Mumbai, November 26
Mumbaikars observed the first anniversary of the 26/11 terror attacks by going to work as usual after pausing for a few minutes to remember the dead. In all, 166 persons including members of the public, police and commandos had been killed.
At locations like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Cama Hospital, the Taj and Trident hotels and Cafe Leopold where terrorists let loose murder and mayhem this day last year, people gathered to pray, light candles and sign on banners before moving on. The biggest thumbs down from the public was reserved for the Mumbai Police whose attempts to parade latest weaponry and a new Commando force down busy South Mumbai saw poor crowds.
At the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station where Mohammad Ajmal Kasab - the lone terrorist to be caught alive - and his cohorts fired at passengers, people put up flowers and lit up candles at a memorial. The Central Railways organised a blood donation camp at the station. “We are here to donate blood and express our solidarity with victims,” said Natasha Dhume, a student of nearby St Xavier's College, who had come with her friends.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan was among the first to pay homage to the victims of the attack at the station and encouraged people to donate blood. Since morning, office-goers came in large numbers to pay their respects. In all, 52 persons had lost their lives here.
The day also saw the Mumbai Police attempt to bolster confidence among Mumbaikars with a show of strength. A contingent of the new Force One, set up on the lines of the National Security Guard, organised a flag march and displayed its newest acquisitions - automatic assault rifles, armoured cars and amphibian vehicles. The march from Trident Hotel to Chowpatty in South Central Mumbai received a lukewarm response with not enough people cheering the men in khaki.
Remembrances were more subdued at the Trident and Taj hotels
lines of the National Security Guard, organised a flag march and displayed its newest acquisitions - automatic assault rifles, armoured cars and amphibian vehicles. The march from Trident Hotel to Chowpatty in South Central Mumbai received a lukewarm response with not enough people cheering the men in khaki.
Remembrances were more subdued at the Trident and Taj hotels where memorial plaques were put up. At both places, employees and guests gathered to lay wreaths and light candles. Relatives of a number of victims who perished at the Taj were due to gather at the hotel’s restaurants later in the day.
At Leopold Cafe at Colaba causeway where terrorists first struck, the management has let bullet holes remain in the walls. One of the owners of the 138-year old landmark, Farhan Jehani, said people were coming in large numbers since morning to look at the place and talk to employees. “People have learnt to put the attacks behind... our regular customers returned as soon as we reopened after the attack,” Jehani said.
The restaurant’s attempts to commemorate the attacks by selling specially designed coffee mugs had ran into rough water with the Shiv Sena protesting earlier this week.
At all these places, television channels pitched their crews to get quotes from survivors and eyewitnesses. The most solemn of all ceremonies was at Nariman House where six Israelis lost their lives. The building was thrown open to the public after a multi-faith prayer meeting.Earlier in the day, the police removed some banners demanding the hanging of Kasab.
