Limbu-paani wallah (lemonade seller) at the Gateway of India.
Continue reading “Limbu Paani: Lemonade and Meera’s Right Foot”
Mumbai Blasts: Previously Unseen Pics from 26/11
While covering the terrorist atrocities in Mumbai last year, I found myself racing from the Leopold Cafe to the Taj and to the Nariman Bldg; shooting pics, updating my twitter feed and simultaneously keeping an ear on what the locals were telling me. Everything happened so fast, there was not much time to think ~ just do! I shared with you all many pics of events as they unfolded. Now on this one-year anniversary, I want to share a few more pics from those horrific three days last year.
At the top level TAB here: Mumbai Blasts, you can find links to all my previous articles, photographs and related press coverage.
Thursday am: This was from the first morning when Mumbai woke up to the terrorist acts which started the previous night. Early that morning as I got out of the house to go for my run I encountered scores of assault weapons toting commandos outside our bldg, a block behind the Taj. I scampered back, got my camera and ran to the Terrace, from where I took many of these pics.
Part of the Taj is smoldering from the fires the previous night – but all the domes are still intact.
Continue reading “Mumbai Blasts: Previously Unseen Pics from 26/11”
Dossier of Terrorist Evidence Submitted to Pakistan
Complete Dossier of Terrorist Evidence Submitted to Pakistan
Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, came under a heinous terrorist attack on November 26, 2008.
The terrorist attacks took place at many locations, especially at CST Railway Station; the Leopold Cafe; Taj Hotel; Oberoi Trident Hotel; and Nariman House. 165 Persons (civilians and security personnel) lost their lives and 304 were injured. Among the civilians killed were 26 foreigners belonging to many nationalities (Annexure-I).
So starts the 46-page dossier of evidence submitted to Pakistan by the Government of India. The dossier of evidence was also presented to representatives of 14 countries whose citizens were killed by terrorists in Mumbai (Nov 26-29 2008).
You can download and read the entire dossier. The entire dossier found at many Indian news sites is uploaded as four PDF files.
Continue reading “Dossier of Terrorist Evidence Submitted to Pakistan”
Mumbai Blasts: One Month On
Its been a month, but seems like only yesterday that I woke to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai! So many vigils, memorials, speeches and even some saber rattling! But really, what is different?
Other than a few cosmetic changes, the same incompetent and corrupt politicians are running the show. Condi Rice made a trip and gave some stern warnings. Pakistan blows smoke! India, the supposedly emerging super power, appears impotent! Folks are getting back to their daily grind. The traffic is still horrible and Chalta Hai rules!
Just returned to winter in Boston, after an all consuming trip to India. Still catching up on my emails, but the snow has been cleared from the driveway! Organizing my pics is a big chore, made easier by munching on delicious mithai (sweets) we brought back.
Created a summary of my Mumbai Blast posts and it is now a top-level TAB: Mumbai Blasts! on my home page. Was surprised at the attention the blog got during the Mumbai blasts. Thanks to all my friends and you readers who directed my attention to the various mentions in the main-stream media. I have listed (and linked) to all media at the Mumbai Blasts! TAB. If you know of others, kindly send me a link.
Appreciate the kinds words that many friends and even complete strangers shared via comments and emails over the last month. I treasure them all and as I reread many comments, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of so many. We humans have such a magnificent capacity for love and compassion. Yet, some humans, inhumans actually, can be so cruel. Verily, tragedy brings us closer; but does it require a tragedy?
Soon I hope to get back to my regular postings on delicious foods, exotic travels and beautiful people. And soon too, I will start to visit your blogs and read your latest happenings.
Hope your Holidays have been as blessedly beautiful as ours has been!
And since you have made it so far: This is my 400th post! Yaay!
Comment: Justifying Citizen Journalists
Columbia Journalism posted a discussion: How Should Journalists use Twitter?
Their Staff Writer Megan Garber critiqued a few of my tweets. Some of the criticisms were justified, others were, in my opinion, unstudied. Below, I have transcribed Ms Garber’s comments and my response.
Continue reading “Comment: Justifying Citizen Journalists”
Leopold Reopens, Mumbai Bounces Back!
See Previous Posts Related to Mumbai Terror Strikes
- Mumbai: Beloved City Reclaimed
- Mumbai Blasts: Mop up at the Taj
- Mumbai Blasts: Day 2
- Mumbai Blasts: Day 1
Picture Update from ~ 5:30 pm onwards Indian Time; Monday Dec 1st from the Leopold Cafe!
Met fellow twitter organizer Netra at the Leopold Cafe, Mumbai. After the shooting on Wednesday night, it had opened for the first time. It was not as raucous inside and much fewer foreigners (understandably). Many onlookers had to be kept out by guys manning the several doors. Several media folks were inside taking pics as well.
Continue reading “Leopold Reopens, Mumbai Bounces Back!”
Mumbai: Beloved City Reclaimed
Mumbaikars Reclaim Beloved City
Continued from
Mumbai Blasts: Mop up at the Taj
Mumbai Blasts: Day 2
Mumbai Blasts: Day 1
Picture Update from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Indian Time; Sunday Nov 30th from the Leopold Cafe!
Here are a few pics from the crowds in front of the Leopold Cafe this afternoon.
The Leopold Cafe “did” open briefly this morning, but apparently the crowds showed an excessive enthusiasm to get in and see the battle scars. The Owners could not get private security quick enough and the Police asked the owners to close shop. Police also roped off the sidewalk in front of the Leopold; And surprisingly, there was a media circus with at least 5 TV vans and seemingly scores of reporters! Not fun! Meet a few tweople there! Good to finally put faces to names!
People were lighting candles and placing flowers just outside the Cafe
I loved the little girl’s “UNBREAKABLE” Flag; exactly my thoughts!
More Pics!
Continue reading “Mumbai: Beloved City Reclaimed”
Mumbai Blasts: Day 3, Mop Up at the Taj
Continued from
Mumbai Blasts: Day 2
Mumbai Blasts: Day 1
Picture Update from ~ 9:15 am Indian Time; Saturday Nov 29th
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
Pics on FLickr! username “shanbhag”
Not to be deterred, I took a detour and reached the front of the Taj. I was on the sea face looking at the front of the Taj from its right!
Firemen had hoisted ladders and were climbing into the first floor
Police trying to provide a security cordon!
MORE Pics!
Continue reading “Mumbai Blasts: Day 3, Mop Up at the Taj”
Mumbai Blasts: Day 2 Live Blogging
This Day 2 Post continues where I left off from Mumbai Blasts: Day 1
Update: between 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm; Indian Time; Friday Nov 28th
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
Posting Pics on FLickr! username “shanbhag”
All these pics are from INSIDE the Secure Staging Cordon in front of the Taj; assembled here were fire engines, ambulances, Police forces, some of the Rapid Reaction Forces and some commandos; And ALL media types!
Scores of reporters looking at the Taj within the staging cordon in front of the Taj Intercontinental; Gateway of India in the back!
Every time we heard a blast or gunfire, everyone looked at the Taj to try and figure out where it came from.
Scarred Beauty! Really! The Taj Still stands Tall!
Continue reading “Mumbai Blasts: Day 2 Live Blogging”
Mumbai Blasts: Taj Burning; More pics from terrorist killing
This post is getting too long; See updates from Day Two at: Mumbai Blasts: Day 2
Follow the top level TAB; Mumbai Blasts for links to All related posts.
And, Previously Unseen pics from the 26/11 terrorist attacks.
Sorry, pic heavy post!
Revision ~ 12:15 – 12:30 am Indian Time; Friday Nov 28th
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
Posting all pics on FLickr! username “arunshanbhag”
Dome of the Taj is nearly all burn’t out! Only the central post remains; the base of the dome is still burning! TV Cameras are located on diagonally opposite side of Taj and cannot see the dome; TV coverage only shows glow from burning dome! TV is now saying that shots are heard inside the Taj and all the terrorists are NOT YET cleared!
Revision ~ 10:30 – 11:00 pm Indian Time
Follow my updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/arunshanbhag
OMG! One of the domes of the Taj is on fire; It is burning like a bonfire! I can actually see the structs/frameworks under the tiles in full blaze. OMG! NO! This can’t be happening!
~ Hand held; rested my elbow on the sill!; Sorry for blurry images from ~ 10:45 pm
MORE PICS!
Continue reading “Mumbai Blasts: Taj Burning; More pics from terrorist killing”
Sweeper at the Gateway of India
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Early one morning at the Gateway of India, I noticed this sweeper busy keeping the plaza clean. She was not distracted by morning walkers, joggers or amateur photographers. It was good to see the city doing something about the trash. Now if we could only get people to not throw trash on the streets … !
For bearings, my back is to the ocean; behind the sweeper at the 11 O'clock position is the Taj Intercontinental. Just behind the third figure, notice the imposing statue of Shivaji Maharaj and at the 4 O'clock position, the Gateway of India itself.
My related picture posts:
Boats at the Gateway of India
Early in the morning, tourist boats at the Gateway of India (GOI) were still bobbing at anchors. Very few visitors this early and a great time for an aimless stroll. (see Lights at the Gateway of India)
Gateway of India bathed in the glow of the rising sun.
Inside the GOI, construction was going on.
Outside detail
Boats at the GOI
Boat deck
The monsoon rains were ending and a devotee had left flowers to “Varuna” God of the rains.
See also:
Kabootar at the Taj Hotel Mumbai
A few pics from Mumbai, which go with this previous post
At the Gateway of India (GOI), I was hoping to capture the 'swoosh' of kabootar (pigeons) flying away. So I positioned myself, and asked M to dash into the feeding flock and scare them away. Easier said than done! She traipses towards the pigeons, murmuring “kabootar ja ja ja, kabootar ja ja ja.” I think more pigeons were drawn in, than flew away. After multiple futile instructions to “dash in,” I settled on this pic to capture the ambience at the GOI that morning.
The older Taj Hotel. Still the most charming Hotel in Mumbai!
Guard at the Front Entrance of the Taj
The rising sun gave the Taj a nice golden glow!
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One more!
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See a few related posts:
Arun Shanbhag 