Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

We, the Mumbaikars

If instilling fear in the minds of Mumbaikars was the objective of those responsible for Mumbai's serial blasts on Tuesday, let history be evidence that the cowards cannot succeed. We stood beside one another during the riots and floods and we stand beside one another today too. I am far away from home right now but my spirit is attached to the heartbeat of my city. Only in India can an entire city transform into a million-member family within minutes. There is no need for a `please.' There is no need for a `thank you.' Love is unconditional when it involves a Mumbaikar.

Priyanka Agarwal,
Evanston, Illinois

It is the never say die spirit of Mumbaikars that brings the city back to normality every time there is an adversity. It was a great sight to see people helping one another. Mumbai is certainly not a rude city — never mind if the men do not open the door for women or don't say `thanks' and `please.'

Farazana Nigar,
Nagpur, Maharashtra

The Mumbaikars deserve to be commended for their resilience. They are a source of national pride and a sterling example of how ordinary people can defeat terrorist designs. By carrying on with their lives, they are cocking a snook at the terrorists. Those responsible for the attacks should be ashamed of themselves.

S. Srinivas,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.

The city has fought back by getting back to work in a day. Our salaam to the financial metro.

M. Ramdas,
Chennai

Whoever is responsible for the blasts will surely feel disappointed because Mumbaikars know how to bounce back after bomb blasts and natural calamities.

Sayed Farhaan Haidar,
New Delhi

Mumbai, devastated by rains and bomb blasts, has risen to the occasion yet again. While we condemn the serial blasts, we feel proud of the Mumbaikars who, setting aside differences and disproving the Readers Digest's rude city brand, have stood together in an adverse situation. Let nobody judge a city by a few commonplace events.

R. Karpagam,
Coimbatore

Immediately after disaster struck, as is their wont, the people came to the rescue of the injured. They gave food and shelter to the sick and injured, and served bottled water, tea and coffee to the stranded. Hats off to Mumbaikars!

Murali Jagannathan,
Bangalore

While the Mumbaikars have bravely withstood the challenge, it is clear that the UPA Government is not doing enough to curb terrorism in the country.

J.N. Mahanty,
Puri, Orissa

As usual it was the common man who came to the rescue of the victims, much before the administrators did. Be it in helping the injured, offering lifts, food, regulating traffic or passing information, the rest of India has a lot to learn from the people of Mumbai. That Mumbai has carried on with life needs to be appreciated. It is now up to the politicians to ensure that this calm is not disturbed.

Ashwanth Gnanavelu,
Chennai

Politicians use such catch phrases like `spirit and courage' to flatter the populace and hide their own inadequacies in dealing with crises — from terrorism to rains. The truth is that the state has failed pathetically on all fronts. We are a very soft state and are becoming softer by the day. It looks like Mumbaikars and the rest of India will have to live on their `spirit and courage' as they can expect nothing much from the state.

K. Devarajan,
Chennai

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