By Venkatachari Jagannathan Chennai, Nov 26 : .As I lay down to escape the bullets fired by terrorist Ajmal Kasab at Chhatrapati Shivaji Mahraj Terminus (CSMT), on the fateful 26.11.2008., images of my daughters and mother, as well as life insurance policies, crossed my mind, recalled S.SomaRajaswaran.
SomaRajaswaran, a senior executive at a software company, said that he was recalled his terrible experience on that horrible night by IANS.”While I was entering CST to board a train from Chennai, I heard rapid gunfire, and people running.I heard people claiming that gunfire broke out between Mumbai’s underworld.
SomaRajaswaran was given a lecture on safety precautions during gun attacks when he was a student in the National Cadet Corps.
“I heard continuous gunfire.”I saw Kasab moving in the opposite direction, so I stood up and ran outside,” he said.
He saw outside the CST a cafeteria where its owner was closing his shutters.
“Rushing to the outlet, I asked the owner if I could come in.I sat down and entered the outlet.I was the last one to enter.
SomaRajaswaran stated that there were approximately 10 people in the cafeteria, all from different parts of India.
He stated that a Kannada couple newly married was unable to communicate with their families.
He said, “I had helped them communicate with their families using my mobile phone.”
The cafeteria owner served all the tea.
“I called my friend to inquire about the CST events and was informed about the terrorist attack.Those were the days before smartphones were very popular.
SomaRajaswaran stated that they received SMS alerts about the terror attack.
He also asked his friend for a booking to Chennai.
“On the morning of 27.11.2008, I walked out and took a taxi to get to the airport.SomaRajaswaran stated that the taxi driver demanded Rs 2,000 for the fare and offered Rs 1,000.
SomaRajaswaran only sat in the plane and called his family to tell them about his experience.
“I didn’t call my relatives earlier.
I didn’t want them to be worried, as I was secure.He also said that they weren’t aware of the terror attack until I told them.”
SomaRajaswaran believes his father was protecting him, his family, and each year on November 26, he would recall his father and say thanks to him.
SomaRajaswaran used to keep in touch with people at the cafeteria for a while and lost their numbers later when he switched his phone.
(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
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