Mumbai: Resilient or perhaps it doesn't care?

By the time I landed in Mumbai, more than 48 hours after the blasts in 1993, the city was back to normal. We drove past Vile Parle, Santa Cruz, Khar, Bandra and Mahim on my way back home. The city looked normal. It felt surreal. My uncle sat in the car next to me and we basically chatted casually as if nothing had happened. I almost forgot why I was in Mumbai until we passed a bombed out petrol pump. Perhaps we should admire Bombay for its resilience. At least that is what the media tells us. But then again, perhaps the reality is that Mumbai's energy derives from its residents quest for success and survival. They just don't have time to care?

We finally pulled into the compound of our flat. Walking into the apartment made it clear that things were not normal. It was crowded with people. My mom was wailing. I saw my brother and it felt like the whole extended family was there. Grief isn't private in India - at least not at first.