Mumbai attacks: Your stories

The attacks left 174 people dead

The Mumbai (Bombay) attacks continue to affect people in the city one year on.

They have a personal resonance for many who were directly affected by the attacks.

Here three people talk about their experience during the three-day siege and how they feel today.

VINITA KAMTE, WIDOW

Photo: Rana Chakraborty/Mumbai Mirror

Vinita Kamte, 44, lost her husband Ashok Kamte, who was the additional commissioner of police.

Mr Kamte shot and captured gunman Ajmal Amir Qasab, who is the only surviving attacker. The circumstances of her husband's death are still unknown, which has prompted Mrs Kamte to undertake her own investigation.

She has written a book, To the Last Bullet, a biography of her husband tracing events from his childhood, right to his death and her investigation afterwards.

It is very difficult for my children and I can't believe a year has gone by. It has been tough because we have been busy with trying to piece the story about my husband's death together.

Since yesterday, my two small boys have been disturbed again. But I have to be strong for them.

My husband was a real daredevil. He was not scared to do what was right. He believed in serving the people and that's what he did till the end.

He was a family man and the life of the house. A wonderful father and a wonderful husband. We do miss the life and laughter around.

I'm now going to take one day at a time. I will devote my time to my children. Also, I would like to pursue some hobbies and would like to do social work.

In the past year I have seen the many sides of people and also know how the system is. I have realised you cannot take people for granted.

You realise who your friends are. Lots of people have given us support; emotional, financial, in every way that keeps us going.

Since I live in Pune [near Mumbai] and have organised a pooja [Hindu ceremony] for my husband, I will miss the memorials in Mumbai.

MEGHA PRASAD, TELEVISION JOURNALIST

Megha Prasad was on the front line reporting on the attacks at various locations and then from the Oberoi-Trident Hotel for all three days of the siege.

She was particularly affected by the death of the chief of Mumbai's anti-terrorist squad, Hemant Karkare, who she knew well on a professional level.

The most challenging moment for me in the whole affair was reporting Mr Karkare's death.

I had been in touch with him on a daily basis since the last two weeks, because he was investigating a high-profile case.

On the evening of the 26th itself at 7pm, I had a heated argument with him regarding a press conference. And by the night he was no more.

Later on, I did not want to go anywhere near the Oberoi, neither did I want to understand what was going on.

I was there until the next afternoon taking an hour break and going back again to report, right until it was over.

The experience has made me stronger, because I saw so much grief in such a short space of time.

The horrific scenes I saw will remain etched in my memory forever.

Moving on is a compulsion for survival but the event was a turning point for me, both professional and personally.

YUSUF SIDHPURWALA, BUSINESSMAN

Yusuf Sidhpurwala, a 43-year-old businessman, was stuck at the Taj Hotel for 13 hours during the attack.

He was among a party of 10 celebrating a friend's birthday at the Shamiana restaurant when the attackers opened fire.

We were halfway through our dinner when we heard gunshots. Suddenly the restaurant was attacked and one of the attackers threw a grenade at us.

It instead hit a glass panel, slid down and then exploded.

He pointed a gun at me but God knows what happened, he couldn't fire or was out of bullets and I was saved.

I covered my wife and people called us aside to a safe route.

I went back three days later to collect my car. I was shivering as I couldn't believe I was still alive.

The restaurant was gutted. Someone told us the only thing one could find in the room was ashes.

Today we are trying to come to terms with it, but whenever I see any news about it, the ordeal flashes back to my mind. Mumbai has recovered very fast. The people have had the courage to return to normalcy, but these are the people who were outside.

The ones who were trapped inside are still trying to overcome it.

I saw people being killed right next to me. The waiter guiding us took a bullet protecting us.

I have learnt that only luck and presence of mind can save you. Nobody is smart to come out of the situation.