Being a features reporter, just like any other day, I was on my way for a red carpet event in a 5 star hotel in Juhu. Oblivious to the fact that a tragedy had occurred right around the corner, our team was enjoying the music on the radio. Just then a call from office changed the entire scenario. We were to head towards Matunga station where a bomb blast had just occurred. We loaded our camera and collected all the extra tapes that we could. I placed my press card and the phone in my pocket and held the boom tight. Some part of me still didn't know what to expect. After all, all that I had witnessed so far in news were the music launches, shoots, parties, awards and a few star tantrums. But I knew this was the real thing.
We jumped out of our car and ran towards the staircase only to witness a catastrophic sight. There were people and more people all over the station, a stranded train on the mid track with a bogie in taters. A camera was the last thing people wanted to see. Men were carrying injured on their shoulders to put them into the cabs, cabs came and stopped and took the patients in without asking a single question. By now, the police vehicles were also there to offer their service. Cops were all over the place. But had little to do after what the efficient citizens had already done. As I walked on the platform, a mob of people surrounded me asking me what was I doing there after the blast had happened? Why was I not there when the blast took place and while people were getting burnt? For a second I thought I was gone, they would eat me alive. But then, they wanted to say something and this was the time to hear them. I asked my cameraman to roll the camera and I heard what they had to say. For the first time, I felt like a true journalist who knew what to do in times of such crisis.
It was time to send the footage gathered so far and that's what we did. The assistant ran to the OB van to send the visuals to Delhi. Completely unaware of the fact that those were the first visuals that reached the world, I carried on. Somewhere in the crowd I lost my cameraman. But, the excellent team that we have it was not a big deal. Another cameraman from the network found me and we made our way through various other mobs. But then, I lost this one too. The only sensible thing to do was to head towards the car and so I did. No phone calls, no instructions, but then there are some things that you know have to be done. It was time to move to some other place. But where? Just then a fellow reporter crossed me and yelled, " Go to KEM hospital."
So that was the place where I saw another face of humanity. 500 people were already lined up to donate blood within 2 hours of the blast. Young boys were running up and down to begin the donation process. To do whatever they can. The sight took over all the disasters that I had just seen. The disastrous event had just turned the rudest city into the most gracious one. We've often heard that for every evil there is some good, but here there is plenty of it. The realization dawned on me, only when I sat back and contemplated the actions, the reactions and the people. I felt so little yet so strong, so hurt and yet so proud.
These are just some of the reflections of my introspections.
About the AuthorUrmi Sahni My world...Read Morefirst published:July 19, 2006, 12:51 ISTlast updated:July 19, 2006, 12:51 IST
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First draft of the first blog, but there is so much to say, so much to tell. Have to begin somewhere. Have you ever had that one moment in life where something in you changes forever? I think the serial blasts in Mumbai did exactly that to me. Don't know what changed, don't know what exactly about the blasts caused the change, but there was something...
Being a features reporter, just like any other day, I was on my way for a red carpet event in a 5 star hotel in Juhu. Oblivious to the fact that a tragedy had occurred right around the corner, our team was enjoying the music on the radio. Just then a call from office changed the entire scenario. We were to head towards Matunga station where a bomb blast had just occurred. We loaded our camera and collected all the extra tapes that we could. I placed my press card and the phone in my pocket and held the boom tight. Some part of me still didn't know what to expect. After all, all that I had witnessed so far in news were the music launches, shoots, parties, awards and a few star tantrums. But I knew this was the real thing.
We jumped out of our car and ran towards the staircase only to witness a catastrophic sight. There were people and more people all over the station, a stranded train on the mid track with a bogie in taters. A camera was the last thing people wanted to see. Men were carrying injured on their shoulders to put them into the cabs, cabs came and stopped and took the patients in without asking a single question. By now, the police vehicles were also there to offer their service. Cops were all over the place. But had little to do after what the efficient citizens had already done. As I walked on the platform, a mob of people surrounded me asking me what was I doing there after the blast had happened? Why was I not there when the blast took place and while people were getting burnt? For a second I thought I was gone, they would eat me alive. But then, they wanted to say something and this was the time to hear them. I asked my cameraman to roll the camera and I heard what they had to say. For the first time, I felt like a true journalist who knew what to do in times of such crisis.
It was time to send the footage gathered so far and that's what we did. The assistant ran to the OB van to send the visuals to Delhi. Completely unaware of the fact that those were the first visuals that reached the world, I carried on. Somewhere in the crowd I lost my cameraman. But, the excellent team that we have it was not a big deal. Another cameraman from the network found me and we made our way through various other mobs. But then, I lost this one too. The only sensible thing to do was to head towards the car and so I did. No phone calls, no instructions, but then there are some things that you know have to be done. It was time to move to some other place. But where? Just then a fellow reporter crossed me and yelled, " Go to KEM hospital."
So that was the place where I saw another face of humanity. 500 people were already lined up to donate blood within 2 hours of the blast. Young boys were running up and down to begin the donation process. To do whatever they can. The sight took over all the disasters that I had just seen. The disastrous event had just turned the rudest city into the most gracious one. We've often heard that for every evil there is some good, but here there is plenty of it. The realization dawned on me, only when I sat back and contemplated the actions, the reactions and the people. I felt so little yet so strong, so hurt and yet so proud.
These are just some of the reflections of my introspections.
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