26/11/2008

26/11/2008

One of the few nights in my life I want to forget. Unfortunately, I can visualize it far too well. And the feelings of angst and anguish, remain.

My Taj burned (yes, I am a proud bawi first!), my city's blood spilled. Landmarks defaced, innocents murdered. Heroes made out of normal men, resilience and bravery seen from our much abused Brihanmumbai Police and the Mumbai Fire Brigade. Men from various agencies risked life and limb to get the young and old out from the Leopold Cafe, CST, Cama Hospital, near the Metro square, Taj, Trident, Nariman House......

My role in all of this? Keeping the memories alive for me, and for everyone who reads this.

I was at home, 11:20 in the night, studying for my semester VII final exams. I remember getting a frantic call from my uncle (who was in the UK) demanding to know where I am. His sigh of relief when I told him I am at home and "not dancing around town". That's when I switched on the news and saw how 12 men were ripping my city apart. From there on, it was a series of calls. Calling up my dad and telling him that for a change I was actually home. Calling up a friend who stays two streets down from the Taj, and being thankful he didn't go out for a walk! Glad a friend had just finished her shift at the Taj in the evening, but praying for her friends on the night shift. Worried about our exam the next day, life in DY was unpredictable, if nothing else...

I also remember when the shock actually set in. Next evening, a friend and I decided to go to our regular Juhu Barista to grab a coffee. We walk out into an eerie silence. Never ever have I seen Mumbai so quiet, not even at 3:30 am in the suburbs. Yes, that is when the pall of mourning that was in the air became real for me. We just got back inside the house and to the comfort of Nescafe.

And now, on 26/11/2009, I am away from my city, and I wonder what has been done. The normal: Politicos going about reforms and upgrades, Pakistan talks about prosecuting a couple of minor players, US and the rest of the world condemn the attacks, DCPs shout about more training, Ram Gopal Verma plans a movie with Ritiesh (or whoever), Mumbai Police tells citizens to be aware and alert (the contact link on their website doesn't work, I checked), MNS still wants the Uttar Bhartiyas out, the Mumbai/Bombay/Bambai argument goes on along with the other usual hoopla-hoop.

But what has been done?

The moongfali-wallahs are back at Gateway, the chai-wallah paddles his way around, the horses trot with the colourful 'Victorias', the awed tourists still pose in front of the Taj, the lights from the Trident gleam bright on Marine Drive, CST is as busy and probably more crowded than ever, beer guzzlers and dragon chicken lovers are back at Leo's. Before leaving her city, missydee went there with a group of friends and toasted the three bullet holes in the glass pane with our cold Kingfisher, see pic! Mumbai's spirit lives on in the lives of its people, who have absorbed the repeated attempts to hurt their city, regrouped and recouped (showing the figurative middle finger) and lived, loved, laughed and cried there, embodying the eternal Mumbai spirit.

Love this photo clicked by a friend, KD. The lights and speed of Mumbai captured beautifully along Marine Drive!

Mumbai, miss you. Bombay, love you.