As a journalist working in Mumbai in 2008, 17 years ago, I had the misfortune of witnessing Islamist rage ravage the city. Over those three fateful days, beginning November 26, I was tasked with covering the attack on Nariman House.

A squat, unremarkable building in the otherwise salubrious Colaba – a quarter of SoBo or ‘South Bombay’ as old-timers like to call this redoubt of privilege. Nariman House, or the Chabad House as the name suggests, was the Jewish Centre from where a miracle survival story emerged, lifting dashed spirits.

Against all odds, the cherub-like Jewish child – Baby Moshe – was rescued from the bombed-out building by his intrepid nanny. The image of the rescued child, dressed in a onesie blotched by his parents’ blood, was to become synonymous with the tragedy, as also the resilience of Mumbai – arguably India’s most life-affirming city.

Mumbai is a melting pot. It is the essence of Indian enterprise and diversity, and that’s why, in the run-up to those three days, it had been the repeat target of malevolent minds who had a monochromatic and bigoted outlook. Every few years, the horsemen of religious intolerance, fed the gruel of a........

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