Bleeding Mumbai..........

26Nov2008, was just another day in the lives of mumbaikars that was coming to an end, people were enjoying meals at the famous Leopold cafe, when youngmens in their early 20s dressed in versace and spoke fluent english entered the cafe and with them terror walked into the lives of mumbaikars on the quite evening. What followed the next 3days was not less then a nightmare not only in the lives of those living in mumbai but for those visiting mumbai. The youths looked like any other college going student carrying bagpacks, only the books were replaced by AK -47, hand grenades and bullets. It is a day which will remain in our hearts forever.

I am sitting miles away from my country. I don't have a television or a newspaper subscription at my house. I barely get time to sit on the internet. I am busy with my daily household chores. The phone rings, my husband informs me about the attack on mumbai. I immediately call my brother in mumbai and relieved to know that he is safe.

I live in Japan. Japan is one of the safest country in the world(not by statstic, but by my own experience). Today sitting here, I recall my first encounter with fear. Back home in Delhi, India- Yes, India is my country. It was 11July2006,6p.m, I was coming back from work when i recieved a call from a friend that there were a series of blast in mumbai. Recently my parents had gone to visit my brother in mumbai- my mind went blank and i could not think for a few seconds. My brother works at Nariman Point and takes the same route to travel back home everyday. The moment i got back to my senses, I tried calling him and but the phone would not connect. I tried and tried and re-tried but the efforts were not answered. I tried calling my parents but the phone line was constantly busy. And inside my heart the feeling was much much worse then fear. I could not concentrate, All through this I was constantly praying and calling my friends and asking them to try calling my brother and give me the news which i wanted to desperately hear "He is safe".

I switched on the T.V for the updates, I was hoping that my brother would have missed the train or was still at work. Around 10p.m, I finally was able to get in touch with a friend in Pune who later informed my brother had safely reached home and was with my parents.

Referred as "Mahanagri", Mumbai- the financial capital of India and also the biggest city of India. Having spent few years in mumbai, I can say mumbai is all about money. From panwalas to top notch executives here everyone is busy making money. In bollywood flicks you would have often seen the hero going to mumbai in search of a fortune and making it big. Loads of money, rich and expensive lifestyle is a major attraction. Since entertainment media has a vast coverage thus making mumbai an easy target.

I realize the pains of all those whose loved ones were trapped inside the hotels and they could do nothing but to hope against hopes and pray for their safe return. I never knew those who died. I don't know those who are left behind and they don't know me but i am with them in their grief .I'm praying for them to give them the strenghth to face what was thrown at them just like that on an ordinary day. Yes, it was Wednesday, 26Nov2008 just an ordinary day- people were returning to their homes or were already at their homes. Some were relaxing, attending parties or marriages, some were having dinner with their families at the expensive hotels(The Taj and The Oberois) in mumbai. Some of the guest at the hotel were visiting and some were here on work from various parts of the world.

In Mumbai, known for its volume of foreign tourists, at Leopold cafe - 9:15p.m people were having dinner when few stylish young men entered the cafe and opened gunfire killing many innocent people and leaving many injured. The floor was covered with blood, shoes and belongings of those who lay lifeless or ran inorder to save themselves. The window panes were broken and the glass pieces mixed in blood were scattered on the floor .

Leopold cafe was the first target of the Islamic attacks. Next in line were the two economic landmark Hotels- The Taj and The Oberois. "The Taj", being worst hit was the hub of the terrorist attack. Pronounced as the worst attacks in the history of India, soon the news of the attack spread like fire and all channels were covering this one BIG news. People from all over the world flocked together to pray for those they knew and those whom they will never know. The attack lasted 60 hours with a loss of 200 lives and leaving 327 injured. Amidst all this we lost many of our brave and dedicated soldiers. To name a few were ATC chief Hemant Karkare, DIG Ashok Kamte, Inspector Vijal Salaskar. Also those who perished in the attacks were journalist Sabina Sehgal Saikia, (American) Rabbi and his wife and many more. Kudos to our commondos who saved many lives putting at stake their own life, In doing so one of the brave commondo who lost his life was 31year old Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. These were our heroes, but as i know mumbaikars whenever a tragedy has struck they have ran in full speed - to help.

On 30November, Leoplold Cafe re-opened. The Taj, The Oberois and Nariman House are still recupturating from the attacks. Though Mumbai will always bear the scar, but the spirit with which Mumbai has faced the attacks is remarkable. After few hours of the attack life in Mumbai returned to normalcy and soon will catch up pace. The message is loud and clear, for few hours the momentum of life can be brought to halt but it cannot be stopped.

Many of my japanese friends have expressed their desire to visit India. I wish to invite them but how can I ? And what should I say? I don't have the answer. I wish for a country that is terror free, where people can walk freely. While I conclude this article , I remember few lines from what Rabindranath Tagore said:

"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action,Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake".

This article is dedicated to the memory of our brave soldiers who lost their lives in Mumbai Attacks.

Quantum of Solace.....?????

The sea is still and deep, Things within its bosom sleep!

One step... and its over, A plunge, a bubble.....forever thee sleep!!

I live in one of the Asia's most developed country- Japan. It is a country that not only excels technically but the attention they pay to the smallest of details is remarkable. The people here are hardworking, ambitious and ready to face the challenge. Japan has always made news for its technical excellence but for the past few years Japan has been in news for the ever increasing number of suicides. When for the first time I read in the newspaper, I was shocked - an economically stable country, the laws are citizen oriented and such that a foriegner like me also feels safe. Then what is it that makes the people of this country to take such extreme step.

According to a report released by National Police Agency(NPA), In 2007, 33,000(approx.) people committed suicide.From teenagers to those above 60s everyone are ending their lives. From middle aged working class to womens, people of japan are choosing suicide as one of the solace from their everyday struggle. But what is it that makes them to kill themself?.

Farm Minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka, who was under the shadow over a political donations scandal, hanged himself in May this year at his residence, hours before he was to be grilled over a bribery probe. But what was shocking was eulogy from the Governor of Tokyo , calling the dead minister a real samurai. Japan is the only country in the world where Suicide is glorified and is not illegal. But if the suicide is in the family, they try to hide it. A day later, another official linked to the scandal, jumped to his death.

Japan's ancient Samurai culture and major religions Shintoism and Buddhism makes suicide acceptable (To be precise Budhism and Shintoism remain neutral on this subject). People from many parts of the world may find it difficult to digest that suicide as an act of honor. In medieval period, the samurai knights often took their lives through hara-kiri (which literally means stomach cutting), cutting open their stomachs to alleviate shame after being captured or loosing the battle. Japan's suicidal mindset came to attention during the World War II, when young mens(pilots) called kamikaze - deliberately flew bomb-laden planes into Allied ships to save their country from defeat.

The reason for committing suicide varies from person to person. Health problems was the most common presumed reason behind suicides, taking up nearly half or 15,400 deaths, followed by economic difficulties. Problem in the family 2,960 and work related accounted for 1,900 deaths.

The irony of the situation is that even teenagers are taking up to committing suicides. How can they? they have not even started with their struggle of life. What could possibly be the reason? - Bullying at school (cited as one of the major reasons ), Not being able to concentrate on studies, problems at home or sometimes failed love affair (Are these reason enough to end life?). From the year 1999- 2000, 41 cases of suicide among school students were reported, out of which 14 students were being bullied in school.
A recent incident came to light when a 14-year old girl committed suicide for unknown reasons. Another incident included three mens in their late teens, committed suicide in a car, the windows were sealed by black tape. The car was found on a deserted road. The way of committing suicide in both the cases was same, inhaling Hydrogen sulphide(H2S). It is said to be the easiest way because all the ingredients can be found easily in a local drug store. And the method for its preparation is available on many internet sites. Though easier but one of hazardous method. After the teenager committed suicide, her mother had to be hospitalised and neighbours had to evacauate their house. But still committing suicide by Hydrogen Sulphide remains popular. After this many incidents came to light where people have used the same method to end their lives.

Financial distress was cited as a reason in 20 percent of the found suicide notes; almost half of all suicides committed were by those unemployed. Many decide to end their lives so that their family members can collect the insurance money. As a precautionary mesure the insurance firms now suspend payments for 2-3yrs or more. Similarly Japan Railways charges suicide victim's kith & kins for the cost of the cleaning-up and the trouble caused(Isn't tragic?).

Another major incident that made news, was when three mens in their late 20s committed suicide in a hotel room so that their near bankruptcy company can collect their insurance money and keep working. The major reason among the working class is Death by overwork (karoshi) and fatigue-induced suicide (karo- jisatsu). "National Liaison Council of Lawyers on Death from Overwork," said: "The corporate world is hiding behind promises of improved consumer services while partaking in excessive competition, thus victimizing its employees."

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While the teens and middle aged have their own reasons for ending their lives. The people in their 60s take solace from their illnes by committing suicide. The major reason cited regarding suicide among the age group 50-60s is poverty. According to a survey conducted, males make up 75 percent of all suicides, representing 38 per 100,000 in comparison to females at 14.
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Japan tops in suicide rates among econimaically stronger countries. The culture of Japan also plays a vital role, the Japanese society is such that it seldomly lets people recover from the shame of failure or bankruptcy.
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The government of Japan aims at reducing the suicide rate by 20 percent before the year 2016. With this aim in the year 2007,the government took up various measures such as counselling services and 24-hr helplines.The problem is grave and change will happen at its own pace but the best prevention would be change in the outlook of people. If et all the people become more sympathetic and empathise with those facing some sort of crisis in their lives. A lot of lives will be saved.
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Whatever reason people may have, but suicide is a decision not made in a day but a result of long suffering, prolonged pain and constant depression. Committing suicide is not the solution, just look around to find many reason worth living (There is someone out there who loves you and your loss ... ). Though difficult it might seem but its never too late to re-begin..your will and a little Love from someone thats all you need.