Mumbai:
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The day that was: Lazarus Fernandes relives the day that changed him forever. pic/nimesh dave |
Lazarus Fernandes was one of the lucky few to have survived the blast at Matunga station on July 11.
However, life after the shocking incident has been a nightmare for the 31-year-old and his family. Horrifying memories of the day continue to haunt him, and his anxious family lives in fear all day till he returns from work.
"Every day we pray to god for his safe return. We can't trust public transport any more," said his mother-in-law Dorothy Fernandes.
Even two years after the incident, Lazarus hasn't recovered fully. He hasn't stepped into a train since, and uses his bike to commute to work.
Lazarus, an employee with a leading pharmaceutical company, was on his way home on July 11, when the blast took place in his compartment. He was thrown out due to the impact of the blast. He recalls, "I was on the door of the first class compartment and was making my way in when the blast took place."
He added, "I didn't realise what had happened. I couldn't hear anything, all I saw was people running for their lives." The impact of the blast severely damaged his rib cage and he lost a lot of blood from the injuries on his face. He was rushed to Sion Hospital by a group of volunteers.
Lazarus believes that it was the spirit of Mumbai that kept the hopes alive for the blast victim. He said, "I realised the true spirit of the city when the taxi driver took us to the hospital immediately, and didn't even bother about the fare."
Lazarus was thankful to MiD DAY photographer Nimesh Dave for clicking his pictures. It was Dave's pictures that helped him get the compensation amount.
