Bombayman's Diary

समंदर से मुझे प्यार है और मेरी अब तक की जिंदगी में ये किसी न किसी तरह से मुझसे जुडा रहा है। मैं अरब सागर के किनारे बसे शहर मुंबई में पैदा हुआ, पला-बढा। समंदर के साथ मेरी पहली याद तब से जुडी है जब बचपन में अक्सर रविवार के दिन मां-बाप मुझे गिरगांव चौपाटी घुमाने ले जाया करते थे। इसी गिरगांव चौपाटी के सामने खडे ऐतिहासिक विल्सन कॉलेज में मैने 5 साल गुजारे। बतौर टीवी पत्रकार पिछले 15 सालों से यहीं समंदर किनारे अनंत चतुर्दशी के दिन सुबह से रात तक गणपति विसर्जन कवर करता आया हूं। साल 2007 तक साप्ताहिक छुट्टी की शामें अक्सर मुंबई के मनोरी बीच पर सूर्यास्त देखते हुए गुजरतीं थीं। मनोरी, तुलनात्मक रूप से मुंबई का सबसे खूबसूरत और साफ सुथरा समुद्र तट है और मैं अब भी अक्सर यहां दोस्तों और सहकर्मियों के साथ आते रहता हूं। समु्द्र के प्रति लगाव ने मुझे इसकी गहराई में झांकने के लिये भी उत्साहित किया। यही वजह रही कि साल 2008 में मैने आस्ट्रेलिया से पंजीकृत डाईविंग स्कूल से पेशेवर स्कूबा डाईविंग (गोताखोरी) का कोर्स किया। समुद्र के भीतर छुपी खूबसूरत, रंगबिरंगी दुनिया ने मुझे इतना प्रभावित किया कि बीते 6 ...

Mohammed Afroz was arrested under POTO in 2002. Areeb Majid of Kalyan near Mumbai and Mehdi Masroor Biswas are two fresh Indian faces who got attracted to international terrorist organizations and allegedly attempted to become part of their activities. These two names remind me of Mohammed Afroze who in the beginning of past decade allegedly got attracted to Al Qaeda and was prosecuted by Mumbai cops. Mohammed Afroze’s case is one of the most bizarre cases in the recent history of Mumbai Police which had international ramifications. The arrest of Mohammed Afroz, the investigations & later the trial against him were covered by me & it is one of the most interesting terror related cases which I have covered as a journalist. Mohammed Afroze, a lad residing in Cheetah Camp slums of north-eastern part of Mumbai was picked up from Hotel Abott in Vashi, New Mumbai. Police sources informed that they had got a “big catch”. They had got a terrorist who had planned to conduct a...

At top is a Pakistani post & below are Indian hamlets. Old farmers cutting dry grass on the field, toddlers playing along the street side, little children going to school, women heading to home with grocery, grazing cows and sheeps…Pakistani bullets spare no one. Whether you are a civilian or an army man, whether you are a kid or grown up, man or women, bullets fired by Pakistani guns don't discriminate, don't  hesitate. You may get killed or injured or lose your loved ones, neighbours or pet animals. Welcome to Sabjiyan! Sabjiyan is a small cluster of hamlets adjacent to Line of Control (LOC) near Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. People here literally live under shadow of death. Sabjiyan is located at a place where Jammu region ends and Kashmir valley begins. Hence, it’s a key spot for infiltrators to sneak into the valley with their sinister designs. Adjacent to this village is a hill whose top is occupi...

From prime minister Narendra Modi to chief minister Omar Abdulla, all the politicians who were campaigning for ongoing Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections didn't miss to talk about refugees. They sympathised with their plight and promised them governmental support for a better life. They also blamed each other for the miseries of refugees. However, this has not been new to the people concerned. They have listened to similar speeches and promises by politicians since past six decades. Instead of their life getting better, their problems have aggravated over the years. During my visit to Poonch district for the election coverage, I got an opportunity to meet many refugees and closely observe their life. I was overwhelmed with the stories of cruelty, atrocities, greed, survival and bravery. Refugees are those people who fled to escape from being massacred from Pakistan or Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) at the time of partition in 1947. Those who came from Po...

  Recently, I was in north Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir to cover elections of state legislature which are held after every 6 years. Elections are being conducted in 5 phases and I covered the initial 2 phases. I was in Doda & Poonch districts of the state. Both these districts have seen a long spell of militancy and are still vulnerable. While Poonch having proximity to frontiers of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a hotspot for infiltration, Doda is known for hideouts of terrorists who intend bloodbath in other parts of the state. For an average Indian living outside this state, when he hears the word Jammu and Kashmir, the first thing comes to his mind is “terrorism”.  Ironically 3 decades ago the state was known for another word beginning with letter T, “tourism”. While roaming around the towns of Doda and Poonch, I came across few people who were terrorists till few years back & decided to surrender after being promised a good life by the government. I ...