I woke up this morning, as I have done way too many times before, to read news of yet another terrorist attack in India. It is a really sad world when news such as that no longer surprises you. But this act of terrorism really hit home for me, the places it struck were ones that held such dear memories for me.
I remember what an enigma the Taj Mahal Hotel was when I was growing up. We were in awe of it everytime we passed by. As children ofcourse we were in no position to hang out at the Taj, but we still visited and ate at the restaurant — even if a milkshake was all we could afford. Watching the Taj burn today just brought me to tears. It was a scary realization that absolutely everything you hold dear can be so easily destructed.
A very dear friend of mine worked at the Oberoi hotel and it is a pure miracle that just last week (no joke) was when he left his job there. I don’t even want to think about what fate things would have taken if he still worked there.
Everytime we went to Cafe Leopold it was flooded by locals and tourists. It is one of those warm worldy places where you met the most fascinating people from all walks of life.
All the places struck today including — the hotels, the airport I always travel through and the train station that has started and ended so many wonderful journeys — are as fresh in my mind as yesterday was. All those people who tragically lost their lives were ones I probably encountered passing by.
The most striking thing about today was that they were targeting not just any other citizens of the city, but they gunned for the tourists and foreign nationals. For what reason? To get more people to notice? To make what statement? I will forever fail to understand terrorism and how an act like this will ever get you what you want. If you looked at the pictures of these terrorists, they look like any regular school/college going kids. It really takes a hit at your sense of safety, doesn’t it? Is there any place that we are safe?
If there is one city in the whole world that I hold most near and dear, it is Mumbai. If the whole world were to disappear and I could pick only one place to exist, it would be Bombay. People might call it polluted, corrupt and even dangerous but it is one amazing city and if I know Bombay, I know that it will get through this as it has through so many other senseless tragedies. It is on its knees right now but it will rise up stronger.
Thanksgiving has a whole new meaning for me today. It is hard to find joy in small stuff when you feel like the world is collapsing but I am truly thankful. I am thankful for the safety and well being of all my friends and family and I am most thankful for all the wonderful memories the beautiful city of Mumbai has given me and will always do so.
"Just When The Caterpillar Thought The World Was Over, It Became A Butterfly" – Anonymous Proverb
This shocking news and looking at the pictures and videos made me cry and has really disturbed something inside. I can fully understand what you are mentioning…although I never lived in Mumbai but then what is happening there today is really really shocking. I called over friends and thank God they all are safe. But so many who could have been my friends in future are no more. Very true, looking at the pictures of terrorists they look so normal, one from the crowd. They waste their beautiful life like this…just because they are not fearful of death does not mean they can kill anyone. But that is what exactly they have been taught since childhood and they do it as adults. There does not seem to be any end to this. I pray for peace in such moments. I don't know how much can it help. Praying for peace from a position of peace is easy.
Prachi: Even though I have never been to India, there are 2 places in the world I am forcefully being drawn to. One is Mother Teresa's Calcutta and the other is the darkest places in Africa. THANK-YOU, a thoughful, generous, beautiful and inspiring post!!! As so many others believe, I believe everyone in the universe is separated by no more than 6 other people. I know that you know that you are not alone and that the thoughts and prayers for the victims, the evil doers and you are being sent from around the world. I hope your faith and our prayers bring comfort to all impacted by this darkest of tragedies, help sustain everyone and deliver us all back into the light very soon. PEACE, FAITH and BLESSINGS!!!
Prachi, Mumbaikars are very strong and resilient.
Dearest Prachi,
You as I have been drawn in energetically to the energies offered up here in this little piece of all that is. Therefore we have much to offer. Those seeming others caught up in this drama are also eternal souls connected to all that is. As they have drawn in our energies we also draw in theirs in the seeming separation game. Offer only love. Love for all involved.These little dances however macabre are but a flicker in the eternalness of all that is within the greater beingness. What will come of it is your greater expansion, my greater expansion and their greater expansion as all choose again and again new identities, experiences, greater unity and diversity and love in all that is.
Peace.
Knowing what I do (I'm 53 years old) would not mind betting that the U.S.A. and the U.K. are behind this.
This saddens me deeply.
My prayers are with the beautiful people of India, the birthplace of Spirituality.
Love you all
David x x x
I so sad watching all this News… but we must stay still, all together to get up and continue living for those that where brutally killed. Is sad, but we all know that this is just the beginning on destabilizing the Far East.
We all together are against all kinds of violence and that
Prachi, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Although, as you say, it was yet another terrorist attack, I hope our world does not lose its sense of outrage at these cowardly acts wherever on our planet they are carried out.
We had our own miracle of survival: my brother-in-law worked in a restaurant at the World Trade Center and, unusual for him, was late for work on 9/11/01.
I pray that we as a people can find the courage to accept our differences, religious, political and intellectual, and work together as one planet.
What miracles, beauty, opportunities, qualitiy of life, could we create in this world if we all cared about each other?
Prachi – I am thankful for the safety and well being of your family and friends. I am also thankful for your compassionate and loving spirit. Thank you for encouraging me to be thankful on this day. Love, Greg
Prachi, I don't understand terrorists or terrorism, either. The beautiful aspect of your message is that the terrorists have been unable to break your spirit. They have not won — you have.
Namaste,
Pam
P.S. I love your name.
hi Prachi
I understand what 's your feeling, my friend and her husband are killed in this attack. She was a business woman in r
Dear Prachi,
I had to wait for the immediate danger to pass before I could begin to comment on the tragedy that was happening before us.
The fact that Mumbai immediately opened up its shops, resumed its public transport and the people are out and about again shows the world how resilient Indians are and is a great testament to the spirit of the country.
My only fear is that the relationship between India and Pakistan has become more strained and instead of working towards peace, there will be more transgressions commited against one another.
Dear Prachi,
I don't understand terrorism either. I am thankful that your family is safe, and I feel for you in the loss of meaningful landmarks that held good memories. But you do have those memories and can hold on to them. Those affected by these attacks are in my thoughts.