Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Maryland community holds vigil for Mumbai victims
By Kyle Goon
The Diamondback, U. Maryland
December 04, 2008

More than 150 University of Maryland students stood silently on either side of the Omicron Delta Kappa reflecting pool on McKeldin Mall at 8:12 p.m. yesterday, holding lit candles and honoring the victims of the attacks in Mumbai, India, last week.

The Indian Students Association and other student groups sponsored a vigil for university community members to mourn or simply show support for those killed and wounded in the terrorist attacks. The vigil comes after one held Monday by the Student Council of India, a graduate students' group.

Braving the chilly temperature, many came out to the short ceremony, which ISA co-president and junior government and politics major Rahguv Murali said was intentionally kept simple.

"We wanted to do something for all the undergraduates," he said. "This event shows we care about the community - not just the Indian community, because we aren't the only ones affected. We wanted to do something to bring everyone together in tough times."

People gathered at 8 p.m. and lined the pool. ISA members handed out white tea candles, as white represents the Indian color for mourning. Several people spoke, including Satindar Bhagat, a physics professor and president for the Association for India's Development. Bhagat called for students to meditate on what they could do to stop future violence.

"Stay calm and pray for peace," he said. "We all need to do what we can in our own small way to make sure this never happens again."

ISA freshman executive, event organizer and finance major Simran Shah said her family in Mumbai knew at least seven people killed in the attacks, and many more wounded. However, she said the horrific events of last week have made Indians and others unify and take threats more seriously.

"India is the most resilient country in the world, I believe," she said. "She meets obstacles and overcomes them. We want to make sure this time we actually do something about it to prevent future attacks."

After a few more minutes of silence, a cappella group Anokha led the crowd in singing the Indian national anthem. Senior civil engineering major Anjuli Bakhru, who is a member of vigil co-sponsor Kappa Phi Gamma, said the event was an ideal way for university members to stand together.

"[The vigil] provides an outlet for people with affected family or other loved ones, or just anyone who cares," Bakhru said. "Even just showing up is showing support."

Earlier media reports had identified Alan Scherr, a victim of the attacks, as a university professor. Scherr worked at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He was not a professor at this university.

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