The choice of Mumbai as the venue for WSF 2004 was made following a lengthy dialogue between all groups involved in the WSF India process. Mumbai provides an ideal site to challenge the neo-liberal globalisation agenda, as it is perhaps the largest financial centre in the world outside the OECD, as well being the location of some of the most aggressive and violent acts of religious sectarianism that the sub-continent has witnessed.
Mumbai is also a large industrial centre and has witnessed the birth of the a militant trade union movement, vibrant dalit and women’s movements, and has allowed the growth of alternatives to mainstream arts, performing arts and cinema. It is the preferred destination on India’s over-land migration route and has been a vantage point on the Indian Ocean trade route for several centuries. All of this has contributed to making Mumbai a plural, cosmopolitan and permissive city with every language of the subcontinent spoken here and just about every religion of the world practiced here. Mumbai is a safe city for women and international visitors.
Mumbai also provides an opportunity for organisations from various sectors and diverse political perspectives to work together. It’s proximity with the rest of the world by air and sea and a large infrastructure to cater to the thousands who will participate in the event provides added advantage.
The city of Mumbai
Mumbai, a city of more than 13 million inhabitants, is the main international point of entry to India. It handles more flights – whether international or domestic - than Delhi, Calcutta or Chennai. The international terminal (Sahar) and the domestic terminal (Santa Cruz) are located, respectively, 30km and 25 km from the city centre. A regular bus service runs between the two terminals.
Two train systems operate in the Mumbai area. Central Railways handles transport to the east and south, with a few trains to the north, while Western Railways operates lines running to the west and north.
Bus services from Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have ticket offices in Mumbai.
Where will WSF 2004 be held?
The activities of WSF 2004 will be taking place at the event centre in the northeast zone of Mumbai:
Nesco Exhibition Grounds
National Standard Engineering Company
Western Express Highway
Goregoan (East), Mumbai
The event centre is well served by bus and train.
Hotel accomodation
You can now book accommodation at budget hotels in Mumbai (host city for WSF 2004 in India) on line. This is a new category of hotel that has been added to the on-line booking service for WSF participants. Rates range from Rps 499 (US$ 11.00) to Rps 2,500 (US$ 54.00) per person.
To make a reservation, access the link: http://www.wsfindia.org/sitamice/, choose the location and a hotel category and then fill in the form. The booking service provider will contact you as soon as possible (in about 6 days). To confirm the reservation, a deposit equivalent to one-nights stay should be paid online by credit card or by bank transfer/draft. Checks are not accepted. Booking closes on December 20. For further information, e-mail accommodation@wsfindia.org.
updated on 09/09/2010
