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Thursday, December 4, 2008 20:05 IST

Went to the Gateway outpouring of anguish and anger yesterday. The Taj stood in darkness like a shadow on our hearts. I lit a candle and left it on the pavement outside.

Mercifully, the gathering was bereft of Page 3 element- just ordinary folks-lakhs of them-most of them young- not interested in promoting themselves –as much as their views.

One week after the terrorist attacks. Let’s take stock:

The government is still dithering (I honestly don’t think any of those at yesterday’s protest meet, care if the CM is a Maratha or a backward –as long as he can think straight!‘We hate your politics’ was the liet motif of the march)

The socialities are still twittering. (Save us from the newly committed)

The media is still TRP-ing! (Breathless anchors, shrill newscasters, sensational pix)

And somewhere out there –even as I write this- young men are circling our cities with grim intent- guns in hand.

One week after the attack:

A business house with big India plans writes in to say that last week’s tragedy has not in any way deterred them from setting up shop in India.

A CNN reader poll shows that many foreigners are determined to come here on vacation and business.

The Trident will open very soon. The Leopold has already done so. The Taj and the Oberoi will follow suit soon.

One week after the attack:

Is it my imagination that people have become kinder, gentler, more caring?

(I wave to a couple on a scooter with their child. They wave back. Earlier they would have shifted awkwardly.)

What’s even more significant: No one gotgroped or roughed up at the protest march yesterday. Pretty amazing -when you consider the crush, the wild emotions, the diverse often contrary views –and the many unaccompanied young women there.

One week after the attack

My Muslim acquaintances say that they are struck by the warmth shown them –particularly during the last week.

Mumbaikers are not dwelling on the attack. A quick ‘ all OK? Yes, all OK’- an understanding smile-and then it’s on to whatever issue’s at hand.

One week after the attack

Mumbai’s hard edge has worn out. This week at least it’s taken off its workmanlike mask and revealed it’s truly big heart.

One week after the attack

I realize even more how much I love my big beautiful battered city! I shall continue to roam its streets, haunt its cafes, and pound its pavements.

One week after the attack

I’m even more determined to live and die on the streets of Mumbai.With my people. Those maddeningly heart-breakingly strong and vulnerable people of Mumbai!

One week after the attack.

8 comments

Amazing piece! this man samir is obviously very unwell. malavika, i suggest u don't entertain him or any talk with him. so much hate!

What's wrong with this Samir dude?

Stole my thoughts! Wow!

As we Indians anticipate the action to be taken against the recent happenings, will our govt really act tough this time?

A few years ago, particularly after spending an hour stranded at a bus stop, I decided to settle down somewhere else in the future. The mob, the commute, the heat, the humidity, the general apathy of the average Mumbaikar towards the city made me sick. But today I see a different look in everybody's eyes. No city is without shortcomings, Mumbai may even top the list of being the most flawed city: but it is MY flawed city. No one can take this sense of belonging from me.

It is shocking that DNA has a person like Malavika Sangghvi on its staff. Malavika wants to keep smiling when hundreds of innocent people were killed, Maharashtra lost its top ATS people, the financial capital of India lost assets worth crores of rupees. I will smile when this woman Malavika Sangghvi suffers a hideous crippling disease or loses her near and dear ones.

I'd been planning to respond to each and every person who'd left a comment on my blogs so far-but I'd rather start with you first.

I'm sorry to have provoked you to say such vicious things. Sorry not for myself --but for you. In my case when I get angry and say hurtful things I am consumed by negativity and actually feel physically ill. So I am sorry to have put you in that situation.

Of course I understand your anger at me, at the situation, at the futility of it all. But Samir, where does anger lead? All of our angers --big and small-only add to the violence and hostility that this sorry planet is facing.

What we truly really need is kindness compassion and a cessation of high emotion and speech. Somewhere somehow that might stop a gunman from pulling that trigger or a man beating his wife. Think about it. It might just work.

Please don't get angrier by my mail. Come and have a cup of tea with me any time I don't hold any anger against you or what you've said.

Here, I've turned the other cheek!

With warmth.

Malavika

Your piece is like poetry. It touches the soul. The soul of this great country can never be vanquished. People are coming together to defeat the purpose of the perpetrators, which is to cause division. My passport may be Canadian but my soul is Indian.

Very evocative... but I often wonder how many times more can this battered old city "bounce" back? There has to be a limit to its bigheartedness and great spirit! People are tormented by the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities and the people who are paid to keep the city and its people safe. Everyone is saluting the NSG and the Black Cat commandos and the slain police officers, but would it have reached this stage if they had been more vigilant and prevented this tragedy, especially since it was known that something could happen?