Rudrani Devi
Local Mumbai Attacks Survivor Offers Message
Reported By Marc Stewart
Article courtesy of: www.wsmv.com
Article courtesy of: www.wsmv.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- In India, it's known as 26-11. Nov. 26 was the day that Mumbai became the backdrop to a terrorist massacre.
Video: Mumbai Attacks Survivor Preaches Love
At the center of the violence was Nashville resident Rudrani Devi. The musician-turned-meditation-instructor was eating dinner at the Oberi Hotel when gunman stormed inside.
"Everything kind of slowed down in my mind and in my body," she said.
Devi was shot in the arm and in the leg. Mentally, she said, she was stronger than ever.
"I don't want to say an 'altered state.' I want to say I was in a more connected state than (I've) ever been. Everything slowed down," said Devi. "I remember everything everyone said."
Wounded, Devi kept it together. She made to the hospital and even called her husband minutes before she went into surgery.
A sense of tranquility in a way, in the midst of chaos -- an ability she credits to her holistic lifestyle.
"No matter what's happening around you, you stay calm. You stay centered," she said.
She was well enough to head home 11 days later. When she landed, another life-defining moment: her appreciation of her country.
"We saw the immigration person," she said. "I gave him my passport, and he said, 'Welcome to America.' And these are the first real tears that I cried," said Devi.
Devi's leg is in a cast, but the support is strong.
"There's not one ounce of anger in me," she said. "If anything, I feel more love and compassion than I've ever felt."
Compassion has left Devi victorious, not victimized.
"If I have a message for the world, it's 'Be love now,'" she said. "This is what you have in this moment: You have now."
This experience has strengthened Devi's desire to see the world. She plans on returning to India to continue the spiritual training she started.
Devi also goes by the name Andi Varagona. For years, she was a music video producer here in Nashville. She also was a member of the '80s all-girl rock band the Paper Dolls.
Posted 01/02/2009
Video: Mumbai Attacks Survivor Preaches Love
At the center of the violence was Nashville resident Rudrani Devi. The musician-turned-meditation-instructor was eating dinner at the Oberi Hotel when gunman stormed inside.
"Everything kind of slowed down in my mind and in my body," she said.
Devi was shot in the arm and in the leg. Mentally, she said, she was stronger than ever.
"I don't want to say an 'altered state.' I want to say I was in a more connected state than (I've) ever been. Everything slowed down," said Devi. "I remember everything everyone said."
Wounded, Devi kept it together. She made to the hospital and even called her husband minutes before she went into surgery.
A sense of tranquility in a way, in the midst of chaos -- an ability she credits to her holistic lifestyle.
"No matter what's happening around you, you stay calm. You stay centered," she said.
She was well enough to head home 11 days later. When she landed, another life-defining moment: her appreciation of her country.
"We saw the immigration person," she said. "I gave him my passport, and he said, 'Welcome to America.' And these are the first real tears that I cried," said Devi.
Devi's leg is in a cast, but the support is strong.
"There's not one ounce of anger in me," she said. "If anything, I feel more love and compassion than I've ever felt."
Compassion has left Devi victorious, not victimized.
"If I have a message for the world, it's 'Be love now,'" she said. "This is what you have in this moment: You have now."
This experience has strengthened Devi's desire to see the world. She plans on returning to India to continue the spiritual training she started.
Devi also goes by the name Andi Varagona. For years, she was a music video producer here in Nashville. She also was a member of the '80s all-girl rock band the Paper Dolls.
