26/11 Stories of Strength: A memorial to mark 11th anniversary of Mumbai attacks

Marking the 11th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, The Indian Express put forward a special event ’26/11 Stories of Strength’ at the Gateway of India today to showcase inspiring stories of courage, forgiveness and resilience of more than 100 survivors. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty.)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the chief guest at the fourth edition of the 26/11 Stories of Strength event, hosted by The Indian Express at the Gateway of India on Tuesday to mark the 11th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks. (Express photo: Prashant Nadkar)

The Indian Navy band graced the 26/11 Stories of Strength event with a melodious performance. Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran.

Honouring the jawans of the country Singer Divya Kumar along with the Indian Navy band performed 'Bharat humko jaan se pyara hai'. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Maharashtra Police Pipe Band perform at the opening of 26/11 Stories of Strength event. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

From left to right- Union Transport minister Nitin Gadkari, Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Addressing the audience at the 26/11 Stories of Strength event, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh listed the changes in the national security since the terror attacks 11 years ago. "Ab Don ko pakadna mushkil nahi, aasan ho gaya," he told the crowd. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was the Chief Guest today at the 26/11 Stories of Strength event. He paid tributes to the heroes who saved lives even as theirs were in danger on that fateful day. Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 26-11-2019, Mumbai

Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express, speaks at the 26/11 Stories of Strength. (Express photo/Wizcraft)

Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group, said: “The voices of these survivors force us to remind ourselves that even in these polarised times, the majority of India is fiercely moderate.” (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

The most rousing applause of the evening, unsurprisingly, was reserved for Amitabh Bachchan. (Express photo: Prashant Nadkar)

Amitabh Bachchan, who has been an ambassador for the initiative since 2016, featured in a performance directed by filmmaker Anand Tiwari. (Express Photo by Prashant Nadkar)

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan received standing ovation from the crowd as he concluded the event with a heart-touching performance featuring a powerful poem recited by him. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

The musical acts continued with classical vocalist Mahesh Kale’s stunning performance; Rekha Bharadwaj’s Sufi-inspired ode to peace and love; and a full-family performance by violin virtuoso, Dr L Subramaniam and his wife, Kavita Krishnamurthy, with their children Bindu and Ambi Subramaniam. (Express photo/Wizcraft)

Singer Harshdeep Kaur pays tribute to victims of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Singer Rekha Bhardwaj also made her presence felt. (Express photo/Wizcraft)

Singers Harshdeep Kaur and Shilpa Rao then took the stage to perform songs like “Luka Chhuppi” and “Yeh Honsla”. (Express photo/Wizcraft)

Classical musician Mahesh Kale performed Raag Desh and many from the audience joined him as they were enchanted by his performance. (Express photo/Wizcraft)

The evening proceeded with a performance by violinist Dr L Subramaniam and singer Kavita Krishnamurthy. (Express photo/Wizcraft)

Actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan at 26/11 Stories of Strength event in Mumbai. ( Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the 26/11 stories of strength event at Gateway of India on Tuesday. Express photo by Prashant Nadkar

Other key performers at memorial included Dr L Subramaniam, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Zane Dalal, Rekha Bharadwaj, Mahesh Kale, Harshdeep Kaur, Divya Kumar, Shilpa Rao, Shiamak Davar Dance Company, Symphony Orchestra of India. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

A guest at Stories of Strength 26/11 event 2019. ( Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Th songs of bravery and endurance were flanked by videos of survivors, their families, and harked at a larger message of love and tolerance. (Express photo: Prashant Nadkar)

Stars including Rekha Bhardwaj, Shilpa Rao, Dr L Subramaniam, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Divya Kumar, Harshdeep Kaur and Mahesh Kale performed at the event. The event also featured personal accounts of survivors that resonate uncannily with the message of Mahatma Gandhi, whose 150th birth anniversary we celebrated this year. (Express Event Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty 26-11-2019, Mumbai)