I don’t need to give an in depth explanation about why I’m writing this. It’s evident. India and Mumbai were rocked on 26th November by 10 terrorists who had the audacity to open fire on one of Mumbai’s busiest stations, throw grenades and gain control of 2 of Mumbai’s most posh hotels, kill over 200 people and reduce a ‘World Heritage Site’ to nothing but black soot. Who are we to blame? The country that housed these terrorists, where they trained? Or the laxed navy patrolling? Or the lack of action by the various intelligence wings? Or the Government? Who are we to blame? Is it justified that in answer to hundreds of lives lost all that the politicians have to do is sign on a God damn letter of resignation? Is that all the punishment they deserve?
The political system in India has hit its bottom. I don’t think it can get any worse from here. Did any of you come across a President’s address after such a huge crisis hit India? I know I didn’t. The least we expect from our leaders in such a scenario is that their reassurances, their condolences, etc are flashed on every news channel, is printed on the front page of every newspaper.
But I do not need to dwell upon the failure of our leaders. That fact has been etched in our minds and hearts now. What we need to do is find a solution around this problem. Coz we know, this is not the first time our leaders have failed us, and if we don’t take any radical steps it might not even be the last.
I see rallies being organised, anger being vent out in the press, but these are not substantial steps. For how long will you go on holding rallies? Once the world throws up some other big news, the media will forget this till probably the next year where they will mourn for the dead. The fire will die out and ‘things will be back to normal’.
It is high time we took matters in our own hands. It is high time we stopped being so passive. It is high time we stop expecting someone else to do our duties towards our country. It is OUR country, our home. How can you expect the country to do something for you when you shrug away from all it asks of you? And please please please do not make lame sentences like ‘is desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta’. Is desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta, kyun ki isme tum jaise napunsak rehte hain.
If these blasts are not loud enough to awaken you, I guess you might as well be dead. I see the tide changing now. More and more of my friends are talking about taking a more active interest in the nation’s politics. Simple things like filing the ‘right to information’ petitions can make a huge difference. Why not use it?
But yes, I must say…I am a little apprehensive about this. I don’t know how long this fire is going to last in the common citizen. I hope it does. I sincerely do. We generally wake for someone/something to shake us, shock us and awaken us from our reverie. I hope this will be it. I hope we will rise and make a difference to this country. I hope with all my heart.
