The siege and terror looming over Bombay has finally ended, more than sixty hours later. Having continuously followed the developments, I see a different India. This India slapped the politician straight in the face! This is something not seen before. And why not?
- Maharashtra Deputy CM, R R Patil casually comments, "...itne bade shahar mein aisa ek aadh haadsa ho jaata hai...." Translation: "In a city this big, such incident does happen occasionally...."
Such callousness!! Really Mr. Patil, Too bad you were not in Taj at that time!
- Listen to this one too, again starring Patil ji, "Woh 5,000 logon ko marne aye the lekin humne kitna kum nuksan hone diya ." Translation: "They (terrorists) came to kill 5,000 people but we ensured minimal damage."
Does he even think what he is saying? May be we should thank him, instead! Really thanks Mr Patil! Thanks for saving the lives of another 4800!
- Politicians are clamoring over one another to gain maximum political mileage, to milk the situation as much as they can. But it seems this time the common Indian is in no mood to give a damn as to what they have to do or say.
- The wife of ATS Chief of Bombay Police, Hemant Karkare who died in line of his duty, has refused to accept compensation offered to her by Narendra Modi, This is what she had to say to him, "You keep your money..."
- When Raj Thackeray came to the Police officer's house he was asked to go away by the huge crowd which had gathered there.
- Earlier another common Indian asked "where is Raj Thackeray and his MNS goons hiding(who are so concerned about the city otherwise), when Bombay is burning?"
- One angry SMS reads, "Please let Raj Thackeray know that the one of brave Officers who laid down their lives fighting for the city belonged to the Bihar Regiment."
- Still shameless that he is, the news channel received a message from one of his minions that Though they are sorry for what happened, but things like this happen because Bombay is overcrowded, indirectly pointing fingers towards largely the non-Maharashtrians who come to city in search of their livelihoods.
Lots and lots of outburst of common Indian are being heard on TV, on internet, everywhere. Here are some of the messages from general public...
- Mr. Terrorist I am alive, what more can u do
Mr Politician I am alive, despite you
I am a Mumbaikar
-We salute our brave heroes, let the credit go to them
- In a terse message to politicians, someone said, at the funeral of the heroic officer,"It is not burning there (funeral), it is burning here (in our hearts)."
- "If they (politicians) were to come here (among the crowds) today, I am sure they will be killed..."
(updated)
-Father of Major Unnikrishnan refused to allow politicians in his house and refused to even meet Kerala CM, in fact he did not tolerate his presence and shouted at him to leave, who had come there to derive some political mileage as the family belongs to Kerala. In an clear remark he stated that his son belonged to whole India and not just Kerala.
- And now see the depths to which a poltician (the Kerala CM) can fall,
One senseless being or read it Here
Is he even a human? This man's sense has fallen into a bottomless pit of stupidity. How dare he utter even a single word? Such a shameless creature!
- Talking of the reaction across India, this piece of news is really stunning. Heard the Maoists' gun salute to the terror victims. I was pleasantly wow'ed to say the least! No, don't support them, but for this gesture of theirs, hats off to these guys!
******* Anyways *******
Saluting to the brave Indians who fought for the city, for us and some of those laid down there lives in the line of duty, I am amazed at the way common Indian has stood up and rebuked the opportunistic politician! I salute the spirit of a common Indian!
29.11.08
26.11.08
A city held hostage
Bombay is being held hostage by terrorists. This started about ten hours ago and is not over (now it is more than 24 hrs, ...now 50 hrs. and still on (updated)). How long? Why us? How come a city of over a crore people has become a hostage to a handful of AK-47 wielding weasels? And why do things like this keep happening over and over again?
A city teeming with people all over, is a very soft target for terrorists if there is not enough security in place. But why is there no security in place? The police force is there, right? It is indeed, but it is invisible on roads as its men and women are busy playing cards, cracking jokes or simply taking a nap in cool comforts of their cabins. These men and women become lethargic as soon as they come under the umbrella of secure lifelong government job. Compounded by the fact that many of these have gained a backdoor entry by paying hefty sums for getting this job, they think it is now their time to enjoy rather than take responsibility which comes with this all important job.
Hey, I know it is very easy to point fingers, very easy to complain rather than to do. And I know anyone can write stuff criticising about how lethargic and corrupt the govt officials have become who are awakened for a few moments by incidents of this ginormous scales, only to go back to their previous state of carelessness. But this is what seems to be what actually is the case. I might not be contributing to safety of the city by scribbling out here but the Police, It is their job. Isn't it? Then why are we caught up in moments like these time and again? Delhi saw it only two months back, and Bombay itself experienced it just a couple years back. Now again? When will we learn?
Nevertheless the courage shown by security forces, the Commandos, the Army, after the attacks started is simply great. All tribute to those bravehearts! And no doubt Bombay will bounce back soon, business will go on as usual and the city streets will again be teeming with people all over struggling for survival in this vibrant city. It should not be seen as the indifference of people in general. But the police force surely needs a reality check as far as remaining vigilant at all times is concerned. Things like this can be avoided or at least the scale of terror can be scaled down if the police is half as sincere and upto it's job as the Commandos are.
People cannot be expected to lay down their lives each time because somewhere some police personnel has been taking a nap when he/she should be keeping a close vigil on the marketplace nearby. Remember the movie, A Wednesday.
A city teeming with people all over, is a very soft target for terrorists if there is not enough security in place. But why is there no security in place? The police force is there, right? It is indeed, but it is invisible on roads as its men and women are busy playing cards, cracking jokes or simply taking a nap in cool comforts of their cabins. These men and women become lethargic as soon as they come under the umbrella of secure lifelong government job. Compounded by the fact that many of these have gained a backdoor entry by paying hefty sums for getting this job, they think it is now their time to enjoy rather than take responsibility which comes with this all important job.
Hey, I know it is very easy to point fingers, very easy to complain rather than to do. And I know anyone can write stuff criticising about how lethargic and corrupt the govt officials have become who are awakened for a few moments by incidents of this ginormous scales, only to go back to their previous state of carelessness. But this is what seems to be what actually is the case. I might not be contributing to safety of the city by scribbling out here but the Police, It is their job. Isn't it? Then why are we caught up in moments like these time and again? Delhi saw it only two months back, and Bombay itself experienced it just a couple years back. Now again? When will we learn?
Nevertheless the courage shown by security forces, the Commandos, the Army, after the attacks started is simply great. All tribute to those bravehearts! And no doubt Bombay will bounce back soon, business will go on as usual and the city streets will again be teeming with people all over struggling for survival in this vibrant city. It should not be seen as the indifference of people in general. But the police force surely needs a reality check as far as remaining vigilant at all times is concerned. Things like this can be avoided or at least the scale of terror can be scaled down if the police is half as sincere and upto it's job as the Commandos are.
People cannot be expected to lay down their lives each time because somewhere some police personnel has been taking a nap when he/she should be keeping a close vigil on the marketplace nearby. Remember the movie, A Wednesday.
25.11.08
Delhi to Lahore
India-Pakistan and their relation over the years, in the past and in future. This is one thing very close to my heart. Don't know why, but talking about this (well actually it is not just one thing...it is a myriad of things) I can get very animated and emotional, and many times might just wander into the territories of seemingly unreasonable and illogical grassland. But mostly I manage to keep myself in control and sane enough! Anything and everything related to this is always a fodder for my senses.
One such occasion is vivid in my memory and will always remain. It is when the borders were opened for the first time after Partition for road travel through Wagah. The Day the Delhi-Lahore bus was started. This happened to be a very busy route of travel and trade (it is after all the Grand Truck, the GT Road) connecting two major cities of Punjab, Amritsar and Lahore, connecting trade, connecting families, connecting lifelines. After Partition the links were severed, literally, by erecting gates which were to be remained closed forever, guarded by security personnels of respective countries, 24*7. Those gates were opened on 20 Feb 1999. It was nothing short of a magic, at least for me. I watched it live on TV as the barriers were being broken symbolically. My eyes glistened with water. However as goes with the socio-economic-politics, that Bus was halted many times, service disrupted and started again, the journey keeps oscillating...
The event in itself might seem nothing to some, some may not even know it happened, but for some it struck a chord in their heart and it brought tears in their eyes, I was one of them. Anyways, I scribbled a few words on the occasion in my diary about all this, here they go...
Delhi to Lahore
The Bus has started
The Journey is long
Bumps are there
Numerous in hide
Potholes all over
Very dangerous to override
Barriers have to be crossed
Keep minds in control
The journey is long, very long
And huge patience needed
This is the start
And do never quit
You have arisen, awaken
And the beginning made
So go on and on and on
And do not stop
Till the goal is reached
The goal is hard
But you must not halt
For
All the man made fences
All the barbed wires
All the walls of hatred
In the minds
And those across Wagah
You have to break!
A long journey!
One such occasion is vivid in my memory and will always remain. It is when the borders were opened for the first time after Partition for road travel through Wagah. The Day the Delhi-Lahore bus was started. This happened to be a very busy route of travel and trade (it is after all the Grand Truck, the GT Road) connecting two major cities of Punjab, Amritsar and Lahore, connecting trade, connecting families, connecting lifelines. After Partition the links were severed, literally, by erecting gates which were to be remained closed forever, guarded by security personnels of respective countries, 24*7. Those gates were opened on 20 Feb 1999. It was nothing short of a magic, at least for me. I watched it live on TV as the barriers were being broken symbolically. My eyes glistened with water. However as goes with the socio-economic-politics, that Bus was halted many times, service disrupted and started again, the journey keeps oscillating...
The event in itself might seem nothing to some, some may not even know it happened, but for some it struck a chord in their heart and it brought tears in their eyes, I was one of them. Anyways, I scribbled a few words on the occasion in my diary about all this, here they go...
Delhi to Lahore
The Bus has started
The Journey is long
Bumps are there
Numerous in hide
Potholes all over
Very dangerous to override
Barriers have to be crossed
Keep minds in control
The journey is long, very long
And huge patience needed
This is the start
And do never quit
You have arisen, awaken
And the beginning made
So go on and on and on
And do not stop
Till the goal is reached
The goal is hard
But you must not halt
For
All the man made fences
All the barbed wires
All the walls of hatred
In the minds
And those across Wagah
You have to break!
A long journey!
18.10.08
Right Here, Right Now
Each day we live, either "in future", dreaming about it, or "in past", mulling over what happened, good or bad, judging it in one way or another. Nothing wrong in dreaming about future, and surely not a problem in looking back. But the thing is when these two activities take the most or all of your waking hours in a day, when do we live? Why do we fail to be in present, savouring what is right in front of our eyes, enjoying a rising sun, appreciating the colours of nature and listening to the blowing wind.... Why do we get so involved in *bettering* our future life by making plans and by scrutinising past, that we stop enjoying the present moment. A moment which will be lost if not taken, right here right now! This way when we delete one moment which we could have enjoyed aren't we deleting our present. Then how can we expect to better our future if we cannot better our present for in life, there is no future. Life is always a "Present". Life is like a Do-it-yourself project, for no one else will do it for you, we live our own lives. If we do not enjoy this most important project, by paying most attention to what is right now, by enjoying the present moment, will it be a fruitful experience?
12.10.08
My this Sunday
Today is Sunday and it is already noon! My Sunday is Yet to Begin! I make plans and they never materialise. Thought of doing some work, but got busy with usual internet surfing. Have a big job of managing my life, with many important tasks at hand, which includes, do a sincere enough work for phd, find a job, etc. etc. etc. Which one of them takes precedence, don't know...but all are equally important. However I am a little worried of at least a few and a little scared of the rest including the second one. Life is not easy, but then who said it was...Walking along a misty road, all seems hazy and everything seems difficult. But then hey, wait a second. Haven't you encountered this feeling, this mist along the route before! And you have overcome it in past! So what the hell, let it be now! However do remember, it is not the situation but the attitude towards a situation that matters in the long run. OK we have problems, nothing seems to be going right, not a faint silver lining on the horizon. OK the PhD work seems to be going horribly wrong, like a big planned disaster, the job scene seems non-existent, and there seems to a quagmire of troubles all around. But hey most of this comes from your attitude towards these situations in life. Try being a little positive, a little different...a little tolerant of situation, accepting it and improving it by improving your attitude towards it. This is life and it is not easy, but you are a traveller and you will walk into the mist and the path will become more clear and more fun if you are not scared of haze from far away. And yes you have a code to analyse, don't u? Stop surfing and start debugging. Will see u later!
11.10.08
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