Just missed the date with terror!

Its Nov 26th.
I recieved a call from my sports instructor to report at the ground. Well... I said to myself... what if I could miss this... Is there anyway??
Finally I reached the ground... there were bags and water bottles, but no sight of them. I glanced through all over, where could I find running people... but no sight...
This has been a great chance to escape... a thought purged into my mind...
Finally I could'nt take up standing alone there, informed few people sitting nearby... spectators who usualy are there viewing all activities. Inform them about me, when these people return... "I was actually here"
Both nodded
"Good".....as if I had been courteous to them for being here on time :-)
Entering home I was on top of my voice..." hey I am free.. lets go out!!"
Excited everyone was ready in minutes... by auto then by local train... man we are here in Mumbai malls, foodies... so fun so good...
We shopped, shopped and shopped till our hands said, can't carry anymore bags!
The 'CENTRAL' was a big place to be in. The dinner too had been awesome... what else we need for a perfect day to have... I was telling myself.
There was one person in my group who was criticizing me that I made him missed his cricket match... and here & there I had been pinching him saying whats fun is there to watch one sided games...
"C'mon forget it & enjoy...please...." my 'please' was having a pleading tone.
Mumbai is a place where no one can be deprived of fun and excitement. I had always visualized it to be a beautiful city to be lived in and work.
About the worst fact about Mumbai is that it takes away a lot from you before giving a lot to you!! My philosophy ended when this note came in.
"Lets go home atleast let me see the ending of the match... it must be in final overs!"
"ok.. we are going.."
Its 9.17 local train and 9.45 pm home. We switched the TV & watched the matched... oh! wow so coolly these men in blue have won.... I can bet now this series will be wrap with 7-0..... India making wonders really... this will be a dream coming true series 7-0 ..I was quick to put my expert views.... but had to cut short when...
"hunnn.... lets see what happens, who knows what tomorrow holds"
"okay... I am damn tired & need sleep"... I headed straight to my couch.

Nov 27th 8.00am
I am way to my office.
Lift opens with few children & men. All quite. Then one spoke.... "Ball le aana, niche khelenge"
I wondered why this children have no school today. One of them said "Aj chotti de di gayi"
"De di gayi"????.... I was wondering... or did I hear it wrong.
8.15am
I am at the security check North Gate. It looks no normal check.
"Why is it so tight security....? Who is coming today... I mean VIPP?" in a mischief way I smiled to the officer.
It usually happens here that when the VIPP is coming you get to go through such damn security checks which takes your precious energy and mood. They makes you feel so vulnarable... I hate it.... I hate it.... sach mai... :-)
But prompt came the reply from the security personnel...
"Mumbai sieged...Have'nt you seen 100 people died & the terrorist are on run"
Oh! my God, where should I take this head to hide... I felt so sick learning that....
"Sorry! I have'nt watched the news..."
How could I have learn't... I am a fan of CNBC.... with the market's meltdown... I don't go through them too!!
At office I hurriedly open few websites to get the latest... called home to tell them to switch on TV and dare no one goes out. Then my phone started ringing with calls from lovable and concerned people all over the globe... Is everything ok with you??

"Oh GOD! I JUST MISSED A DATE WITH TERROR... MAN WE JUST RETURNED AT QUATER TO 10 HOME FROM THERE & ALL THIS HAPPENED AT 10"....
I had to inform all of them...

I hated to see the beautiful TAJ Palace burning... where I have taken so many of my picture opposite it...
I hated to see the brave police personnels dying....
I hated to see the people, hotel staff, tourist and foriegn delegates dying...injuring....running....
I hated to see the all innocent people being the victim of this heinous terror act...

This beautiful Mumbai... where I live and work... has been torn to peices... the hearts broken... the dream slashed.... the spirit to bounce back gone....
I am sad... I am ashammed.... I feel terrible as if I have been attacked!
I feel so helpless....... :-(

Holi hai !!!!

Eid Milaad

Some images I captured on the ocassion of Eid Milaad on 21st March 2008 at Byculla and Ray Road, Mumbai.

Haji Ali Dargah... a place of peace and beauty!

Being born to a Geologist, love for traveling & adventure is in my blood. Today I am beginning a new series of “My Visits” that would give my traveling and adventure experiences felt & encountered visiting many cities & historic places. Hope this series is enjoyable the same as I experienced visiting them & helpful for others who would like to visit them in future. Beginning with a pious place called “Haji Ali Dargah”.
Though this is not my first visit to this place, but recently on 24th Aug 2007 I was here. This day being special for me, I went along with my loving family.
History of the Dargah:
A landmark on the Mumbai skyline is a whitewashed dargah standing tall inside the Arabian Sea, a tomb of a Muslim saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari {R.A}. Thousands of pilgrims, rich or the poor visit each day from Mumbai and beyond to the door of benediction for the fulfillment of their desires and wishes, which the devout claim, do come true. Many are attracted here by the beauty of this site too. And I was here for both the reasons!
Islam means Peace. Spreading the ethical and spiritual values of Islam was done by the Walis of Allah (saints) and Pir Haji Ali Shah was one of them. He was a wealthy merchant who renounced all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. His humanistic approach and piety won the hearts of lacs of people. He served, loved and lived with them in the realization of Eternal Truth. Unfortunately he died on his way to Mecca. Before his death he advised his followers that they should not burry him at any graveyard but should drop his casket into the sea to be buried by the people where and when it would be found. The casket surfaced intact at the spot where the shrine is today, 500 yards into the sea from the shore. A Dargah was then built by Haji Usman Rangikar, the man who owned the ship that took pilgrims to Mecca.
Dargah can only be reached at low tide, when the causeway that leads to the shrine is above water. The causeway with the sea on both sides is one of the highlights of the trip to this shrine. During high tide, the connecting causeway is submerged in water giving the impression that the dargah is floating on sea.
Before entering the Dargah we bought “elachi dana’, flowers for making a ‘Fateha’ and dua here. These offering can be bought from any shops at the causeway. A short flight of marble steps leads into the dargah, I captured a Sadhu sitting on these steps in a solitary mood. People from all faiths were seen surrounding me and I smiled happily. Behind the huge marble doorway lies the tomb enclosed in a white structure lying in an exquisite silver frame supported by marble pillars. The dome inside is covered in colorful glass arranged in a kaleidoscopic pattern, of Allah’s 99 names. The top of the tomb was covered with zari cloth and flowers.
Inside the Haji Ali dargah compound, I noticed the side structure was covered in the brocade red and green chaddar offered at the dargah by the devotees. A donation box is also seen for charity purpose, managed by the Dargah Trust committee. I was in the ladies room like in all mosques/dargah a separate room is provided for females to offer prayers. Beautiful view of inside can be seen from here too as seen in this photograph.
The white dome and the solitary minaret of the mosque behind the dargah stand out on the west shoreline of Mumbai. The Masjid is picturesque with a vast courtyard & refreshment stalls. The appetite grows with crunchy, flavored masala smelled all over in the courtyard. The Keema samosas are best here. We watched the qawaals sing a “josh” devotional qawaali at the platform while enjoying these Keema samosas. This musical evening was mystic.
The rocks exposed at low tide behind the Masjid are a favorite spot if you are interested in catching sea breezes. We enjoyed splashing in sea here too.
While returning I noticed the walkway is lined with pitiful wailing beggars. Any man would feel for these beggars. A part of my first salary was distributed to these beggars on my first visit here.
There are two building called Mashriqui and Maghribi manzil for resident who come visiting from far off lands for a stay. It is learnt from a reliable source that the Dargah and the Mosque will be reconstructed, remodeled and renovated again by the Trustees out of the Trust fund starting this auspicious day of Eid-ul-Fitr that is on 13th Oct 2007.


Photos taken on 24th Aug 2007
Location: Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai, India. 10 kms from Mumbai International /Domestic Airport. Its also a walking distance from Mahalakshmi Railway Station. Buses route to Haji Ali from every corner of Mumbai. Please do not take your own car as there is no parking space.
Best Time to Visit: Thursday & Friday evenings.

Happy Independence Day!

The above photograph is of the Independence Day celebration in my locality. The building display board contained a message of Flag hosting sharp at 8.30am, I read this message a day before & made it a point to be down at the venue to witness & be a part of India celebrating its 60th Birthday on 15th August 2007.
The air was feeling fresh, the soft breeze blowing & bringing in waves of patriotic songs played in the loud speaker. The children holding ‘triranga’ in their hands running all around, the happy faces to see all over the place.
Then when we were standing still & singing the national anthem, a tiny tot asked me, “Why do we celebrate Independence day?” After the Jai Hai, Jai Hai.. I was quick to respond “We celebrate our freedom today, dear”
“Freedom…?” that was more of an enquiry from the tot than really knowing the meaning of freedom & its celebration. I realized that these kids who are born in free India to the parents who are also born in free India can hardly understand what really meant to have freedom & what really was sacrificed to achieve this.
I was lucky enough to have parents who were born before 1947 & had been a part & witnessed freedom struggle in their lives. As the snacks being served & the gathering became more crowded, I cornered myself to a place were I could get a glimpse of the National flag which was flying high more proudly. There was sense of proud within me; my throat was choked with emotions, a nostalgic feeling entered. I recalled my parents narrating me few of the incidents during those days when the REAL freedom struggle was going on. My grandfather was a Tahsildaar during the British Regime; he was posted at Wardha and later at Raipur. My father could not hold his emotions when he told us “though the job holds a high profile cadre & faithfulness towards British monopoly, his father did not leave any opportunity to help the freedom fighters. Wardha being the core center and freedom fighters coming here from far was given shelter & food by him. He did not fear the British & had guts even to go against them at times while participating into freedom struggle”. He soon bought few books gifted to him by my grandfather who was very learned & said “wish he lived more to serve his nation he loved so much”. My grandfather had an untimely death just when India was celebrating its first anniversary of Independence.
My parents witnessed the bloodshed, the trains coming with blood & dead bodies, the people leaving their homes, the fear and even death…. I could not think more and forced myself to come out all of that dreaded memories...
Its difficult to realize how much each & every person present in that era must had sacrificed to give us this freedom and an Independent nation that we proudly have today. I salute to all those unsung heroes who the history fails to remember but they were there to make it.
Independent, Sovereign, Democratic, Republic of India has guaranteed to all its citizens of freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, action, justice and equality before law etc. Let us friend now be ‘civilized’ enough to give back our motherland a small token of love & remove the problems mostly arising along the lines of religion, caste, class, gender, language and region. Come on friends, we sure can do this!
And then only we can flourish as a free spirit and India can hope for glory…….the true dream of all our freedom fighters!
LOVE YOU INDIA!