Mumbai: Eight years after alerting commuters of the 26/11 terror attack at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, railway announcer Vishnu Zende recalls the incident as an unfortunate event that made his profession more ‘respectable’, and him famous.
Zende’s presence of mind and timely announcements helped save many lives that fateful night.
Zende (45), who is posted as a railway goods guard at Panvel since 2013, told Free Press Journal until that night the announcer was just a lost voice in the railway station din. “The job of a railway announcer gained more respect after that gruesome night when I alerted commuters to avoid the platforms and areas where Ajmal Kasab and his accomplices had unleashed terror. I witnessed the bloodbath from my box. Till then, I am not sure if our announcements were heard so closely,” said Zende.
Zende’s heroic act won him many fans. Commuters, who until then would not listen to announcements, began to value the importance of an announcer. The first reward Zende believes is the commuters who personally acknowledged him.
“Since that day, commuters used to wave at me and acknowledge my presence in my cabin, after they read about me in the newspapers. Some would even drop in at my cabin to meet me and thank me for the commendable job I did,” Zende added with a smile.
“Of course one cannot forget such attacks. For a person like me who saw the terrorists firing indiscriminately at the people across the vast station, one would expect that I would suffer from nightmares. Thankfully, I am a strong person, few things affect me adversely and must say I am fortunate,” said Zende.
Zende has taught both his sons to be fearless like him — the elder one is in ninth standard and the younger in fifth. His wife Shruti (45), still appreciates her husband’s commendable work done on the ill-fated night.
“My husband has great observational skills and probably that how he saved the lives of many people. His heroism has made me and our sons fearless. My husband has taught our children to be courageous in all walks of life,” Shruti told FPJ.
She fondly recollects the moments when her husband was called on the FM radio to reconnect with the families of the survivors.
“There was an old couple on FM radio, who were also the victims of 26/11. They called in only to appreciate my husband’s timely action which had saved their lives. It felt good to know he had changed the lives of people,” Shruti said.
