What happened in Bombay on November 26, should never have happened. It is impossible to imagine such sinister intents leading to such ghastly consequences could actually germinate in a human mind, which I will not compare to that of an animal for that would be insulting the animal kingdom. It’s deplorable and the degradation of human beings now seems complete. Life will just not be the same for us ever again in Bombay.

The Taj Hotel, The Oberoi, stand for richness, wealth, luxury, power, success, an aspiration, a certain culture, tradition and plenty of sentimentality for the people of this city and all of India. Terrorists attempting to destroy these symbols representing all of the above, was like an attack on our very soul, which was being callously wrung in front of our eyes. The havoc and trauma that followed has left us with scars that won’t heal. Our psyche is bound to remain disturbed for a long time to come.

The carnage at Victoria Terminus (CST), the bombardment at Nariman House, the slaying of our best police officers at Cama Hospital have ingrained images that will not leave our memory and for generations to come we will shudder at the ease with which our city was held under the terror siege. At best what we can do is learn a lesson from all of this and move forward on a positive note. Life is becoming more complex than it ever was and certainly most unpredictable. We should pledge to spread the message of peace and love and resolve that we will never look at each other from a communal and religious viewpoint. That we will respect the dignity and divinity that is within each of us and remember above all, that eventually there is just one God who goes by different names. The creed to follow is humanity and compassion, peace and forgiveness.

It was no strange coincidence that the first public event that was scheduled to take place in the city just days after the Bombay Siege was the UpperCrust Show. I do not know why but I just knew in my heart that I had to do it, go ahead with the Food and Wine Exhibition; a trade fair that is planned months ahead and looked forward to by at least two hundred thousand people. Without any doubt and with absolute confidence the UpperCrust team went about completing every task and tackling every issue that cropped up, in the gruelling and extraordinary times, to welcome Chief Guest John Abraham on the inauguration morning with a courtyard bursting with smiling guests. We had succeeded in our mission of giving those connected with the food and beverage industry a helping hand. Cancelling the Show would have been the easier option but we were determined not to allow our spirit to be killed by the dastardly acts of terror. It was our way of paying a tribute to the world of hospitality which we in better times, had just take for granted.

Our resolve and hard work paid off. We were thrilled to bits to see the Expo Centre at the WTC, all 25,000 square feet of it, jam packed with people shopping for gourmet goodies, laughing, talking, watching cookery demos, attending talks and workshops, tasting and eating and drinking, their trauma temporarily forgotten, sadness and stress replaced by happiness and cheer. The energy at the 6th UpperCrust Show was to be seen to be believed. The buzz was - this was needed.

Christmas will be not be the same this year and New Year too. Perhaps a little introspection, interspersed with a great deal of prayer might not be out of turn. Maybe if each of us sent a fervent plea heavenwards we might just about save our planet. And go back to simple living.

My new year resolution: to help in some way, a few, even one ot two people affected by the rotten, graveless, decaying, terrorists!