The second day of the horror.

Terrorists rained bullets and grenades inside the city, its symbols and killed, and maimed. It is a military like operation – a small elite task force, fighting an urban battle. Except that, unlike the military it targeted civilians.

I went to work today. so did JD. So did most people I know. At a certain level, it is a desire to maintain my own sense of normalcy. I guess it is the same with others. The roads were quiet. There was traffic but not too much of it. While coming home at around 8.30 pm – the roads were deserted. it was like the whole city was in mourning. All i could hear was A.K.Hangal in Sholay saying ‘itna sannata kyon hai’ — and that was the atmosphere – sanata.

There were police everywhere. A friend’s cousin who was driving down from mazagon to Andheri said that they were stopped 6 times by police with their guns out. Usually the guns are there, but discretely tucked away — but the guns now were in the face.

A friend’s brother had his wedding reception tomorrow. I got a message saying that it was canceled. No one felt like celebration.

Seeing the Taj burn yesterday, was like seeing a part of my own life burn. And, i don’t even like the place too much. It is just what the Taj stands for – a part of India being Independent — not Independence perse but being Independent.

In my life i have seen and been through stuff like this before. Khalistan, the IRA bombing London after an election, the Mumbai blasts (i wasn’t here in the riots and blasts of 92) … but, none of them has impacted me the way this one has…. Somehow, it was almost like Mumbai became Beirut.

I pray for my city. I pray for my country. I pray that political representatives have sense and don’t make political capital out of this. I pray for peace and calm. But, despite the prayers, i still want someone to hunt down those who did this and kill them … very slowly….. and I pray for that too.