On the tenth anniversary of the 26/11 attack, a marathon has been organised on November 25 as a tribute to its survivors and to seek better security in the city.
The run has been organised in three categories of 21, 10 and 5 km, the registration fee for which is ₹800, 600 and 400 respectively. Registration is free for personnel and dependents of the armed forces, paramilitary, coast guard, Mumbai police, fire services and traffic police.
Sarlaben Parekh, who lost her son and daughter-in-law in Oberoi Hotel that night is among those supporting the bettering of the city’s security. “I want all my children to settle abroad. I have lost hope in this country,” she said.
Ms. Parekh claimed there was information about possible attacks two months before it happened, but security personnel were diverted for delegates attending the private ceremony of a politician. “Had they been prepared for such an incident, lives could have been saved,” she said.
Ms. Parekh, a social worker, has participated in a litigation all the way to the Supreme Court for better surveillance systems. “We had collected around ₹60 crore to install security cameras in the city but the Supreme Court did not want us to do it, saying the government was entitled to do that.”
Mayank Vyas Singh of Sea Hawks Foundation, which is organising the event, said they don’t want it to turn into a carnival. “This is a silent tribute to exceptional heroism and courage by the defence force, police force and common citizens. I urge Mumbai to come out, lace up and run for those who stood together,” Ms. Singh said.
Marathon runner Karthik Raman, who is also chief marketing officer of the IDBI Federal Life Insurance which is sponsoring the run, said, “Sports binds people together. Through this we want to honour the memory of the bravehearts whose spirit, courage and resilience were indomitable in the face of terror.”
Former Mumbai police commissioner, Julio Riberio and Additional Commissioner of Police (south region), Pravin Padwal will also participate in the run. “My NGO Public Concern for Governance Trust works with youth, we remember the fateful night every year and talk to them about values, ethics and morality in the hope to inculcate the same in the future generations,” Mr. Riberio said.