Mumbai attack event in London

SOMBRE musical, floral tributes and anti-terrorism protests in the UK marked the 14th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks that claimed 166 lives in coordinated strikes across the city in 2008.

The High Commission of India in London hosted a special homage event last Saturday (26) that was attended by members of the Indian diaspora and senior parliamentarians.

There was also an exhibition of photographs from November 26, 2008, as well as a shrine to those who lost their lives in the attacks.

The screening of a film with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s message and the voices of Mumbaikars and foreign tourists caught in the attacks, including at the city’s iconic Taj Palace Hotel, was followed by a violin recital by musician Sunita Bhuyan.

“These were real people, with real families with real hopes and aspirations, all of which were cut short,” India’s high commissioner, Vikram Doraiswami, said.

“We salute the police, the members of the National Security Guard (NSG) who lost their lives doing their duties... Every one of us remembers and commemorates on this day the courage, fortitude and resilience of Mumbai and every citizen of the world who has known terror and has seen its face and has not blinked but has stared back,” he added.

The theme of the commemoration was “never forget, never forgive and never again”. It also included messages from Britain’s MPs across party lines.

“There is one strong message we must all take away: that terrorism will never win because we will always stand in the face of terrorism and perpetrators of terrorist activities. That is the one thing that unites us all,” said Conservative MP and former home secretary Priti Patel.

“We must all pull together to defeat terrorism… and today, together we say: never again,” said Catherine West, Labour MP and shadow foreign minister.

“We can still feel the pain from that attack,” added Labour MP Virendra Sharma.

The event was also attended by dignitaries from India, including sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his son Ayaan.

The Taj Hotel at St James’ Court in London also held its own annual candle-light tribute in memory of the staff members and guests who lost their lives in the attack.

Earlier last Saturday, Indian diaspora groups gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in London to protest against cross-border terrorism and the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist organisation linked with the attacks.