'26/11 killed teacher who taught us to fight'

Students of karate instructor Farokh Dinshaw, who died in the terror attacks last year, continue to train to keep his spirit alive

Students of karate instructor Farokh Dinshaw, who died in the terror attacks last year, continue to train to keep his spirit alive

Karate instructor Farokh Dinshaw (49) died in the 26/11terror attack, but his spirit lives on through his students, who continue to train to this day because their teacher always believed the show must go on.

Dinshaw was in the Oberoi-Trident hotel lobby with a friend when terrorists started firing indiscriminately. He was hit and taken to the Bombay Hospital, where he died.

Shweta Dugar, his student of 17 years, said, "Sensei Dinshaw's funeral was held on a Friday, but we had a class the very next day, as he would have wished it that way."

REST IN PEACE: Farokh Dinshaw

She added that commitment and discipline were everything to him. "In fact, he would say that he would come to karate class even if his head were cut off," added Shweta.

Man of courage

Meanwhile, student Kamal Bhatia who runs the karate classes now, said, "Sensei always spoke about having the courage to tell the truth, never mind the consequences."

He recalled the numerous adventure-training camps spearheaded by Dinshaw.

"They were all about army-like training, survival skills and courage. We were once made to jump into a well from a height of 30 feet," added Bhatia.

"Nobody can fight bullets, but if Sensei had any chance, he would have fought back or saved himself during the terror attack.

But unfortunately it was too sudden." As Dinshaw's students in the city mark one year of the attack, the kiai (martial arts war cry) that resounds in the dojo (class) will say: teacher you left us in body, but not in soul.

32
The number of people who died at the Trident during the 26/11 terror attacks

Trident Attack

On November 26, 2008, terrorists led about 40 hostages from the Trident Hotel to the upper floor windows and shot them in a shower of glass.

Indian commandos entered the Trident complex late on November 27 and gunfire between commandos and terrorists were exchanged. The siege ended on November 28, with at least three gunmen killed.