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.