It took a handful of terrorists and hundreds of lost lives to bring down the myth of security and complacency that we in our country had lulled ourselves into. It took 60 hours to bring down the 60 year old fascade of Indian Democracy and it's effectiveness. It took just 3 days to unmask some politicians and bring them out for what they really are. But more than all that it took an attack on our nations' collective pride to awaken us and make us raise our voices. What happened to government of the people, for the people and by the people? Was that a myth as well? Was the feudal system and Kingdoms abolished so that these uncouth, uncaring, un-educated, in most cases, politicians could rule over us? So what has changed? 540 something members of parliament, most of who have some criminal record or the other have replaced the 516 principalities which once formed India. The difference is that these principalities were lead by Kings and Courtiers who were educated and well versed with the problems of their state. Now it is very much the opposite, in more ways than one. Terrorism existed then, as it exists now, then we had the Abdalis and the Lodi's who threatened India. Now we have LeT's and Mujahideen's. True, they didn't have AK-47's, grenades or petrol bombs back then, still they didn't fight with wooden batons (as most of our constabulary still do, even when faced with an AK-47).It's very good to talk of problems, it helps us vent our anger or give a shape to the numbness that we Indians have been feeling since 26th November, 2008. We're numb because of the nature of this attack. We're numb because how it brought India to a standstill for 3 days. We're numb because we faced the situation ourselves or our near and dear ones are affected by it. We're numb because thanks to the electronic media, this horrible carnage is being telecast right into our living rooms.
I have never lived in Mumbai, as in I am not a Mumbaikar as it were, but I have visited the fair city and I have found that it is a city that grows on you. The clean roads, the wonderful architecture, the helpful people and calm depths of the Arabian Sea, all have a wonderful effect on a visitor. Icons of Mumbai like the Victoria Terminus (CST), The Royal Yacht Club, The Bombay Gymkhana Club, The Marine Drive, The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, even the Metropolitan Corporation building, which really ought to be converted into a Heritage hotel, and even hitherto unknown, but equally impressive buildings like the GPO and the Empire Royale Hotel have become a part and parcel of a Mumbaikar's existance and have become landmarks in their own right. When foreigners think of India, they think of the Taj Mahal. When India thinks of Mumbai, we think of these estimable landmarks. It is a part of the nations' psyche.
Thats where this particular terror attack has struck - at the nations psyche. It has embattled our freudian calm but it has also rekindled our thought process. Thats why people today are saying 'Enough is enough'. I wish that were true, this certainly isn't enough, there's more to come. There isn't a band-aid cure to this deep gash. In terms of economic analysis, I could say things are going to get worse before they become better. Like most Indians today, I am bitter, I feel let down, I feel insecure and I am angry. When M.K. Gandhi asked for Home Rule, the borders of our country were secure and the British were doing a damn good job protecting them. Even through the World Wars there wasn't much that put India in harm's way. Now that we've got our so-called Indpendence, we have enemies on all sides of the border infiltrating us, creating vote banks, breeding terrorists on our own soil and spreading their network throughout the country.
We have to rise up from our complacency and demand our rights from the government. It doesn't matter which government - Congress, BJP or God Forbid the third front. We have to be pro-active as citizens and demand accountability from them for all their actions. NO our job doesn't end by casting our ballot. Thats just the begining. It then becomes our duty to make our elected candidate follow up on the agenda which got him elected.
The security, intelligence and millitary solutions are not for civilians such as us to provide, but even if it be the last option, we must ensure that that last option is exercised when all other options have been exhausted. I would be a very happy man if the country would be under 1 years Millitary Rule.
In conclusion, Mumbaikars, I know you have grown to hate the terms 'resilience' and 'bounce-back'. I understand your anguish and your anger. Well lets not say those words for the moment. Lets pray for a safer, prosperous and peaceful way of life. And once we've finished praying, lets get back to our government and demand to know what they are doing to put and end this horrible way of life that we're being forced to endure.
