After the Mumbai Mayhem

It pains me that I should start off my blog with this, of all topics, but it is something that is the freshest on my mind. I've been in Mumbai (or Bombay, as I really love to call it), for nearly all my life. So when the riots happened in the early 90s, followed by the bomb blasts, till the 2006 train bombings... I've been in the city all the time. I was worried then too... and my heart goes out to those who lost their dear and loved ones. But the November 2008 terror strike was different.

The November 2008 terror strike took place while I was thousands of miles away... finishing my last day of work before starting a 4 day long weekend holiday with friends. Unlike the previous terror attacks (excluding the Dec '92 riots), this one lasted more than a day. And unlike previous attacks, which struck mostly a specific segment of society... Muslim minorities during the '92 riots or middle class during the 2006 train bombings, this one struck at all classes, races, nationalities and religions; in one fell swoop. But this nightmare lasted for 3 days, which simply made it far worse. I knew my parents were safely at home, and a false sense of security calmed me a bit through those days.

But what followed this is what amazed me. With the exception of a handful of politicians, leaders across the political spectrum remained united as Indian special forces weeded out these Pakistani-based terrorists. Politicians in India are generally opportunistic, and with national elections around the corner in about a year, this was a golden duck, waiting to be picked. Even more amusing was to see generally hard-lined politicians (namely the right-wing party folks) taking an eerie silence. I have a number of friends from the minority community. Some of the best schools in Bombay are run by minority institutions with a healthy mix of all religions. For once, I actually feared for their well-being. But, thankfully, nothing happened. And as if that wasn't comforting enough, there were actual protest marches against those terrorists by minorities as well! It was amusing to read about how Muslim priests refused to bury the dead terrorists on the grounds that Muslims don't carry out such dastardly acts, and its up to the Government to decide what to do with their bodies. And these were not only restricted to the streets of Bombay, but in a number of cities far removed from this mindless bloodshed.

Of course, the lone terrorist that was caught this time (there has been no one caught red-handed in any of the previous bombings) is now proving to be a serious embarrassment for Pakistan, which has had to go to the extreme lengths of cordoning off his village and whisking away his aged parents (who, I hope are safe). Of course, sadly, no one is coming forward as his legal aid to defend him. Sentiments are high, and people are, undoubtedly, upset. But as much as this remains an open and shut case, he still deserves a lawyer. After all, the rule of law should prevail over sentiments.

I look back now and see... over a 160 innocent lives were lost in a mindless spate of violence. One would think they died in vain, like many before them... in the 2006 bombings and before. But I see now that this tragedy has brought out the best in us Indians, and especially in the citizens of Mumbai (or Mumbaikars, as they are fondly called). It has brought many hard right-wing party leaders to their senses. Absence of their vitriolic rhetoric proves that the terror strikes sent down a much more chilling fact... even high-flying citizens and political leaders can pay with their lives. Perhaps it is this that has made many of them act more responsibly.

So as I look back now and see... they didn't die in vain after all. They died in uniting a country!

Crystal Blur?

Being my first blog, and the fact that it took me a while to get this address, I decided that I at least need to put down a blog to commemorate my creating this blog.

Frankly, I've missed chatting out with a number of friends with whom I used to talk, discuss and even argue over politics. But then came this period when I was busy with my graduate studies, and all this took a back seat. Its been about 6 months since my graduation, and I suddenly realize, that there is so much I want to speak and discuss, but I can't! And that is simply because the people I did so with aren't really around. Most are in other unearthly time zones, or simply busy with their lives to spare some time.

So, I decided to take this to a new level, the internet. In reality, while I like meeting new people, I'm wary of those I meet on the internet. And with good reason... I know, in many cases, people are not what they seem, and its always easier to assess someone in person than online. After all, as someone interested in AI (artificial intelligence) research, you never know when you might simply be conversing with a computer! Nah.. I'm kidding. I think we're still a few decades away from that.

And since I intend to write mostly stuff that is political, probably controversial, and with an open mind to accept other possibilities; the internet provides a certain level of anonymity, which is characteristic of a truly open society. The freedom of thought... and speech.

So while things should as clear as a crystal, we'll still find ourselves with a blur when it comes to seeing things. Writing this blog will give me a chance at perhaps explaining that blur as my opinion, while giving me a chance to hear what others (who take out time to read my blog) have to say about the same.

So I hope that you all like reading (and replying) on this, as much as I will like writing to it. Thanks for stopping by!