Usual day at office...work was wrapped up by about 1930 hrs. Went to the conference room to catch up on the India- England series. India was on course to make the scoreline 5-0. Checked to see that my colleagues and friends JP, Praveen & Guru were also wrapping up. An hour passed by, India was that much closer to victory. Guru was set to leave while JP & Praveen had some time to go. I planned to go with Guru by train and packed up to realise that my house keys were missing. Went around searching in vain. just then we all decided to leave together by car. Called my other friend Harish to say that I would stay at his place overnight. In about 10 mins India won the match.
It was around 2130 hrs when JP got a call informing him about some firing & bomb blasts in Mumbai. Thinking 'Not again!!!' I went back to grab the news on TV. Zapping through the channels everything seemed normal, 'Breaking News' across channels spoke about India's victory. Just when we thought everything was normal, one of the TV channels reported about some firing at the Leopold cafe and CST railways station (hardly 5 minutes drive from our office). Soon another channel started beaming some pictures and discussing what would be the cause. Curious and a bit perturbed we sat down watching, soon news of indiscriminate firing came from the Taj Mahal hotel and the Oberoi. Realising its seriousness we all made calls to our to our near n dear ones and settled down watching the story unfold. We had also checked if all our fellow colleagues were well.
Whats cooking for dinner?
Me & Guru went into the office pantry in search of food. Finding most of the supplies locked we had to be content...rather lucky to have couple of chappatis, milk, some bananas and cola for dinner. While dinner was on we watched the story unfold and get more serious. By 11, we discussed places we will occupy for the nap and proceeded. Thinking it will all be normal by the time one woke up I went to 'bed' too.
Day-break
It was about 0630 on Thursday, 27th November when I woke up to hear from Praveen about the update. Some high ranking police officials killed, blasts & gun fighting had spread etc etc. Worried and upset, I went back to the conference room. Soon Guru joined. We realised the seriousness and the enormity of the events unfolding. Deciding to stay put we watched the proceedings. By 0830 our pantry was opened. All of us had idli-sambhar for breakfast...with rather heavy heart. In an hours' time we finally left. All through the drive we were discussing about the so called 'objectives' of the attack, the spirit of Mumbai etc.
Indian Media
Indian media which is ever on the look out for news and how to sensationalise it got its dose. Some called it 'War on India', some had countdowns, 'exclusive footage' and what not. Even the business news channels didn't want to be left behind. With the stock market shut they had nothing much to talk about and also joined the band wagon. It was like a running commentary of the events unfolding. It all looked like a Hollywood flick for me. Somebody who has no inkling of the events need to just have one glance and he would be dumbfounded!
Quick Response Team
Do we have one? As events unfolded first local police, then ATS, then RAF, army, commandos and finally NSG was called in. Was surprised to see that even landmark hotels didn't have basic facilities like ambulances. All this resulted in bigger losses of life. On the political front the blame game started. On the government, intelligence, preparedness, equipments etc etc. I think even the smallest of nations would have some version of a Quick Response Team. We have the budgets, am sure...but we just don't have the will.
Hope we learn from our mistakes soon. It indeed was an unusual Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday. Hope and pray this ordeal comes to an end shortly...
