A year after terror strikes, we stand tall

Today, 26/11 of the year 2009 is witness of the solid grit and never-say-die attitude of Mumbai. Last year on this date, Aamchi Mumbai was put under siege by a group of Pakistani terrorists and for over 48 hours the city was blanketed by the deathly hand of terror. So many people killed, hundreds injured and the city's self-esteem smashed - three days of terror left behind these remains for us people to clean up. But still, we citizens stood above it all and showed the tyranists what mettle each Mumbaikar is made of!

In all this mess, blood and gore many heroes emerged out of the ashes to rise like the phoenix. Hemant Karkare, Ombale, Salaskar were among many others who laid down their lives to keep us safe. But now, after their death their families suffer silently, with no help or support they fight a battle each day. The Government merely sanctioned awards and monetary help to them but the loss of the bread-earners of the house can possibly never be filled by these materialistic baits.

I remember, i sat in disbelief glues to my Television set. I just could not come to terms with the fact that my very own city's walls rang with the terrorists gunshots, shrieks of the dying and the wails of the injured and helpless. The poor children of Mumbai must be horrified to see so much aggression and violence presented by the terrorists. The busy city-lights of Mumbai for once were dimmed. All because of a bunch of state-sponsored terrorists who had the nerve to drive a stake through Mumbai's heart - yes, the infamous attack on The Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Taj Hotel.
The C.S.T station was attacked by these terrorists and left a huge wake of fear and agony behind. Terror, panic and chaos was followed by wails and cries of the injured and those in their dying moments. The Taj hotel was like the city's nose, and these terrorists had the guts to cut it off. The structure which once stood proud overlooking the Arabian Sea, will now forever bear the scars of those blood-ridden attacks. The fire which raged through the hotel burnt our hearts along with the artistique walls and expensive interiors of this massive building. The Trident hotel suffered the most, as the terrorists had literally demolished the reputation along with the entire framework of the hotel. Nariman Point will forever point out to the millions of Jews all over the world that its citizens were slaughtered like chicken on the 26th of November, 2009. This date is forever etched in every Mumbaikar's heart, and will stay with him till his dying day.

Hats off to all the martyrs who safeguarded our city from further exploitation. But the attack was also a slap right across the face of out city's security measures. A handful of louts, armed with arms, ammunition and a brief knowledge of the city's overall working barged in through the water ways, attacked the C.S.T station, drove off to The Taj and Trident hotels as well as Nariman House, and were finally eradicated at these points. NSGs, Black Cat Commandos and the Mumbai Police went through hell, at certains situations even worse than hell. But at the end of it all, they emerged victorious. A Royal Salute to all our brave officers and soldiers.

The Paramedics and Doctors' services can never be forgotten. They worked overtime, took in more injured people than they ever did before and they managed to save a number of wounded people. But chaos prevailed and many who ran out of luck died on the fringe of medical help. But no matter what, our hospitals did a fine job. THe story of Moshe, the baby boy who lost both his parents in the Nariman House attacks may get the best surrogate parents, lots of love and luxuries but one can never forget his cries during the mourning ceremony in the house held by the Rabbi, where he cried for his Mommy and Daddy to come to him. It brought tears to a million people's eyes to see his helplessness.

Once again, i conclude that no matter what happens to the city, we citizens always bounce back no matter what. And that undying spirit and love for the city cannot be broken by attacks by terrorists. They may kill a thousand people and scar millions but these attacks remain weak in comparison to our love for Mumbai and our solid determination to fight it back. We citizens are the strongest bricks in the monumental structure of Mumbai City.

Jai Hind,
Jai Maharastra,
Jai Mumbai.