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Everyone in Mumbai remembers where they were on March 12, 1993. I was preparing to leave for the Geography exam for my tenth boards. Suddenly we heard that our exams had been postponed because of some horrible incident in Mumbai. Fresh from the communal riots, I could only imagine the worst. The news slowly trickled in that the city had been hit with a series of bomb blasts; the number kept rising. First it was only 2-3, rising with each rumor and hour until it finally settled at 13. At the end of the day, 317 people lay dead in Mumbai’s primarily business and political districts. Since most of the blasts occurred in Hindu-dominated localities, it was termed as the revenge by Muslims for the carnage inflicted on them during the communal riots. We still are playing the eye for an eye game, each citing the previous incident as justification for the next. Mumbaikars however were simply too tired of violence this time around and promptly reported for work, leaving the blast perpetrators befuddled. Their ruse had failed. Mumbai wouldn’t burn again. People had triumphed. We still have the occasional hiccup when passions are rekindled and fires of hate are stroked but largely better sense prevails and major incidents are more or less a thing of the past. The Dalit shootout at Ramabai colony, Kargil, Parliament attack, the attack on Akshargram, blasts at Ghatkopar and Gateway of India, and the more recent attack on the makeshift temple at Ayodhya - all have failed to elicit a violent response from the masses. One look at Bombay and we can sense that it is a city deeply hurt and intensely aware of violent disruptions due to political turmoil elsewhere.
Twelve years later, a series of four blasts at another big city struck terror in hearts of people in a hurry. This time the toll was lower, the blasts fewer but the extent of terror unleashed by a faceless enemy had multiplied manifold. The so-called developed nations, never having to deal with terrorism on their home soil were suddenly given a rude awakening call, first in New York, then in Madrid and now in London. In a rare exception, Mumbai is an outstanding example to emulate for a city shaken by uninvited violence. There are undoubtedly inflamed passions in London today who swear to seek revenge almost instantly. As usual, another country will be targeted for invasion, another regime will be labeled evil, and impact on our daily lives will be neglected. We stand with Britain today in their hour of need because no one knows targeted violence more than us Indians. For long, we have bore the brunt of fundamentalist terrorism, more often in regions far away from conflict. If we can lend anything to London today, it is our resolve to look beyond petty revenge and instead retain focus on striking at the heart of the enemy at the right time.
Infighting and self-damage by imposing nationwide protests against our ruling parties shall not solve any problems. In our hearts, we know that nothing can stop a determined terrorist. There is a cost to any struggle. We shall let our soldiers do the talking and we shall do our part by going back to work and living our lives the way we did albeit a little carefully but living nevertheless. Restraint isn’t a hollow word but instead it is simply waiting for the opportune moment to strike deep and hard.
Cities will continue to bear the brunt as they always have. It is the strength of the people that keep a city alive. It happened in Mumbai and it can happen in London.
by Patrix | on Friday, July 8th, 2005 at 9:30 am | 
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July 8th, 2005 at 10:44 am reply
Amen. My thoughts exactly.
July 8th, 2005 at 12:55 pm reply
“because no one knows targeted violence more than us Indians”
London has dealt with on and off with attacks for almost 30 years now. Let’s not forget the Blitz. It’s a city that has quite a few scars of Terrorism.
July 8th, 2005 at 4:00 pm reply
I agree with har that London has dealt with the IRS terrorism before. And don’t forget the two world wars and communist rule in eastern Europe. Thus, the developed countries in the world are not exactly new to violence due to war, civic strife or terrorism!
Secondly, we should refrain from second judging others (”There are undoubtedly inflamed passions in London today who swear to seek revenge almost instantly. As usual, another country will be targeted for invasion, another regime will be labeled evil, and impact on our daily lives will be neglected.”)
July 8th, 2005 at 6:01 pm reply
Yep. I remember that day. A cousin was right next to the A-I building when it went off, and she was injured. But B’bay, then and in the later blasts (Villeparle, Ghatkopar) , simply moved on, showing great courage. or maybe just apathy.
July 8th, 2005 at 6:55 pm reply
I pondered about the apathy bit too but I rather believe that it was the resilience of Mumbaikars that lets them move on. Of course, I am not undermining the potential of Londoners either. After all who can forget, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.“
July 8th, 2005 at 11:44 pm reply
I will say it is apathy…..
Indians as a rule cant remember anything before 1 month or think about long term.
That will explain
“congress ka hath gareeb ke saath” (”Garibi Hatao” Redux )