In 2010, I had the opportunity to meet Devika Rotawan, who had survived the Mumbai terror attacks at the age of nine. Despite being shot in the leg, she bravely identified the lone surviving gunman in court. Now, fifteen years later, I reconnect with her to explore the changes in the life of a survivor living in the aftermath of the massacre. The 60-hour siege of Mumbai had claimed 166 lives and left many more wounded. Devika’s testimony played a crucial role in bringing justice to the victims of the attack.
Prompt: Rewrite the given text in a different way.
In 2010, Devika was a timid girl with a limp who smiled often but spoke little. Her brother Jayesh was ill with a bone disease, and her father Natwarlal, a former dry fruits seller, was unemployed and anxious about the future. The family had only a few possessions, including plastic chairs, a trunk, and utensils. Devika had told me that she wanted to become a police officer when she grew up.
Thirteen years later, I visited the Rotawans again. Devika, now almost 25, had become a confident and radiant woman. They now live in a small apartment, and Devika does most of the talking while her father listens.
Over the years, she has shared her story with journalists, TV shows, podcasts, and public gatherings. She recounted her experience of waiting for the night train to Pune when she heard gunfire and saw people falling around her. She saw a young man with a big gun shooting in all directions. She started running, but a bullet hit her right leg, and she fell unconscious. After undergoing six surgeries and spending 65 days in recovery, she returned home.
At the age of 11, she began attending school regularly for the first time in her life. The school initially refused to admit her, claiming that she would “endanger” other students. In June 2009, she identified Qasab in a special court, saying, “I pointed my finger at him. He looked at me, and then he looked down.”
Today, Devika’s past and present are entirely shaped by the events of 26/11.
Mumbai has progressed, yet the haunting aftermath of the attacks continues to cast a shadow over Devika’s life. On her social media profiles, Devika goes by the username Devika Rotawan26/11, a poignant reminder of the tragedy. On Facebook, she proudly identifies herself as the “youngest victim of the Mumbai terror attack”. Amidst the vibrant snapshots of her birthday celebrations and carefree dances by the beach to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s melodies, there are also somber images that unfold: Devika addressing gatherings, paying tribute to the victims, and receiving not only accolades but also financial support for her bravery.
The walls of her home serve as a testament to the memories of 26/11. Framed certificates praising her courage adorn the walls, alongside pictures of her meeting with UN Secretary General, António Guterres, during his visit to Mumbai last year. Trophies are neatly displayed on a living room ledge, while a large teddy bear, carefully wrapped in plastic and gifted by a fan club, sits atop the bedroom wardrobe. As a survivor of the 26/11 attacks, Devika has been invited as a guest on popular Indian television shows such as Amitabh Bachchan’s Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Hindi adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and Indian Idol, the Indian version of the British show Pop Idol.
And then there’s the media. Whenever tensions between India and Pakistan escalate and stories emerge, they turn to Devika for a quote, she reveals. “Sometimes, they intrude, seeking my comments. It can be quite peculiar at times.” Devika takes all of this in stride, even finding a sense of fulfillment in it. “Whatever path you choose in life, ensure that at the end of the day, your happiness is paramount,” she writes on Instagram.
However, the Rotawans face a difficult journey towards happiness. Like many others, they are confronted with the hardships of living in a rapidly changing city. After residing in chawls for more than 12 years – affordable tenements with shared bathrooms and a single room – they were compelled to leave due to the neighborhood’s redevelopment. The chawls were demolished to make way for luxurious steel and glass towers, catering to businesses and residential spaces.
In a city with a population of 20 million people and limited space, vertical living has become a necessity. Consequently, the Rotawans found themselves renting a modest apartment six months ago. Their new dwelling is a one-bedroom unit spanning 270 square feet (25 square meters) on the seventh floor of a “slum rehabilitation building” located in the suburbs. However, the monthly rent of 19,000 rupees ($228; £182) adds financial strain to their already tight budget, according to Devika.
Despite Devika’s celebrity status, their situation is far from perfect. Her fame continues to be the family’s lifeline, just as it was 15 years ago.
Natwarlal, aged 60, has been unemployed since his dry fruits business collapsed after the 26/11 attacks. Jayesh, who is 28 years old and now in good health to work, recently secured a job as an office assistant, but it has only been a few months since he started. Devika received government compensation totaling just over 1.3 million rupees ($15,600) in two installments over the course of eight years. Her studies were disrupted when she contracted tuberculosis after finishing school. She has been engaged in an ongoing legal battle with the government to obtain the promised home following the attack. Fortunately, a private trust that supports survivors covers her college fees.
In January, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, extended an invitation to her to join his five-month, 4,000km (2,485-mile) “unity march” across India. She participated in the march in her father’s native state of Rajasthan, according to her. As a gesture of support, the Congress government in the state has granted her a small plot of land.
Devika anticipates graduating early next year with a bachelor’s degree in political science and humanities. Her aspiration is to take the necessary exams to become a policewoman. “I have been actively searching for employment for the past few months, but unfortunately, I haven’t been successful. It is a cause for concern as Mumbai is becoming an increasingly expensive city to reside in,” she expresses.
Fifteen years after the tragedy, Devika and her family continue to rely on the assistance of friends, benefactors, and organizations. “We travel by train and plane to attend events where Devika is invited to speak, receive certificates, and even financial support,” Natwarlal reveals. “We have participated in numerous such events. It is how we sustain ourselves.”
How long will these “events” persist? How content is she with her unchanging identity as the girl who identified Qasab?
“This identity was imposed upon me. I am not evading it. I have embraced it,” she confides.
“The only other identity I would cherish is that of a police officer, safeguarding India from terrorists.”
Her smile remains unwavering. Dreams are not easily extinguished.
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