Mumbai has not forgotten. Not its heroes, not the martyrs, not the
wounds and the scars nor those that perpetuated it.

Lumbering bureaucracy might hold justice by its reins and slow down the legal process but in every Mumbaikar’s heart there beats that sense of solidarity that whatever hit them that day in November intensified their resilience, made them come together and create a bastion against any such assault in
the future.

On this day, last year, Mumbai was under attack. A handful of terrorists had slipped in, fanned out and had the city under siege.

Mumbai reeled as they unleashed carnage in India’s financial capital.

By the time Indian security forces ended the siege, more the 160 people, including 26 foreign nationals,
had died.

The famed Mumbai spirit had taken a hard knock.

It’s a day Mumbaiites will not forget. Not now. Not ever.

Today, as India marks the first anniversary of the attacks, Mumbaiites in the UAE pay their tribute to the fallen heroes. They still rage at what happened, but they also wonder when justice will be served. There is a certain sense of frustration among them.

“It’s been disappointing to realise that in a year, there’s been very little progress in bringing the masterminds responsible for this tragedy to justice,” says Riyaz Neem. “When the twin towers were attacked, America almost immediately invaded and destroyed not one (Afghanistan) but two (Iraq) countries. What do we Indians do? Send dossiers? It’s an unfortunate case of the pen not being mightier than the sword! I hope we’ve made much better progress when we observe the next anniversary.”

Sangeeta Menon was in Abu Dhabi when the massacre took place. But three days later, as Mumbai was limping back to normal, she landed in her beloved city where she has now
settled down.

“I travelled to Mumbai three days after the attacks last year. As I drove past Chatrapati Sivaji Terminus station (which reported the most number of victims), Cafe Leopold (which was attacked just before the Taj), Badhwar Park (where the terrorists got off their boats), Metro Cinema and Chowpatty  (where the lone surviving terrorist was captured), I sensed an eerie, deathly atmosphere all around. I didn’t even gather enough courage to see the Taj and the Trident,” she says.

“A year on, I’m back in my city for good. And it feels just like the home it has always been, full of life, working hard, partying harder, caught up with the business of living.”

But there are painful reminders of last year’s outrageous attacks — heightened security at public places, which makes one wonder if it’s too little being done a bit too late; endless media reports and debates; a mention in the most casual of conversations.

And then there’s seething rage. And questions. And more questions.

“Look at the barricades outside Arthur Road Jail (where Ajmal Kasab is under arrest) —  why does a terrorist who killed so many in cold blood require so much security? When will the trial end? When will the people of Mumbai get justice?

“There’s one image that continues to haunt me: that of Kasab, with his killer gun in hand and a crazed glint in his eyes — a chilling picture of where misled passion can lead our youth,”
says Sangeeta.

A year after the attacks, there’s still a lot to be done to make Mumbai a safer place for its people. We can only hope that all that needs to be done is done before it’s too late.

“We, as Indians, have to be more proactive in raising an alarm. If we are alert we can have people who want to disturb the peace and harmony in our country for breakfast and spit them out for lunch,” says Brian D’Souza.

“I feel annoyed and unhappy about what happened last year on this day. But one thing is for sure, it has brought unity among Indians. At the same time it has awakened us to the bureaucratic failures and the games politicians play. We have paid a price for their inefficiencies. It is a lesson to be learnt for all Indians. My thoughts on the day go to those who have lost their lives,” said Sudhakar Shetty.

“ I have been a witness to the Mumbai riots and the bomb blasts. Although I was in Dubai when last year’s incident took place, I made it a point to visit these sites a month later. And, as a proud Indian and a proud Mumbaikar, I was happy to see the city back on its feet. It sent a message to the perpetrators that come what may they cannot disturb the peace and harmony of a united India,” says Randall Rosario

patrick@khaleejtimes.com