In the gruesome act of terror, Mumbai lost hundreds of lives including those of

civilians, foreign nationals and policemen (15 policemen and 2 NSG Commandos).
However, it was the valiant security services and the local police that saved Mumbai
from the jaws of terror while sacrificing its brave heroes in the line of duty Mumbai
ATS Chief Hemant Karkare, Mumbai ACP Ashok Kamte, encounter expert Vijay
Salaskar, Inspector Shasank Shinde, NSG Commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
and Commando Gajender Singh Bisht, who were given a tearful farewell and a
martyrs honour.

In an act of unprecedented terror almost akin to the US 9/11, India 26/11 saw
bravery from unsung heroes, who proved their mettle and acted in dire hours to save
innocent lives from getting exhumed in the terror atrocities.

Mumbais saviours were not just men in uniform from Mumbai Police, MARCOS,
ATS or NSG; there were some ordinary men who showed extraordinary courage at
the time of terror.

Some of the prominent names that come to our mind in the Mumbai 26/11 include:

Taj Mahal hotels maintenance staff Rajan Kamble did not bother bullet injuries
while saving guests from dreaded terrorists. Kamble gave his life to save a
Mangeshkar couple.

A team of security personnel from South Africa holidaying in Taj Mahal fought
terrorists with mere kitchen knives and were successful in enabling escape of
numerous hostages through the kitchen door. These foreign security personnel kept
their nerves and showed exemplary courage under fire.

Dariusz Sobiczcwski of Poland saved an Indian family from asphyxiation.

Mumbais Vishnu Datta Ram Zende displayed rare courage by directing travellers
to leave CST through Gate 1, saved many lives.

Another brave man who showed exemplary courage was Nitin Minocha, a chef at
Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel who led more than 200 diners into The Chambers
to safety. In this attempt, six employees of Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel were
ruthlessly slain by terrorists and Minocha was struck with two bullets.

Karambir Kang, the GM of Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel who was busy saving
the lives of tourists lost his wife Neeti, and children Uday Kang and Samar Kang to
terror.

Well, the act of valour was not just limited to a few brave men, Sandra Samuel, a
nanny by profession saved 2-year old Moshe Holtzman from the jaws of terror.
However, Sandra Samuel is still guilt stricken as she was unable to save Moshes
parents.

During the chaotic Mumbai terror attacks, ordinary Mumbaikars came together from
all walks of life to offer help.

A group of young Sikhs offered food and water to security forces battling terrorists at
Oberoi and Taj hotels. These young Sikhs volunteered for Gurudwara Shri
Dashmesh Darbar, Sion and set up makeshift langars at numerous Gurudwaras and
cooked food. These relentless volunteers supplied packed food and water to forces.
Tired security personnel thanked the unyielding spirit of masses for their constant
support in the hour of crisis.

In order to help the defence forces in their fight against terror, chai wallahs chipped
in with free food and shopping malls nearby the terror sites helped the media
personnel in sending their crucial database to respective sources. Indeed, the
common men played an instrumental role in the times of terror.

In extraordinary circumstances, these people rose above the stature of mere human
beings while serving humanity and their gesture of supreme sacrifice makes them
immortal. Indeed, they are our unsung heroes - true sons of the soil, who laid their
lives for the call of duty without thinking twice about the risk involved in their act.

These ordinary people went out of their way to perform tasks that did not belong to
their sphere nor were they exposed to such a situation before. It was their call to
serve humanity that endowed them with indomitable faith and strength.

These heroes of our nation did not shirk or budge to sacrifice their lives for others in
the mindless act of terror. This brave act of humanity is a strong message to all
those forces of terror, who are striving hard to disrupt Indian society in the name of
religion and faith.

Such cowardly act of terror fails to shake our faith and makes us only stronger to
fight against terrorism with full force. These acts of individual gallant are prominent
examples of faith, selflessness, compassion and humanity that cannot be annihilated
by any terrorist or weapons of mass destruction.