Bombay, Terrorized..

Mumbai locals. The lifeline of the city. Used by 6 million people everyday. 3 years ago, I was one of them, travelling to Churchgate 6 days a week. I enjoyed the locals. Its the fastest yet more economic way of getting your way across the city. I can't forget the feeling. The trampling, pushing and elbowing. It had become an integral part of my life. So much so that when I kept going back home over the summers, I would still use the locals because I had no qualms about being in one. On days when my mind wasn't preoccupied with what lectures to attend or worried about reaching lab on time (running across platforms, switching trains, making my wee little space in the already overcrowded compartments bursting at its seams, floating among the sea of people), I would simply sit back and observe the people around me. Not really big on eavesdropping, but there were conversations you couldn't help but hear, things you couldn't help but notice. It was nice to wonder now and then where people were headed and what the purpose of their being there really was. Ofcourse, the evenings were a different story; more lively, people getting back home at their own little pace while chatting up with friends and mates. The cheerful faces, bright eyes trying to fight fatigue, looking forward to having a homecooked meal and a good night's sleep, are things I just cannot erase from my memory. It was a side of Bombay I hadn't seen for 16 years. And like everything about my city, I absolutely loved it.
On a regular day like today, 3 years ago, at rush hour, I would have typically taken a fast local headed towards Borivali with a few friends in the first class men's/women's bogie, stepped out at Bandra and switched to a slow from there to Vile Parle (or simply a slow from Churchgate to Vile Parle). Its heart breaking to think of all those college going kids, who were heading back home today. My heart goes out to the young men and women returing home after a gruelling day at work. And my heart dies to think of those mothers and fathers trying to reach their kids and spouses after a long mundane day. It is really unfair to even think that the innocent be harmed. I am shocked and utterly disraught over the events that have unfolded. It is certainly not comforting to think of all those people affected by this tragedy. May the Almighty bless the souls of those who lost their lives and I only hope the injured recover speedily.
I was one of them. It could have very well been me...

Light My Fire!

Watching the New York skyline towering to your left and the maiden of Liberty on your right, overlooking the Hudson is by itself very scenic and gives you a feeling of surrealism. Add to that the the beautiful dark sky and awesomely lit downtown Manhattan. Now imagine 4 barges on the Hudson letting off fireworks in perfect synchrony for the following 30 minutes. Gorgeous. Engrossing. Breath taking. Almost unreal. Need I say more? Yes, I was agape.