Mumbai, July 18
Celebrated as India’s financial powerhouse, Mumbai, still reeling from the impact of seven bomb blasts last week, stood still at 6.24 pm to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the terror attacks.

The sombre ceremonies were led by President Abdul Kalam, who laid a wreath at Mahim railway station on the Western Railway network, where one of the seven bombs went off exactly a week ago. There were no speeches to be made, just a quick arrival and a departure preceded by a two-minute silence and a short chat with senior government officials.

Accompanying the President were Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Governor S M Krishna and other dignitaries. As the bugle sounded the last post, Dr Kalam accompanied by a guard of honour quickly placed the wreath on the memorial installed to pay homage to the dead.

As the President stood to attention 270 sirens sounded across Mumbai marking the moments when the city paused to pay its respects to the dead. Outside the usually busy Mahim railway station motorists stayed away to let residents link up in a human chain. The same scene was repeated outside all railway stations where the bombs went off last Tuesday evening.

Scores of children stood along the streets linking the human chain mindless of the light drizzle in some parts of the city. Neighbourhood associations in some parts of the city have arranged for candlelight vigil well into the night. At Borivli-Dahisar where several residents died in the blast, the church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception organised street-corner vigils, which drew participation from all communities.

In neighbourhoods, which are still counting its dead, people came down from high rises and slums alike to light candles to express their solidarity against terrorism as much as a symbol of respect. Cinema screens across the city suspended screening as viewers observed two minutes of silence.

The corporates too played ball with TCS suspending its board meeting for two minutes. No aircraft took off or landed at Mumbai airport though the ATCS remained at their jobs.

All trains on the Mumbai rail network came to a halt for two minutes as did BEST buses and most vehicles on Mumbai’s roads.

As sirens sounded off to signal the end of the two-minute silence people released white balloons and doves.