Stories of 26/11 Heroes

Yesterday the news was full of stories about heroes, survivors & relatives of 26/11. Brings back painful memories. But amidst those painful images, we heard courageous stories of men giving up their own life to save hundred other lives. Of them was the great Tukaram Omble. If it was not for him, the Mumbai police could not have captured the sole terrorist alive, the only source of first-hand information about the evil perpetrators behind the heinous attacks.

An article on following link describes the bravery of this gentleman in great detail - http://www.firstpost.com/mumbai/how-tukaram-omble-ensured-kasab-faced-a-fair-trial-529947.html

The article describes how the dutiful long serving police man armed with a baton and radio was able to stop the heavily armed terrorist. As the car of the terrorists crashed into the barricades, he was the first one to charge at the terrorist and grab his gun which eventually led to his unfortunate death but meant that the terrorist was caught alive. For the first time in years, direct proof about Pakistan links were established which led to initiation of a trial against the LeT chief in Pakistan. 

Although we are long way from punishing the original conspirators of the terror attack, it was very important to serve justice in this case to ensure terrorism will never be tolerated here. It was an emphatic win for the largest democracy in the world. As all the legal procedures that are followed by the law abiding citizens were presented to the terrorist, Kasab. He was on a trial that went to the Supreme Court and he was also given a chance to put forth his "Mercy petition plea" in front of the President. It took nearly 4 years but justice was served !

In other reports, I was shocked to read some irresponsible reporting by the western media. A newspaper like NY Times reported Kasab as  “the Mumbai attacker” or the “lone surviving… gunman”, even the Washington Post earlier reported as a "gunman" but later retracted owing to social media pressures and termed him as a "terrorist". It seems that it isn't "terrorism" for them unless its them or countries where they have strategic / monetary interests. "Here was a man who was caught live on CCTV cameras waging urban war in a neighbouring country and shooting dead innocent people and policemen, was subsequently arrested, subjected to a lengthy due process of trial, and  found guilty of waging war on India – and, finally, hanged"

Courtesy news on - http://www.firstpost.com/india/dear-western-media-why-cant-you-call-kasab-a-terrorist-531055.html

My blog post has nothing to do with DM or my current situation. But living in Mumbai, we have been through ups & downs since last 15 - 20 years. These reports mean a lot to each and every Mumbaikar. Just to highlight what we had to go through all these years - 

Terrorist attacks in Mumbai include :

• 12 March 1993 - Series of 13 bombs go off, killing 257
• 6 December 2002 - Bomb goes off in a bus in Ghatkopar, killing 2
• 27 January 2003 - Bomb goes off on a bicycle in Vile Parle, killing 1
• 14 March 2003 - Bomb goes off in a train in Mulund, killing 10
• 28 July 2003 - Bomb goes off in a bus in Ghatkopar, killing 4
• 25 August 2003 - Two Bombs go off in cars near the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar, killing 50
• 11 July 2006 - Series of seven bombs go off in trains, killing 209
• 26 November 2008 to 29 November 2008 - Coordinated series of attacks, killing at least 172.
• 13 July 2011 - Three coordinated bomb explosions at different locations, killing 2

(Source : Wikipedia)

I would describe Mumbai as similar to New York in US or Sydney in Australia (not in terms of Manhattan skyline / Sydney harbour but spirit of people, lifestyle,...). Where you dream of living the great Indian dream. Just as you would dream of living in US / Australia. So in addition to living for our life long ambitions we dream of living in a peaceful city.

Ciao n Peace.