Mumbai – a valiant fighters’ abode.

[sweetcharm]

26th November 2008 was a black day in the memory of Mumbai residents. The day dawned as usual with its regular hustle-bustle and fervour. Little did the people know that as the day progressed and as the sun disappeared in the horizon, so would the lives of many innocents!!!
It all started with the news on TV of some firing in a cafe. The viewers thought that it was some gang war, as these things happen quite often. But gradually the news spread of some insane killers shooting indiscriminately at innocent passengers and onlookers at CST (VT) railway station, that the first thought of a possible terrorist attack sank into our minds. Within the next few minutes, more shocking news about the 2 most prestigious hotels and landmarks of Mumbai ---Taj Mahal Hotel & Oberoi, being attacked and taken hostage flashed, then the worst fears were finally confirmed.
This mad frenzy of massacre and mass destruction spread like wild fire in the neighbouring areas of the affected sites……not sparing a hospital as well. The Taj Mahal Hotel is most sought after by the foreigners for a luxurious and memorable stay. It is a heritage site in Mumbai and these terrorists did not think twice before destroying it to the core. Now the estimated cost of restoring it to its old splendour is around 500 crores and will take no less than a year to complete the task. And come to think of it, those fanatics took less than 3 days to destroy it!!! To top it all, they also took Nariman House, where many Jews are housed, as hostage and mercilessly killed the residents.
Many innocent, unassuming people lost their lives. We lost many brave officers in the process like the ATS chief Mr. Hemant Karkare, encounter specialist Mr. Vijay Salaskar & ACP Mr. Ashok Kamte. Personnel from the army, police force, commandos too were the ones who laid their lives to save others.
When we think about the past 3-4 days dramatic events, what do we see? That some fanatics under the name of religion are ‘sacrificing’ people as we offer sacrifice of lamb / cock, in order to please their god and lead them to heaven.
Tell me, which religion teaches that if you kill your fellow beings ruthlessly, create a sense of fear for life and property, and evoke hatred & more destruction……it is a sure step to your upliftment to Heaven????
Now 4 days have passed. Yesterday night there was a confirmation that the terrorist were all cleaned up and the hotels free from encroachers. Today morning the people were out on the streets again and the city is crawling back to normal. This happened after the 1993 serial bomb blasts, after the July 2006 monsoon deluge, as well as serial train blasts in the same month and year and now this!! The terrorists and in one turn the nature have tried to crush Mumbai, its existence, its spirit of bubbly & lively nature ………..but in vain.
All you destroyers of humanity beware………try hard as you may, but you will never succeed, because Mumbai was, is and will be a city of brave hearts. It has risen time and over again through all adversities & soared like phoenix. Mumbai, hats off to you!!!