Click to play videoMumbai: While the rest of the country soaks in the festive spirit with back-to-back Diwali and Eid celebrations, many families in Mumbai are giving gaiety and festivities a quiet miss this year.
A pall of gloom has descended on the families of persons who bore the brunt of the July 11 serial train blasts and also the loved ones of the terror-plot accused.
There's an eerie silence inside many homes in the city and the only sound that reverberates is that of mourning.
"There is no tempo of Diwali this year as it use to be. They (the children) would always say ‘Baba get us crackers’. But this time they haven’t demanded anything. I think they understand," says a victim of 7/11 bombings, excise officer Dhiraj Rathod.
Having lost an arm and hearing in the blasts, Diwali means no crackers or family outings this year for Rathod. His daughters – 10-year-old Jigyasha and 12-year-old Priyanka - perhaps sense the mood better than even the adults sometimes can.
"Diwali without crackers is fine. We spend our entire day just playing,” says Priyanka.
But while the Rathods can afford to smile, there are some families still waiting for happiness to knock at their doors, especially the families of those who's members have been arrested and are being held responsible for carrying out these blasts.
For Sherunissa Ansari - mother of one of the main blast accused, Tanvir Ahmed Ansari - this year’s holy month of Ramzan has spelled gloom. With the arrest of her son - who used to lead the family in fasting and feasting – her celebration has also been arrested in its steps.
"My son won't be here. He is my youngest child. How can we be happy or think of celebrating. "I want to go and see him when its Eid.. I hope they let me meet me,” she says.
The city, revered by many for its fabled spirit and resilience, is now witnessing the ugliest side of terror. A terror that has not only destroyed families of those who were targeted, but has also shattered the loved ones of the accused.
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