest corporates of the country. In a place like Mumbai, Pune I perhaps wouldve not got such great career opportunities. I am happy that Nagpur is growing and I am growing with it!

While it gives one a small town feel i.e. significantly less traffic, everyone knows everyone, less pollution, only one or two ways to reach a destination, it is also simultaneously developing with leaps and bounds. Property prices are equal to any metro city, wide well made roads, metro project underway, world-class educational institutes getting established here, umpteen job and business opportunities, etc., I could go endlessly.

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Nagpur also has excellent work life balance; it’s a city that allows you to work hard and party harder. I daily go to gym, catch up with friends and work six to eight hours a day. In a metro city, doing this is virtually impossible because of accessibility, travel time, fast paced lives and of course cut-throat competition.

Lastly, I would like to mention that all major metros are now concrete jungles and Nagpur, with its admirable green covers, big roads and almost pollution free air, makes me choose to live here more and more.

So to all those ?big city? lovers, if you come to Nagpur, I promise to show you around and make you feel welcome, like I was, in my Nagpur. I reiterate, I am MH-31 for life!