Toronto’s Indian Community Stunned By Bombings
Posted July 11, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The smells and sounds of a unique culture fill the air along the stretch of Gerrard St. East known as “Little India.” But luckily, those who call the area home were thousands of miles away from the devastating terror attacks that pulverized a series of commuter trains in Mumbai Tuesday. Despite the oceans between them, the attacks hit home for members of the local Indian community, many whom were born in India and have family members living there.
“It’s very shocking,” remarked Neeraj Kumar. “When I see the bleeding people being carried away in ambulances, it’s something you never forget, it’s my mother country.”
Kumar was born and raised in India but has lived in Toronto for the past 15 years and has taken over the family’s business.
“Terrorists they don’t have any faith, no religion they are just terrorists.”
Reena Lalla was also born in India, and returns quite often for business.
She was equally appalled by the attacks.
“This should stop, I mean it is going on all over the world, you are killing your own brothers and sisters so I don’t know what they gain out of it.”
India native Seema Naraula now calls Ottawa home, but she often travels to Toronto’s “Little India” to enjoy the cultural jewels of her homeland.
“It’s very painful because even though you are away, in our eyes we are still very passionate about India, we see India as a very progressive country now, but nonetheless these kind of things just bring it to its knees.”
