Haunted Taj Witnesses The Never Dying Mumbai Spirit

"Hum Sab Ek Hain", "Government Lied Innocents Died", "We Are Not Afraid, Only Frustrated", "Where Is Our Tax?", "Hamare Neta Chor Hain", "After One Month, Will You Still Care?" are a few slogans that I remember from yesterdays rally in Mumbai where thousands of Mumbaikars flocked together. Not only Mumbaikars, people from all over India had come to join the rally to protest against the terrorist attacks and the Indian Government's failure of Duty.

Youngsters and Senior ctizens all alike marched towards the Gateway of India, unabashed and fearless. Criticizing politicians, praising our army, and shouting "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jay" at the top of their voices, people kept pouring in. Moving ahead with this crowd, I could sense a determination writ large on the faces around me. No, this didn't seem to be yet another rally after which people would go and sleep peacefully, thinking they have done their duty by attending a protest rally.

Slowly moving with the crowd, shouting slogans, we finally reached the Gateway of India. The Gateway from where we let some crooks enter and destroy our peace. To our left stood the Taj, but this time it looked haunted and sad. A haunted bungalow of my imagination with a crescent moon, the bright jupiter and venus shining above.

Another interesting thing about this rally was that, it was not a politically influenced, organized or sponsored rally. It was only the people, all by themselves. We didn't know who the person standing next to us is. Still, we had a sense of belonging for each other. This is what is amazing about Indians, people of a land where different cultures, religions and stratas fuse together, the end product being called just an Indian.

Last but not the least, was a group of Punjabis who supported the rally by offering water and tea. A snapshot that still remains in my mind is of a Punjabi man stirring milk and water in a HUGE aluminium vessel.. My friends went ahead and thanked them after finishing off their cups of tea. That was overwhelming. I wonder if this gratitude towards each other and the determination to fight terrorism stays. Or has it ended with one rally? Is it the Beginning or the End? This question remains unanswered...

I wish it is the beginning, an intiative towards a united and responsible citizenship.