Wounded at CST,keen to get on with life

“It has been an eventful year that changed my life… the two months we stayed at CST for want of a home,the two Bandra houses we moved into,one at the congested Dyaneshwar Nagar and the present one near Cardinal School. And the second most important event in my life came the day I came face to face with the shooter. It is yet to sink in that almost a year has passed,” Devika says.

Devika,her widowed father Natwarlal and her brother Akash were at CST to catch a train to Pune when she got shot. The family got around Rs 1.4 lakh as compensation,besides free treatment,and the incident kept them in the public glare for months.

Devika’s father Natwarlal agreed the incident and his outburst against Kasab in court catapulted them into instant fame,which acted as a balm on the family’s frayed nerves. “I was famous locally among merchant circles for my dry fruits,but my family got international recognition after the incident,” said Rotawan who had abused Kasab in court and demanded he be hanged,on June 10,when his daughter was to depose.

At the mention of Kasab,Devika described her first encounter with the terrorist and the innumerable interviews she gave after that; to journalists as well as neighbours.

“He was so scrawny and so unlike the picture that I had seen of him holding a gun. I was a little scared when I saw him for the first time as he glared at me,but his menacing eyes did not suit his body,” said Devika amidst bouts of laughter.

“In the past year I may have repeated these stories of how I got shot and what I said in court,a million times. I am tired of answering the same questions. I just want to forget it all,” she said.

Devika is yet to start school. Her father has employed a tutor ahead of seeking admission.

While her life is slowly getting back on track,that of her brother Akash is on the slide. “My leg has healed but our expenses haven’t reduced as Akash has lumps in his throat that need to be surgically removed. At this time the compensation money is a boon,” said Devika.

Unwilling to permit teary conversations about his illness,Akash changed the topic. “The first thing that changed in Devika after 26/11 is her haircut,” he said. Devika,sporting a trendy bob-cut,collapsed laughing.

Police show of strength on anniversary
Caretaker Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced plans for a 26/11 anniversary parade,from Gateway to Chowpatty,by a strengthened police force with their new equipment and specialised teams on display.

After a security review meeting,Chavan asked the administration to draw up plans for the force “display” to infuse confidence among public about security. The display is expected to include the newly created elite Force 1 team as well as the State Industrial Security Force.

“There should be a major display of police capabilities to handle 26/11-type attacks through a police-public joint function,” said Chavan. The government will also pay homage to victims at the major attack sites. ENS