It has been 3 days with the semblance of peace prevailing on Mumbai. When something of the enormity as much as what the whole world witnessed on 26-29 November strikes; one takes time to comprehend its severity. Cacophony of gun shots and explosions have now given way to constant blaring by news channel anchors and uncouth politicians with their ubiquitous sound bytes. As memories of various sites which witnessed wrath of urban terror erupt in my mind the feeling of terror starts to sync in.
I write this from my cosy environs of Bangalore with the chilling thought of; what it must have been to the people on the VT station; to see two devils armed to the core; brandishing their weapons. For people who undergo daily dose of stampede situations in moving chambers which we call local trains; who experience near fatal situations just to commute between workplace and home; must have witnessed death by their eyes; some succumbed and most will carry that wound forever.
I still remember my father flaunting the beauty; as if he owned it; of that victorian structure which witnesses tides of humanity day in day out; and I remember how awestuck I was of that; coming from the small distant suburb of Mumbai. Never in my mind I had imagined a station of that grandeur. The joy the ride on marine drive from the front seat of top floor of double decker bus overlooking queens necklace; could only be compared with the experience of first take off of first plane journey. The signature of south bombay, Taj Palace which I never imagined to go in when I first saw it. This is terror personalized for me. Of innumerable instances of terror which my country experiences; this one has struck me the most and each passing day seem to make the wound festers.
There will be post mortem and analysis of geo political equations in the region; of volatile situation in the indian neighbourhood; of one more failure of security apparatus and widespread censures of political apathy.
I just wonder what kids of todays must be undergoing; seeing this rage live on television; what damage is it doing to their impressionable minds. Whether they will be able to appreaciate the beauty of symbols that people of my age still cherish, or they will be petrified by the sounds of bullets; color of blood spattered walls. I get terrified even more.
2 comments:
Yeah! That was a sad day in history, when "terrorism" again took the front seat.
BTW, very articulate and well written article. Dint that there is a blogger/written underneath your skin :-)
Thanks Yogesh much for your appreciation :)
Post a Comment