I am not really willing to write tonight. I am speechless, hurt, angry, frustrated, worried, cynical, tired... there are a plethora of emotions that are budding within me with the way things have unfolded since WEDNESDAY, 26-11-2008! This day is now gonna go down in history as a red-letter day, a day when my city of dreams-Mumbai witnessed the worst terror attacks. 60 hours of pain, agony and standstill.
I remember going to the Gateway of India when i was merely 3 or 4 years old. Perched on my dad's arm, I faintly remember touring around the magnificent structure and the resplendent Taj. A few months back, I visited the Leopold Cafe. I was taken aback with the number of foreigners dining at this outlet. And having been at these two places, i just cannot express how troubled i feel when i see them ravaged. I've have had fond memories of these two places, but from here on, these fond memories will be tarred with terror.
14 attacks in the past 4 years! Do these figures really indicate "India shining"??? How much more are we supposed to endure? With bombs planted in buses, trains, offices, malls, hijacking of planes, and now open firing at the common, innocent man on the road... What else do these terrorists need to do to prove a point? Haven't we taken enough? We talk about the brain-drain from India, right? Well, with all such things unfolding I am pretty convinced that the youth of today wouldn't really like to stay in such an unstable nation.
And yes, those famous quotes - "Spirit of mumbai", "resilience of the people of mumbai". On the day after the train blasts that took place in Mumbai in 2006, people went to work as if nothing had happened. On the day after Mumbai was flooded on 26th of July 2005, people jumped back to their routine as if nothing had happened. Well, we must applaud each other for showing such "never-say-die" spirit. But forgive me,if we still continue with our routine after what has happened on the 26th november,2008 then we are surely losing what is called 'humanity'! With so many political heads rolling, India is hopefully awaiting to see light at the other end of this dark tunnel. Isn't it dumbfounding that since 2001, US hasn't faced even a single attack? This is the kind of security and power that India ought to have now.
A passing thought- I really wonder what the parents of school-going kids must have gone through during those 60 hours! It must have been so so difficult to not let kids get a glimpse of those atrocious images being flashed live on the television sets. Even after 6 days today, it really cuts me when i see those images and videos on the screen and in newspapers. I can't pen down how disturbed i have been... and i am sure, like me, many many Mumbaikars are having tough time tackling the aftermath of the trauma.
Before i end this post, i pray from the depth of heart to God to give rest to the souls of those who have died in these attacks and to give IMMENSE courage and faith to their families and us 'mumbaikars' to move on.
These few lines gave me the strength that i was looking for...
Hope abides; therefore I abide.
Countless frustrations have not cowed me.
I am still alive, vibrant with life.
The black cloud will disappear,
The morning sun will appear once again
In all its supernal glory.
Countless frustrations have not cowed me.
I am still alive, vibrant with life.
The black cloud will disappear,
The morning sun will appear once again
In all its supernal glory.
