MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK ANNIVERSARY
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Billion prayers: A salute to the victims of 26/11
Published on Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 20:12, Updated on Thu, Nov 26, 2009 at 20:50 in India section
Tags: Mumbai Terror Attack, Ajmal Kasab , Mumbai
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Mumbai/New Delhi: It was a day of vivid recall, of remembrances public and private, of recrimination and also resolve as India on Thursday paused in its tracks to rewind to the traumatic night of November 26 last year and the 60 hours of terror that followed.
They went to school, college and office but the fear and helplessness of that day was never far from the mind as Indians across the country and the world mourned the 166 dead in India's most wounding terror strike that had left behind scars perhaps never to be healed.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was away in the US, spoke in Washington about "remembrance and homage to all the innocent civilians and our brave men in uniform" who died in the attack.
In the Capital, Parliament began with two minutes silence and a resolution in the Lok Sabha to wage a united war against terror. In Kanpur, the cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka began with a similar homage. Tributes to the brave who died – and those who survived – were held in many cities with citizens collecting at designated places holding aloft lit candles and pledging for peace.
And all thoughts were with Mumbai that was ravaged by 10 terrorists who came by boats from Pakistan on the night of November 26 to begin a bloody siege that ended only on the afternoon of November 28. Only one terrorist was caught alive, Pakistani Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, whose trial is far from complete.
As crowds gathered at the Gateway of India, the two luxury hotels ravaged by the attacks, Chabad House, Leopold Cafe, Marine Drive, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station – every place the terrorists had left a bloody imprint – the anger was palpable.
"We want Kasab to be hanged," said a young teen outside the Gateway of India. "We are all furious. You can protect ministers but what about us?" added another man standing next to her.
That the Lok Sabha, which started with Speaker Meira Kumar's resolution "to unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism", degenerated into an ugly war of words between BJP's Leader of Opposition LK Advani and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the occasion led to dismay.
Advani alleged that the disbursal of relief to the victims was slow, prompting heated exchanges and finally, Mukherjee shouting at BJP MPs, "You are making politics on 26/11."
It took Meira Kumar to remind the House that "today is a very solemn day".
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Dear Dasbabu,
You have seen the visuals from one angle i.e from the angle of the ruling party....if it
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What Mr.Advani has questioned has utmost relevance.Relief has not been carried out,cheques have been astonishingly dishonoured. 26/11 was the day
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What is the impact of yesterday's drama including lighting candles on climate change?
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Dear Sir
All those who die for the cause of the nation, sheading their blood are born again once
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This is the right time to ask questions which have been asked by opposition leader. Otherwise, when should one question
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