Terror reigned on Wednesday, Nov. 28, when 11 men traveling by boat ravaged the city of Mumbai, India, with assault rifles and explosive devices. All the while, UNH students and faculty traveled to the comforts of their own homes for a Thanksgiving break that was sure to bring relaxation and satisfy students.
Students reflected a week after the terrorist attack that targeted westerners abroad. Gunmen made hits on 10 targets, including luxury hotels and a Jewish center. The gunmen, who were later found to have been trained at a Pakistani camp, were singling out Americans, Britons and Jews to take as hostages. The death toll is upward of 143, while over 325 remain wounded.
"I don't know where I was when I did first hear about it," said junior Karen Coutinho. "I was obviously shocked. It's very scary to hear about any attack like that."
As the news broke Wednesday, many didn't hear about the attacks and their aftermath until after several servings of turkey and stuffing the following day.
"I was at home when I heard about it on Thanksgiving," said senior Danielle Taylor. "My dad says I'm in a bubble when I'm at school.
"Of course it's awful. I was shocked at the specific targeting of the attack."
Although the attacks continued through the night on Thursday as hostages were held at the Taj hotel, soon after dark numerous Indian commandos emerged from the hotel with their guns pointed down. This was a signal the standoff with the terrorists was over, according to reports from the New York Times.
India, which has seen enormous economic growth over the past 10 years, was completely exposed in these attacks. Both their homeland security and extensive poverty were on full display as news teams across the globe have been probing the region ever since.
"Everyone thinks about their great economy, but my dad's friend lived there for two months and was telling us on Thanksgiving when news broke about the awful poverty the people live in there," said Couinho. "You see people living in trash on desert plains who can't take showers because the water is so toxic. Their government doesn't care about their people and the terrorists attacks prove that."
As recovery teams pick up the pieces and retrace the steps of the gunmen in India, Cuinho still maintains a sense of security in the United States.
"I think my sense of safety is at the same level," said Couinho, who added he flew out of Logan Airport a month after the Sept. 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks. "I don't live my life scared."
While many optimists feel a brighter future is ahead with the Obama administration, others feel history has dug too deep a hole.
"The president can't do very much to change the minds of radicals in other countries," said sophomore Brian Thorn.
Be the first to comment on this article!