Memories of 10/29 came alive for Sarojini Nagar traders

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Nightmarish memories of last year's dark pre-Diwali evening came flooding back to Rajendra Kumar's mind when he saw TV images of the Mumbai blast last evening.

The juice seller at Sarojini Market in the capital, where the second of the 10/29 multiple blasts had occurred, was in his shop yesterday when seven explosions ripped through commuter trains in Mumbai.

''Memories of my dead brother came back to me the moment I saw those horrific images on TV later,'' Kumar said today.

His brother was one of the 66 people killed in the October 29, 2005 serial blasts in Delhi.

The Sarojini Nagar market, teeming with Diwali shoppers just a few moments ago, was plunged in darkness and thrown into chaos as the bomb went off outside Kumar's shop. Death and destruction reigned.

But, in a show of defiance, the market reopened just a day later.

''We cannot allow the terrorists to succeed. We have to fight back,'' Kumar said, while adding that traders in Sarojini Nagar were better placed to understand the pain of the victims of Mumbai blasts.

While demanding stronger steps from the Government to curb terrorism, he said India needed a ''strong'' Prime Minister, ''someone like late Lal Bahadur Shastri''.

Sarojini Nagar Mini Market Association President Ashok Randhawa said a meeting would be held shortly to condole the deaths in Mumbai and discuss relief efforts to be mounted for the victims there.

A delegation of traders from Sarojini Nagar was also likely to visit Mumbai to meet the victims and ensure they get all necessary help. ''We may also organise blood donation camps as part of our efforts,'' Mr Randhawa said.

''Hum tan man dhan se unke saath hain (we are with them, physically, mentally and financially)'', he added.

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