Atlantans React to Bombings in India

By Susan Mittleman

Atlanta, GA – The south-Indian Udipi Caf in Decatur is a popular spot for numerous N-R-I-'s – Non Resident Indians- living in and around Atlanta.

Initial reaction among patrons here, and elsewhere, to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai has been shock, and concern .. about the growing problem of fanaticism, and how to stop it.

Varon Grover is a professor at Clemson University, originally from New Delhi.

“If there is anything positive that comes out of this is that this indeed a global problem. And regardless of what their aim is, this is a despicable act.”

Aberjeet is a researcher in Athens. From India, he's been here three years.

“I think it's all the religious fanaticism that's linked to all of this. and some misled people are really doing all these problems.”

At the next booth, was Muhamed Salim, head of a non-profit corporation. He came to the U.S. from India in 1972.

“There are some people in that country, in Pakistan, that they have issue and wanted to go and create the problem in the two countries that I though in a long time, the relations were going very well.

And I just hope they use restraint and these people want to create a war and we should not become a victim of that.”

Down the street at Natural Identity Beauty salon, Indian born owner Sara Ali says she, and many of her clients, are worried about security.

“People are sad. scared. one of my clients said was about to take 8 american group on business and everyone canceled cuz they were scared.

It's very nervous. anytime it could be you, it could be me. It could be anybody. It's really scary.”

Since the attacks, there's been more than half a dozen organized events around Atlanta to commemorate those who died.

singing from vigil

At Georgia Tech last week, nearly 500 people attended a candlelight vigil in near freezing temperatures.

The crowd was mainly Indian students and some Pakistanis, with plenty of non-Asian friends and faculty sharing in solidarity.

22 year-old Anu Pavatiyar is on the board of the India Club and helped organize the event.

“There's always been friendly relations here. There's no doubt tensions on subcontinent are running high and to deny that would be naive. But here on campus the mood is pretty calm. I think people are sad from their loss and how to move on from this.”

Georgia Tech's Pakistani students were also very upset and reached out to their Indian friends..

23 year old Shahana Safdar is social secretary of the Pakistani Student Association.

“I think we all have strong feelings in condemning the attack. And if these people are in Pakistan, we want them out of Pakistan. We don't want our country to be in the same name as someone who is killing innocent people.”

Far from home, students like Chetan Powgee-who comes from Pune- near Mumbai, seemed frustrated – tired of the escalating violence.

“I don't hate Pakistan as a country but the thing is the leaders are not taking any action against this and that is certainly not acceptable.”

Many students are heading home to the subcontinent for the end-of-the-year holidays.

The attacks seem to have only strengthened their resolve at least for now. . but if security issues escalate, things could always change.

For WABE news, I'm Susan Mittleman