Hear Mumbai Roar

Some might say that it is just a matter of time before this enthusiasm dwindles. However, there is no denying a never-seen-before energy among Mumbaiites. Having said that, the impact that these peace marches and human chains will have towards achieving something concrete needs to be seen.

The Road To Revolution
8220;Revolutions happen like this. These attacks have hit everybody hard. Thanks to the rallies and gatherings, people and groups are coming out together on the streets, trying to come up with possible solutions and thinking of what to do next. In just two to three months, these very people are going to act as pressure groups and gradually bring about a revolution,8221; believes film director Ashoke Pandit who organised a peace rally in Juhu.

Having witnessed terrorism from close quarters, Pandit, a Kashmiri, feels the citizens of Mumbai have understood the fact that 8216;terrorism was not just in Kashmir and Malegaon but in their own neighbourhood8217;. The strong possibility of them being the next terror victims is what makes such protestors believe that their voices create an impact.

Young Voices Get Louder
December 3 saw a gathering of over two lakh at the Gateway of India, most of them young Mumbaikars.

A la Bollywood blockbuster Rang De Basanti and Yuva, people who have initiated such movements particularly the youth hope to maintain a long term commitment to their cause. Call it jingoism but a sense of accountability seems to be growing post 26/11.

Akshay Raj, a stock broker, who has organised a silent march along the route from Chowpatty to the Trident-Oberoi Hotel covering all the places targetted by the terrorists, says he intends to go a step further and meet youth leaders who 8216;would give us time and listen to us8217; and 8216;to highlight what should be done.8217; Raj said that he wants to enter politics. 8220;Youth can certainly make a huge difference to this country by participating in politics. I do not have immediate plans but I am considering this option like many of my other friends,8221; said the 20-something professional.

To keep the 8216;fire8217; alive, Raj and his friends are also in the process of registering their group, Prabodh as an NGO. Prabodh will be about finding innovative ideas of creating awareness and providing solutions for city issues at a very individual level. Raj added that 8216;Change begins with you8217; will be the motto of Prabodh. nbsp;nbsp;

Their spirit hasn8217;t died
In an effort to channelise the popular anger towards something productive, a group of youngsters from a BPO began the Youth For People organisation after the 2006 train blasts. Two years later, says Dipesh Tank, 24, one of the founders, the group still regularly organises blood donation drives throughout the year primarily helping outstation patients at hospitals like the Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel.

Tank did not participate in any rally after the recent terror attacks, as he believes in going beyond shouting anti-Pakistan slogans and waving the Tricolour. He says, 8220;I think the gatherings and marches are a show off. We have to take care that we continue to show our concern.8221;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;

Activist Teesta Setalvad, too, felt that though the anger is justified, there has been a lot of 8216;mindless blaming of politicians.8217; 8220;There are people opining on matters they know very little about. It8217;s just that the people have been let down and they need to vent out their anger. We should not let the energy die.8221;