They were parents, siblings, sons, daughters, friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbours. And they were killed, injured, bruised in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Do YOU know anyone who is a victim of the Mumbai attack? Do YOU know anyone who lost his/her life, or was injured in the seven blasts that ripped through seven trains on Terror Tuesday?
Have you been to any hospital where the injured are being treated? Do you know anyone who needs help?
Write about him or her as a Citizen Journalist, and let the world know about who bore the brunt of the mindless, dastardly attack on the financial capital of India.
Let them know how kind, ordinary people were the targets.
Please mention the victim's full name and locality, so that your fellow readers can reach out to help, if need be.
Be a Citizen Journalist, let us know by clicking here
And read about what Rediff Citizen Journalists reported on Terror Tuesday by clicking here, and their opinion the day after by clicking here.
I lost my colleague because of some senseless individuals. Naishadh R Tejani was 44 years old is survived by his wife and two children -- a 12-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.
Try talking about the spirit of Mumbai to his family.
All the people who were back on Wednesday must not have lost anyone close. Gruesome is too small a word to describe some of the victims' remains.
And for the senseless perpetrators, there can be no victory in killing innocent people. Fight in the battlefields, if you want to win. There can be no jannat either for the fidayeens or for people who plant bombs amongst innocent people and take utmost care to run away.
People who live by the sword will die by the sword. And this is for all who kill, irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
Lancelot Tixeira, Sion Hospital
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I was not a witness to the blast, but I have felt the vibrations nevertheless. Deepak Kadam, a close friend from my days in Ruia College (1993 batch) was travelling in the coach that blew up at Mahim.
He must have done something right somewhere, as he is alive today, at Sion Hospital with some head injuries (he has lost hearing in one ear) and should be discharged in a few days.
I have not met him in past few years, but did speak to him the next day. I shall definitely meet him. In fact after the blast, I have spoken to all my friends with whom I have not been in touch for some time. The blast brought home the reality that life and time waits for no one and that nothing should be taken for granted.
I am lucky that I lost no one known, but the pain of the people who lost someone cannot be described by anyone except the one who has lost. God help all to live in peace.
Sharad Kathuria, Chembur
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I was at my office in Goregaon and got a call from my husband about the blast at 6.30 pm. I and a few of my friends immediately left office and took the road. We were stranded for almost one-and-a-half hour till a good rickshaw-wala agreed to drop us till Borivali where three of us lived. I did not understand the gravity of the situation till I reached home and saw it on TV. I was completely depressed. Although all my family members and near and dear ones could make it I was tense and anxious to know who were killed and who were injured.
One of our neighbours was in the same train and same compartment at Khar and could not make it. He was married and has a five-year-old daughter. I could not bare to see the sight. The loss his family suffered cannot be imagined by anyone.
I am completely shattered by this and I would just request media persons like Rediff, NDTV, AaJ Tak, etc to expose our politicians and our corrupt government who have till date done nothing about the more than 20 blasts that have occurred in Mumbai since 1993.
It's a sad story for all Indians with poor Mumbaikars facing the consequences every now and then.
I am feeling so helpless that we all can do nothing but accept the fact that we are still alive for a few more years till we are attacked again. And we might not be as lucky then.
We have lost total faith in our Systems and Government. We Indians are so lucky only for one fact that our fellow Indians are always there to help you when you need them, more so in Mumbai and I feel proud to be a Mumbaikar.
I would just request all Mumbaikars to come together and come out with a solution to solve such problems in future and not depend on our government to help us.
Nisha Desai, Goregaon
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In response to Nazir Usman's 'Dear Terrorist' letter
Rightly said, Nazir, but I would like to make one correction. The first line reads "Dear Terrorist". They are no way dear to us in any way.
I am sure they are going to die a tortured death and they are not going to die in peace.
To them: Have you ever seen a problem getting solved by terrorism? Don't you see that even India got freedom through non-violence? Do you know the value of Human Life? Can you give life through terrorism?
I know these terrorists are going to die such a horrible death that they will be afraid to be born again.
These are the curses of millions of people from the world you will not be spared. If you are really brave come out, you COWARDS!
Fighting in the name of religion: Allah never advocated this. And no God does.
May Allah punish you people, nay, mindless ANIMALS.
Ahmed Ibrahim, Switzerland
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There is a theory by the press and electronic media that the upper middle class was targeted because the explosive devices were placed in the Ist class compartments. During rush hours in Mumbai, it may be easier to plant these devices in 1st class rather than 2nd class compartments.
The theory by the media may be wrong which could have its effects on investigations too.
Retired Lt Col BGV Kumar
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Thrice in a matter of 10 days and we keep hearing it all over again. The rains did not manage to dampen it, neither did the skirmishes deter it and nor did these blasts shake it. Yes, I am talking about the 'Spirit of Mumbai' which simply refuses to get knocked down and comes back harder each time, fitter and stronger to face the next thing that is thrown at it.
But the only question that remains to be answered is: How long and till when?
I think we are escaping from ourselves each and every time by shouting: 'The Spirit of Mumbai.' By saying these words every time a calamity strikes we are playing ourselves into the hands of our corrupt politicians who have taken us for granted and who expect that anything and everything that happens to Mumbai will be digested by the Mumbaikars and life will go on as if nothing has happened.
'The Spirit of Mumbai' sounds good, looks good, but is it actually so? The people of Mumbai have indeed shown stern resolution each and every time such a thing has happened. But forget not: this is what our political idiots want us to do. Just by merely visiting the site to take stock of the situation and granting some consolation to those affected (which is only good on paper because it never actually gets to the people) does more harm than good.
So my friends next time you hear: 'The Spirit of Mumbai never gets down and is not affected by anything,' remember this only encourages our good-for-nothing politicians and does us no good.
It's time to put our foot down and raise our voice the next time you go to cast your vote, ask yourself -- will the spirit of the politician for whom you are casting your precious vote, awake when a calamity strikes or will he/she simply come, see and go?
Remembers 'Spirit' evaporates but 'Souls' don't. Wake up, Mumbai and do some soul searching. If the three calamities that struck Mumbai in the month of July (Rain brawls - blasts) haven't woken you up, nothing will. Learn to ask "What-Where-When" rather than accepting things each time they are thrown at you.
It's time to do the Zidane head-butt to our politicians who deserve nothing less than a red card for the foul play they have been playing against us Mumbaikars time and again.
Samit Nagarsenkar, a soul searching Mumbaikar
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We should display our national flag on our homes on our windows Friday this week to show solidarity with Mumbai. All private originations and companies should be doing this too.
Raj, NewYork
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Yes it's in the fitness of things that we salute the spirit of Mumbai. But I sense an uncanny sense of deja vu about this tragedy. As every time there is a tragedy, we take the now familiar refuge of the great Indian spirit and forget the episode. There is an utter lack of coherence to deal with such incidents or to prevent them. Time has come for decisive bold steps rather than just tom-tomming about the great Mumbai sprit.
R Joseph
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Dear friends, I stay in Bandra Railway Colony. What I saw was horrifying. Instead of helping people, I saw some people grabbing gold chains and wallets from the dead bodies and running away.
Ali Farman, Bandra
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Keep sleeping till Mumbai becomes a Beirut.
I simply do not understand the shelter taken by all of us behind this 'Spirit of Mumbai.' We all know that we should never fight among ourselves and help terrorists by doing so. But is it not our responsibility to speak against the terror. The government must try and catch everyone responsible locally for this without thinking about votebank politics. I was disgusted to see Mahesh Bhatt, Rahul Bose talking against a reaction by parties like Shiv Sena and the BJP instead of condemning the terrorists. The poor parties have not done anything to provoke anyone after the blasts. But is it not the responsibility of political parties to expose our governments who are trying to protect known anti-nationals just because they are minority politicians. The spirit has already allowed the terrorist who did this to get away to Bangladesh, Nepal or Pakistan by now.
If we all remain passive like this Mumbai will become Beirut soon and then even this 'Spirit of Mumbai' will not help us and it will be too late.
Mohit Deshmukh, Mumbai
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While coming down from my office I saw an unusual traffic jam at Andheri (West). Initially, I thought it's a regular jam. My cell phone was not working, and since I had plans to go shopping with friends I was desperate to call them. When I saw a telephone booth, I went to make a call, but the PCO operator said `no local calls' because all the networks were jammed, 'only STD calls.' It was 7:30 pm and I didn't know what had happened, so I asked him 'why' and he gave me a very strange look. Once I knew, I called my parents and siblings back home to reassure them that I was fine. Very few auto-rickshaws were running and the autos that I found were not ready to take me. So I was walking home. While I was still trying to get an auto, a biker came and even though he had to go in the opposite direction he gave me a lift and dropped me at my residence. It was a moment I can never forget.
Binit Jha, Andheri West
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I have seen the local train after the blast at Jogeshwari Station. It was a horrible sight. Common people were helping each other, with neither policemen nor any government officials at the site. I want to ask Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh where is the disaster management team? Where are the teams of doctors? There should at least have been three doctors at that time. But no one was there to help those helpless Mumbaikars dying over there, except the local people who are the true spirit of Mumbai.
Salaam Mumbaikar.
Dixit Vora, Jogeshwari
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Bangaloreans, Do we have the spirit of Mumbai?
I stayed in Malad (one of the fastest growing suburbs) in Mumbai for almost 10 years between 1991 and 2001, the most memorable period of my life. However, this period had many bad patches too. On Dec 6th 1991 when I was in class VI, I saw the riots after the Babri Masjid demolition, then in class VIII I saw the trauma of the 1993 bomb blasts and many other acts of violence by the underworld in Mumbai.
However, even after all these acts of violence or terrorism still the spirit of Mumbai never dies. Life goes on in the same fast track.
In contrast to the fast track of Mumbai is Bangalore. Once called the pensioner's paradise, Bangalore life has always been on the slow pace and Bangaloreans are comfort-loving people. Though the IT Industry has increased the pace to a great extent, it is nowhere in comparison to the speed or the spirit of Mumbai.
Though Bangalore has seen some acts of violence during Cauvery riots, Rajkumar's kidnapping, Rajkumar's death and most recently the IISC attack but are we Bangaloreans prepared to handle situations like the current Bomb Blasts in Mumbai?
Terrorism is no more consigned to the boundaries of Jammu & Kashmir nor it is any kind of freedom struggle or jihad, it is pure disgrace to mankind; killing innocent people cannot be jihad. Terrorism has spread to all corners of the country and Bangalore due to its recent advancement in technology and the global spotlight will surely be in the hit list of the terrorists. The IISC attack did prove that terrorists have an eye on Bangalore.
The government of Karnataka can beef-up the security, take immediate actions on Intelligence reports, deploy additional police forces, declare a high alert and also might take the help of the large presence of army in Bangalore, but still is all this enough? Are the citizens of Bangalore prepared to handle such situations?
If we are not mentally prepared then it's the right time to learn from our big brother, Mumbai: the solidarity shown at times of crisis, the presence of mind, the toughness to handle adversities, and the ever-resilient Mumbaikar spirit.
Vijayanand, Bangalore
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I was not in Mumbai but in a faraway place where the only news we had were the images shown on TV and the other media. But one thing was very clear to me: `whoever in his demented mind executed this plan has to be a great planner but do not worry. No one will remember you as a fighter or a revolutionary or whatever you call yourself they will only know you as a sick SOB who has nothing better to do.' I would like to appreciate the people of Mumbai and the Spirit with which they helped each other and stood by each other. Yesterday evening I was going thru the Mumbai Police website wherein they have given the list of the injured and the deceased. I Have a copy of it pasted in my office with the words "We will not Forget." It is up to each one of us how we respect the memory and how we find a release for ourselves but we will not forget. Another thing that stuck me was in 1993, we fought each other but in 2006 we stood by each other. Dear Mr Terrorist, we will fight you -- together.
Awinash K, Kolkata
A united India is coming together from every part of the world, which is really making me proud and strong as an Indian. Even though I'm in the US, I see myself in all the people who are serving and helping at this devastating time. We Shall Overcome.
Syed Javeed, New Jersey, USA
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I do really salute every Mumbai person who stands strong in this situation. In the end, good alone triumphs. And these terrorists who killed this many people have booked their seats in hell forever.
Hitesh, USA
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I cannot with any stretch of imagination claim that I know what the Mumbaikars must be going through. I am an Indian living in US and have been extremely disturbed with the recent events. What have we as common men and women done to have witnessed so many such atrocious acts of crime and terrorism in the recent past? We have been in the midst of 9/11, the Madrid attacks, London blasts, and now the Mumbai blasts to name a few. The typical reaction from most of us is we get very agitated for a few days, help one another out, support each other and some may even take it a step further and help the victims or the relief efforts in a more quantitative manner. But, end of the day, how are we helping ourselves be better prepared?
We cannot just think it's the government's responsibility to take care of us! There are so many really smart people amongst us who have been successful in cloning living beings, tackle the most complex of mathematical problems, invent the fastest computer, make a computer think like a human, etc and I can keep going for pages and pages here. Can't we use a part of this intellectual capital to get one up on this terrorists or whatever group who can just impact thousands of lives so easily. Are we willing to give up so easily? Although they are much smaller in number than us, why do we think they are smarter and stronger than us? Is it just that we lack the drive and initiative? Is it that we fear we are too small?
I don't think we should give up. Can't we create something that can help us be more vigilant and protect us from such heinous crimes? Anything at all to make this world a bit safer for our children and their children...
Vasantha, New Jersey, USA
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I just want to salute & thank all my fellow Mumbaikars for the toughest time that they have overcome.
May all the departed rest in peace and may the ones who have committed this hideous crime suffer.
Sharon Pereira, Bombay
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What I saw is the hood of terrorism rise, threaten, engulf and make us feel sorry. Again. What I saw is the inability of the nation to stop and pay back the terrorists in their own coin. I think it's high time we take freedom and security as a premium commodity, save and protect it till the last drop of our lives. Let's go to WAR, serious WAR. This is the land of Krishna where He taught Ahimsa and Nirvana however at the same time motivated Arjuna to finish off the evil. The nation cannot have its patience and will be tested by train and street bombings, by Bangladesh killing our BSF jawans, by Pakistan supporting terrorism.
We shall rise, definitely, but for that we need to first stand tall with pride.
Karmesh, in deep despair
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I came to know about the blast at 6.45 and I was near Borivali station. It is a pain to see the innocent lives victimised by terrorism.
We all stand by the families and friends of those who suffered in the blasts.
But one thing that keeps coming up is that be it floods or fights or attacks -- Mumbai people join hands and fight it strongly. This time they have proved that no terror can strike at their spirit of humanity.
I'm proud of Mumbai, the Fighter!!
Grace, Malad
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I am writing this from Montreal, Canada. When I was watching the news on TV, seeing the pictures of blast I got a shock for several minutes. Then I opened my computer to get some details about the incident. Nobody can imagine how I felt when I saw the pictures of how the Mumbaikars were helping the victims. And I shouted "long live Mumbaikars and my Motherland India." With these kinds of friends, terrorists can never touch our feelings.
Mani Kanta Rajkumar, Montreal, Canada
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Once again,
We saw everything on the TV screen.
Once again,
Mumbai's brave injured people were in pain with severe screams.
Once again,
We saw how the common-man 'felt' for helpless.
Once again,
We saw how the government 'left' the common-man helpless.
Deepak, Delhi