Mumbai attacks-where to go from here???

26 Nov2008: 9:58 pm

The buisness had just begun and it was crispily discussed alongwith each sip of alchohol that drenched the throats in the porches of all the star hotels in Mumbai. It was party mood in the ballrooms and the night showed signs of getting increasingly romantic with each minute passing by. Suddenly there was smoke and chaos and it hardly took time to realise that mumbai was under terrorist attack.

Though a fellow mumbaikar is accustomed to the sporadic events that test his nerves, this attack was a different one. It had directly challenged the law establishment entitled to protect citizens. This time not only were the middle class citizens attacked but a clear attack was carried out against the places so as to cause maximum casualty to foreigners and directly challenge the economic might of India by carrying out attack on its economic capital.

With 59 hours of long fought out battle, 183 civilian deaths including 20 casualties of security forces, the attacks clearly brought out a series of question that we need to address at the earliest. Was it a intelligence failure or a systemic failure? Are our forces equipped to fight this new battle? How long we are going to politicise even the basic issue of citizen security ? Have we failed to build up into ourselves the feeling of one nation or is this going to be a value that is to be displayed only when war like situation emerges? Can we think over national interest by placing our regional interests into background? Can we learn how to cherish our martyrs- real heroes?

The questions that clutter around one's mind may be many but it is necessary to find solutions to every question that we pose to ourselves. We as individual citizens have to remember that now our time has come - not to pose questions and wait for someone to act but to make it a point to act whenever and wherever situation demands.

I think the situation has to be improved from the base of the pyramid that is primary education. Contribute maximum energy to build up a healthy nation that has the ability to think over the issues concerning itself and it enjoys its right to vote pragmatically. It is from here that we can develop a healthy society. Short term actions have to be to reform the police to meet challenges of 21st century and active civil society participation to act as pressure group over the state apparatus.

Difficult times always bring out the best from an individual and also from the society. We have to take this event as an opportunity to build India into a nation that shall have the power to fulfill the dream of 1 billion people to live a respectful life, that has the ability to satisfy hunger of more than 500 million people and that has the ability to empower its every citizen with equal amount of say to decide his future irrespective of his economic and social condition.

Had this to happen then can only the souls of our brave martyrs can rest in peace and the likes of karkares, Ashok Kamtes can delightfully sing
" Aey Watan , Aey watan humko teri kasam,
teri rahoon mein jaan tak loota jayenge,
Jab uthegi shahiddo ki arthi tum rona nahi
magar jab hogi swantrata ki manaii hume bholna nahi......"

My UPSC Mains

This was his first mains of Civil Services exam conducted by UPSC every year. He was standing outside his exam hall. There were still 10 minutes to pass by so as the security to allow him to enter the hall.His mind went into reminiscence and he still clearly figured out how he had decided to pursue his life mission after a serious confrontation between his heart and his brain. Ultimately the decision taken by his heart prevailed and he quit a good paying job in a MNC and jumped into the preparations for this exam. It was his own decision and it was only he who had to work hard during these exam days to make his dream happen. He boosted himself and entered the exam hall.

All throughout, the exam went off extremely well only with the exception of geography paper. He was extremely satisfied by his performance. Now he will eagerly wait for the results which would be declared in March. By that time he has to start preparations for interview and at the same time he has to remain prepared to tackle next year prelims.

It was really an absorbing experience and he really enjoyed the process all throughout his preparation.