11 Minutes: Bombay Bomb Blasts of 11-07-2006

07-11-2006, The day still sends chills through my spine and brings tears into my eyes as I remember the horrific bombing incident that rocked the business capital of India - Mumbai. Till today, images of the stunned and blood stained passengers refuses to erase itself from my memory as I ponder upon the impact that bomb had on our lives, an impact so strong that its waves are still being felt.

I think the reason for the shock of the bombing still staying alive is because of where it happened. Like an arrow that pierces the heart, the explosion of the bombs took place in the 7 reserved First Class compartments of Bombay Rail's western line. Within 11 minutes, over 200 people losts their lives, 700 got injured and countless families destroyed.

11 minutes.

Just 11 minutes.

Thats the amount of time it takes me to walk from my apartment to the train station. 11 minutes.

At that ill fated moment, time almost stopped after those 11 minutes, as the city became one to combat one of its biggest and most tragic deaths in a long time. During those troubled times, strangers came to the help of the victims and their families. Police and Mumbai Rail Authority took prompt action in trying to get the city back on its wheels. Security was increased. Doctors, Nurses and Medical workers worked non stop providing medical assisstance to the constant flow of victims. Injured victims were being tended too, to prevent further causalities.

However, it is easier to mend wounds in the body, but how is it possible to mend wounds that affect our heart?

How is it possible to give solace to the 7-month pregnant woman, bearing her first child, who loses her husband, who promised to get her flowers on the way, in just 11 minutes?

How is it possible to give solace to the 17 year old boy who is forced to become a man in just 11 minutes, with the death of his father, the sole source of income to his family?

How is it possible to give solace to parents, who have lost their only daughter, who was about to get married in a month, because she left work a few minutes early to spend time with her family?

The tears still glimmer in the eyes of those who lost their near and dear ones as they think of how those 11 minutes changed their life. The blank look returns as they shudder thinking about that day remembering that it will be a very bad memory for the rest of their life ahead.

Today, 1 year and 1 day later, I ponder upon how the city has coped over the past year. How has it been able to sustain such a tragedy. Mumbai is not new to bomb attacks but this incident definitely brought back scary memories of the late 90s bomb blasts.

In my research of reading books, articles, talking to people who were there during the bombing on other trains, I realise that if possible, the city has grown stronger. Yes, the people at times pause to look behind them for any unidentified bags and there are more security precautions at the railway stations, but nothing has stopped.

Millions still take the train to full and travel to their offices, tuitions, schools, colleges. This is Mumbai's answer to the terrorist groups who were framed responsible for these attacks, you might be able to give us a shake but you can not break our spirit. The sheer unity and dedication of the citizens of Mumbai to keep moving ahead normally is a testimony to the fact that these citizens are strong and willing to show it to the people who doubt their strenghth.

11 minutes of disaster might have ruined lives for countless people in Mumbai, India and all over the world, but those 11 minutes also made this city of dreams a more powerful one, making me remember the lyrics of a song I used to hear as a child,

Aye dil hai mushkil jeena yahan
Zara hat ke zara bach ke, yeh hai Bombay meri jaan
[No doubt it is hard to live here, but others watch it, this is Bombay, my life]