We bleed...

It was a day like any other when I woke up. Till I remembered the date. Exactly one year to a day we all sat there numbed beyond belief to what was happening in Mumbai. And the chill that went through me had nothing to do with the cold outside.

The day went by in a blur, we observed a two minute silence for all those who lost their lives unnecessarily – whether it was a Major Unnikrishnan whose young life could have been saved if the terrorists hadn’t attacked or that of Kang’s children; whether it was Sabina who choked to death in a plush hotel; a newly-wed Gunjan who had gone there to celebrate his birthday with his entire family; or it was, ironically, an Amar who lost his life at CST. All unnecessary. How do we bear the deaths of a Karkare, an Amte, a Salaskar? That sweet staffer at the Trident, who’s name one didn’t know and wouldn’t know again, but who stood there and took a bullet in his chest, the man traveling from his workplace to back home – whose children will see him no more…they all went, and countless, nameless more for you and me, but flesh, blood, joy and laughter, today only a memory for someone.

I can’t seem to control the tremble even today – every time over the last year as nightmares of those horrid three days have wrecked my sleep I have been shook – with anger, with pain, with fear. No, I did not lose anyone near and dear, but others did. Is human life so inconsequent that if it’s mine, it hurts and if it’s not mine, it doesn’t? I should pray not!

Unfortunately it hurt more when I sent messages to 300 people for a minutes time of thought for those who had passed away and those they left behind – and I got a response from 8 people! Sam, Max, Neil, Tariq bhai, Usma, Manish, Anil and Shalini – thank you for responding. One response was “thanks for reminding”. Another was (when I sent out a message asking people to join me at India Gate at 9, “Nahi yaar, I’m too lazy for causes”! Forgive me for not naming these people – obvious reasons. I’m still wondering how observing silence at a war memorial for the Unni’s, the Karkare’s- , the Salaskar’s and all who died is a cause….

Anyhow, was heartened by seeing people – young and old – holding candles, holding hands - just simply there at India Gate. No, I don’t understand slogans and shouting and so on. No, I don’t understand a pretty young thing on a news channel asking inane questions to war-orphans and war-widows –‘how are you feeling’, ‘how are you supporting yourself today?’, ‘what do you tell the children about their father’. No, I don’t understand Advani accusing the government of not paying compensation on the anniversary of the very day – why was he sleeping the entire year?

What I do understand is this: People – no matter what caste, creed, religion, gender or age – coming together in peace and demanding a peaceful world. What I do understand is you and I accepting another for who he is and not what he/she covers their head with. What I do understand is you and I saying no to religion-incited violence.

Else, we shall continue to bleed.