Tragic Apathy - No time for blame game

The city of Mumbai has begun to scare me. Not so much because of the terror attacks. But because of the attitudes of people. Thursday and Friday people were back to their routines while at 3 places, there were explosions, gunshots, wounds, victims and survivors. Unfortunately, I do not see this as the much acclaimed reslience or spirit of Mumbai. The causes of such catastrophic events like the blasts or floods cannot be hidden behind a facade of spirit. Because, now the spirit is turning to apathy. Those who are not personally harmed by the blasts are back to their normal lives. 

Even as I sit in the comfort of my armchair writing this, the likes of Alyque Padamsee, Farookh Sheikh et al pass remarks on some show, other celebrities and honchos give sound bytes or quotes, politicians jockey for space, coverage and eventually voter leverage, media - both print and TV look to cash in on 'exclusives' sometimes giving away too much, the police look clueless at times while NSG commandos have to waste one of their hands using a hand held communication device. Over 60 hours is what it has taken to neutralise the threat from the terrorists. Clean-up operations and investigations are a far cry. People have lost their lives both defenders of justice and innocent victims but can unpreparedness be excused? We are thoroughly guilty of overlooking what can be overlooked. It is easy to speak from the confines of one's home or the studio, and after every tragedy there is a hue and cry over how people will actually contribute, something that fizzles out in a short while and the tragedy is forgotten except by those who have been mentally and physically scarred by it. 

As a society and a nation, we seem to be heading backwards at the current rate. When it is only perchance that a disaster drill is conducted, where crisis management is not given serious thought, where the best immediate response we have to terror is rifles of a bygone era. I don't question the honesty of the policemen, the valour of the armed forces, the stoic support of the hotel staff or emergency forces, but I certainly question - Where is India headed? Are we going to allow an all too common 'Chalta Hai Attitude' to immerse us or are we going to make an effort to be change agents. How many of us can claim that our interest in the despicable acts extended beyond curiousity either at the location or as it unfolded on TV, beyond how it affected our daily lives, and beyond a momentary thought for those directly affected by the same. I probably admit that I myself need to pay heed to my own words. But only can cognizance of a problem bring about a solution. I'd like each one of us to be responsible as citizens of India, not as residents of a particular city or state. 

Mumbai Blasts of 26th November 2008

The bomb blasts in Mumbai have certainly rocked the city. A prayer for all the people whether affected or not....

Mumbai Blasts - Media Should behave Responsibly

When it comes to such crucial situations, the media personnel while obviously trying to cover the happenings to their best ability should at no point of time come in the way of those in the line of fire and doing their duty. The last thing one wants is a dozen or more cameras and microphones shoved in the face of the general who is trying to take charge of the situation and diffuse it in the quickest and least damaging way as possible. As long as the media does not become a circus it is ok. Because, while bringing the viewers and common man closer to the action, airing conversations with people stuck inside the hotels which may potentially give away their locations to terrorists who may have access to media may not be the wisest thing to do. The plans being made to counter these terrorist attacks should also not reach the terrorists in any form. It is advisable that the media let the people trained to do so get on with their work without coming in their way.

Mumbai Blasts - 24

There been a fresh explosion in the Trident/Oberoi as well. There is a double-edged sword to being aggressive in such situations as has been suggested as the stance by A N Roy. Whenever there are hostages involved the focus is always on the hostages being rescued alive. There must be a wary approach adopted by the authorities. Gung-ho will not help. I also hope that the authorities are instructing the media to show and portray what the want. The media can be manipulated at such times in case the terrorists have access to media. 

Mumbai Blasts - 23

2:50 p.m. There have been fresh explosions in Nariman House and the Taj. The situation at the 3 locations is far from over. It did not sound like a grenade but a blast according to one person trapped inside the Taj.

Mumbai Blasts - 22

Apparently an Israeli family has been taken hostage at one of the 2 locations. There are 3 layers of security cordon below the hotels - the police, the army and the NSG. A whole lot of people can be seen at the bottom of the Taj. This has now been going on for almost 12 hours now considering the first blasts started at about 10 yesterday. A curfew has been declared at Gateway of India. Seems like the rescue operations are well underway with an operation by the army and commandos. 

Mumbai Blasts - 21

Its 8:45 a.m.  and the story isn't over yet. There are still terrorists and hostages at the Oberoi and Taj. The latest news is that there has been another blast at the Oberoi rught now. The hostages are on the 19th floor at the Oberoi. They showed some people being rescued from the Taj a couple of minutes back. 

Mumbai Blasts - 20

NDTV India reports that 9 terorists have been caught. While the reported deaths have increased to 80. This really is terrible. 3 senior officers of police also dead. Doctors are on the scene at the Taj and the Oberoi. 

Mumbai Blasts - 19

Theres a car whose auto cop has just gone off outside the Taj. One wonders what this could mean. Ok just as suddenly as it started it seemed to have stopped but it seems to have resumed again. I hope its something triggered off as a false alarm and not indication of greater danger. They are sending in people with full bomb disposal squad grear. Not for the car but into the Taj. 

Mumbai Blasts - 18

Theres been a 6th blast at the Taj. There is worry brewing that the longer the time that the terrorists remain undefeated the greater will their confidence rise. 2 hostages have been killed at Cama Hospital apparently. It is going to be a while before VT station is going to be in a condition fit for use. It is for sure that no one will be using the station tomorrow. THere are pools of blood and stains all over the place. It is now almost 2:45 a.m. and almost 4 hours since these attacks first began. Let us hope that the police and army get things under control at the earliest. 

Mumbai Blasts - 17

Shouldn't the people being rescued/coming out be briefed not to tell the media how exactly they were resecured. There is no telling what media the terrorists may have access to. As I change the channel I see the same chap being interviewed by another channel with a delay of a few seconds perhaps. It feels so eerie that earlier this year me and some of my colleagues were in the Taj on the first floor for an interaction with the CEO of Nokia. It seems so surreal that we were at the scene of what is taking palce right now. 

Mumbai Blasts - 16

They are talking to people who have exited the Taj just right now. They saw 3 terrorists. There were about 150 people who were on the staircase. The army rescued them and they descended through the stairs and out the rear entrance to the hotel. 

Mumbai Blasts - 15

Reports say that there are 2 terrorists hidden in the Oberoi and 4 in Taj. 

Mumbai Blasts - 14

That live video feed in the previous blog where people were shot at from some window or other showed one man who probably had his hand hit by a bullet. The theories doing the round is that the terrorists took the hotels and then targetted the top cops that came after them. There have been nakabandis put up at over 40 places and the cops hope to catch the evil doers. I hope they catch them. They deserve the worst for what they have done by the way of these blasts and firings. 

Mumbai Blasts - 13

The sounds of gunshots continures at the Taj and reporters dont know whether the bodies beind dragged out are that of terrorists or soliders. Civilians are being frisked and lined up in case they are suspects. Some of these cameramen really got to have guts to be right where they are. Some prefer to be a little distance away from teh action. And firing resumed outside the Taj and the cameramen and the people standing outside just took a dive for the ground all caught on tape. The VT station bears a desered look as a brave reporter points out what is probably an undetonated grenade with the pin intact while wrapped in some pink paper or material. What is the reporter doing there unsupervised by cops. The reporter proceeds to pick up bullets that are lying on the ground amidts the bloodstains. You can see the shiver in the reporter's hands as he goes about doing his job. The scenes being shown on TV are much too gruesome to be repeated. 

Mumbai Blasts - 12

The army has surrounded the Taj. The army has started its operations to bring the situation under control. Let us pray that they can bring things to a quick end with the fewest of casualties if any at all. One cannot help but despise such acts which are purportedly for a cause but wreak so much havoc and loss. Meanwhile the flames continue to burn at the Taj. It will be a while before the fire brigade can even attempt to rescue the heritage structure. N. N. Krishnadas is the Mp who was spoken to in an earlier post. Other channels are also speaking to him now. One wonders what the MP is trying to do. He is not talking to Tez channel. He says they cannot see anything outside. 

Mumbai Blasts - 11

I can't believe the reporter is continuing to ask the MP who the other MPs stuck in the hotel with him are. The MP he is talking to is a Mr. Das. Sometimes the media can be so absolutely irresponsible. The reporter now asks the MP "Have you all tried getting out of the hotel?" They are in a big hall on the first floor. The reporter asks whether they have barred the door to the hall. There has been no communication between the MP and outside officials. The reporter now ventures to ask "Are you scared for your life?" and "Are there any people who are very anxious, women and children?". The MP replies and says he can still hear gunshots. Security has suffered heavy casualties outside the Taj. Reporter says "We fear for your life and hope you get out safely"

Mumbai Blasts - 10 (An MP in Taj)

One of the news channels is not talking to an MP who is stuck in the Taj hotel. The smoke arising from the Taj is increasing. This is going to leave the Taj quite certainly charred at best. There are 200 people in the Taj as per what the MP in the Taj is saying. The reported insists on asking him whether the terrorists are in front of him as they speak. Ok. They are not hostage but they are stuck inside while the battle continues between the terrorists and police ensues. The reporter says the gun battle is taking place on the terrace. The MP says that they are all on the first floor. The reporter asks the MP whether he can see terrorists right now. The MP reiterates that he say 2 terrorists with black cloths around their faces. It all started when they were having dinner. 

Mumbai Blasts - 9

There are pictures of a man with a an AK 47 in hand as mentioned in the previous post. The army and NSg commandos are present as back up. There are apparently 40 hostages in oberoi including foreigners and indian nationals. There has been fresh firing at the Oberoi between the police and the terrorists. The terrorists are said to be youth with automatic rifles. 

Mumbai Blasts - 8

The mail was sent at 1:26 a.m. There are certain sections of the email that are being blacked out and not read out to prevent inciting further tensions in the city and country. There is talk of showing people their place "aukaad dikhana". The updated reports say 70 plus dead. Sigh. It is indeed terrible. I am happy that my college mates are all safe at the hostel but how close a shave it was for so many of them out on the road at the time of the blasts highlights the fine line between safety and danger. We need to be very alert and aware of out surroundings. India TV is showing pictures of what appears to be a terrorist with a navy blue tshirt, a young man, a blue bag, a rifle in hand, a little blood on the left side of the face and the definite gleam of a fanatic in his eyes. 

Firings happened at Capitol Cinema in addition to those already mentioned. It seems that the Taj is well and truly on fire. It remains to be seen whether it will be possible to salvage anything. Apparently the 2 killed at Chowpatty were of Kashmiri origin. Theres a 2 page email that channels are flashing that has apparently been sent by the terrorits. The email is in Hindi. It also says that the terrorists warn that this warning is not underestimated as just an empty warning. 

Mumbai Blasts - 7 (Avoid Rumours)

2 terrorists were supposedly killed at Chowpatty. Metro Cinema is supposed to be the site where Vijay Salaskar was killed. It is indeed sad that people resort to such despicable acts. The blast at Vile Parle was reportedly in a taxi under a flyover. There was also a bomb that went off in a taxi at Dockyard Road. Army commandos have been called in. Apparently there has been a two page warning email that has been sent to the Indian government by the Deccan Mujahideen that such acts will continue unless they are paid heed to.

Mumbai Blasts - 6

Cops are stopping cars with guns in hand and not taking any chances at all. Drivers and passengers are being asked to produce identity in a bid to flush out any terrorists that may be trying to escape. Apparently, the bombs and terrorists made their way in through the sea and meant to escape either by the same way or on roads. Hemant Karkare, ATS chief is supposed to have been hit by three bullets and succumbed to his injuries. Salaskar, encounter specialist is also reportedly dead in the battle against the terrorists. Toll is supposedly reached 65. It is difficult to make out in such situations what is the truth and what are rumours. Even if they are rumours, all channels seem to be showing more or less the same rumours. 

Mumbai Blasts - 5

A couple of boats have been caught at Chowpatty beach. The news channels are all showing tristed carnage of taxis, etc that were ripped apart in the blasts. The entire road to VT station is blocked. People in offices, buildings, hotels at Marine Drive and the area have been asked to stay put. 

Mumbai Blasts - 4 (Stay Calm, we must be united against such cowardly attacks)

Hemant Karkare of the police last reported injured has probably succumbed to his injuries. There have been supposedly 5 blasts in the Taj itself. There is also a report that there has been a blast in J W Marriott at Juhu apart from what has been unfolding at the Taj and Oberoi hotels. 

Mumbai Blasts - 3 (Stay Calm)

One report states that DIG Ashok of police is dead. Another senior officer Vijay Salaskar is also injured and so is Hemant Karkare. People are requested to stay calm as this deadliest of turn of events to hit the city unfolds. Let us all take a moment to pray that the worst has passed and that there shall be no more. Be calm and panicking will not help. 

Mumbai Blasts - 2 (Taj on Fire)

There are gunmen in the Taj with hostages at their mercy and the latest picture being shown show that a section of the Taj is on fire and the upper dome of the Taj also apparently had a detonation go off in it. The streets are absolutely quiet and not a soul dare wander out. People in the Marine Drive, Colaba area are not being allowed to leave their present locations. The flames at the Tah can actually be seen outside the windows now. 

Mumbai Blasts

It chaotic. The city is locked down. No one knows if and when and where the next blast may happen if there is one. CST, Colaba, Vile Parle, Santa Cruz, Nepean Sea Road are some of the areas that are reportedly suffered from blasts. 

Welcome back nth time

and yet again. I am back. It has been a while. 

and whats new?

banks are crumbling and tumbling. investment banks at least for sure are not exactly the best place to be right now.

ah well. the usual exams and stuff. more from your side folks.