Saturday, July 15, 2006

Disregard

200 lives, gone. 200 families destroyed. In a city like Mumbai, that's not really a horrific statistic. Here people die every day. On the streets, in their homes, in hospital rooms. 200 more. Why is it significant?

Is it because it happened so fast, in a matter of minutes? Is it because it was so terrifyingly random, (it couldve been you or me you know) ? Or is it because there seems no purpose, or seen in another way, the purpose is so unconnected with the people who died.

I still do not know who is accused of this, who did it and for what. I still cannot fathom many things about this incident. It has gotten me thinking more than anything about the disregard for human life. Both by the terrorists, and by us.

I wonder who exactly has benefitted by this ( i know very well who is scarred). What did they get out of it? Was it to scare us? Was it to bully us? Was it to test out their new timers?

I was not even in town when it happened. And yet the incident has upset me deeply. In 93 I lauded the Mumbai spirit of getting back on their feet and off to work. Now I hope it takes some time to reflect, to mourn and then to fortify.

The spreading of terror is course a tactic that has borne results in many areas around the globe. But in Mumbai, I have not yet understood what ends the 93 bombings met and have not understood what the purpose is now. I thought terrorists wanted their cause to be known. Then again, maybe I'm just ill-informed.

The bombings last tuesday have made an impression on me. Snapped something within me. I think it had to do with faith in good. I never thought things like these could happen without provocation. Please help me understand how those 200 people provoked the terrorists.

I know a lot of people back home are targetting particular communities over this. I personally believe that is a childish thing to do. Unless the person you accuse has had anything to do personally with the bombings, accusing them based on their religion is selfish since you just wish to satisfy your desire of placing blame.

I admire us Mumbaikars when we say we are not scared. But I hope we start learning to fortify ourseleves, our lives. I hope to god, the people who govern us take sensible action not just inflammatory talks. Because we can excuse our citizens for being scared of terrorists, but how will we live if they start getting scared of their politicians.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Bombay

I was mid air on my way to the US when it happened in bombay...

I don't know what to say...

Angry... Worried... Helpless... that's all