A Chuck Norris-look-alike, an immigrant labourer and a Man-U fan have just this one thing to say on the first anniversary of 26/11: It's important to defy terrorism.
Ravi Verma is 35 years old. He shines shoes for a living. Walking up and down the Colaba Causeway he wonders why there's so much activity outside Leopold Cafe today. You don't believe him at first but he tells you that he's been in Mumbai for just over two weeks. He stays on one of the footpaths in Masjid Bunder and his biggest concern is that one day he may be evicted from the pavement, his home.
"I heard about the blasts when I was in my village in Madhya Pradesh. It really didn't make much of a difference to me then. But if something were to happen in Mumbai today, I don't know what I will do. This is the only city where I can make some money and send it back to my wife and three kids," Verma says.
Verma who claims to be trained in cattle immunisation says that Mumbai was the only city he knew which would give him the opportunity to survive and earn a decent living.
"We cannot let these people (terrorists) take advantage of this city. Everyone should live in harmony. I have been here for about 20 days now and I am surprised with how the city has accepted me. I have already made friends and feel at home. I really hope people who did this get the punishment they deserve."
Image: Ravi Verma