Black Wednesday

As we are eagerly awaiting the Thanksgiving holiday and the shopping deals that follow on Black Friday, news about the deadly blasts in Mumbai shocked us at home. Usha, coming back from the Nursing Home where she works on Wednesdays treating the elderly for their dental problems, heard it first on NPR's WAMC station. I then read the headlines in NYTimes.com. Truth be told, on a regular day, I keep checking the news sites once every 2 or 3 hours during the day - to catch up on what's happening. 'Obamania' for the past couple of years made it a regular item on my daily schedule. However, as Mahalakshmi was sent home from day care yesterday due to suspected rota virus, she's staying home, along with Chandra whose school is closed for the day. So, I didn't get a chance to check the news sites today. When Usha came home late in the afternoon, she mentioned this news.

At first I thought it's one of those terrorist bombings that have become a regular fixture in Indian metros these days - killing a dozen or so and wounding several dozens. Don't get me wrong - I am not callous to such news. I feel the pain for any and all such ghastly events. But it's only after reading the article in Indian news papers (Andhrajyothi and Rediff especially) that I realized the enormity of this dastardly act. Our Thanksgiving holiday is shot in spirit.

Excuse me for my useless rant here. I am so sick and tired of hearing the leaders in power reiterating time and again after such incidents: "We will not tolerate such cowardly acts of terrorism. We will do all in our power to root out the terrorists. We will not allow such incidents again... blah...blah...blah ... ". Haven't we all heard this empty rhetoric before? If they can't tolerate, what have they been doing? What steps are they taking to make India (or the world) a safer place? and to rid the world of terrorism? I am not naive/innocent to believe that terrorism can be rooted out. But the govts. should/can do more, I believe, with sincerity and integrity - to prevent such ghastly incidents.

Oh God! When will we see sincere politicians, with strategic vision for long-term growth of India than petty thinking for their own electoral and financial gains?

As I write this, I am reminded of a recent Hindi movie - which I read about. Wednesday - a movie with terrorism as the storyline, acted by Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah. It received rave reviews and I plan on watching it sometime soon. I didn't expect such deadly incident happening on a Wednesday. Not sure if the terrorists got inspired by that movie, for all the wrong reasons.

I hope the local, state and central govts. in India wake up at least now; take immediate steps to prevent such incidents from taking place in more places; and constitute a task force to recommend long term remedial measures. And implement them without fear, favor or 'vote banks' in mind. I hope our political leaders don't let this kind of indifference lead to a failed state which could necessitate the army to take over the reins of power in the country (as is often the case with our neighbours). If that's the only way to revive public safety - then God! Save us all from peril!!

Our hearts go out to the lost souls and their families. 9/11 is still fresh in our minds. The victims will be in our prayers. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace! May the injured recover soon and get back to normal health.

Swasti !!