A city under siege

28 November, 2008

Although this is a food blog, I couldn’t help but speak about the Mumbai Terror Blasts.

(Times of India on the 27th and 28th of November, 2008.)

Over 155 dead. 327 injured. Multiple hostage situations. And 44 hours later, it’s still not over. As I write this there are still shots being fired and commandos working hard to capture or kill the terrorists at some of the very prime locations in the city. The tabloids are covered with the stories and views of individuals who survived the gunshots and grenade attacks and news of those who didn’t. This has left the city stumped beyond belief.

The people strolling into the Taj for a wedding reception didn’t know what they’d be in for a few minutes later. Nor did the missing food critic in whose bathroom the terrorists were holed up in. And nor did the civilian who gave the terrorist drinking water and was shot dead seconds later. This is not the Bombay I grew up in.

What’s sad is that the city officials only beef up security AFTER such an incident takes place. Metal detectors won’t help. We need trained personnel and for that the Government needs to stop acting like stingy cowards. Just look at the massive amount of security they themselves move around with? The common Indian lives are too cheap to be concerned for. Maybe now that the most 'secure' areas in the city have been attacked, there will be stronger repercussions. I am looking forward to a Citizens’ Movement to do my bit.

While the rest of the world celebrated Thanksgiving Day yesterday, I lit a candle as a tribute to all those who lost their lives while struggling to end the terror war and for those innocent civilians who were killed in the mayhem. My heart goes out to the families.

The city needs your prayers.

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