Thread: The Tragedy in Mumbai

My thoughts and prayers to our Indian friends (and forum members) and victims of the tragedy unfolding in Mumbai.

Hopefully no one we know was personally affected by the events which may seem so far away for many of us.

How ironic.. here I sit reading an article on $100,000+ wrist watches in Forbes Life magazine and opposite is a full page advert for the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai, voted #1 Overseas Business Hotel in the World.

No wonder the hotel was targeted as it represents the complete opposite of the lives and beliefs of so many..

How sad for all involved..

I am following this news story as well, its so sad, and terrorism is unfortunatley a part of life now, but didnt expect it to hit India.

Latest updates..

Reinforcements brought to Taj Hotel. Terrorists were aware of Taj layout, say Marine Commandos. The terrorists had AK series rifle. What made MARCOS' progress difficult was the presence of many guests. Plastic explosives and 8 credit cards were recovered from the terrorists' possession. All recovered items have been handed over to the police. The marines have recovered 30 bodies from one of the halls of the hotel. Close to 200 guests were held hostage in one of the halls. A Mauritius national ID card recovered from one terrorist's bag. Currency worth $1,200 was recovered from terrorists.

Terrorist attacks show Al-Qaeda links, IB sources said, adding, that the links would not just stretch up to pak, but will go beyond

There are still about 25 Aussies unaccounted for

It is crazy a massacre of innocent people and for what? terrorism seems to be spreading like a virus.

so they hit india...why?

This is really sad and it strikes a chord with me. I stayed at the Taj Mahal many years ago as a student. Our plane broke down on the way from London to Hong Kong and we were forced to stay in Mumbai for a night. The passengers were split between the Taj and Oberoi, it must have been extremely expensive for Bristish Airways then. But on the other hand, had our plane taken off, I would probably be dead as the braking system and one of the engines were failing.

Originally Posted by WikicyloN

so they hit india...why?

Because they could :3078:

One of the Australians killed was a 71 year old grandfather on holiday with his wife :3082:

Originally Posted by WikicyloN

so they hit india...why?

Maybe because its a country that you would not think terrorists would try to attack? I have no idea, but from what I have read, they just walked in and started firing :3078: and kept firing. From what I have also read the Indian Police Force have done a good job.

Its just like the Bali bombing, senseless.

Originally Posted by Autumn

Because they could :3078:

One of the Australians killed was a 71 year old grandfather on holiday with his wife :3082:

Around 140 people killed so far and you are thinking/talking about Australians only!!!!!!!!!!!

Shame on you.....

The last time that I looked our news were only talking about the Australians that have been killed, we are Australian so our media looks for any aussies that have been injured or killed.

For myself I had no idea how many people have been killed, but I do know how many Australians have been.

Damn, its just 2 mins from my office where it occurred!

Originally Posted by esidyo

Damn, its just 2 mins from my office where it occurred!

You are very lucky as bullets were flying all over the place :3078: Hopefully you wouldnt have been at work then.

My heart goes out to all the families and people who this involves. Terrible tragedy.

Originally Posted by Rhiannon

The last time that I looked our news were only talking about the Australians that have been killed, we are Australian so our media looks for any aussies that have been injured or killed.

For myself I had no idea how many people have been killed, but I do know how many Australians have been.

Its hard to believe that the media is reporting only about the people belong to that particular country.

Originally Posted by Rhiannon

You are very lucky as bullets were flying all over the place :3078: Hopefully you wouldnt have been at work then.

My heart goes out to all the families and people who this involves. Terrible tragedy.

Yeah, lucky, it happened at 9:45 pm and I was out till 8:45 hehe

Originally Posted by designer007

Its hard to believe that the media is reporting only about the people belong to that particular country.

Most of the news on ninemsn was about an actress who was over there.

Australian and World News - Main Stories - ninemsn News Even now the coverage isnt any good. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=674149

I don't believe they were attacking because it was "India", per se.. they attacked the Taj because of what it represented in the world view and because it housed many Americans, Brits, Aussies, etc. Spending one night at the Taj is equivalent to a years pay for many Indians by the way according to an article I read so hitting the Taj was an attack against capitalism and Westerners IMO.

BTW, Designer007, it's only natural we should be concerned about any of our compatriots who might have been killed.. I don't believe anyone is minimizing the tragedy that ocurred. American news outlets focus on American dead, Australian news, the Australians, and so forth..

I was not affected by this tragedy personally, but I must say I highly disagree with "designer007" groans, it is totally normal for people in a particular country to be more aware about their countrymen and countrywomen, as that is what they are seeing in their local news, this does not mean they do not feel bad about the others killed too!!!

LeenkzMike added 1 Minutes and 15 Seconds later...

damned, dgridley, beat me to the punch! LOL

Originally Posted by dgridley

BTW, Designer007, it's only natural we should be concerned about any of our compatriots who might have been killed.. I don't believe anyone is minimizing the tragedy that ocurred. American news outlets focus on American dead, Australian news, the Australians, and so forth..

And Indian news focuses on Indians that died just as tragicially. The Brits are concerned about the British Cricket team on a series tour in India too!

Regardless of what country was hit, and what the nationality of the victims, it's a senseless tragedy that never should have happened. :evil:

AP photos (some graphic):

Mumbai under attack - The Big Picture - Boston.com

The siege is finally over ray:

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Police declare Mumbai siege over
VOA News - Mumbai Siege Over, Indian Forces Kill Last Militants
http://www.reuters.com/article/reute...4AQ2LM20081129

Originally Posted by dgridley

AP photos (some graphic):

Mumbai under attack - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Those photos make me cry, its such a f**kin waste of lives. I cannot understand why this happens. All these people have done no wrong. And no one in their right mind would ever think that what the terrorists did was right.

The plan was on from 2 years to make this attack, the terrorists were working as waiters/chefs from last 10 months in the hotels :eek:

Those suicide bombers are bad enough, but at least the carnage is over in a very short space of time. This terror went on for three days, I couldn't even begin to imagine the fear that so many had to endure for so long. 195 dead and countless injured.

They are called suicide attackers imo

suicide bombers are the ones who come and go in 1 minute

Originally Posted by esidyo

They are called suicide attackers imo

suicide bombers are the ones who come and go in 1 minute

How close are you to Mumbai?

RIP!

Originally Posted by Red Hot Mama

How close are you to Mumbai?

He lives in Mumbai only.

Originally Posted by i13

RIP!


He lives in Mumbai only.

But he works about 2 mins away from where all of this happened.

There have been live and video coverage over at CNN.

Really sad of what has happened.

Originally Posted by Red Hot Mama

Regardless of what country was hit, and what the nationality of the victims, it's a senseless tragedy that never should have happened. :evil:

I brace for reds.

But I think what red says is only a matter of perspective. The attackers certainly thought this was not senseless. They wanted to get their message out and now the whole world knows them. I am not saying I side with them, just that in their opinion it was needed.

I personally think it is very important what country was attacked, and who were the victims. It is only trough understanding people's beliefs that we can hope to avoid this kind event in the future. If country A thinks all men with mustaches needs to shave, and they get ignored (and they are a violence-prone people), eventually they might attack country B that only has mustached men. If we just ignore why or who was attacked we won't understand country A's actions and instead of working towards a resolution, it would be more likely that we work towards a retribution.

in addition, I just found out Mumbai is Bombay. It was renamed in 1998.

these photos were really graphic..
I am an indian , but in new york right now.
made me soo frustrated...

Originally Posted by WikicyloN

I personally think it is very important what country was attacked, and who were the victims.

bahh.. bull sh*t.

The colour of the blood is the same isn't it? The pain and loss are similar isn't it?

Donot rate human life according to country or religion.

And Indian news focuses on Indians that died just as tragicially. The Brits are concerned about the British Cricket team on a series tour in India too!

I'm really very sorry but I have to disagree. The Indian media, or Indian people are as much concerned about others as they are for themselves. While the incident was going on, Indian news did not "focus on Indians", they cast everything and everyone who was hit. When these firings etc were going on, and I was at the hostel, we, friends were talking not how many "Indians" were hit, but how many "people" were hit.

I'm not being biased because I'm an Indian, but Indians consider Guests as Gods and if they find a foreigner and an Indian needing help the same time, they won't prioritize who, which, what country etc - they'll pay equal attention to both. Sorry, but that is what India is.

It's really sad whatever happened, the security and a lot of things could have been improved, but now that it has happened, we should look towards the future and ensure that our security is tightened up, and we are better prepared if any such mishaps take roots! It's a pity how easily they broke into the premium areas and started firing, killing many people.

I hope government of India will take strict actions against the Pak terrorists.

I hope government of India will take strict actions against the Pak terrorists

Sorry, but why is that?

I don't think we should name any country in particular. Terrorism is a challenge to world, and it's not supported by a country or something.

I highly disagree with that statement.

Also the richest persons are killed in this attack that is very sad also.

Originally Posted by weblover50

Also the richest persons are killed in this attack that is very sad also.

Lol, it's sad cause they're rich? Wow, it should be sad cause a life was lost, period, rich or poor, money should not define a person's value. :sroll:

Originally Posted by swastik

I'm not being biased because I'm an Indian, but Indians consider Guests as Gods and if they find a foreigner and an Indian needing help the same time, they won't prioritize who, which, what country etc - they'll pay equal attention to both. Sorry, but that is what India is.

One of my friends saw this first hand when they were in India, because he was a guest in India he was treated so well and felt safe wherever he travelled. Hes travelled all over the world and he recons that the Indians would feel shame if anything bad happens to visitors over there while they are a guest of their country.

Rhiannon added 1 Minutes and 12 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by swastik

Sorry, but why is that?

I don't think we should name any country in particular. Terrorism is a challenge to world, and it's not supported by a country or something.

I highly disagree with that statement.

According to the news, the men who planned and carried out this act of terrorism were from Pakistan. Also its the country that is well know for having terrorist camps.