My Mumbai Bleeds

Mumbai, a land of opportunities, is again under a terror attack. It was Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving; the house was full with everyone, including the TV, talking at full volume with no listeners. I was busy trying special recipes with the help of cookbooks and notes taken from my friends. Suddenly I heard my daughter exclaim: "Dad, switch to CNN." And there was pin-drop silence. My whole body trembled with fear but I gathered strength to go to the TV. Mumbai was bleeding. My city's landmark, which at one time inspired me with its greatness, was up in flames.

While everyone directly or indirectly connected to Mumbai is fuming with anger and frustration, my heart is mourning. I do not want to discuss or hear media analysis of the incident. All that I need is a quiet and lonely place where I can sit and cry for my own Mumbai, my karm bhoomi (land of action and accomplishment), which is being ripped apart by the sinful hands of extremist militants. When I hear television reporters or family and friends discussing this attack I am not able to a become part of it even though I am well-versed with the social structure, history and geography of Mumbai.

When I was struggling to settle down somewhere with no money in hand, Mumbai embraced me with wide open arms like a mother. I came to Mumbai with uncertainty, she gave me a certain career; I came with insecurity, she gave me a firm secure ground; I came with fear of the unknown, she gave me courage and knowledge. I was brought up in a very secure environment and had no confidence to take charge of my own life. Mumbai taught me to struggle and win. I started my career from scratch and she gave me opportunities to climb the ladder of success. Mumbai, a land of opportunities, showed me the path to prosperity. I became persistent like the ocean waves that strike against its shores.

As I bid farewell to Mumbai with the deepest gratitude 10 years ago, I knew I owed everything to this land. After I arrived in Toledo, Mumbai was attacked multiple times by terrorists and natural calamities. I am sure every time it struck me in the same way, but perhaps I was more engaged in my day-to-day affairs that I did not feel the intensity. This time, it has been over 72 hours since the attack, but I feel the pain is getting deeper and deeper by the minute.

Is it because I have spent hours in front of the Taj and Oberoi hotels when I was stressed out? Perhaps. It was soothing and relaxing to watch the waves touching the shores, at times making roaring sounds. It seemed as though the waves were giving me a message to wash away all of my problems in them. After every visit I used to be ready to take on another challenge. When my financial conditions stabilized I used to take my children to some of the restaurants in these hotels to have dinner. It is hard to explain the sense of accomplishment with a pinch of arrogance when I walked out of the restaurant after paying exorbitant bills and tips. But as soon as I reached the Gateway of India, the strong waves greeted me with the advice: 'Arrogance invites ruin. You are not even the size of a drop in front of me.'

Or am I affected more deeply this time because the barbarian gunmen were systematically separating guests based on their nationality? They seem to have missed the strong message I had received from my grandfather: "Atithi Devo Bhava (see God in your guest)."

While I have not completed any formal study or analysis, I have been exposed to the cold war that exists between Indian politicians and bureaucrats. This is the main reason for poor intelligence system. The job of the well-trained and competent Indian police and civil services personnel is often obstructed and redirected to fulfill the petty needs of elected officials, who can rarely see beyond their noses. Many of the politicians are elected on the basis of the number of criminals they control and not for the education and experience they have.

I cannot believe that tons of arms and ammunitions were brought into the city and the Indian intelligence system was unable to spot it in time. After all, these personnel are so highly trained and competent. This type of act is a well-coordinated move by the criminals and terrorists who had helped some politicians win an election.

We hear now that the situation is under control. Let us hope that is so.

Sorry, Mumbai, I am in no capacity to do justice with your wounds and injuries, but it is my promise to you I will definitely tell the stories of your greatness and generosity to as many people as I can. Your hospitality to your guests is unparalleled.

Comments

[UltraClassic]

I just got off the line with a software tech from Mumbai. The poor guy, all he wanted to talk about were the attacks. He also asked much about the states and if I knew many Indians. I told yes and that the folks I knew were mostly in the education and medical fields.

I feel for the guy but you know what he told me? He told me that now India has suffered it's own 911. He told me that evem more sympathy has been generated for us because of what they have suffered. He mentioned that likely we would be brothers in arms against Islamofascism.

Now mind you, this was just one tech guy on a head set and terminal. But he sounded very educated and knowledgeable. I hope he and his family get along ok. Nothing sharpens the focus like warm red blood in the streets.