I spent most of today using Google Blog Search to find Mumbai blogs. When we have days like this Tueday, I get very emotional - my need to bond with my community increases - cos I guess I want to know what is going on in their head. And it made me so sad. So very sad. I'm just going to sum up some of the things I've read post - 7/11 (I hate this 7/11 title). I'm rather disturbed by the direction that many posts and comments were headed in. And the forwards in my inbox!!! Save us!!! The now famous letter from Mumbaikars and some of the articles being passed around disguised as words of inspiration and hope. Some of them are openly aggressive, others are incredibly stupid- simply a way to placate ruffled feathers - harping on and on and on about the Mumbai spirit. I've said it before and I'll say it again - WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GO ABOUT AS USUAL - so shut the fuck up.

A recurring theme in many posts, comments and letters were Bush's reaction to 9/11. He is actually being hailed here- as the Leader who did the right thing by going to war against those who understand only war. This growing aggression towards tackling terrorism is not healthy. I still believe in the Mahatma's ways. I wish people would take the pains to do some online research and learn of America's motives for war before spreading their rave reviews of the"Defender of the Free world" for millions to read and be influenced by. Applauding Bush da bastard - hah. He was not protecting his people, and even if he was- he had no right to bring death to the thousands of Iraqis and Afghans. Like Israel has no right to wreck havoc in Palestine or Lebanon. Just like we have no right to bring more violence into the lives of Pakisthanis for the actions of some terrorists. No matter what - we are still one people. We were born on the sub-continent, we share ancestors -somewhere down the line- they started following the Prophet and that is the only difference. You want to be completely stoopid? Then lets remember who the real culprits behind the Indo-Pak tiff are - the Brits. You want to blame someone illogically for 7/11 -then be completely senseless - blame the Brits - Divide and Rule was their idea.  

Though I am angry at the Indian leadership, my anger is not because they do not violate Pakisthan to 'avenge' Indian terror victims (the hatred in this link made my stomach turn). I am angry at their lethargy in saving lives. I'm angry at their corruption and the lack of resources to tend to emergencies. I don't blame Dr. Singh's lack of aggression - I applaud it. I applaud his patience, and his self-control, and I will not label his caution as lack of feeling for the Indian population. His restraint is preventing bigger issues - like another Kargil, including nukes this time. 

What angers me however - is that after dealing with years of covert Paki aggression (if thats what you want to call it)- we still do not know how to react to terror strikes. We still don't know how to minimize damage. After having Indian transports attacked repeatedly, we still do not have stand by fire brigades or ambulances at railway stations. Not even after Godhra? When we have seen our capacity for violence against our own people, our compatriots - knowing completely well that not only does India have to deal with an external enemy - but we also have to be on the gaurd for flare ups within our nation between various religious groups, between various castes within the same religion, between various socio-lingual groups - how can we still not have better emergency ops, why does it still take so long for help to get to the victims?

If we must blame someone- let us learn to blame ourselves as well - the voters for not pressurizing our administration to provide us with means to minimize the effects of riots and explosions and mobs and ..... for never actually questioning the corrruption that is rotting the very core of the Indian democracy, at every level and every turn. Even encouraging this disease because we are always looking for the easy way out of scrapes and the easiest way to live life in a world where greasing palms is often the only way to get things done. We have allowed our leaders to settle into this mode of functioning - easy come- easy go - and please please, fill your bank account while you serve us. The opposition too does a beautifully inadequate job of taking on the leaders - their violent mobbing and abusing at both, the street and legislative level - is simply too primitive and rural to believe. We must be the only country in the world where MPs throw footwear at each other and openly abuse and threaten each other. In the end, they don't achieve their goals or do anything to help us with ours. The only time we realize that this country is a democracy is when we go to sell our votes.

Terrorists have been a problem that independent India has dealt with (or rather, not really 'dealt with', 'put up with' is a better expression) since the beginning. We have lost thousands to it. Just as thousands of militants and Paki troops have died at the hands of Indians. We can't ever call it square and ignore the issue.

Its ridiculous, but the right thing to do would be call the shots on Musharraf. He has been broadcasting his support for Bush's war on terror. He's been saying that Pakistan provides no support to Islamic extremists. Ask him to allow UN forces [and maybe Indian forces(dream on)] into the country on a seek and destroy mission of sorts including in POK. Yes- this sounds like the foolish imaginings of a demented mind - but anything is better than risking civilian lives - of any nationality.

If anything, take pride in being Indian. Take pride in our history of non-violence. Non-violence may be a slow process- but it is the only right way to do things. In the meanwhile, since we can't combat terrorism, for violence begets more violence, we can only harass our government for better recue and relief, for more security at public places, octroi nakas, check nakas, transport hubs and in business districts especially for a period of 6 months after explosives, arms or ammunitions are found. Just to be safe.

There are a lot more options to explore before crying "WAR" and "ATTACK", you'll say that we have explored all possible avenues, but really - we haven't. Our politicians have looked at the best ways to sort the issue and benefit from it. And the instigators among us pretend to have, but really, you and me, the general public of India- we haven't really, have we?

And if any of you self-righteous Hindus are reading this post - I just have one thing to say to you - you can label Muslims monsters and call them all the nasty things you want on your blogs - but don't you dare try that shit on my blog- I will delete you.