Mumbai Terror Attack: It’s time to do more

-Written by Aditya [aditya (at) theindicast.com]

The South Mumbai seige is over but the scars still remain. My office is in the Air India Building which is right next to the Oberoi Trident. The exterior of the hotel does not show that the building was under attack just 36 hours back but the interior of the hotel might tell different story.

The news channels have been talking and annoying the shit out of me about the famed “Mumbai Spirit”, its ability to bounce back, resilience shown by Mumbaikars to hop on the train and go through the station that just a few days back was strewn with dead bodies! What other option do I have? Mumbai is a fucked up, competitive place. If, I don’t go back to work, I risk being replaced. In Mumbai, everybody and anybody is replaceable and dispensable. Hence going back to the grind is the only option that a Mumbaikar has. This applies to businessmen and salaried professionals equally. But this time it’s different. Mumbaikars are shit scared because this time they saw the face of terror in action. The footage of the terrorists calmly walking out of VT station is difficult to get out of my mind. People say it’s time to shut up and do something. So a few intelligentsia are planning “Anti-terrorism walk”, “Candle lighting – homage to the dead” event in South Mumbai. There was even a twitter meet up that was arranged yesterday near Café Leopold. I have deliberately chosen to avoid such lame duck events because once the event is done; the same people would head to a Pizzeria or Not Just Jazz by the Bay and enjoy a beer. All that these people want is to get a sense of satisfaction about having done something post-attacks however useless the activity might be.

I know I am running the risk of pissing of the entire Indian Facebook and Twitter community by saying this but I know I am not wrong. Now, you might think that my smart ass might have a solution to this. But I am sorry to disappoint you. But what each one of us has to think is lighting a candle and a peace walk the best that we can do?

“Mumbai Terror Attack: It’s time to do more” [Short URL: http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=2803] was published Monday, December 1st, 2008 at 10:49 am by Aditya, filed under 9rules, Current Affairs, Governance, India, and tagged as , , . Both comments and linkbacks are closed.

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  • http://www.parablog.com/wp/ Parag

    I totally agree with you, Aditya! These empty gestures are as useful as anything those bloody politicians do.

  • http://www.vulturo.com Vulturo

    This captures the frustration I share very well. Yes, seriously I want to know what to do, other than what everyone is doing.

  • http://sampada.livejournal.com Sampada

    I agree with you. And just like you, I don’t have an alternative either. Candles being burned by children is ok. But adults need to do something more….

  • http://deeplydeeps.blogspot.com Deepa

    It is no longer the age of OR but AND. SO candle light vigils AND everything else.

    Let those who light candles light them. Let others do more strenous efforts. Let some more stay at home. (I am amazed that some names from TOP bloggers did not even post ONE message on twitter of support and solidarity. SO what if your inetrest is only technology. It does not mean you shut up when it is a crisis.

    The critical thing is to maintain traction and stay united. Or then the facebook, twitter and blogger groups are not really any better than the politcians we hate so much. In-fighting, no team work and running each other down. That is why in corporate life, it is said, Indians are great as individuals but lack team spirit.

    Nice post! It is important to voice these thoughts and I am happy you did it. (thereby giving me the chance to add my two -bit :D )

  • http://www.ipatrix.com Patrix

    @Deepa: I don’t think Aditya’s point was to ‘ban’ candle vigils but merely to point out the inanity of the exercise especially after the 10-12th such attacks. We light few candles and go back home.

    This works for the 1-2 times but I feel it is time to be angry and hold people responsible. The anger should not be directed against another community but in fact, against the government which has failed to do its basic duty – protect its citizens from harm. And it has failed repeatedly. The more we remain angry and be proactive in our protests, the better the chances are for spurring the government into action. I don’t seek an all-out war with Pakistan but it is time to act tough. As they say, laatho ke bhoot….

  • http://www.theindicast.com aditya

    @vulturo : I have a few thoughts but unsure how to execute them. So probably I’ll write it up in the next post.

    @deepa : Patrix has summarized it well for me.

  • http://theshootingstar.wordpress.com shivya

    I often end up asking myself the same question (how lighting a candle / wearing a t-shirt will make any difference whatsoever). Yet, we can’t sit around criticizing everyone when there is nothing we ourselves are doing. I hate this helplessness.

  • http://bluespriite.wordpress.com bluespriite

    A little late in the day, Aditya, but you are absolutely right. Though people here have added that there is more to the reaction than candle vigils, may be not really. Lots of people bombarding inboxes with rants on every and anything but truly what needs to be changed and while Twitter goes overboard, as does Facebook. No sense in this senselessness.

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  • Arpita

    Candle vigils are generally useful to build mass support, express solidarity, mainstream issues… amongst many other things. It is a strategy. Obviously any strategy needs to be backed by a clear line of thought. If mixed with the right ingredients of public conversation and assimilation of thoughts on these issues.. it could well serve a larger purpose.

    I have another view on Mumbai.. maybe you’d like to pass by…
    http://tangled-up-in-blues.blogspot.com/
    Takecare.

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