Mumbai Terror Revisited

Given the sequence of numbers: 1993, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, and 2011. What would be the next number? The answer would be ANY TIME. These are the years of the terrorist attack on the heart of  India’s Commercial Capital, Mumbai.

I was very young, when the first serial bomb blasts took place and My Uncle was furlong away from the Zaveri Bazaar blast. The panic at home was evident till the safety call from my uncle was received and we breathed a sigh of relief when my Uncle reached home from Mumbai. I was too little to understand the implications and the fear there of. 15 years later, living in such a moment is one of the most nightmares of my life. The implications are understood and the fear I lived in will last forever. 26/11 – Mention the date and I can visualize those terrifying moments.  With rumors around saying the terrorists are roaming in the streets of Mumbai and traveling in those streets to reach office to fix an issue would be the most bravest thing that I have ever done till date

Call it Luck by Chance, an invitation to visit VT for shopping on the uneventful fatal day from my Uncle was rejected.  Thinking of the acceptance of the invitation and the possible outcome would be a mere speculation and only God Knows what would have happened. Finally, Visit to the Mangal Das market, Crawford market happened after nearly 4 years when I went there recently, a week before Diwali. Walking through those streets where the gun fight took place made me ponder over the events that took place on that fateful day. Those were the moments of reckoning and the scars can never be erased.

Those 4 days of fight converted the chaotic Mumbai in to war zone with gun shots heard over the Taj Hotel and the Media personnel making a beeline to cover the live event.  Visualizing those fire at the Hotel, made me to conclude that The Taj Hotel would succumb and the magnificent heritage structure would be a history like the twin tower. Indeed, it is a History that it stood the test of times and kudos to the architect who built such a marvelous structure that depicts the pride of Mumbai.

Mumbai – The city that never sleeps, the resilient city, the chaotic city, stood bravely despite the threats. The event ended on 29/11 and the life was back to normal within a couple of weeks. But the mood across the country was filled with anger and hatred for at least couple of months. Few days later after the event ended, on my normal route to office, I passed by Hemant Karkare’s home and I was very sad to see the body.  Kudos to the security personnel viz. Tukaram Omble who caught Kasab with his weapon lathi.  Salute to every one who helped during the hour of crisis and who fought the battle. Over 160 people dead and  hundreds of injured will remain as a stats in the history of the terror attack.

Four years later, the lone surviving terrorist is hanged on 21/11/2012.  And, it is called the second fastest trial!. Neither can we claim victory nor can we celebrate death. The terrorists have already vowed  revenge and the implications will be felt in the long term. It may give a sense of satisfaction momentarily for hanging but the victory of good over evil is far away. It is time to reflect upon the self to make the system better in every possible form. But, only time will tell us!

Memories never fade whether good or bad.  Joyous memories last forever and so do the bitter ones. This is one of those memories that will last forever and will be retold again and again.

Shaken, not Stirred

Google the phrase ‘Shaken, not Stirred’  and you will get over 49 million results. And, at the right hand side, two small windows appear that mentions the use of the phrase from Wikipedia and the character ‘James Bond’.

It was 10:15pm, when the phone started ringing. I picked up the call thinking it would be from home. However, it was from Vishaal a dear friend of mine asking me if I would join for the movie Skyfall at 11pm. Not even giving a second thought, I agreed as I was eagerly waiting for the movie since December. How can one miss the evergreen Bond Movie?

Not willing to miss even a single second and waiting for intense packed action, the movie starts with the classic Bond music and a chase that involved fork lifter, Aston Martin cars and a running train. Indeed the chase was mystique, breath taking when the fork lifter starts moving on the train and then, running over the Aston Martin cars that are over the train and finally trying to hold the train coupled with its fork. Having seen bikes, cars on the train, this is something different. Typical to the Bond style, the movie had a great start.

Shaken, not stirred – I am impressed with this dialogue of Bond and was looking forward to the dialogue.To my delight it was implicit for the audience to understand, when the Martini is served Shaken, not Stirred with Bond acknowledging as ‘Perfect’!  It appears that, this Bond movie was not in line with the old Bond movies. And, you should not go to the movie in anticipation with the old movies. M – Who has great faith in Bond recruits Bond again despite Bond failing all the tests. Incidentally Bond was assumed to be dead. And, M played by Judi Dench gets killed at the end and an emotional bonding is portrayed. This marks the end of the role for Judi Dench who has played in the last six bond movies. Bond has been portrayed as aging and having fewer calibers than before. Sometimes it does not seem to be the typical Bond movie, like having a pen which can shoot or bomb, The Aston Martin Car, which had different features, is not shown like the past movies. Also, The Bond’s display of being a womanizer is never felt at all. I wish there was more of a Bond music in the movie.

Villain – Javier Bardem, known as Raul Silva in the Movie has  performed extremely well. The film also marks the return of two characters Q, played by Ben Whishaw, and Miss Moneypenny, played by Naomie Harris.

In the end, while an inquiry is happening against M, an attack happens and M is rescued by Bond and driven away in a Jaguar. M asks where he is taking her. Bond responds – ‘Back in Time’ 

Rating : 4.5/5 

Tanay

Tanay – a Sanskrit word meaning ‘Son’. Infact, it has come from the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu religious book.

That his temperament was unlike other kids of his age was something that I was aware of, but what I wasn't aware of was the fondness my son Tanay had harbored for a little treasure viz Nidhi.  

Hilarious as it may sound, Tanay had developed a sudden obsession towards a little girl Nidhi in school at the age of three. Although she was there in his play-school from day one, it was strange why he had suddenly become so fond of this little girl.

I first became aware of this when Tanay, who never liked to speak about school, suddenly got talking about Nidhi at home. I was elated to see this change in him and was very happy that he started liking school and discussing the same. But no, I was wrong! It was only about Nidhi that he wanted to discuss. Whatever it was, I was all ears to his talk as for the first time my naughty little boy was talking something with full interest. He was so expressive that I went on to record his talk in my camera. Thanks to the technology and the modern-day gadgets!! Moms can do a lot more with our kids these days

Few days later, there was ‘Children’s day’ program in his play-school to which parents were invited. Incidentally, we were the first ones to arrive and his teacher at once got talking about Tanay and Nidhi. She went on to say that even her husband doesn’t take care of her as much as Tanay takes care of Nidhi. I didn't know how to react, although I was a little embarrassed. 

Having experienced this, we decided to invite Nidhi to Tanay’s third birthday party at home. All was going well, but Nidhi did not turn up. We waited for quite some time and then went ahead with the cake-cutting. Tanay was quite disappointed on not seeing Nidhi. But then an hour later, Nidhi, her brother and her mom arrived! Tanay’s joy knew no bounds on seeing her. She was rather cranky and sleepy that evening, but Tanay wouldn’t give up. He was bent upon making Nidhi comfortable and attending to her needs now that she was in his house. He sat very next to her on the sofa, although she was lying on her mom’s lap. He gave

her a chocolate and offered some cake. But Nidhi was in no mood to eat, play or even look at him! Then, when she was leaving, he ran and got a balloon for her to take home. Poor Tanay! I felt bad for my little boy!

Soon after, there was Sports Day at school, in which he went everywhere where Nidhi went. She went running to her mom, he too followed. 

 
As if all this wasn't enough, one fine day, his teacher called me to say a lot more. Now there was another kid in class by name 'Sumukh', who too was equally fond of none other than Nidhi. He too wanted to sit beside her and be with her. What more, Tanay couldn’t stand it and would pounce on Sumukh, hit or scratch him because he felt Nidhi was his possession and no one had any rights on her. Same was the case with Sumukh too. Now these two boys could not stand the other next to Nidhi and were fighting like cats and dogs for this girl. Doesn't this sound filmy ?!! 

Not only that, Tanay would go on to attack anyone who went close to Nidhi. He would make sure that he did the honors of taking Nidhi’s shoes from the shoe-rack after school and almost make her wear it! What do I say...I couldn’t believe my ears!!!

All this, while this little girl Nidhi was least bothered about the love being showered on her by the boys of the class – Tanay & Sumukh!! Hilarious!!! 

Today, three years later, as I think about it, I still find it difficult to understand this emotion of my kid at the age of three. And his obsession and protective nature towards Nidhi is still mysterious.  And, what wiring does that little brain have..! I wish to get the answers some day...
Meanwhile, here’s a picture of Tanay & Nidhi taken during Tanay’s 3rd birthday.

Change

Let us imagine the contexts in which the word change is used

• Change your dress
• Change your thinking,
• Give me the Change
• Change your Strategy etc etc.

But, the ‘Change’ I am referring to is very broad and has larger impact on the masses that we work with.

Change is part and parcel of life, from using Neem to clean teeth to using a brush and toothpaste, from having lunch and dinner sitting on the floor to using the Dining table, from paying the utility bill, banking transactions across the counter to using the internet to achieve the same.  There are so many changes that are noticeable in the daily life.

India has seen this change from being ruled by The Monarchs, to be overtaken by the British and chasing the British away through the concept of Truth, Non-Violence and Satyagraha, and, finally establishing the Democratic rule. Each of the change had its cause and implications. While the disadvantage of the monarchs was the internal fight between the Kings, British used this to their advantage and united the country based on the divisive strategy.  The first step to change the British rule was in the year 1857 by Mangal Pandey, which sowed the seed to get the independence, this change caused immense resistance among the British to the actions. Likewise, Gandhiji faced the discrimination in South Africa for Indians and South Africans. Further, when he was thrown out of the first class compartment despite holding the valid ticket, seeds were sown for the freedom of the country, not just India but also for South Africa, though South Africa got independence from racism and apartheid in the early 90’s viz April, 27, 1994.

Though, India got its freedom, the transformation had a bitter impact by dividing the country in to India and Pakistan. And, the worst nightmare was the killing of innocent people while travelling from India to Pakistan and Pakistan to India in the trains. The process of freedom was one aspect, post-freedom the process was very much different in terms of formation of states etc.

Change is inevitable, but the process of change is quite arduous, painful and long. We are in the process of another political change, where India against Corruption is fighting for a cause and the immense resistance is very much evident with the way the political class is behaving. The reality shows were also beaten by the viewership due to the arrest of Anna Hazare.  The victory to the process is still unknown but the seeds of change have been sowed.

Sometimes, change is totally unacceptable. Take the example of Kaun Banega Crorepati, it was in the midst of a personal financial crisis that Mr. Amitabh Bachchan took over the show, never ever he had dreamt that the show would be successful. In fact, in a recent interview he mentioned that people told him he would be demeaning his status by representing the show. Rest is history as is known. But, when the organizers of the show decided to change the host, it didn’t work. And, Big B had to be back! People cannot imagine KBC without Big B!

The conventional mind has standard way of thinking, while the creative mind has its own way. John Gurdon, the British scientist who got the Nobel Prize, was told by the teachers that he was too stupid to study the subjects. Such thoughts may pull you down but your belief should remain intact.

Change is noticeable in day to day life as well. For example, in my own experience, we were not using an Open Source to do a certain task; however, we had our own way to do it. This gives us an opportunity to challenge the standard way of doing things. However, the conventional mind is not a position to understand the change and the thought process that is undergone to make this happen goes unnoticed when you speak to different people.

When a baby is born, every one embraces the baby with open arms. The joy, warmth and the feeling that the family undergoes is intangible. The change that the baby brings is welcomed with fun and fervor.

Change is a process that every one goes through whether one likes it or not. If it is liked like the baby then it’s embraced, if it’s not liked then also they have to accept the fact of change. There are changes which are resisted but they do leave some foot prints or scars of not adapting the change. Embrace change with open arms, since change is inevitable, resisting the change delays the process and may cause pain eventually. And, perhaps things become monotonous if there is no change!