Page 53 - Love Story of a Commando

for them. The years of blood, sweat, toil and training our soldiers undertook
demand them to be the warriors their nation needs. They risk their lives so
that we can enjoy the liberties of being in the nation of the free.
And, you know a little secret, it is a soldier who prays for peace the
most, for it is the soldier who suffers and bears the deepest wounds of a war.
My soldier was lost again, leaving me behind to cry, to wait, to curse
and not to live as I should. The terrorists’ rampage gripped the stunned city
and held the world in horrified thrall. The terrorists roamed freely, killing at
random, mocking our desperation to save lives. Innocent people were used
as a human shield and many were taken hostage and later killed. The
aftermath resulted in more than a hundred lives lost including those of
common people, dignitaries, security personnel and foreigners.
The commandos rescued more than eight hundred lives inside the
hotel and many more outside. The policemen lost many of their brilliant
officers while trying their best to save the city. A few commandos were also
killed and my heart would skip a beat every time the dead and deceased list
would be shown on TV.
As they say, every cloud has a silver lining ; Mumbai stood united
and came out of the attack and the whole world prayed for it. The unknown
faces became the exemplary examples of humanity who rose, shone and
helped others during the hours of distress. There were many people who
saved others sacrificing their own lives. Ordinary people showed
magnificent hospitality to those in need and united against the demons going
beyond caste, creed and religion. The doctors, nurses, police and everybody
else present in the city worked with full force even in the wake of terror
threats. It was like the entire city versus the terrorists who were hell bent on
wrecking Mumbai to its core.
It was an attack on humanity, not just on Mumbai, and humanity
won, defeating the atrocities and flashing the message loud and clear that
humanity will prevail …forever!