Residents bear burden with a smile

The Matunga Welfare Hall at Matunga east took in 800 stranded commuters on Tuesday. Volunteers and residents rushed the victims to Sion Hospital. Victims with minor injuries were taken to PD Hinduja and National hospitals.

Organisation members organised food and transport for stranded commuters. “I will never forget the help given by residents,” said Vaishali Canera, an expectant mother and a Vasai resident. Residents living close to Matunga station who rushed to help the victims:

Sabina Koya

“We took several injured victims to our home. We gave them water and invited them to stay back till alternative arrangements were made.”

Seema & Shubhanandan Mohitkar

“The noise was so loud, the hair stood up on my head,” says Seema Mohitkar. “We came out and saw the train’s metal cover had been blown off.”  An employee of the Western Railways, Seema and her family, who live next door to the Koyas, offered water, food and a place to stay. “We’d kept a bucket and soap outside for people; they made phone calls; 15 people must have spent the night here,” she says.

Anil & Deepika Vaity

Anil Vaity was waiting to pick up his wife, Deepika, when the bomb blew up. He and Deepika offered shelter, food and water to around 25 people, people known to them as well as complete strangers.