New Delhi, Nov 26 (IANS) As the horrors of the 26/11 strike in Mumbai came back to haunt India, people from all walks of life Thursday remembered the day and spoke out against terror — in the hallowed portals of parliament and on the streets, inside homes and in seminar halls.
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar: “Today is a very solemn day. The house salutes the indomitable courage of the security forces who gave a crushing blow to the terrorists on Nov 26, 2008, and the fortitude of the people of Mumbai. On this day the house resolved to unitedly fight and defeat the forces of terrorism and never again allow them to spill the blood of innocent people.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan: “We shall leave no stone unturned to protect Mumbai and its citizens.”

Taj Mahal Palace and Tower General Manager Karambir Kang, who lost his wife and two children in the attack: “A lot of planning goes into dealing with such attacks. We are not dealing with any ordinary people but terrorists here who are fully prepared for everything.”

Survivor Khurshid: “I lost my friend that day. He was trying to save my life when he got shot. I have lost my faith in humanity. You can try to do anything now, but those who are dead will not come back.”

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) announcer Vishnu Dattaram on duty that night: “As soon as my family heard about the attacks they called me. I assured them that I am fine but people around me are not.”

Leopold Cafe co-owner Farhang Jehani: “After people recovered from the pain that they went through they came back to Leopold’s to have their favourite dishes. Even today Leopold’s is their favourite eating joint.”

Survivor Viju Chavan: “I was pregnant at the time of the attack. After that incident people told me to name my daughter ‘Goli’. Even today, my daughter is referred to as ‘Goli’ and not by her real name.”

Survivor Madhu Kapoor: “We had not imagined that something like this would happen in a five star hotel. Let alone (in Taj hotel). Terrorism was perceived as something which one reads in newspapers and not something which happens in real life. That day opened our eyes.”

Rear Admiral (Retd.) Vijay Shankar: “What is missing today is the absence of a real anti-terror combat strategy.”

National Security Guards (NSG) Deputy Inspector General Govind Singh Sisodia: “The security agencies of Britain, Germany, France and Japan have contacted NSG. Everyone wants to know more about the successful completion of one of the most horrid terrorist strikes in the world.”

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan : “It was a very tragic event, but good thing that happened was that the tragedy brought the people of Mumbai together and closer.”

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shaina NC, who is also a fashion designer: “People want to unite, they want to jointly tackle the common challenges confronting them like terror. That is the reason the 1.5 km wall at Marine Lines has got several thousand messages.”

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar: “I remember the indomitable spirit that let us go on. Director Priyadarshan insisted on continuing the work with full strength to defy the terrorists. And now the film is coming, one year and a day after the incident.”