Aftermath & Afterthoughts I

Aftermath

Immediately, security has become our biggest concern. Talks about a modern police force, NSG for states other than just for Delhi, better training and equipment, heightened security at hotels are everywhere. But if we really think about it, these are all short term solutions (even thou in a country like ours, even their implementation will take a half a century.) Our problem is understanding that this is not a local, state level, or even national situation - its a change in the way we look at security and the way we regard human life. Every single one of us. In our very conciousness.

As an immediate action, security at hotels has been beefed up. Security at airports has been beefed up. Security at malls has been beefed up. Is that really a viable solution - Can a couple of armed gaurds prevent 10 fanatics with machine guns from taking lives? Not only is that answer obvious, we have to understand that it cant be implemented across the board. Every school, every train station, every market place, every theatre, every bar is still open to attack... we cant cover them all, we shouldnt have to cover them all.

The approach has to be bigger & broader - bottom up and top down and meeting at the center at which u and me sit. At the topmost level intelligence, its monitoring, and ensuring that its used optimally starts the process. People to make sure that it isnt put into a file and slid into a stack of reports follow. Army and NSG available swifty if needed. Modernisation of weapons and training of local forces. All of this needs to happen, together & hand in hand - failure at any of these levels will stem the next rounds of disaster.

Afterthought

For the first time, the common Mumbaikar has emotions laced with rage lashing out against the way our cores have been attacked. Everyone wants answers. Everyone wants someone to take responsibility and ensure that this does not happen again. Everyone understands the need of ensuring that the mechanisms in place need to be revamped, modernised and most importantly passed through regular check and accountibilty tests. The question that we all ask is - HOW?

Where does the commom man go if he feels that the people in the estates of the judiciary & legislative are not doing their jobs? He cant - one controls the other and they're both power seeking. Besides, u and me would never get a chance to even get close to anyone worth anything past the z-security and the lines of PR command. So then is the fourth estate the commom man's voice? Nah, they're usually busy with telecasting celebrity voice - cause u and me want to watch exactly just that.

Aftermath & Afterthought

Nothing I've thought or felt is unique to me. All of us feel this way today. But how long before the Reliance stock price, the credit crunch, the next production problem, or the next sales report, replaces the images from the last two days. All of us also understand the need of the hour - better systems and more accountability. But how do we even start the come together to make that happen? We're anyways a very cynical and disgruntled bunch. Will we once again in a few weeks say - fuck it, they're all the same; forget it man, how the hell are u going to ask what happened to the report when no one is going to discuss national security with u and me; how do we find out what the government plans to do, at the local level, at the state level, at the central level - will that information be shared with me? how do i have the confidence its going to amount to something? its pointless..

Three days after the attacks, I'm already thinking these things.. i'm scared that this is going to ebb away soon. But i'm going to make every effort to ensure it doenst - and the thoughts that circle in my head stay there, focussed even in their disarray. Meanwhile if some one can tell me what I can do to help, I'm all ears.

When Mumbai Hurts

Its been 2 days & like the average Mumbai person, I was switching channels and saw the first reports of the attacks in South Bombay. I live in Bandra, and was safe and I stayed up the night watching the news - telecast after telecast, report after report of the madness that was destroying the peace of the night. It seemed to start of like just another terrorist attack, and the next day the average Mumbai citizen would have expected it to be another day to brave - another day at work. For once, the life we take for granted, decided to mess with us. This was not just another attack. This one struck very close to home, in places we spend time with family, in places we get married and above all, in a building that despite the cliche, is loved and is iconic, that stands proud by the sea. Oh i love that building, every chandelier, every little seating corner, the carved swing near the elevators, every wodden bench that is polished every day. And the people that it takes to make it stay that way - courteous, helpful and giving us a glimpse of the best hospitality the city has to offer. The Taj was special - and we allowed the fanatics to take it away.
Lives were lost. That night, I didnt know anyone in either of the hotels, or the CST or Leopolds. Thank God! BUT i do know people who knew people there - who have lost loved ones, children, parents, families, friends, staff, livelihoods and each of them have a story that will affect them for the rest of their lives. And I also know enough people, who like me go to these palces. And this time, I refuse to say that the spirit of Mumbai will prevail caues thats the way we are.. thats just a load of crap. Why do we ignore the reality and go back to our daily business the next day? Why dont we take the time to stop and feel? Its time that this becomes personal to each one of us - we could have been there! Will it only make a difference when it actually happens to us directly?
We blame our ministers for everything - damn it they deserve to be blamed for everything. Whether its the Congress, the BJP, the NDA the whoever, they're all the same. But whoever it is at the center and the state needs to fix this - and I really dont care who. JUST FIX IT.
We cant stop terrorists, they exist and they will strike. Thats what they do. They have their reasons and while it would be great to stop them, we can only control that so much. And whats the point of anti terror laws - u think these fanatics care about speedy death? They are on a suicidal mission, they are there to die, creating mayhem as it comes to them. So then about what we can actually fix - I cant comment on the intelligence agencies and how they work and intercept these missions. Lets hope they do their jobs and help us control as much as we can. And if beyond that terror strikes, then the LEAST we can do is have an action plan to ensure that damage/loss to people and property is minimal. You think by now, with riots and blasts every couple of months in almost every major city in India, and most recently in Mumbai - we'd at least have our reaction plans in place. No way! Thats the joke, and its on us. And nobody is laughing.
-Why was the Mumbai police so lost? We dont expect them to be combat forces, but cant they even control mobs of losers that should not be on the streets during a serious combat operation?
-How can the Mumbai police react to terrorists with guns by wearing riot hats and riot jackets? Where was the equipment?
-Why dont we have a force that can react immediately to this kind of episode? Why are they only in Delhi?
-Why is our disaster management plan a disaster? Who controls it? Who should be responsible for every additional life lost?
-Why are our borders so easy to infiltrate?
-Why was there NO SECURITY at the gateway of India?

You know, let the average Mumbaikar now forget the Mumbai spirit - lets turn around to everyone who tells us to go back to normal and say no, this has gotta be fixed. We want a city where we can be safe - and its not really a big demand. Its basic. Its democratic. And if you cant fix it - GO. Stop taking us and our spirit for granted! Redemption will not come from finding out who planned the attack, or bringing those that helped with it to justice - redemption will only occur when Mumbai knows that everybody who works for the city - every politician, minister, wanna be PM, MP, MLA, will do whatever they can to ensure that not another life is going down while they are responsible for us. And if you cant do that - then just dont bother to come to us for votes. Cause honestly we dont care about your agriculture policy if we cant even be safe while we eat a meal.

Right now, I'm watching the reruns about the jai hind shouts when the NSG was leaving Nariman House - its baffles me to see so many people being allowed on the streets while this kind of warfare was on. What is wrong with people? Is this some action movie play? And why cant action be taken to ensure that nobody who is not needed there sits put in a safe place, instead of becoming a public hazard. Its really not a gratifying sight - not sure who to be more irritated with - an entire force that refuses to exercise control over people when its needed the most (yes, i realise the sensitivity of the situation) or over the people, who should have the sense to not be out there and get out of the way. Really!

My thots wander in circles again - and my anger knows nowhere to go but round and round in my head. Tonight will be in prayer. Tomorrow there better be some indication of immediate corrective action.

all about circles

i've created my blog today.. and named it and themed it in circles. there's a pretty good reason for that - my thots are all running round in circles today. i wish there was an easier way to tell at least one of these floating bubbles to stop wandering in my head for a bit and settle down - maybe the career one could for today... or maybe thats the one i should focus on - so the one thats confused about my love life could take a break. the financial one will keep me up all night writing more & more gibbrish about circles.. thats what i mean, its one world of rounded thots making my head swirl!