Mumbai Meri Jaan

The first time I visited the Taj Mahal Hotel was ages ago and ever since have been in awe of this stonewalled wonder which has in the last few days stood not only strong but taller against whats been going on within it... The Oberois was always this seafacing hot spot where the bigwigs would hang out. Each time I entered the Victoria Terminus I stood in wonder at the pace and would always stop to check if my watch met its ever winding tower clock. I can’t believe I had stood just outside Leopolds a few weeks ago where what remains now, is just the wounds of a gunfire battle. These 4 places always throw me in this unparalled awe of their splendour, and the sea of humanity around them.

But the last few days have been something.... Something that has put this sense of gloom over the Mumbai sealine.... something that has gripped at the hearts of the true Mumbaiker... has killed the so called undying spirit of the Bambaiya....

Some of the nations most revered and brave servicemen laid their lives literally to save these places and the millions people held ransom in them and being senselessly fired at. I salute to them in reverence and respect and say 'May their souls rest in peace'... but I doubt they will.... for the unfinished business they have left behind....

These terrorists were guys about my brother's age, clad in jeans proudly holding weapons of destruction. They did not look like someone who could go pumping bullets... They should be one amongst those revelling with the undying spirit at one of these hubs where they had held hostages at ransom and became part this mad yet methodic urban terrorism.

What might have prodded them? What is it that they are told? What is it that they go through to create such havoc? Some questions which will always remained unanswered... though lyrics of a Black Eyed Peas song reply in my mind...

What's wrong with the world mama?
People living like aint got no mamas
I think the whole worlds addicted to the drama
Only attracted to the things that bring you trauma
Overseas yeah we tryin to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin...

...People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?

This will not change the actions of those who have committed such mayhem. Nor will it reduce the agony of this inhuman massacre. But speak I must...

If only a group of some inept politicians would for once think of the common man rather than for themselves... If only the system would act at the pace at which it ideally should. If only we could walk like a free nation and not dart eyes in every direction possible... for the "common" man could suddenly lurk out of nowhere and point a gun nozzel at you...
The day is not far when Mumbai turns the tables and becomes one with the terrorists, then, these so called "politicians" who serve themselves before they do the nation will have nowhere to hide... not even the wounded Taj or the wrecked Oberois!

I do not know who did this. Nor can I imagine any cause for whats recently happened. But this I know - the terror that has been wrought in Mumbai is vile and unjustifiable.

Reminds me of Naseerudin Shah's monologue at the climax of A Wednesday...since specially find myself in the similar situation... My family calls me a 100 times a day... not because they want to know how I am or not because they want to know if I've had lunch? They want to know If I am alive... They want to know if I am safe... They want to know if our house is the next "Nariman House"? They want to know if Mumbai is still safe.

Amitabh Bachchan sleeps with a gun under his pillow and it makes to the frontpage. Atleast he has a gun... What about the thousands who dont and are always in the line of fire? Big B has bodyguards to save him even from the common man... What about the thoudsands who dont even have a body to call their own?

Terror has set in. Everyones scared to walk into a mall, to step into the station, into the trains and crowded places. Mumbai is broken. It has no spirit left in it. Mumbai is of the common man. Let it lead a common life. Let it meet a common death. Don't reduce it's life to a statistic or just a scapegoat for some non-stop "LIVE" coverage.

Some called up to enquire if all was ok. Only if I could say that none of my kith and kin was hurt.
Because...
Lots are hurt...Lots are dead...Lots have braved the gun point...Lots gave up their lives...Mumbai's undying spirit died 183 deaths... Our Mumbai is wounded... And speak out I must...

Good Bye Dada

Having met Saurav Ganguly on one of the rare occassions during the IPL and interacting with him was a dream come true and love the guy for his undying spirit and underlying but very strong sense of pride and patriotism for the game he loves so much. Just came across this on www.ibnlive.com written by Sanjay Jha and couldnt find a better way to express what me and so many other fans of the very down to earth yet very dynamic hero of Indian cricket felt when he decided to call it a day! Putting it up here as a tribute to the true hero who came, saw and conqured hearts worldwide! Thanks Sanjay for writing what you did! Here is the post...

"Because when you announced your retirement, you said "Hopefully we will end up on a winning note". We did.

Because you were the only guy referred to as the royal Prince and the high-street bully "Dada" at the same time.

Because when you scored that classic debut century at Lord's, some thought you will be a one-knock wonder. At Trent Bridge, you stunned them all again with a double barrel.

Because when you played those heavenly cover drives, Rahul Dravid said, "There is only God and then Sourav Ganguly on the off-side". Maybe even the Almighty would have just moved to mid-on.

Because you took over as captain when match-fixing clouds hung over, but you made the right bets for the team.

Because with Sachin Tendulkar, you made ODI opening a treat for Indians, and a nightmare for the opposition. It was left right, left right, alright. Because when Andrew Flintoff ran naked chest on national display at Wankhede, you lost your shirt.

Because when the Oz threatened you with chin music, you played hip-hop with them at Brisbane hitting a majestic hundred.

Because you never quite understood the logic and rationale behind being dropped even after scoring 10,000 runs plus in ODIs and in good nick. You are not good at reading whodunits.



Because they burnt your effigies and hurled stones at your team in 2003, and then you led India to the finals of the World Cup in South Africa.

Because you discovered youngsters, groomed, encouraged and inspired Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Zaheer, Irfan and MSD to become our future heroes.

Because you suffered the humiliation from Greg Chappell and several critics with humility, dignity and grace.

Because you proved that the word "age" is not a four-letter word.

Because when axed, you concealed your hurt and disappointment, went and played local tournaments and sneaked back into the team. Then Johannesburg happened. Your fairy-tale return had happened.

Because you have redefined the word comeback. And grit. And determination. And fighting spirit. And leadership. And many unmentioned superlatives.

Because you never traded your self-respect, and when they dropped you for the Irani Cup, you said---Enough! Because you taught Indians to fight back, not turn around in defeat.

Because even 7,000 Test runs and 10,000 ODI runs is sometimes insufficient to measure your heroics for Indian cricket.

Because the 2001 series win against Australia marked a historic victory in one of the greatest series ever. You were India's captain.

Because if it exasperated Steve Waugh, you let him wait for the toss.

Because hopefully, we will still see you in black shining armour, Prince, for the KKR in IPL next year.

Because on the Lord's balcony, we discovered that you were not six-abs-pack.

Because at Nagpur this time, you had the last laugh, and India, the last hurrah. The final frontier is recaptured.

Because you did a Pepsi ad for your team, even as you stood silently alone in Kolkota.

Because you will not be ever seen in whites again. Scoring runs, bowling those deceptive medium pacers. And perhaps, even misfielding.

Because your fans will borrow from a new TV ad, and say "We miss you so much, it hurts". Because it is time to let you go home to your family, and friends.

Because now you can watch colleagues like Sachin and VVS and Ishant on the television like all of us.

Because tomorrow morning you will join Gavaskar, Vishwanath, Bedi and Srikanth as a "former" player. An ex.

Because you can now perhaps play football as well at Eden Gardens.

Because it's time to say good-bye.

Because you did us proud. Because you never gave up.

Because if you don't deserve the salutations from us all Indians, who does?"