When the idea of starting this blog was discussed we decided that we will not only restrict it to the BSF issues but will allow write-ups on any National issue. So I am taking the liberty of expressing my frustration through this blog on the recent terror strike in Mumbai.
In 1983 a movie by the name Hadsa starring Akbar Khan and Smita Patil was released. Its title song which went like this “Yeh Bambai Shahar Hadson Ka Shahar Hai” proved to be quite a rage. Who knew that twenty five years later a hadsa in the same tinsel town would shake the country and make the international community take notice too.
An attack of this magnitude in Mumbai especially can have the maximum impact from a terrorist point of view. One single incident made the largest democracy as one of the most dangerous places on earth. As an Indian it is quite embarrassing to see that in almost every index where all countries of the world are compared, we fair abysmally low. Yet we yearn for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and strive for the moon. Countries like Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland and many others do not undertake such ambitious programmes and perhaps cannot boast of Nuclear weapons and PSLVs but their citizens are well fed and secure.
With an inimical neighbor in Pakistan, the decision to go nuclear perhaps may be right but we seem to have lost our way somewhere. In the movies of the black and white era, I remember that the issues used to be hunger, corruption and poverty. In the 21st century too the issues are same, only difference being that now they are doing a greater harm. I do face the risk of being termed as cynical and a pessimist but in my assessment there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.
Corruption is so deep rooted that it is indulged in as a right. It has become a part of our culture and tradition. It always goes unpunished. Those caught do not even fear a social ostracization. As a society that’s the level we have gone to. Individually too we are extremely irresponsible. We violate traffic rules blatantly, smoke at no smoking zones, honk in hospital compounds, spit and litter on the roads, encroach on govt land and what not. As a matter of fact there are two philosophies Indians seem to follow: one, “rules are meant to be broken”, and the second, “only those who do not get the opportunity are honest”. Both reflect our inherent aversion to civilized behavior.
The question staring right into our faces and being vehemently debated in the media is whether such an incident can repeat? The unfortunate answer is yes. Although it might not be possible for any country to altogether prevent a terror strike but the kind of ferocity and frequency it is happening in India is beyond any comparison.
Unless we stop killing in the name of religion, region or language, unless as a Nation we ensure prompt delivery of justice, unless we restore the faith of the people in the rule of law, unless we improve our policing, unless we control our population and unless we take care of education and health, such incidents will keep on happening. We have to achieve these objectives before we think of bombing the hell out of Pakistan or fortifying our borders, cities, hotels further.
On paper they look as simple solutions but will perhaps need a change in the generation of Indians to make it practically possible. It will take ages to change the obdurate, dogmatic and feudal attitude of our bureaucracy. Till such time we can only perhaps blog, debate, condole, endure the grief of losing our beloved ones or become a victim ourselves. We Indians truly are so tolerant or should I say helpless.
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