Black Day, 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack is a day that India can never forget. The day would be etched in the memories of Indians forever. During this incident, we all remember watching the news on tv, praying for the welfare of victims and the country. It’s been 12 years since that incident happened but it’s still fresh in our minds. Terrorist Ajmal Kasab was hanged a few years back but the memories of his heinous crime kept coming back to us.
However, we were just mere viewers of the incident but some people were present at CST Station when the attack took place. Their life never returned to normalcy after that uneventful day. Today, HatkeStory has one such person who was present on the spot and borne the brunt of someone else’s cruelty. She was shot in her leg at age of 10, gave her statement against Ajmal Kasab, and did many other patriotic things for our country.
We proudly welcome Devika Natwarlal Rotawan, witness and survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Let’s read her story to know more about her experiences.
Devika Natwarlal Rotawan – Her story
I’m Devika Natwarlal Rotawan basically I belong to Pali Rajasthan but I have been living in Mumbai for years now. Currently, I’m preparing to fight the IPS entrance exam. It’s my dream to become an IPS officer so I can make sure attacks like 26/11 never take place again.
I remember the day, it was 26th November 2008, I was going to Pune with my father and brother to meet my elder brother. We were standing at CST (Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal) station and my brother had gone to use the washroom. We were waiting for him to come back so we could board the train. Meanwhile, a bomb exploded and a few terrorists including Ajmal Kasab started firing aimlessly.
We began running away but a bullet traveled between my father’s legs and pierced my right leg. I fell on the ground but before falling unconscious I saw Ajmal Kasab. He was a middle height dangerous man and had a rifle in his hand. I was only 10 years old when I encountered that terrorist and he seemed like he was getting some kind of pleasure by killing us. After the eye lock, I lost consciousness and woke up again in a hospital.
My right leg was injured badly as a bullet was stuck inside it. This bullet piercing incident isn’t as light as they show in Bollywood movies. Trust me, the reality is far more dire and painful than those illogical fictional scenes.
On the bed, I looked around and saw people dying right in front of my eyes. Some of them were shot or injured very badly. Then I was shifted in the other hospital where I was supposed to be operated. I went through 6 surgeries and doctors kept me under observation for one and half month.
After getting discharged, an officer from the Mumbai crime branch contacted us to ask for our statement. Me and my father agreed to testify Ajmal Kasab. At first, they didn’t disclose our identities for safety purposes but later on when it was revealed we started receiving death threats from terrorist groups.
No one supported our decision, in fact, people boycotted us. My father used to run a dry fruit shop but he had to shut it down because people stopped buying anything from him. They had said “You shouldn’t sell anything in this market. Tell the government to support you financially. We cannot risk our lives!” Society, our relatives, extended family everyone disassociated from us.
I had lost my mother long back so my father had to stay in the hospital to take care of me. People suggested that we should back out but the thought of backing out never crossed our minds. I wanted to punish Ajmal Kasab at any cost. I was very young to comprehend everything that was going on around me but I hated Kasab from the bottom of my heart.
I just knew one thing that I have to do something against him. He must be hanged for committing such a heinous crime.
10 June 2009, the court hearing came, and I remember walking towards the court in crutches. Kasab was sitting with four men and I had instantly recognized him. First, my father gave his statement as he had seen two terrorists. Then I confirmed and that’s how I became the youngest witness of the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack.
After the incident, we got nationwide fame and media houses panned their cameras at us. The government promised to support us financially and in many other ways. I was awarded for my bravery and a lot of celebrities appreciated me for being so courageous.
This overnight fame didn’t bring anything in my life except pain, miseries and bad luck. Society treated us like culprits. They wouldn’t talk to us, refused to visit our house, severed all the ties they had with us.
At my school, I was called Kasab ki Beti (Kasab’s daughter). I’d run away from them because other girls wouldn’t play with me. My father lost his occupation and he began working for someone else to meet our financial needs.
My brother Jayesh suffered an infection while nursing and dressing my wounds. During my hospitalization period, he helped me out with dressing and other stuff then the doctor told him to assist other patients as well. He treated everyone without wearing gloves and masks, got a neck infection in return, and had to be operated on later. Then his backbone came out that resulted in permanent damage and made him handicapped for life.
Entire society blacklisted us as they feared our presence. My elder brother who lived in Pune would hardly speak to us, other relatives wouldn’t invite us to weddings. The worst happened when I was not able to get into school. The principal of the school denied to give me admission out of fear. But EDP students fought for me and in the end, the principal had to allow me in. I was promoted in 7th class and cleared the rest of the classes from that school only.
As I told you before, the government had made many promises though all of them were nothing but a bunch of lies. We were given 3,20,000 rs as compensation at that time and the government paid for my treatment. But that house allotment promises remained unfulfilled. Forget about us helping us financially, they even refused to acknowledge us.
A few years before, I suffered from TB but we didn’t have money to go for the operation. We asked for the government’s help and they toiled us for one and a half years before lending 10 lakh rupees. I remember doing rounds of public departments while carrying a deadly disease inside me. Yes, it was that worst. Rather than a victim, I felt like a culprit. Like it’s me who is at the fault. Like I have committed a crime.
I have been awarded and interviewed multiple times by respected personalities. They promise a lot on the face but turn their back at me the moment the camera goes off. When I call them to ask about those things they promised to do they say “Who Devika? We don’t know you.”
The 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack destroyed my family’s life but no one cares what goes in here. Viewers pay us tribute and walk away so easily. I don’t regret doing what I did but it pains me a lot when society turns me down in such a horrible way. I was a mere 10-year-old kid when this incident happened and no one can imagine what I went through. “Till date, I can’t enjoy Diwali or Celebrate India’s win in Cricket as the sound of fireworks traumatizes me.”
It’s been 12 years, 26/11 happened but we still stay in hotels when we visit others. My brother is not able to get married because no one is ready to have relations with our family. Currently, I’m preparing for IPS. Its aim of my life so I can fight terrorism.
The 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack was a tragedy that changed my life completely. I can never get over it. I remember every second and that’s the reason why I still talk about it. I don’t regret testifying against Ajmal Kasab. If given a chance, I’d do it again even if I have to go to Pakistan. That’s why I aimed to become an IPS officer so in the future no other Devika Rotawan suffers as I did.
My family is my support system but it pains me to see people retreating away. I have filed a charge sheet against the government demanding those things we have never been given. Even today, when we go and look for rooms, some people refuse to let us in and some charge extra for giving their roofs. I have written letters to PM Narendra Modi and Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis but no relief ever came from their side.
Despite all the difficulties, I haven’t given up on my dreams yet. I’ll continue to fight against these odds until I win over them. I regard army officers as my real heroes, if they can do a lot why can’t we put our contribution for the betterment of our country.
In the end, I want to tell you all that if any such incidents again take place then please don’t run away. Stay strong and face them. Always support your country and answer those people who raise a finger at you. It’s better to get it done once rather than listening again and again.
Like us on FB, if you find our content interesting: https://www.facebook.com/hatkestoryofficial/
Do you have an interesting incident or experience to share with the world? Write to us, and together we can discuss how to weave your story and present it to the world. Would you mind sending us your story?
Comments are closed.