Stars queue up to donate blood
In the aftermath of the bomb attacks, actors play Good Samaritans
Kunal M Shah
It is no secret that the film industry has a heart, and it let it show once again, when Mumbai bled on July 7. A number of actors turned up to help the people affected by the train blasts. Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Rahul Bose, Parvin Dabbas and even Rakhi Sawant were some of them.
Rahul Bose, who offered to board a train in the morning, for a news channel, says, "I travelled from Grant Road to Andheri, and then back to Bandra, for three hours this morning. I spoke to a number of commuters on the way, and their answers led me to three important conclusions. I asked them what would frighten them more, riots or bomb blasts?
"They told me they had more to fear from communal conflict for it forced them to confront, headlong, the hatred and emotional rage associated with it. In the event of a blast, there is often an unidentified face behind the terror. What I also learnt was that many people were more afraid to lose their jobs than face the trains again today. They said they could brave the trains but could not afford to lose their source of income!" says Rahul.
"Thirdly, I realised that the spirit of Mumbai is definitely something to be proud of. I saw people lending a hand for nine hours at a stretch...the railway police have been on their toes for 19 hours and regular policemen have been busy for the past 16 hours! Isn't that incredible? I wonder how victims will be identified, as very few people carry identification with them."
Rahul made his way to Bhabha Hospital to donate blood and was relieved to see that the hospital was prepared for the emergency. "That was a healthy sign," he says. "I am a part of an organisation called Salute Citizens for Justice and Peace and I'm sure we all salute the city for putting up a brave fight," he adds.
Javed Akhtar and his wife Shabana Azmi also went to Bhabha Hospital, as well as to KEM Hospital to donate blood. "We went there, but the hospitals told us that blood was not needed," says Javed. "I am shocked at the mindset of the people who could carry out such an inhuman act. I want to tell these terrorists that although they have been successful in killing people, they cannot kill the spirit of Mumbai. The unity of Mumbaikars, and their sense of solidarity is evident for all to see," he says.
Javed continues, "I suggest that hospitals put up a common list of the injured and dead, in English and Hindi, stating where the victims have been accommodated."
Rakhi Sawant tried to help out at Nanavati hospital. She says, " They had enough blood. I believe that now is the time to prove that aamchi Mumbai stands united."
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