aashish chaudhary recalls the horrors of 26/11

26/11/2008 is a date which most Indians would not forget for a long, long time. This was the day when the city of Mumbai was ripped apart by terrorist attacks. A lot of innocent people ended up becoming victims of these attacks and many even lost their lives.

For actor aashish chaudhary too, 26/11 is a date which he can never forget. After all, he was among the unfortunate ones who lost his sister and brother-in-law on this dreadful day. A year has passed by now and the scars of this horrific attack still continue to haunt us all. Requesting that his family be left alone at this difficult moment, aashish chaudhary has expressed his thoughts through this letter which he sent to certain sections of the media and press.

"I feel humbled by all the strength my friends and this fraternity gives me. Also, I do realize how I must let go of all that, that is buried inside me. I also am aware that there are plenty of others who have gone through a lot too. But, I am in the hope that all of you will understand me when I tell u that it is not the right moment for me to come out and say absolutely anything regarding the issue.

I just want to request one and all to help each other for a start. Whether its the government, the doctors, teachers, the common public, whoever. We all need to help each other. Have love, respect for each other. There are so many incidents like these with really poor people too. We can start with some charity if nothing else. The revenue of all the events and programmes that are based on the pretext of the anniversary of 26/11, for example, should be given to charity. Lots more can and should be done.

And finding the problem and curing it is not the end all. We've got to cure it from the root. It is not only people like Kasab. He is a victim himself. A victim of wrong preaching, false teaching. Little kids are being brainwashed from really young ages, to commit felony in the name of religion. It's sad. But it's true. My dearest friends are Muslims and they have a totally different meaning of 'Jihad'. I do not think it's the religion. The Islamic religion is beautiful in my eyes. It's the select few, who are on an entirely different zone. All of Pakistan is not as its being perceived. It's just that the cockroaches in that home have to be removed. All homes have some pests or the other. Crimes are committed in India too my friends.

I know I'm saying so much despite of starting by saying I don't want to. But, what I've said is what I think all should know. We are all humans. We should love each other. Hate is a big, bad emotion. It's got to be eradicated. Religion is not the be all and end all. I say all the internal religious problems in our enchanting, multi-faceted India too should be thrown in the back seat. We should unite. It's the need of the day. For me as a fellow human to all, "I'm an Earth-ling first.., then I'm an Indian, and then.... Full Stop."