26-11-2008 -Mumbai- India: Some Swirling Thoughts.

An attack by terrorists and terrorism is not new to India. It has been happening over two decades in some part or other in this country. Every time it happened, many innocent lives were lost. There were knee-jerk reactions, emotional reactions, political bickering, and blame games and so on. The suddenness and speed at which these events happened, they were pushed into the pages of history with as much suddenness and with slightly lesser speed. The response from the public, the media, and the parties in governance was always been reactive and never proactive. The causes to these attacks, though debated and analysed, were never seriously addressed and resolved

This lackadaisical approach to this contentious issue has been well gauged by the terrorists and prompted them to be more adventurous in their audacious, astonishing and dastardly attacks they carried out in MUMBAI CITY on the night of Wednesday, 26^th November, 2008. For the first time, the terrorists chose the Arabian Sea route to land on the shores of Mumbai. Fanning out in batches, they began gunning down innocent civilians as they targeted crowded historic rail terminus- Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus- using sophisticated weapons, firing indiscriminately. they threw hand grenades at will at different places in the city, hijacked a police jeep after killing three top police officers, before seizing Luxury hotels- The Taj, The Oberoi, and The Trident- and a Jewish Centre in Nariman House all located in South Mumbai. They held hostages at these landmarks, some of whom were killed, some rescued later.

The siege lasted close to sixty hours at these locations before the commandos of National Security Guards shot all but one who was captured alive.

This cowardly, heinous act ended with around 190 getting killed, including foreigners, and around 350 getting injured. The style and magnitude at which these attacks were executed with precise planning left the entire nation shocked, stunned and bemused. It was unprecedented.

The nation was in agony, anguish, and livid with incessant anger. The public in Mumbai, who were at the receiving end of these multiple attacks, lead the nation’s outrage with a spontaneity that belied its proud trait of tolerance. In one voice, the nation blamed the politicians for the insecurity of their lives; for their irresponsibility; for their unaccountability; and above all for being soft in dealing with terrorism.

The nation demanded ACTION and NOT WORDS OR SPEECHES.

Such public outrage was unprecedented and remarkable for its unified voice.

Stung by this public outcry, hyped and fanned by the electronic media, the home minister of the country- Mr. Shivraj Patil submitted his resignation owning MORAL responsibility. He was targeted for his inefficient and ineffective leadership for the terror attacks during his tenure. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra too stepped down owning the same MORAL responsibility, after initial reluctance!! The Chief Minister has been asked by his Party - The Congress Party- to continue till a suitable leader is chosen, paving the way for indulging in a mini power game. Such is the insensitivity of the politicians to serious issues.

Peeved at the criticism of this outrage directed at their breed, the narrow minded politicians of Congress, the BJP and others retorted with caustic comments, inflaming the atmosphere further disowning individual responsibility, and instead blamed the failure of multiple agencies involved in looking after the security of the country.

Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh Convened a high level all party meeting, to which the main opposition BJP party leader, Mr.L.K.Advani chose NOT to attend, as he was busy in election campaign!! At the meeting a decision was taken to set up a new outfit- Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) to deal exclusively with intelligent network to combat terrorism. Measures would be taken to strengthen all institutions and agencies for the security of the country.

Initial investigations and interrogations of the lone arrested terrorist reveal the involvement of Pakistan, and the terror outfits operating from that country as in all such attacks. Pakistan has always denied its involvement despite evidence pointing to its complicity.

America and Britain have offered help in investigations, and their intelligence officers are already in India. US secretary of State Ms Condoleezza Rice has appealed to Pakistan to co-operate. That remains to be seen.

But for the Commendable action of the National Security Guard (NSG) Commandos, in coordination with the Army, the Rapid Action Force, the security forces, the Mumbai Police, and the Mumbai fire brigade, the causalities would have been much more. In addition to them, Hotel Staff and other selfless individuals showed exemplary courage in saving some lives. Their acts were inspirational, praiseworthy and evoked a sense of pride. The nation became one in showing adulation on them.

It was unnecessary to telecast live the terrorist attacks minute by minute by the electronic media, posing greater dangers and hindrance to the operations. The coverage was disorderly to say the least. It was irritating to see some reporters trying to hog the limelight ALWAYS, and claiming exclusive coverage. It was irritating to see them jostling and pushing fellow channel operators. How could you learn discipline from them? Though they pursued a cause relentlessly, but the manner in which they are doing requires orderliness. They need to practice measured and responsible reporting as they are seen live.

Well, this is one side of the issue.

Let me ponder and introspect further.

We are a tolerant Society. Our reactions have always been emotional, and often contradictory. We react differently to many similar issues that appear illogical to an outsider, and occasionally even to us. Deep down in our hearts, many of us are selfish, self centered and regionalistic. This could send some wrong signals to people who do not understand our psyche. We only get outraged when our tolerant limit is stretched too far.

Mumbaikars did not react with as much emotion when Mr. Raj Thackeray, leader of Mumbai Navnirman Sena fanned regional feelings against north Indians that resulted in large scale violence. Why? Where was the INDIAN Spirit then? It remains inexplicable. The leader got away with no punishment.

Is the present outrage because rich were affected?

It is an emphatic NO. It poured out at the right time after simmering for long. It poured out watching the ineptitude of the politicians; at their degenerating character and apathy towards the law abiding citizens.

The present mess is the result of attitude of every one of us. It has awakened us from deep slumber. It is time we propel ourselves forward. All of us need to change.

Foremost is to learn to be self disciplined.

We need to be vigilant and observant in public places.

We need to follow basics in security measures, and MUST not resist being checked at sensitive places.

We need to respect the Law.

We must not seek favours from Public Servants, nor induce them into corruption.

We need to insist for a Para-military training to our youth at college levels for a minimum of two years, which should be made mandatory.

We need to say a big NO to further bifurcation of states. People do not want that. It is only the politicians who call for it for their selfish ends. Leaders calling for bifurcation in the name of people should be rejected as anti-national.

We need to insist for reforms in Electoral, Judiciary, Law enforcement agencies and in Civic Institutions to begin with.

We need to insist better behaviour from our leaders in Legislative houses.

We need to insist for transparency in administrative matters that affect public at large.

We need to project a better image of ourselves as a peaceful nation worthy of emulation.

There are millions of under privileged people living in rural India. Much can be learnt from them in respect of hard work, living in adverse conditions. We need to educate them as we learn from them. We need a curriculum as part of our education to be associated with the rural community.

My thinking is neither utopian nor idealistic, but pragmatic and these are some of the minimum standards we need to observe as citizens for a Nation to survive.

This tragedy will have far reaching implications and could be a turning point for many upcoming events and issues.

Finally it is a fact of life that ultimately GOOD triumphs over EVIL. Calm prevails after Storm, and Peace follows Destruction. History of the world is replete with these Lessons.