Let's Stay Connected..

Coming back to my original objective of writing this blog, I recently turned 30 (on Nov 26), and though now, I wouldn’t like remembering my birthday too much, I just want to share a few things that I felt that evening. It was a weekday and though I had no plans of going out and celebrating the special day, my friends came home the night before to bring in my birthday, the night went by and the next day at office things were normal. On 26, I reached home and watched a repeat of Ugly Betty, just when I finished watching the show, I got to know that I had to tune into a news channel. I just sat down numb… that evening, I could have easily been in one of these restaurants dining just like all those people (exactly a year ago on Nov 26, I was at Tiffin at Oberoi) I love Japanese food and I had full plans of going to Wasabi…what better time than my birthday! But as I came home late that evening, decided against it. I stayed home and didn’t budge from front of the TV. Next day we all know offices, schools, colleges were shut…but the encounters continued, causing heavy damages to the property. It was heartbreaking: the news about the ATS chief, Taj GM’s family, NSG commando…which flashed on screen. Hearing that, I broke down and kept imagining what the families must be going through.

The next day people seemed to be getting ready to go to work while the attacks at Trident, Taj and Nariman continued. I tried hard to keep my mind at work but was very restless and kept checking the news on TV (I work at an office where television sets are installed at a few places on the main floor). As the day continued, we were asked to leave office by noon but as I stood up and looked across the floor, I noticed something. Some people in my office seemed to be totally engrossed in their work, they seemed to be unaffected by what was happening and it didn’t look like it made a huge difference if it became a national security issue. I guess I should give them the benefit of doubt and point out that maybe they were affected but chose to drown themselves in something that would keep their mind off things…but honestly am yet to fully and truly accept this notion. Just for me to understand this better..let me know if the above thing about drowning yourself in work/life sounds correct to keep things off your mind? or do some people, because of their very strong character and less sensitivity do not get affected by a situation like this (they reckon this is a sad and an unfortunate event which is happeing in some part of a city but as long as their family/friends are not involved, it's not too much of a worry?) Driving back with two of my colleagues via the Tulsi P road, we saw roads were pretty empty...but vegetable vendors in quite a number sold vegetables and that little stretch of the road seemed busy. As I reached bandra, the area looked like it was oblivious to the whole situation..people stopped at small eateries on the road and snacked..some were out shopping..some returning early from work like me..running to cross the road and get into their buses/autos/taxis...some at coffee shops and cafes, while some others were out doing some grocery shopping. I know that’s how life continues but it felt odd…it really did, as just an hour’s drive from where I was, people were fighting for their lives, there were explosions, a raging gun-battle leading to casualties and a whole lot of media personnel covering live footage!

I don’t know if I can call myself a ‘Mumbaikar’, but I’m sure there are a few people who would agree with me when I say that I am scared to be caught up in this busy city life that will make me forget things. We seem to have a short memory and soon - when the news stops covering this on TV and there are no more columns discussing this in your daily newspaper, will we think about all that still remains to be done?! I am worried that there will be a lull again in our system and our government will not feel pressured to take this up seriously. Just like I heard one of the renowned TV hosts address this issue yesterday, I feel anxious to know how all this will unfold. The aftermath is really important and though my life and yours will continue the way it is supposed to, as long as we can remember those people who lost their precious ones in this occurrence, we’ll stay connected…connected to the bigger purpose in life!
I am not sure how I can ever express what I feel in my heart for all those people who have been devastated by this, but I do want to say that I can really imagine how you all are feeling. You are in my prayers!