Hush, little dog,
There are terrorists about,
Maybe you’ll be exempt
Because they don’t kill their own kind.
Credits: OJ and her Canon Powershot in sepia mode. The result of much gadding about in happier times.
P.S. Tweets updated.
64 Responses to “In Defiance of a Mumbai Morning”
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Wisdom Wears Neon Pyjamas 
Hey OJ, just sitting here shocked and scared. And calling people with trepidation… to confirm they got home okay…. I guess it will be forever before we feel safe again…
Nitya: I refuse to feel afraid. R.E.F.U.S.E. Horrified, outraged, tearful, yes. Call me foolish but I WILL NOT be scared. This is my home and I’ll be damned if they’re taking that away from me.
Hey OJ…checked your Twitter updates at intervals throughout the night and also turned on NDTV. Not like there was a lack of coverage – every news channel here was showing the same thing all night.
It’s disgusting how they’re holding lives and ways of life to ransom. Mr Karkare was a friend and colleague of my father’s, my brother’s heading to Bombay today to report for his channel, and we’re all sitting and watching.
I hope this ends. It’s like the worst nightmare, and I hope we can wake up soon.
Thinking Cramps: Thank you for messaging last night, girl. Your brother will be in my prayers. I hope he remains safe while doing his duty.
Thanks OJ. I can’t believe I am having to sit at work and plan out a magazine issue while all I can worry about is this. And that too to be sitting in a country where a lot of the money for this terror is coming from.
Thinking Cramps: I feel for you. I know how terrible I used to feel, sitting so far away from home when I lived in the U.S. Will try my best to keep you posted through Twitter, but I’ll be reaching my feed limit at some point. 😦
No probs OJ. We’ve got IBN on the Net and NDTV on air to keep track. But really appreciate what you are doing too. Take care.
Thinking Cramps: If I had to just sit around watching, the toll would rise to 101. 🙂
I keep trying to do some work and then come back to reading about this over and over again. I know it’s been eight years since I left but it’s still home, you know? You know.
Was good to know you’re safe. Didn’t know what else to say on chat really…feeling quite stunned and stunted at the moment. Be safe. All my love and many hugs.
Last night, I frantically called/texted everyone I knew in Mumbai – and then I held a silent phone not knowing how to call or text a friend I only know as OJ. I crossed my fingers before I opened your blog – and it is tough to type with one hand, believe me – and I’m so glad you’re okay – mind, body and spirit. please keep safe – and please, yes, REFUSE to give in to what they are trying to conquer – our souls. very tight hug. all my love.
Anindita: I know. I was away for 5 myself, but there can be no other home for me, even if I do move someday. Thank you for your hugs. Much needed for the spirit.
Nino’s Mum: orangejammies@yahoo.com 🙂
Why insult dogs?
Broom: Animals. I meant animals and not human beings. I knew someone would ask this question.
Exactly, why insult dogs. They’re the most lovable and loyal creates, much unlike these backstabbing bastards!
Pallavi: Sigh. Read above.
And hey… those are lovely photographs! Can’t they see this beauty and leave it untouched?
Pallavi: Thanks.
Hey OJ! Just up and following your twitter feeds again. The details are hair-raising. Looks like the nightmare continues. And surprise surprise, my parents slept through the whole thing till I called at 5.30. They attributed the blasts to wedding celebrations. So strange to hear of places like Colaba Market, Metro Cinema over the TV in a different continent.
Chips: I don’t blame them. We Indians are so used to loud noises, thanks to extended Diwali celebrations and year-round weddings.
Mumbai agrees with u… I just went out and around where I live and it was business as usual…. can’t let them, whoever ‘them’ are, to take away our right to live and live the way we want…
And yet the day wears on, and it hasn’t ended. I can’t shake off the feeling that something bigger waits in the wings. Would give anything to be wrong.
Nitya: As usual, Bombay makes me so proud. I’ll be headed out in a bit too.
wordjunkie: I hope to God you’re wrong too. 😦
Attagirl! But take care whilst out, dear dear girl!
Would that “cousin’s f-in-l” be my cousin?
I’m glad you’re alright.
And although I don’t live there anymore, I am enraged by what they’ve done to the city, time and again. I refuse to be scared either.
And OJ, perhaps it’s time to stop comparing these miserable excuses of humankind to animals. Animals aren’t ever this deranged and mindlessly violent.
I’d like to catch hold of them and torture them all to slow death… scums!
I loved it OJ. Pictures as well. Have been a lurker for quite some time on your blog.
I’m as thorough a Mumbaiite as they come…right now sitting in a different country supposed to wrap up some important work but can’t think straight, can’t think rather.
Don’t know if this comment makes sense either
Can’t imagine what my people are going through 😦 😦
Take care
Am so relieved to know that you and yours are safe.
My words have been replaced by horror, outrage and prayers…
Be careful. Please.
Aunty G: Yes, Aunty G. Will be alert, but not afraid. I don’t think this is your cousin.
Dewdropdream: Rabid dogs, then?
Shivani: Hello and I’m sorry you had to delurk under such circumstances. The times don’t make sense, so what’s the odd comment or two? 🙂 Feel free to ramble.
M4: I will. Thank you. I’m also very aware that had this been a weekend, I’d certainly be among those stranded on the southernmost tip of my city.
OJ, I’ve been completely shocked from early this morning, when I got to know of this horrendous attack. Stay safe.
I’m glad you’re not afraid. I am, though, sitting so far away.
dipali: Distance adds to the fear, I suppose. I’m sitting with my doors and windows thrown open and life happening outside. Of course it’s not the same, but increasing honks and car tyre-sounds are comforting.
Oh OJ, it’s been 24 hrs and still part of our city burns. What a night and day …. and the madness continues. It’s going to take a huge dollop of the spirit of Mumbai & Mumbaites to pick up the broken pieces. But it WILL happen.
Chips: It’s different this time. I just twittered about it. The psychological impact of seeing precious landmarks burn isn’t the same as a blast that ends, we pick up the pieces and move on. The mental and emotional toll of this colonization of our streets will be much higher, I believe.
Yeah, you’re right. I don’t think I could ever again look at the Taj & Oberoi, out of the window of my bedroom and not feel the pain for my city as I’m feeling tonight. But, I am hoping that in the not so distant future, I can look at them and feel proud that we did not let the scum of the earth break the sprit of the city. I hope that the anger we feel against the t-rists for holding our beloved city and areas that we hold so dear since our childhood, to ransom will see us through. I know things will never be the same again, but that’s the world we live in. I’m probably rambling, but I’m so willing the city to be strong.
Random memory : I had my first bottle of Coka-Cola at the Oberoi poolside, on a school trip when I was in Class 3 ( early 70s).
Chips: And I’m nodding my head in agreement. I swell with pride each morning as I look at the grand swoop of the bay with the Oberoi, NCPA and Air India landmarks on my way to work. My heart has crumbled, but I will be no less proud.
My earliest memories: 🙂 Sitting in the Oberoi shopping arcade cafe, guzzling strawberry milkshake on Saturday afternoons when I visited Daddy’s office. And celebrating my 7th birthday at the Shamiana.
Watch this some time…not today i guess
http://ibnlive.in.com/article.php?id=4814§ion_id=3
Oh and can you please hop across to the Taj and shut Barkha Dutt up?
gooddaysunshine: I must confess I knew about the lack of preparedness. Certain colleagues of a friend in the media had done a sting op on the coast guards last year and found them napping and totally not ready and I remember her mentioning it to me. It was only a matter of time before someone used it to their advantage. If I as a civilian knew, how easy was it for parties with an active interest in the logistics.
Let BD speak. I’m hoping the t-rists’ ears from all from all her hyperactive yakking.
Happier times will come again. I’m glad you’re safe.
Amrita: They will. Until the next nightmare. Hug.
been reading all your updates – Thank you!
Glad you are safe. Sitting so far away in TX, the horror just seems magnified in some way…some family members narrowly escaped being caught at the Taj, thanks to someone else from work taking some bigwig to dinner…whereabouts of that person and bigwig still unknown.
M
M: Oh dear. 😦 I do hope they are unhurt. Glad for your family. Will keep updating until Twitter gets sick of me and bumps me off.
Wait…are you the person who reads me from Plano, Texas? I’ve been curious for a while now. 🙂
Thanks. Lates info is that our acquaintance is out, but his wife is not. Yes, I am probably the Plano, TX reader…sometimes my IP shows up as Ottawa, ON (work IP).
M
M: Ah. Thanks for clarifying. Your acquaintance must be feeling like hell right now.
Btw i think reading your twitter is much better than the news!
Proud of any Indian being able to say,
“I refuse to feel afraid. R.E.F.U.S.E. Horrified, outraged, tearful, yes. Call me foolish but I WILL NOT be scared. This is my home and I’ll be damned if they’re taking that away from me.”
Hey, but these terrorists don’t have a dog’s courage, loyalty, honesty and love. I would say,
Hush little dog,
there are terrorists in the city
may be you’ll be exempt
‘cos you get them no publicity.
Mish: 😆 Yeah, you won’t hear cuss words on (inter)national telly!
indianhomemaker: Read explanation in the comments above. 🙂
am with you. not afraid. not scared. numb & dumb perhaps. but not scared. dont care if it sounds ridiculous and silly. my kid knows what a terrorist is too. but not why…
kennybunkportmaine: Thank you. I do hope we find it in us to band together.
Accessing the internet after a long time. Hope you`re safe and doing as well as anyone can under the circumstance.
Piper: I am, thanks for checking in. I hope things are better at your end. Hug.
Hiya OJ. Anything more on the ‘Unconfirmed reports of an explosion in a trade centre in South Bombay just in’??
@Chips…Ive been glued to the TV…havent heard of any such thing…there were also rumours of fresh firing in VT…but the police have gone on record saying that’s not the case.
Chips: It’s not in the news. I heard it from a person at work, who in turn heard it from her sister who lives there. Too many via vias to be sure. Even if it is a rumor, it appears to have spread because some storekeepers in my residential area who live in the aforementioned locality have shut shop to head home.
@Gooddaysunshine: Thanks for the update.
OJ, a big hug for getting into work today.
Chips: My kiddos need an explanation about this crazy world they’ve ended up in. 🙂 I go back in 90 minutes.
ohmygod is this every going to end? just saw your latest update
Mish: It will. It has to. Hold on to every ounce of faith you have.
What a screwed up world that you have to explain such grave subjects to little itty bitty kids. Hope they’re ok. But, good job you.
Chips: They’re little troopers, my bachchas. And I finally get to drive home the point that guns are BAD, BAD, BAD. 🙂
I do So endorse your last line. In fact, i reiterate — ALL arms and ammunition should stop being manufactured!
Aunty G: And coming from the partner of a wing commander, it rings so much truer.
Sleep tight, Sweetheart! You did a splendid job!
I’ve been following your twitter updates & read your post but was too numb to say anything.That & trying to calm the kids, esp Rohit who all of 9 years understands a lot more of what is going on .Had to convince him there were no terrorists in the backyard waiting to pounce on him.Ultimately had to switch the TV off completely.
Agree with what you say. Feel outrage & sorrow but am never going to cower in fear.
Aunty D: Did wholly and precisely nothing. But did learn that a good night’s rest has one feeling more human in the morning.
rajni: I can imagine how hard that must be. I’m in the process of preparing a hand-out for the parents of my kiddos on how to deal with questions, anxiety and repeated exposure to gruesome visuals.