My take

Well I know that I have never been really active about posting a number of posts but I feel it's times like these that really inspire you to take a stand, to express yourself on what you feel about the situation, be it whatever it may be. Many of my friends have taken up a stand on what they feel about the issue that I am going to write about. This previous Tuesday, timed explosions ripped the heart of Western Railways. It was also an attempt to rip the souls, hopes and expectations of the ordinary. This was a work of evil genius, in which explosions were timed a few minutes apart along the different sections of the Mumbai railways. Terrorism is not only bout exploding bombs, killing people or wasting lives to prove a point. It's actually the aftermath that really tests us, as human beings.

But as we have heard over the past few days, it has in no way deterred the murale of the average Mumbaikar. In this, I rejoice and am also worried as to what this could bring about in the speculation which comes as an aftermath. Various fingers will be raised, various communities will be under suspicion etc.. I hope we can stay away from this sad aspect of it. Ive never realized what is about Mumbai that a good friend of mine, Vinay feels about. To me it was all about malnutrition, no proper infrastructure, no security, encroachments, civic disorder, crime and the lot. Basically a city that stands and runs on its own. But with the article below I understand what is it that he feels, and what is it that he has come to love about Mumbai. Below is a good forward of what I think, hope and pray the average Mumbaiker feels and which I hope aptly defines the current spirit throughout Mumbai :

"Dear Terrorist,

Even if you are not reading this we don't care. Time and again you tried to disturb us and disrupt our life - killing innocent civilians by planting bombs in trains, buses and cars. You have tried hard to bring death and destruction, cause panic and fear and create communal disharmony but everytime you were disgustingly unsuccessful. Do you know how we pass our life in Mumbai? How much it takes for us to earn that single rupee? If you wanted to give us a shock then we are sorry to say that you failed miserably in your ulterior motives. Better look elsewere, not here.

We are not Hindus and Muslims or Gujaratis and Marathis or Punjabis and Bengaliies. Nor do we distinguish ourselves as owners or workers, govt. employees or private employees. WE ARE MUMBAIKERS (Bombay-ites, if you like). We will not allow you to disrupt our life like this. On the last few occassions when you struck (including the 7 deadly blasts in a single day killing over 250 people and injuring 500+ in 1993), we went to work next day in full strength. This time we cleared everything within a few hours and were back to normal - the vendors placing their next order, businessmen finalizing the next deals and the office workers rushing to catch the next train. (Yes the same train you targetted)

Fathom this: Within 3 hours of the blasts, long queues of blood donating volunteers were seen outside various hospital, where most of the injured were admitted. By 12 midnight, the hospital had to issue a notification that blood banks were full and they didn't require any more blood. The next day, attendance at schools and office was close to 100%, trains & buses were packed to the brim, the crowds were back.The city has simply dusted itself off and moved one - perhaps with greater vigour.We are Mumbaikers and we live like brothers in times like this. So, do not dare to threaten us with your crackers. The spirit of Mumbai is very strong and can not be harmed."

Anup Rajan