The day India stood as ONE!

Yesterday was Bakri Id, but the local mosque near my place was sans the usual festivities that I would have witnessed otherwise. The reason - people were expressing solidarity with the victims, their families who were affected by the recent terrorist attacks. Today’s, newspaper too carried similar images where people stood with placards denouncing terrorism and sported black bands.

Even the places that I toured last week when in Maharashtra, had hoardings and banners, otherwise flanked by political leaders or parties being replaced by tributes to the policemen, army men and NSG commandoes.

It was heartening to see that the common man has risen above the fear, hate and doubt that would usually have featured after this gory event and had decided to stand up for something and voice his opinion. These acts proved that people in India can’t be divided in the name of religion or caste. We might have our differences or grievances, but when it is time to ACT we are Indian’s first; something that our political parties are yet to figure out.

With the immediate political drama that unfolded after the attacks, I dreaded if we were heading for another 1992. But it was the sensibility and sober attitude across the country that preferred to mourn the loss than avenge and increase the damage. When the perpetrators sprayed bullets or heralded grenades they weren’t against a particular religion or caste but against human life.

Many from different sections of the society lost their loved ones and felt a pain – a pain that’s universal; irrespective of your religion. Lets not allow somebody’s vested interest be fuelled by our fellow Indians distress. Let progress, literacy, brotherhood and peace usher the New Year in India.

26/11- Another horrifying day in the life of Mumbai

The mundane life of a common Mumbaikar is disrupted yet again. 100 dead around 250 injured while two hotels are still under siege with people taken as hostages by some unknown, average looking youngsters. Some strangers just walk into the lives and hold them at ransom, making us feel agitated….. Helpless and leave us with a feeling of loss.

This time the militants (Deccan Mujahideen) have actually ventured out and shot at people, holding many at ransom even now. Is this because they are considering themselves so powerful that they are confident of getting away with this one? Or is it a wake up call to the security measures in place? It’s a war like situation in some parts of Mumbai… What is Mumbai heading to… How can anybody just pop-in and ruin our lives?

Whatever said and done, the only real sufferer in this is a common man. He is at a loss both in life and death! He doesn’t know what to believe in, whom to trust and if he would come back home alive the next day.

I don’t believe these terrorists have any religious sentiments or are avenging some cause or the other. They cannot be. These are just flimsy covers to their real motives. The 1992 Bombay bomb blast proved it, when finally it all boiled down to Mafia and the external power houses that were sponsoring these attacks. They know no religion or cause. The common man is at loss every single time.

And what is he suffering for? Cause he believed that once he has elected a government they would take care of his security and prosperity? Cause he believed that he has empowered the police and judicial system enough to take care of his fate?

After this is over the politicians will go back to mud slinging on each other, some officials would be suspended and some would be honored awards. They might book the nine people who have been caught on some x,y,z charges and the case would continue for years to come. The next generation… would remember sketchy details about the incident and when the verdict finally comes… if it ever comes would bring little solace to the families of the people dead! And till then… the common man might continue enduring some more blasts… Isn’t there anything that we can do?