New way to understand English alphabets!

Its been over 10 days now since it all started....while going through a learning book on alphabets the other day I realised how it has changed over the years. Today after the terror strike, I found another version courtesy Mid Day. And thanks to the 'brilliant' media coverage kids have already picked up most of it....

A to Z of the gruesome attacks
A: AK-47s. Pumped bullets into the heart of Mumbai
B: Bulletproof? A disgusted city has lampooned them as bullet ghoos jackets
C: Commandos. The new heroes
D: Death. It was everywhere that Wednesday, November 26 night
E: Elite. Cynics have scoffed at the affluent. But does it mean that people who wear Versace do not feel pain?
F: F*^% off. Politicians have been told to go and do something biologically impossible with the ballot box
G: Go. The word finally caught up with Maharashtra CM
H: Hypocrisy. Banners all over the city by political parties paying homage to heroes are a classic example
I: Intelligence. Was this the failure that led to attacks?
J: Jews. The Chabad house victims were pawns on the Israel vs Palestine chessboard
K: Karkare. ATS chief lives on in spirit
L: Leopold. The café at Colaba, more known for its beer than bullets
M: Martyrs. A word that Mumbai read most often in the past week
N: Neighbour. Abuse rains on Pakistan thicker than a snowstorm
O: Oberoi. PRS 'Biki' Oberoi promises every bullet mark will be wiped off and the hotel will open again. Mumbai is waiting Mr Oberoi
P: Politicians. Reviled, ridiculed and ranted at, the thick-skinned leaders are waiting for the storm to pass. But will it?
Q: Quiet. Even the noisy, teeming streets seem eerily silent as tragedy casts its pall over a vibrant city
R: Raj Thackeray. Where is Mumbai's saviour?
S: Vijay Salaskar. The encounter specialist would have no doubt, made every bullet count if he had a choice
T: Terrorists. The international cancer from a country described as an international migraine?
U: Unwilling. Did the government not know or was it unwilling to act? Meaningless for a person who has lost his family
V: Venom. The poison in the terrorist's system. Now, nine of them are hiss-tory
W: War. Is that an option?
X: X'mas, the season of joy, will be an incredibly sad one for the city
Y: Yet. Cynics believe it will be only talk yet again, no action in the wake of terror
Z: Z class security. Throw it out for politicians

(rather un)usual Wednesday

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...