Dec. 10, 2008

Terrorist Attacks and Looking Forward

Nearly a dozen major audacious attacks have rocked all major cities of the country in a year. The terror network has taken deep roots in unthinkable calm places like the jungles in the western ghats of Karnataka, and even smaller towns like Kalghatgi, Mysore, Belgaum, Gulburga and Hubli have become hubs of the terror groups. And the government and the 'leaders' have hardly responded. In this state of affairs, we should not be surprised if we see more attacks even before the start of 2009. With more news coming out after the Mumbai meltdown, it is very clear that the government has at best slept in the entire security affairs. And not that a government of any other party would have done much better.
Yes, you cannot, probably, prevent suicide terrorist attacks, even after making full efforts for security. But the BIG question is had the administrative machinery and the nation done the FULL?? The answer is a BIG NO. How many terrorist attacks have happened on the American soil after their 9/11?? Just compare this with the unbroken series of attacks that have become part of the 'Indian way of living'. Terrorists strike at will and we, the people of India, read in news papers, watch the 'live action' on TV, murmur over tea and forget. BSE, IC810, Parliament, Mumbai local trains, Akshardham, Charminar, Coimbatore, Malegaon, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ajmer, Delhi, Jammu,...... and not to mention the daily 'bytes' of “two explosions in Barmulla/Srinagar/Jammu...” or “10 Jawans killed in  'fidayeen' attacks in J&K...”.
In Mumbai, how did the terrorists enter like 'Heroes'? How did they 'pierce'the Naval and Coast Guard patrol on the coast??? What was the local police doing when they entered the beach?? Was it not a clear intelligence failure and lack of coordination among the agencies??? These are but small questions. The bigger ones are what the the great 'leaders' were doing when all your cities were bombed and the sovereignty of the Republic of India was torn and mocked at repeatedly. And even after so much of mayhem, the 'leaders' took days to own up their failure and resign!! Well, you cannot expect anything better from people, who after losing popular elections, enter the cabinet, through the 'back door' or whatever.
It is a very sad state of affairs where in the political parties have placed the lives of common men at risk by fighting amongst themselves. It is a very sad state of affairs in the land of Prithviraj Chauhan, Vanake Obavva, Tipu Sultan and Rana Pratap. Day after day the security of the nation is weakening because of the self-serving netas and babus. Over the years we have seen so many brethren-in-arms lay down their lives on the border or inside the country. What is the use of all this valour if the people who pass orders at the end of day are not sane?
Well, all this is true. But, the story is not one sided. Who these 'leaders'and 'babus' are? Who man the government, the intelligence agencies and the police?. It's we, the people, either directly or through our elected or selected representatives. And we always have the right to ask them what they are doing and whether they are working properly. If it was their duty to maintain security, it was the people's duty as well, to regularly take stock to ensure that they are working properly. If not, strip them of their powers then and there, and not to have waited till hundreds are killed and death almost kissed you or your dear ones.
The root causes of these acts being repeated frequently are:

So there's no point in indulging in blame games or finger-pointing. If peace and security are rights, then the people should not also forget their duties in a democratic nation. Peace and security are universal rights. But they are not granted by someone, sitting in the sky. People and citizens have to work hard to establish and maintain them. More so the 'educated' lot, which is supposed to understand the things better and act. Voting (if at all) and forgetting will not fetch peace and security or good administration, as is being proved almost everyday these days.
If people are unable to find honest and efficient politicians, police officers, bureaucrats, it is the responsibility of all of us to displace them and provide an alternative. In today's materialistic world the whole society is hurtling down the path of consumerism. Everyone is bothered about salary, perks, cars, AC rooms, and so on. But where's the electricity, the roads, to run all this?? Nation is not built on computers, or just by speaking and writing fluent English. Nor by scribbling a blog or forwarding chain mails on the internet.
Indian talent, intellect and brilliance need no overemphasis. Most people work hard and efficiently for their own personal good and for their 'family'. Why not extend the same for the nation, the extended family?? Your professional life is not the only life. Nation building and public affairs are not down-market. Politics is not 'untouchable'. Many among us think that “politics stinks”. Then why not change it? If we the citizens don't, who will?? Complaining or blaming is no solution. As someone has said “If you're not part of the solution, your are part of the problem”. Shed the inhibition, indifference and laziness and let's together change this nation for better. Let'sbe the change we want to see.
When it comes to vow to change the 'system', people have nice excuses like"difference of opinion”, “everybody is quiet...”, “I alone can't change...", or“Who cares...” ,  It's time for serious introspection and action. There cannot be different opinions on national security and wellbeing. Everyone is responsible. We have to act now or be prepared to die a dog's death.  The choice is for everyone to make. Or is their any??
Now, the government, people and the media are upping the ante for 'action'against Pakistan for its involvement. Talks of 'surgical attacks' on camps in Pakistan 'controlled' territory are doing great rounds. No doubt, Pakistan is the cause for this havoc and we must demand appropriate action against it on an international level. But we should not forget two things in this. One, Pakistan has nuclear bombs, and the government does not have complete control over the arsenal. Pakistan is ruled by the ISI, the army and the terrorist groups as much as it is by the government. Any ill-advised or hasty move, with eye on elections, from our side may cost us our civilisation.
The second point is Pakistan wants to exist as a counter to India and by fomenting trouble in our country. But it is our duty to prepare ourselves for all challenges, from Pakistan or otherwise. Rather than trying to direct all our anger only against Pakistan, it is worthwhile to introspect and take measures to improve our own security preparedness.
In this direction, we present the following measures for the nation and the government to consider and adopt:

“Death is not the greatest loss in life.
The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.”
Jai Hind!
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Nov. 27, 2008
Terror Attacks on Mumbai
We condemn the cowardly and shameful acts of terror in Mumbai by fanatics. Our hearts go out to the victims of this terror and the security personnel, who have laid down their lives and faced the situation so bravely. We appeal all people to rise up to the occasion and do their bit. While this is not the time for finger-pointing, it's high time for the government  to be accountable after every major city being attacked this year and terror network spreading deeper in the country. It is also high time for every individual to introspect whether he/she has done enough to be vigilant and done his/her duty of a active citizen? 
Jai Hind!
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