Je Suis Paris

Chants of peace for Paris by millions of people across the world are filling the virtual and physical world. A prayer for a global peace is a necessity. Growing intolerance and religious angst have left the world reeling and many Bengalureans who were in the City of Lights when the fatal attacks took place on the 1,500-seat Bataclan Hall and other areas on Friday night share their shock and sadness. With seven shooting incidents by at least eight attackers, Bengalureans in Paris, who are thankfully safe, speak of the inherent hatred that is prompting such gruesome attacks to human kind all over the world.

Ruma Singh, a writer from Bengaluru who is in Paris this week to meet her son was shaken but thankfully safe. She says, “I had gone out for an early dinner with my sons, Varun and Rishi. I was tired after my flight, so I wanted to finish early. We were at a bistro in the 11th arrondissement and must have left the area just a few minutes before the shooting happened there. It’s been quiet outside my hotel, with very few people, cars and taxis moving around. The hotel staff have been standing around and everyone is so shocked. The receptionist told me, ‘The best thing we must do is get on with life. If not we will go mad thinking about it’.”

Another Bengaluru girl who went for a holiday to Paris with her husband and two kids is Meera Krishnamurthy. She states, “We’re safe in Paris. We have been holidaying here for a week now and this came as horrific and shocking news. We have been flooded with calls and messages and all our friends and family have been showing concern and their prayers and good wishes have come a long way, as we’re safe. We had been to Disneyland and were returning to our hotel when the attack took place. We’re taking a flight back on Sunday.”

Sharing her agony over what ensued on Friday night, Sharlene Bianchi, an expat from Bengaluru who just went to Paris reveals her surreal experience. “I was home when the attacks happened, the attack at the Bataclan happened just five minutes from my place. I wasn’t feeling well so I had decided to stay at home, but at quarter to eleven one of my friend’s messaged me asking me where I was, and told me about the gun shots in the area. Soon I started receiving so many messages to ask if I was safe. My friends living on the street of the Bataclan attack told me that they welcomed people who were out in the streets, in their places. Soon the whole area was being evacuated. The state of emergency was declared soon after by the President. We are just staying at home now. With the constant ambulances going by and the fear over what happened, I haven’t slept a wink. It’s just so sad to think how life is valued so little by some. My friends are thankfully all safe, but I cannot imagine the pain for those who have lost their loved ones.”