NEW DELHI 9/13

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.

The injured were being rushed to hospitals.the doctors were on an overdrive,since they had to battle the injuries as well as lack of facilities.There were ultra modern private hospitals opening up. Hospitals which got subsidised land,were permitted to import latest equipments by waiving off Customs duty,ostensibly on the grounds of treating a certain amount of poor people free of cost.That nobody had seen the poor receiving treatment in these hospitals,is well, a trivial issue.Not surprisingly,the injured are as a matter of routine never taken to these Private Hospitals. After all it appears that the rich and the VVIP's cannot be disturbed.The common people who bring the injured to the hospitals,as well as others who hear the news, line up to donate blood for the injured.The Muslims do not ask whether it is the blood of the Hindus which is being injected,neither do the Hindus. Come to think of it,in a situation like this it is always the common man who comes forward to donate blood,the blood of our 'leaders' and bureaucrats is too precious to waste like this,it seems.

The hospitals are by now overcrowded, with the relatives,friends,wellwishers of the injured and the dead.thronging the premises.There is hardly any room to stand, but our friends, the TV reporters, have a job to do.They are standing on the steps,the lobby,any goddamn place which can show their presence in the hospital and give them 'exclusive visuals'.Some try to venture inside the ward,for a 'better view' and 'first hand report',but the staff shoo them away.

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 has changed his suit,three in a matter of few hours,but that is an extremely cynical way of looking at it.The minister after all is a representative of the people (what of it that he lost the Lok Sabha elections),and he cares for the sentiments of the people.Haven't we seen the death scenes in numerous movies and serials where everybody wears white.Now when this poor man does so, everybody sniggers.Why this double standard? If the poor fellow came dressed in a cream coloured suit, we would go ballistic about his 'insensitivity'.

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'.

We are indeed fortunate to have ministers like this,and these esteemed Hon'bles (notice the ads where the ministers are addressed like this) are our best best bet to fight terror.There is one thing common amongst the terrorists and the Hon'bles. One is consistent in its tactics of creating chaos through explosions etc., and the other in mouthing the same things after each such act, robotically. Some body has to blink, and rest assured that it is not going to be our Hon'bles.

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.

Recent media reports suggest that three of the perpetrators of this ghastly act were under the scanner in the days preceding the blast. The three had met the prime accused Subhan Quereshi, in the Azamgarh dist. of Uttar Pradesh. Information in this regard had been divulged by the two persons arrested by the Gujarat and Rajasthan police in the recent past. Reportedly, the U.P police refused to give the green signal for their arrests because they were afraid of disturbing the 'communally surcharged' atmosphere of Azamgarh.Then these fellows disappeared, and Delhi happened.

Bravo again sirs. Please do not be surprised to see the D.G of U.P police talking about policing and taking on the terrorrists on T.V channels, post retirement.A memoirs on leading the biggest police force in the country, encounters may already be on the anvil.

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.

It is getting around mid night.The doctor's in the hospitals are getting fatigued, after all they have been working tirelessly for the past 6-7 hours. In India , we do not requisition the services of the doctor's serving in the Private hospitals, the one's who earn a fat pay package,after studying in Govt. subsidised colleges. They are back home, comfortably enconsed in their beds.

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.

The next morning, the newspapers present contrasting death toll. Some say '20 dead', others '25 dead', some talk of the resilient people of Delhi and their "Muhtod Jawab"(fitting reply) to the terrorists . People all over the country set out for their daily routine. The topic of discussion remains the blast and stuff.

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.

For Chander, life has changed forever.

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