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.
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