The time is 6.10 P.M on the 13th of September,2008, on a hot and sultry evening in the capital, New Delhi.
One of the news channel receives an e mail,from an unidentified source.The mail is in the form of a power point presentation ,courtesy the Indian Mujahideen.The various presentations apart from abusing the Indian system of life,Indian religion and the Indian people includes certain separate presentations,viz ,' YOUR DIRTY BLOOD',which shows a person dying from a blast,with blood oozing from his body,'YOUR BLOOD BATH',the visuals accompanying the slogan needs no explanation,'YOUR FUTURE',shows a small child lying on a hospital bed with bandages all over his body,'YOUR TERMINATION' has a dead body covered in a shroud ,with a relative weeping nearby,'YOUR LEADERS' is accompanied by language which cannot be reproduced for public consumption.The catch phrase is that explosions are about to be set off in the city.
Implicitly,it is a 'catch us if you can',challenge.
Before anybody can realize the magnitude of the message, multiple explosions rock the city.
The explosion is accompanied by a deafening sound.Human parts fly off in all directions,vehicles are thrown up in the air and catch fire.For a few moments following the blast,life comes to a standstill,both literally and figuratively.Debris all over,a thick pall of smoke and dust hangs in the environment.People in the vicinity who have miraculously escaped death are too stunned to react.The scene in front of their eyes does not make it any easier,as they see dead bodies, which can hardly be called bodies following the disfigurement,injured with grievous injuries on their person, crying children.The scene is not for the weak hearted.
The law enforcer,the policeman,who was busy collecting his dues from the unauthorised hawkers,illegally parked vehicles and traffic rules violators,runs away from the scene to inform his superior.He does not want to waste time in helping the injured and securing the area for forensic details or even in calling up for fire brigade and ambulance.Besides he does not want to spoil his uniform while helping the individuals,who are bleeding like a stream.His uniform allowance is a pittance,and he is no Home Minister that he can change his clothes three times in three hours.He is a mere constable and knows fully well which side of his bread is buttered.So off he goes to inform his superior,who in turn has to intimate his boss.The constable remembers the firing he got from his superior, when he informed the control room only, without informing his superior directly, and went out to help an individual who had met with a serious accident.The bosses wanted the news,immediately,before the darned news channels got it.
The first to rush in assistance are the Common people,the neighbouring shop keepers,the bystanders, the people passing by.Without a care in the world for their own safety,they rush in,after their initial fear is overcome.They lift the injured, extricate people trapped under the debris,stop passing autos,cars,whatever in order to rush the injured to hospitals.Some lend their mobile phones to the injured,so that the concerned families are informed. Nobody cares whether the injured is a Hindu,Muslim or for that matter an atheist.The priority is to save the injured.The politicians can come in later on.
The policeman has in the meanwhile come back.The scene before him is heart rending."What the heck",he mutters to himself, and joins in helping the injured.He curses himself and his greed,for becoming so oblivious to the suffering.The entire area surrounding the blast site,pitches in, Guys in suits and ties,roll their sleeves and join in,the rag pickers are not behind.
Within minutes of the blast and even before the police reinforcements can arrive, the News Channels guys arrive.There is an old saying in Hindi,"JAHAN NA PAHOOCHE RAVI, WAHAN PAHOOCHE KAVI" (the poets reach places where even sun cannot reach).These fellows from the electronic media are the modern day poets.
The blast site now becomes the site for the channel wars. All the channels want to take vantage points, no camera angle can be left unexplored.This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Excitedly,they speak into the cameras with the blast scene in the background.Vigorously shaking their hands and rolling their eyes, they explain the nuances of the scene to the anchors sitting in the comforts of the H.Q. Not a hand is raised in support of the injured or the people helping them out.They cannot let go of this story,you see! Let the govt. help the people! After all, what if XX channel takes advantage of their helping out the injured and gets an extra byte. "According to our information,@#%# organisation is behind the blast", some say, others go on,"Our sources in the intelligence dept...".The Mahabharat of news channels is being played out,"As you see,this man is in a pretty bad shape,imagine his family must be waiting for ....It appears that a senior police official has arrived on the scene,let us hear what he has to say." Let the family wait!
The senior sahib from the Indian Police Service (designation does not matter, they are all the same),had received the message from the SHO,and has reached the spot, muttering all the while.After all he had taken Mrs. for shopping .There is this guy on Connaught place whom sahib had helped in an accident case and saved him from a prison term.The shopkeeper is indebted to sahib, and gives a very good discount on all antique items(We all know what discount means,don't we?) . Sahib and memsahib were supposed to have dinner at the posh club afterwards.It was the same club which charges Rs. 10-15 lakhs for membership,but for sahib it was for free. This cursed blast had spoilt everything, and sahib was afraid that his Golf schedule for Sunday was also ruined."@##$%% ",he swore, "why set off explosions on a Saturday,when you can target more people on a working day".But anyway he arrived,looking all grim and mouthing obscenities to his subordinates, for 'their lapse' and making pious statements before the TV channels."The Police Commissioner must be on the way", he thought and set about looking busy.
Suddenly the mobile phone of one the TV reporters rang.It was an IB (Intelligence Bureau) guy,who used to give the reporter the 'Sources in Intelligence' bit.He wanted to know the extent of damage caused by the blast at the site,"Arre yaar,kisi ne jimmedari li kya?(Has anybody owned up?) ,he enquired from the reporter.He had been deputed to follow up on a political opponent of the Govt., by his boss,when his primary duty was 'Counter Intelligence'.Now he had to submit an immediate report regarding the blast and the people behind it .This was routine for the IB guy,who had been in similar situation before.That is why he supplied information to the media guys, who helped him out in times like this.
Life had stopped for some , but for others it was another day in office.
Suddenly there is a flutter amongst the senior police officials and other bureaucrats,and the place is abuzz .Carloads of security personnel start arriving, all armed to the teeth. A special ambulance arrives at the sight. The bomb disposal squad arrives at the hospital and begins to scour the hospital.The patients and their attendants do not know what is going on.People are apprehensive of another attack,this time in the Hospital. You certainly do not expect anything better from these "freedom fighters', an attack at the hospital gives them good publicity as well as easy victims.
Sirens blaring,beacon lights flashing,a fleet of around 20 cars enters the Hospital compound.The secret is let out.It is the Home Minister,who has taken time out of his busy schedule and decided to pay the injured a visit. He is surrounded by scores of security personnel, the moment he steps out of his car.These elite security personnel were raised to fight the terror related acts like sabotage,hijacking,and stuff.Now they do what most of the govt. servants are supposed to do,i.e.protect the "public servants", the public can wait.
The Home Minister mouths platitudes about 'fighting terror', 'not bowing down before terror', 'need for a federal intelligence agency', 'appreciating the resilience of the people'.
But the ungrateful,cynical people we are, nobody listens to the H.M. Not even the TV reporters are interested, but then they have nothing better to do for the moment, so what the heck!
In the meanwhile, in order to protect the "people's representative", the main entrance to the hospital is barred , and people have to use the side entrance.Distraught families and relatives, people bringing medicines for the injured have to enter through the side entrance, while the minister and his entourage occupy the main entrance.The ungrateful common people want the use of the main entrance at this critical juncture. Always thinking about themselves,aren't they?
The minister of state for Home goes a step further, and says that "security cannot be provided to one billion people". Bravo sir! Way to go! After providing security to the 'people's representative',where is the need to provide security to the 'people' themselves. Let them fend for themselves. If they want security from terrorists, let them eliminate the terrorists themselves. Welcome to the age of Self reliance.
By now the 'experts' on security affairs have been brought out of their hibernation, by the TV channels, alongwith all and sundry politicians. Notice the fact that not a single person who rushed to the spot,carried the injured and donated blood , is ever interviewed.
Most of these 'security experts' who spout their wisdom on various channels are retired police officials.That these worthies were no better than their present day counterparts is , well, nobody's concern. No anchor questions the credentials of these dead woods and their contribution towards the evolution of a safe society and respect for the rule of law.These worthies go on and on about the methods to counter terrorists and their psychology, policing and intelligence. Suddenly, Intelligence or the lack of it has become the favourite flogging horse.
Which brings us back to the point of 'intelligence failure'. My question is that whether we have the political and executive will to act on these intelligence reports. Intelligence is not worth the paper it is printed on, if not acted upon. If the will was in place, maybe , just maybe, a few lives would have been saved. But then what does a small man like me know!
Meanwhile, the politicians are having a field day on the T.V channels.Everyone is accusing the other one about just about everything.The anchor is having a tough time controlling the panellists, but news trickles in about TRP's , and the anchor lets it be.
The great 'people's representative', the one who roamed around with an Osama bin Laden lookalike for the sake of votes, and is a cabinet minister now, is not to be seen on any channel.But rest asssured, the fellow will be back in a few days,mouthing homilies, and no one, absolutely no one, will question this act of treason and sedition.
But the family members of the injured have no such comforts.Heated arguments break out between the doctors and the attendants of the patients.Nobody but the circumstances is to be blamed.
The govt has announced compensation package for the family of the dead, dying or injured. One agitated relative remarks sarcastically,"I will pay their family double the amount from my own pocket,if something like this happens to these 'leaders'. Can they bring back my ..." The rest are too fatigued and worried, to even react.
The police, the national security guards and other forensic experts are all over the blast site, searching for that all elusive clue,that just might help them in nailing the culprit, provided the govt. has the will.
It is a going to be a very long night.
Our friend, the IPS sahib,is digruntled. His Sunday is ruined. If his subordinates are working like mad , he cannot go back home.The media guys might roast him alive, if he makes an appearance at the Golf club.
The discussions on the TV channels are coming to an end.Now the field reporters have to replace the 'experts'. The show must go on.
After a hard day's work, somebody in a nearby hotel,switches off the TV set. It has been a long day. The person has a sinister smile on his face. He texts a message to somebody,"Pathake ki aawaz suni kya?"(Did you hear the cracker?). Subhan Quereshi , the prime suspect,hits the bed for the night.
The noise in the hospital is of inconsolable wailing.Another martyr for the sake of the society and life that is India, is no more.India which gives space to all faith,assimilates various religions in its local traditions, an India which lets everybody profess his faith and live in peace, can only hear the wailing for its dead,while the enemies go to sleep peacefully..........UNFORTUNATELY.
6-7 years old Chander Prakash,also sets out with his mother Laxmi.The kid is wearing a green shorts and black T shirt, and looks adorable. In front of the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital in New Delhi, he watches 10-15 policemen while away their time . Chander Prakash watches them in rapt attention, with his fingers twirled around the back of his head. It is going to be long day for him,......... for he has come to receive the dead body of his father who was killed in the blast yesterday.
Disclaimer: The details are fictitious,the incident well........!
Chander Prakash is a real life boy , who lost his father in the blast.(Photograph in The Hindu, New Delhi edition,the 15th of September,2008).
My condolences to the families of the deceased.May God give them strength to bear their loss.
JAAGO BHARAT JAAGO
16 comments:
America for all its follies, has not faced a terror attack post 9/11.Do we even remember the number of attacks in our country during the same period? The Home Minister might wear Armanis and pay obesiance to anybody for all I care,provided he stays focussed on the job at and, which is enormous.Is that too big an ask?
Another moot point is that whether we abandon kids like Chander to their fate,because the leaders will talk of compensation and disappear.
Do you want to see what a common man feels about all this ? Watch the movie "WEDNESDAY". Clapping and applauds at crucial frames will reflect the emotions and concerns of the common man.
Our system is not able to frame proper charges against known terrorists and those finally convicted never meet their fate.
That day is not far when such incidents will be treated as routine happenings.
Unfortunately they already are. It is only 5 days since the attack on the national capital and we pretend as if it never happened.easy for people who are not directly affected,physically atleast, but will a Kid like Chander get back his father. Our emotional immunity and apathy to such incidents is exactly what these terrorists desire, for it makes their job easier.The nation and more so its people have to declare war on terror, as nothing else will suffice.These leaders and bureaucrats will somehow have to be compelled to take action.They will not do so on their own,as they are not facing the brunt behind their security shield.
Yesterday I watched Digvijay Singh,ex C.M of Madhya Pradesh speak on a news channel.He sounded offended when the news anchor reminded him of the fact of the U.S not being attacked post 9/11.The defence was that India has such a large population and such a large area with geographically difficult borders.But as far as I recollect U.S.A is larger in area than India.The border between Texas and Mexico is amongst the harshest of terrains.But try telling this to the Hon'bles ( as the post says).Not to say that any place can be made 100% safe against a mad person, but atleast one can make an effort.
The war on terror has to be declared,wholeheartedly.Piece meal decisions cannot be the remedy.
BAD TIMES FOR THE NATION IS STILL TO COME,THIS IS THE BEGINING,THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALL LOCAL OUTFITS,GOD FORBID WHEN INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM STRIKES INDIA,IF AMMONINIUM NITRATE CAN CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE IMAGINE A TRUCK LOAD OF RDX.POLITICIANS DONT HAVE THE WILL TO SAVE THE COMMON MAN,THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS RUNNING RAM BHAROSE,THEY TAKE US FOR GRANTED AND WE ALLOW THEM TO DO SO BY VOTING FOR SUCH PARTIES WHO ARE ONLY CONCERNED BOUT VOTES COME WHAT MAY,BIZZARE...NOT A SINGLE ANTI TERROR LAW IN A COUNTRY WHICH HAS LOST ALMOST 1.20 LAC PEOPLE TO TERRORISM,IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA????
Exactly.They (the leaders) say that our existing unlawful activities prevention act suffices.Really sirs!The result is there for all to see.
There was a master Palestinian bomb maker who had created chaos in Israel a few years ago.The Israel secret service,the Shin Bet pursued him for years, and finally assasinated him by placing a bomb in his own cell phone.Israel still faces attacks, but the attackers know that they will be pursued till hell if need arises.But when one Bashir is arrested from Azamgarh,the politicians orchestrate support in his favour and project him as innocent. Now today the same fellow is giving leads which have resulted in the encounter in Delhi today.Where have those supporting him disappeared???
Terrorism cannot be tackled with kid gloves,for these people respect no life,no human rights.They are focussd on their aims, and we......!!
It is extremely unfortunate that these terrorists go to sleep peacefully, whereas we are not even sure whether we will reach our homes safely.
I feel so guilty, just being a part of this society...
And i wonder - can we not do more?
When the common people can extricate the injured,take them to the hospitals, donate blood,they certainly can do more. I was wondering if we could start some sort of an organisation to help out kids orphaned in such attacks.It is certainly not an easy task ,but we have to start somewhere.Anybody having an idea/information on how such organisations function may kindly provide details on my e mail id, to make a begining atleast.
Inspector M.C.Sharma who got martyred in the encounter in New Delhi yesterday, joined the battle straight after attending to his son, who is in hospital, suffering from dengue.My salutations to the brave soul.Wish there are more such duty conscious people around.However it is ironical that the sahibs from the IPS who are supposed to be leading from the front,never even get a scratch.Comparet his with the officers in the army, where the mortality rate among officers and soldiers is nearly equal.But one thing is for sure, these IPS guys do build palatial bungalows within years of joining service.Imagine if the health officers were so vigilant, would dengue be around?
The get-up of the page has improved quite a lot.
As regards combatting terrorism;though I am not an expert in this field, neverthless I have some suggestions to make:
1-Media(print/visual} should instead of highligting the events shold rather underplay it.
2-Ak-47 and other sophiscated arms and ammunations are not manufactured in India; still not only the terrorists but even petty Mafia groups have them in dozens.They are smuggled in containers and port authorities-unfortunately most of them non muslims-are paid handsomely.
Such officials are no less than a terrorist and should be encountered in the similar fashion.Furher India shares the porous border with Nepal.And officials on both side of the border- once again mostly non muslims-are known for their non-integrity(ofcourse no sweeping generalisations can be made).
Therefore,any sincere attempt for tackling/containing terrorism has to start with an open mind that not all muslims are terrorists and all non-muslims are 'dudh ka dhula'.
In the midst of terrorist attack in Delhi,let us not forget that what happened in Orissa,Karnataka also tantamounts to terrorism by the saffron brigade.They should be also dealt with the same stick.
Agreed?
It was the day after the train blasts in Mumbai in 2006. The previous day had been harrowing. New to Mumbai, I had stood in a corner outside the VT station watching people rushing around to get home. People sweating profusely, scared, trying frantically to call home. But the networks had been jammed for security reasons, valid of course, but creating a panic nevertheless. There was a sea of people on the road, pushing jostling and creating a jam. Then the rains came. And I stood. I had called everyone at home and told them I was safe. I had no home in Mumbai and no one to worry about there, so I continued to stand. Barely stand is more like it, because due to some good fortune, I had gotten off one of the trains that saw a blast. Two friends were on it and their phones unreachable... I was seeing the second panic of my life, and had barely recovered from a recent personal one. So, I stood. I thought that was the least I could do. I stood to show my solidarity for the people who were suffering, not that anyone cared, but I had to show how I felt. I stood for close to two hours on the road, watching and feeling the panic. Then I went into the newspaper house that I worked with and offered my help. I reached home at four in the morning.... and, at 10 am, I was back at Andheri station to go to work. The crowd was thin at the station. I wanted to take the train, to prove to the terrorists that I was not scared. I was adamant I would do it. I stood at the platform, one train left, then the second and then many more. But I stood, again. It was 12 in the afternoon, when I walked out of Andheri station, legs shaking, faith shaken. I couldn't get up into any train. I wanted to show I was not scared but... I was... And somewhere I am. I am scared that I live in a big city which may be targeted anyday, and I am scared. I hate the fact that I am such a coward, but I feel scared. I don't like what's happening to my country, and I want to fight back. And I am so glad you are doing this Dada, cos when I read this article, I felt a closure of sorts. Maybe, when I am in a crowded place the next time, I will be braver.
I feel being scared and brave are two sides of the same coin.Both are natural impulses and common in everybody.When you order a charge in a battlefield, it is simply because there is no other way out, except forward.I feel that we as a nation have reached that stage.Let our fears(including mine) act as the catalyst for courage.Today we might walk alone, but tomorrow caravan banega zaroor.
I agree that terrorism has no religion and we as the common people have to istil self discipline,for even a small act of corruption has huge repurcussions as rightly suggested.
I have a question? Why the police, army, governement agencies are accused of Human Right violations? Where were the gaurdians of Human Rights on the tuesdays, fridays or any other day in Mumbai, ahmedabad, hyderabad , delh, jaipur etc.
Does ther common man do not have human rights?
Regarding the starting of the organisation, will mail you the details in a day or two.
As long as the common man stays silent and does not assert himself,he can expect nothing from anybody.See the human rights lobby have already started questioning the encounter in Delhi,but not a word for the slain police officer.Knowingly or unknowingly,they are playing into the hands of the terrorists.
A very good point raised.
Tata Tea has started a campaign for people to register online in order to enable them to vote in the next general elections...
Am not sure about the kind of options we will have eventually in terms of candidates to vote for, but maybe it will be a start to atleast start voting in full capacity...so for all of us who let the voting process pass, it could be a start to just start voting
Lets exercise out rights shall we
I don't remember the website address that tata tea has provided, but soon as I have it I will post it on this blog - so watch this space
The online registration can be done at www.jaagore.com
Interesting concept.Hope it works.
while being a part of this system and accepting the suffering as our TAPAYASA it almost become genetical desposition to forgive even the most sinful act. why no sane citizen is understanding the situtaion, it is not going to halt with only discussion but by only means to reciprocate in similsr fashion with associating with the like minded pepole be it the political ambition for the connected few , can we forget the tenure with no Danga Fasad time of the present opposition party.
there is no need for very intelectual talk despite some concrete action and say it loud.
eventualy I once visited the Sarayamir one of the interiors of Azamgarh 3 years back to visit a doctor on proffesional call some pepole where also present in the waiting area somehow the discussion come around Osama Bin Laden,one of the yong educated chap was ferousiosely persuing the dids of the Laden and very much abusing the USA and the leaders of the country for there association with the USA.Even the doctor was the resident of this place has justified the LAden's acts.
That time I was just imgining that these area was a crusibule for the next generation terror brigade , now i am witenssing the accident to occur.
These incidents are not the result of a single day operation but a result of continous actions.
Right from the fake currency in the country to drug traffiking is all inter related .
my only advice IS Be Reactive With A Cause.
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