The Siege

Tears threatened to fill my eyes. My throat constricted. More than once.

I had just finished reading the book "The Siege", a link to it's Wikipedia page is here.

Shangrila hotel in Pudong, China is where I had switched on the TV on the evening of November 26, 2008 and watched the attack on the Taj in horror. All other thoughts were replaced by sheer incredulity - how could this happen? Crime is not unknown in Mumbai and neither are bombings, but a group of men walking around with guns just shooting down people? In South Bombay? Never.

I had spent the first three years of my life living in that area (not that I remember much!) and visited frequently before returning to work in the city in 1982. The memories of living in Badhwar Park for four years are indelible as was my life in and around South Bombay.

So many memories. Movies at Regal. Shopping on Colaba Causeway. Beer at Gokul, even on dry days when it was served in steel tumblers. Singdana and masala papad. Bade Miyan's kababs. Chicken Malai Tikka at Santoor. I could go on endlessly.

As a young couple, we often visited the Taj Coffee Shop (Shamiana) and strolled around the Gateway of India. Visiting the Sea Lounge was a special treat, as was dining at Golden Dragon. The Oberoi coffee shop was where we discussed Charu's wedding and were surprised to see our photo in the Times of India the next morning!

Having moved away from India for close on 30 years now and not visiting South Bombay often enough had dulled some of my memories, but everything came back as I raced through this book. I could visualize the places described in the book with vivid emotion. The book's focus is on the events that occured at the Taj while touching on (but not detailing) the attacks on Leopold Cafe, Bombay VT, The Oberoi and Chabad House. Thank God they were stopped before they got to Malabar Hill.

To be brief, Levy and Scott-Clerk have written a masterpiece. This is a racy action thriller which is non-fiction. It feels for the people who were involved in this tragedy and made me a part of their stories. It is based on deep research and conversations with many of the people who were affected. It is a story of heroism, tragedy, bravery, tears and stupidity. It also exposes the incompetence of the authorities in dealing with the situation.

I am glad I read this book.