Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Sounds of Thunder : Mumbai Blasts 11/7: Eyewitness Account

I've not seen anything "burst" in front of my eyes except for "laxmi bombs" during Diwali . I have'nt heard anything louder than the pre-monsoon thunders. But I was unfortunate to witness both 0f these from a distance of hardly 50 Metres.

I and my colleague could not board the 6.15 pm Borivli fast from Bandra station, as ,due to the delay in the arrival of the train, the crowd had exceeded the capacity of the compartment. We could have chosen to hang by the footboard like we do on several other days, but I can only say that it was "divine intervention" which forbade usfrom doing that this time.

Seconds after the train left Bandra Platform No.4, we heard a deafening noise from the same direction, accompanied by smoke. This was followed by utter chaos with all the passengers running helter-skelter. Bandra is one of the "commercial areas" of mumbai and houses a lot of corporates, software companies , banks and call centers and this being the peak hour for homebound office goers, the timing of this heinous act could not be any more perfect. Many passengers started scrambling towards the train, which now stood halted at a distance, and started to save the injured passengers. Soon people from buildings adjoining the tracks joined in the efforts. It took a good 20 minutes till a strectcher was taken to the spot but all the while it was the fellow citizens who came with open arms for helping the injured. While all the Western railway services were halted, we had no options but to hit the roads. With all the buses overcrowded beyond question, many a rickshawallas/private vehicle owners were reaching out to stranded passengers to drop them at convenient locations. I reached home safely only because of one such kind Mumbaikar.

Mumbai is one of the safest cities for Ladies, ironically, living inMumbai has always meant living on the edge. But I'm sure that like always, resilient spirit of the Mumbai would sail us through troubles times, especially, acts of terrorism. This apart, the investigators should leave no stones unturned in nailing the culprits, thier aides and the abettors to this crime .

MUMBAI MERI JAAN!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The spirit of mumbai is still alive.. As i was crawling back home.. scores of mumbaikars were on the road sides offering water/biscuits to passers-by..

Viggo..

Anonymous said...

Sad to hear abt it and good to hear u r safe!

Negative Creep said...

I'm fine. I travel by Central line, so no issues there. Glad you didn't get hurt.

Parag said...

Someone sent me an article which said that Readers Digest had called Mumbai the rudest city in the world.. I wonder how they would react to the people helping each other in such calamities.. But then.. Who is Readers Digest to judge the best city in the world..
Glad to know that you are safe.. Though I just barely know you through your blogs.. Its scary to think of even losing someone you know so remotely to such a cowardly act..
As I said in my blog.. We should have strict measures like Singapore.. Just have a death penalty for people found with arms and explosives without a licence..