Mumbai:
The nation is paying homage to the people it lost in the worst ever terror attack on Indian soil. A year after 26/11, it is also grappling with the questions - are we safer? Has India changed after 26/11? (NDTV Survey: Has 26/11 changed India?)
In Mumbai, the day began with memorial services at hotels Taj and Trident and at CST station, sites that were attacked on that Wednesday last year. People from all walks of life are paying homage to the victims of 26/11 in day-long tributes.
Candles were lit at the Trident Hotel in memory of those killed there after hours of being held hostage last year. At the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus Station, with the Railway Police standing by, people can come and pay their respects through the day. A blood donation camp is also being held at the CST. Prayers have begun at the station - porters, Railwaymen and others connected with the station have been visiting to lay wreaths, some in tears, all saying they shall never forget. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan was an early visitor. (Read & Watch: Mumbai prays at CST Station for 52 lives lost)
CST station was one of the first sites that Ajmal Kasab and his now dead partner Abu Ismail attacked on 26/11. Fifty two people died here at their hands.
At another main site of the attacks, the Taj Mahal Hotel, children gathered to pay tribute to the innocent lives lost in the attacks. (Watch: Cops should do more for common man, Taj survivor).
The Taj under attack was one of the defining images of 26/11. Thirty one people were killed in the hotel that night, including 10 employees. Here to pay homage now is Dr Prashat Mangeshkar, who was dining at the Taj on the day of the attack. Dr Mangeshkar helped several victims who were injured, using table linen as bandages. A year later, all he says is: "In the end, I hope Mumbai is more secure and the cops do more for the common man rather than the elite."
Prayers are being offered at Nariman House, where six people including a Rabbi and his wife were held hostage in a 45-hour siege and then killed by terrorists. Nariman House will be thrown open to the public soon today and people will even be given guided tours. (Watch: Reliving the terror at Nariman House)
Just opposite Nariman House, a small memorial has been built at a bakery that still bears marks of the terrorists' bullets. Residents here too say they can never forget - for good reason. They were perhaps the closest witnesses to the attack on the Jewish religious centre and many of them had to be evacuated from their homes as the NSG tried to flush out terrorists.
But Mumbaikars gave an impressive show of strength by the Mumbai Police, a miss. Armed with its latest acquisitions - from AK47s, to amphibious vehicles and much more, Mumbai Police marched down Mumbai's Marine Drive - from the Trident Hotel to Girgaum Chowpatty. Rs 126 crore has been spent in the last one-year for the upgradation of the police infrastructure and it was all brought out to allay fears of security men being ill-equipped ever again.
Joining the police were the newly-created elite Force One commandos raised in the aftermath of 26/11 and trained along the lines of the National Security Guard. The early morning parade was spectacular, but few turned up to watch it. (Read: Mumbai skips 26/11 parade)
In Kanpur, the Indian cricket team observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives a year ago, before play began on the third day of the Test match against Sri Lanka. (Read: Team India pay homage).
November is prime cricket season and India was actually playing an ODI series with England during the Mumbai attacks last year. India win, but that is one victory, few have recorded in their minds. (Blog: The night when victory meant nothing)
Joining the rest of India in remembering the victims of 26/11, were the politicians. If the Liberhan report kicked up a storm in Parliament, the first anniversary of 26/11 brought a welcome break from the noise and din of the past few days as MPs observed a two-minute silence. Not for long though. Very soon they were bickering over 26/11. (Read: 26/11: Netas not united in Lok Sabha)
But politics aside, most Indians today want to know if we are any safe a year after the Mumbai horror and if the guilty will ever be brought to book. In an exclusive interview to NDTV's Barkha Dutt, the Home Minister P Chidambaram was confronted with many who believe more needs to be done to punish those responsible. But he maintains war with Pakistan is not an option. (Read: Chidambaram on handling Pakistan)
Tonight at 9 pm, people are gathering to join NDTV's Hands Together for India campaign and observe a two-minute silence in memory across cities. Join our reporters in your city to pay tribute to the lives lost. (Check where in your city)
In Mumbai, the day began with memorial services at hotels Taj and Trident and at CST station, sites that were attacked on that Wednesday last year. People from all walks of life are paying homage to the victims of 26/11 in day-long tributes.
Candles were lit at the Trident Hotel in memory of those killed there after hours of being held hostage last year. At the Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus Station, with the Railway Police standing by, people can come and pay their respects through the day. A blood donation camp is also being held at the CST. Prayers have begun at the station - porters, Railwaymen and others connected with the station have been visiting to lay wreaths, some in tears, all saying they shall never forget. Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan was an early visitor. (Read & Watch: Mumbai prays at CST Station for 52 lives lost)
CST station was one of the first sites that Ajmal Kasab and his now dead partner Abu Ismail attacked on 26/11. Fifty two people died here at their hands.
At another main site of the attacks, the Taj Mahal Hotel, children gathered to pay tribute to the innocent lives lost in the attacks. (Watch: Cops should do more for common man, Taj survivor).
The Taj under attack was one of the defining images of 26/11. Thirty one people were killed in the hotel that night, including 10 employees. Here to pay homage now is Dr Prashat Mangeshkar, who was dining at the Taj on the day of the attack. Dr Mangeshkar helped several victims who were injured, using table linen as bandages. A year later, all he says is: "In the end, I hope Mumbai is more secure and the cops do more for the common man rather than the elite."
Prayers are being offered at Nariman House, where six people including a Rabbi and his wife were held hostage in a 45-hour siege and then killed by terrorists. Nariman House will be thrown open to the public soon today and people will even be given guided tours. (Watch: Reliving the terror at Nariman House)
Just opposite Nariman House, a small memorial has been built at a bakery that still bears marks of the terrorists' bullets. Residents here too say they can never forget - for good reason. They were perhaps the closest witnesses to the attack on the Jewish religious centre and many of them had to be evacuated from their homes as the NSG tried to flush out terrorists.
But Mumbaikars gave an impressive show of strength by the Mumbai Police, a miss. Armed with its latest acquisitions - from AK47s, to amphibious vehicles and much more, Mumbai Police marched down Mumbai's Marine Drive - from the Trident Hotel to Girgaum Chowpatty. Rs 126 crore has been spent in the last one-year for the upgradation of the police infrastructure and it was all brought out to allay fears of security men being ill-equipped ever again.
Joining the police were the newly-created elite Force One commandos raised in the aftermath of 26/11 and trained along the lines of the National Security Guard. The early morning parade was spectacular, but few turned up to watch it. (Read: Mumbai skips 26/11 parade)
In Kanpur, the Indian cricket team observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives a year ago, before play began on the third day of the Test match against Sri Lanka. (Read: Team India pay homage).
November is prime cricket season and India was actually playing an ODI series with England during the Mumbai attacks last year. India win, but that is one victory, few have recorded in their minds. (Blog: The night when victory meant nothing)
Joining the rest of India in remembering the victims of 26/11, were the politicians. If the Liberhan report kicked up a storm in Parliament, the first anniversary of 26/11 brought a welcome break from the noise and din of the past few days as MPs observed a two-minute silence. Not for long though. Very soon they were bickering over 26/11. (Read: 26/11: Netas not united in Lok Sabha)
But politics aside, most Indians today want to know if we are any safe a year after the Mumbai horror and if the guilty will ever be brought to book. In an exclusive interview to NDTV's Barkha Dutt, the Home Minister P Chidambaram was confronted with many who believe more needs to be done to punish those responsible. But he maintains war with Pakistan is not an option. (Read: Chidambaram on handling Pakistan)
Tonight at 9 pm, people are gathering to join NDTV's Hands Together for India campaign and observe a two-minute silence in memory across cities. Join our reporters in your city to pay tribute to the lives lost. (Check where in your city)
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