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Ray of light in times of terror Taus Rizvi Thursday, December 04, 2008 03:39 IST National Association for the Blind starts a carrom tourney in the city, which receives overwhelming response MUMBAI: Mumbai faced gruesome terror attacks last week that brought the city to a standstill. But life is getting back to normal in the financial capital of India. Wednesday was the World Day for the Disabled. Despite the sombre mood in the city, the National Association for the Blind (NAB) opened a Sports and Recreational Centre for the visually impaired that started off with an All India Open carrom tournament. The attacks could not stop the participants from coming to Mumbai. Visually impaired from all over the country are participating in the tournament that is being held at the King George V Memorial Infirmary, Mahalaxmi. Former international hockey player Mir Ranjan Negi, who inaugurated the Sports and Recreational Centre, was emotional. "We have gone through a terrifying situation over the last few days. But coming here and meeting these people just teaches you how one should not give up. Though they are visually impaired they have never lost hope and are very confident. When god takes away one thing, it gives you many other things and they are the best example," he said. "I have been to many inauguration functions but today's experience will soothe my soul. Meeting them gives me positive energy and a will to fight." Sanal Kumar, a participant from Kerala, said his family and friends dissuaded him from coming to the city. "My family and friends said it was not safe to go to Mumbai, but I was adamant. Had I stayed home and not come because of the fear, it would have been a victory for the terrorists and a defeat for humanity," Sanal said. "I love playing carrom and this is the first time I am participating in a carrom tournament. I could not lose this opportunity." Ashish Tembhkar, 19, who works as a telephone operator in the NAB workshop, says he feels safe only in this city. "I have been following the attacks on the radio. How can these people cause damage to humanity? But I feel our people are strong enough and would bounce back soon," he said. He believes that participation in such community activities and showing strength by not letting attacks affect the daily functioning of city will defeat the terrorists' agenda on spreading terror. "I don't want to lose and I just want out to go there and play. It will only help our spirit become much stronger," he said. regards, prateek agarwal. cell: 09928341197 skype: prateek_agarwal32 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] website: http://www.prateekagarwal.webs.com to join the mailing list of my website, just send a blank mail keeping subject as "join" on [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
