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November 26, 2008, a day which will be go down in infamy. What Mumbai city endured was unprecedented and unlike any other terror attacks seen in preceding years. It was unlike the 1993 bomb blasts or the 2006 blasts that rattled the Indian railway system. Even from an international perspective, it was quite distinct from the events of the 9/11 attacks which rattled America or the Moscow theatre siege that shook the Russian state. What was unique about these attacks was that the mindless killing was indiscriminate and went on for three long days. What did these terrorist seek to achieve? What was the object of the simultaneous strikes on the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, Oberoi hotel, the CST, the Nariman House and other public places across Mumbai. The question will be decisively answered in the days to come. The fact that the gunmen did not indulge in any kind of negotiations or make any demands throws some light on their intent of mindless mayhem.

An attempt was made to terrorize the citizens of Mumbai by making it seem that the unthinkable could actually happen to them. An attempt was made to transform the streets of Mumbai into a war zone. The strikes at luxury hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners indicates that one of the objects of these terrorists was to instill fear in the minds of the foreign tourists and businessmen visiting India in order to deter them from visiting or doing business in India. It was also intended to create a spectacle of such magnitude that would stun the international community and hold up the city for days. All this, through mass murder and unimaginable atrocities met out to innocent and defenseless civilians. However, it can be said with certainty that whatever their object was, it has failed and failed miserably.

It is perhaps important not to indulge in the political blame game and rather consider as to what can be done to prevent and preempt the happening of such an eventuality in future. Besides taking steps to beef up the security arrangements around the city and strengthening the country's intelligence network, it is perhaps time to consider whether there is more that needs to be done. We all know how the United States of America reacted to the 9/11 attacks going after the perpetrators in Afghanistan . We all know how nations like Israel , who are also victims of terror, would respond to a similar terror strike. A clear message needs to be sent out to these terrorist networks, through positive action if need be, that India too, like Israel and the United States will go after them and smoke them out from their holes in countries which harbor them. Further, the debate whether criminals like Mohommad Afzal deserve to hang, hopefully has been put to rest.

We can perhaps spare a moment for the brave men of the National Security Guards and the Mumbai Police for conducting an extremely precision oriented operation to flush out the terrorist, minimizing the loss of human life, damage to heritage property and in the process putting their own lives at great risk. A word of acknowledgement for the media and the press for working 24/7 to keep the national audience on top of the latest developments and unifying the people for a common cause. Their actions, attracted recognition from J.K. Dutta the Director General of the National Security Guards.

Life in Mumbai is back to normal. If the attack on the financial capital of India was carried out with the intention of disrupting the economic prosperity, the business and investment climate in India , it has failed. Our resolve of becoming a global economic powerhouse remains undeterred. The Taj and the Oberoi will soon be thrown open to public and the prestige associated with these marvels will be fully restored. The spirit of Mumbai exemplified by the Leopold restaurant which has been thrown open within three days of the devastating attacks that hit the city and damaged much of the restaurant.

There are a few positives that we can take from this entire affair. The fact that the entire nation stood together as one people is encouraging. The Tricolor that was unfurled at Taj perhaps symbolizes the spirit of the residents of Mumbai, which remains steadfast and resolute in the face of all adversity affecting them. A clear message has been sent out that we shall not relent and that we will overcome all that is thrown at us in a bid to deter our spirit.

- Zerick Hosi Dastur