‘Gateway’ to change

While on the way to the Gateway of India for the rally a week after the terror attacks in Mumbai, there were already hoardes of crowds wearing T-shirts that had ���NO Votes No Taxes��� printed on them and slogans of ���Vande Mataram��� echoing through the busy streets.
There were students marching around carrying boards that said ���Join the Army or Shut Up���.People of all ages, religions and occupations were there, with anger and a plea for change in their hearts and flags and placards in their hands. Yes, Mumbai had come together to be one.
As the evening turned into twilight and then into night, the crowds increased as did the willpower of the people to initiate change. Shouts of ���Vande Mataram��� became more prominent ���so strong that it went through your veins taking you back to a time when similar shouts and demonstrations took place during the Independence movement. On Wednesday, the scenario was much the same as was the cause ��� to ward off another ���Unjust Government���.
Some sentiments were against the neighbouring country which has been at war with us for the past 61 years. ���Pakistan Murdabad,��� ���Gali gali mein shor hai, Pakistan Chor hai��� were the other slogans being shouted out. The youth waved out placards that read: ���Would we be able to see tomorrow?���, while small children carried candles and boards that read: ���Mum, what is a terrorist?��� ���India wake up: Demand���, ���Get up, Stand up, be the change you want to see��� screamed placards and slogans on T-shirts.
Mumbai���s celebrities stepped out to voice their opinions too. Piyush Pandey, Ila Arun, Raageshwari Loomba and Nimay Bali and his wife Sahila Chaddha were among the earlier ones to reach there. Sucheta Sharma, her beau Harrison and her sister Urvashi Sharma all wore white in support of the cause. Chetan Hansraj came with a friend; Kushal Punjabi and Meghna Naidu marched along in unison.
Shaina NC and Dolly Thakore discussed some ideas for change. Javed Akhtar, Alyque Padamsee and Viren Shah took to the mike and voiced their protests and opinions. Rajeev Khandelwal���s T-shirt said it all: ���26.11.08 Never Forget���. As Mumbaikars gathered, fearlessly, at the very same place the city was attacked, signing their angst on a board and lighting candles, you knew that this indeed was the Gateway to change.