Dateline Bombay – Oh Taj, 26/11

The Delhi walla‘s pretension in writing makes me want to lodge a bullet in his balls – Blogger Nimpipi, the woodchuck chucks
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*Picture by Arko Datta

All Delhi wallas are Mumbaikars today.

[By Mayank Austen Soofi; above picture taken by Arko Datta]

Today Delhi has become Bombay. The Delhi Walla is now a Bombay Walla. I talked to a few eminent people who shuffle their time in both cities.

Anjolie Ela Menon, Delhi-based painter
I was at home in Nizamuddin East when news channels broke the news. My son is visiting Bombay and I was panicked. But he is safe in Shivaji Park. However a businessman friend of mine is trapped in the Taj.

Anita Kaul Basu, TV producer, spends time both in Delhi and Bombay
It’s like being in Kashmir.

I was at home in Andheri West and since last night I haven’t gotten up from the TV. We thought terrorist attacks happen in crowded places like railway stations but this time they targeted luxurious hotels. They targeted People Like Us.

Even South Bombay is not safe.

Of course, I’m sorry about so many deaths but it breaks my heart to see the fire razing in the old wing of the Taj. That was exactly the place where we shot an episode of Mastermind India a few years ago. There are rumors of the central atrium filled with bodies. It’s tragic. Although all my friends seem to be safe but you don’t know just who are trapped inside those hotels. We had a TV shoot today in Goregaon but of course we have abandon the plans.

Roshan Seth, Delhi-based actor
Since I don’t have a television, I got the news this morning from newspapers. That all this happens in the name of God is so ultimately depressing. We are in a state of war without being in a state of war.

Anoushka Shankar, Delhi-based sitar player
I was at home in Panchseel Enclave when I saw the news on TV. I immediately smsed my friends in Bombay. Till late last night it seemed the situation would come under control but I woke up in the morning and realized the enormity of it. I’m shaken.

Vir Das, Bombay-based comedian
I was busy in the shoot of my new TV show in Kandivali East and I came home only this morning. I’m sleepy but thank God all my friends are safe.

Samit Basu, Delhi-based novelist
I was at home in CR Park when I got the news and I immediately thought of my friends in Bombay. Thankfully none of them live in South Bombay. Which is good in many ways. But I’m not catching the news on TV. I don’t have a cable connection.

Oh Bombay (picture by Peter Keep)

*Picture by Peter Keep

Oh Bombay (picture by Arko Datta)

*Picture by Arko Datta

Oh Bombay (picture by Gautam Singh)

*Picture by Gautam Singh

Shock in Delhi

Dateline Bombay – Oh Taj, 27/11

Shock in Delhi

Dateline Bombay – Oh Taj, 27/11