Fighting back: A new start at IITF for CP blast survivor

NEW DELHI: Nisha Manral (19) survived the Central Park blast on September 13. But, her friend Babita lost her life that day. Bed-ridden in hospital for weeks, Nisha even lost her BPO job. The pressure on Nisha kept mounting with the passage of time as she was the sole breadwinner for her family. On November 10, she finally landed a job as a sales assistant at the Natraj Attamaker stall at the trade fair in Pragati Maidan.The scars of the unfortunate blast are still visible on her.
On Friday, Nisha had an unusual visitor at the stall. Vijay Tokre, a survivor of the 1993 and 2006 serial terror blasts in Mumbai, came to visit Nisha after reading about her in the newspaper. "Only a survivor can understand another survivor's agony. When I read about Nisha and how she lost her job, I was reminded of the tough times I went through when I was in hospital. I was determined to meet her,'' said 43-year-old Tokre.
Tokre is a businessman and runs his own travel agency in Mumbai. He's in Delhi for one of his client's visa-related work. "I know how the travel industry works, so I want to suggest Nisha that she can pursue a short course. With her skills, she can find plenty of jobs in the sector,'' explained Tokre.
Nisha was touched by the gesture, but not entirely surprised. "As a victim and a survivor, I know my life has changed. After the trade fair I will again start hunting for a job. But, I also have to complete my graduation,'' said Nisha.
After the operation and spending huge amounts on medication, Nisha got a blow when she lost her call centre job of eight months. The Rs 6000 salary that helped her family meet the daily expenses was gone. Nisha's father, suffering a heart ailment, has also been bed-ridden. "When my friend suggested that companies are hiring for the trade fair, I decided to apply, given my past experience as a tele-caller,'' Nisha narrated to Tokre, who listened attentively.
Being the survivors of terror attacks that nearly snuffed life out of them, Nisha Manral and Vijay Tokre have learnt many lessons. "I used to love shopping,'' says Nisha, "but I don't go to crowded areas anymore.'' For Vijay Tokre, his belief in luck has strengthened. "I didn't give much importance to luck, but now I know God is great. Only luck has ensured I am alive today. How else do you think my friends who were with me died, but I survived?'' asked Tokre, while Nisha remembered losing her friend that September evening in Central Park.