MUMBAIKARS ! INDIA SALUTES YOU
This post is not to condemn the dastardly act of terrorism unleashed in Mumbai yesterday. This post is to pay glowing tributes to the Tsunamic wave of humanity, selflessness and resilience displayed by the Mumbaikars the magnitude of which has reduced the impact of those bombings to much less than a Diwali cracker.
The purpose of this dastardly act of Terrorism was not to kill hundreds of people, but it was to shake the very roots of the economy of India, it was to shake the faith of people of India on their freedom and it was to create a religious, social and political turmoil in the country. But the resilience of the big and strong hearted Mumbaikars not only withstood and absorbed the impact of the bombs but decimated in totality the very purpose behind the act.
Mumbaikars have set the finest example to prove that it is not the Government, police, army or the intelligence who can neutralize the plans of terrorists and terrorism, but it is the Unity, Integrity, selflessness and resilience of the citizens of this great country that can uproot terrorism from the soils of our nation.
The purpose of this dastardly act of Terrorism was not to kill hundreds of people, but it was to shake the very roots of the economy of India, it was to shake the faith of people of India on their freedom and it was to create a religious, social and political turmoil in the country. But the resilience of the big and strong hearted Mumbaikars not only withstood and absorbed the impact of the bombs but decimated in totality the very purpose behind the act.
Mumbaikars have set the finest example to prove that it is not the Government, police, army or the intelligence who can neutralize the plans of terrorists and terrorism, but it is the Unity, Integrity, selflessness and resilience of the citizens of this great country that can uproot terrorism from the soils of our nation.
Today Mumbai is not just the Commercial and Fashion Capital of India, but it is the heart and soul of India. Today the heart of every Indian should be in Mumbai and with every family who has lost one of their members to reiterate that though their loss is irreplaceable but a place for those families in our hearts is a gain that is invaluable.
posted by hari at
8:20 PM
8 Comments:
Hari,
For once, I beg to differ with you. I don't want to feel impotent by sharing my grief as I watch families suffer; my tears will not ease their pain nor bring back their dead. I want my grief to translate into action. I want blood. Its time to dispense with our niceties and stoicism. Its time for us to hunt down those who did this and collectively hang/shoot/kill them in full public view! Its time to forget the past; forget Gandhiji and that 'eye-for-an-eye-will-make-the-world-go-blind' for once. Its time we woke up to see why we get k.o'd in the eye. Its time to let go of the notion that we are a soft people. Its time to retaliate. Its time for you/me/all of us to change, Hari.
By
Anonymous, at 9:53 PM
Ravi,
I agree with you. But before any physical warfare it will be highly advantageous if we win the psychological war. When the war of the minds is won, we would be more than half way through our mission.
Mumbaikars have proved that they would not get weakened, feel defeated or de-spirited by any terror strike. This in itself will frustrate the terrorist intentions then it will be left to us to hit the hammer when the iron is hot.
By
hari, at 10:01 PM
"Mumbaikars have proved that they would not get weakened, feel defeated or de-spirited by any terror strike"...however did you percieve this? Mumbai as you know is a place where nobody stops for anybody. In times of tragedies, people help, sure. But the bulk of the unaffected just go about their daily lives ekeing a living. Remember, Mumbai is our 'commercial' capital. Commerce and trade run through its citizens blood..hence the perception that things are back to normal. Terror is weakening the city slowly. Read todays TOI reports. That will slowly spill over to all metros. If we don't wake up and show some muscle, we'll forever have to take everything that is thrown at us. Are we not ashamed? Has not history taught us anything? Do you hear how people are laughing behind our backs, Hari?
By
Anonymous, at 10:22 PM
Sorry Hari, to burst ur bubble, but all this talk abt Mumbai spirit is just humbug, we don't really have a choice, we gotta go out and earn our livelihood. It's time for Mumbaikars to actually stand up for themselves..and shake off this resilience(I call it apathy) and do something towards changing this Chalta Hai attitude! OKAY SO WE R RESILIENT>>COME DO WHAT U WANNA DO:(( we want ppl to shake off their apathy and be alert caring citizens..and not just after a disaster has occurred..Whew!
By
Sangeeta, at 8:12 AM
Bombay moves because it has to. Daily beard earners need to work to get their money.
As for the politicians and their will...I hope that the next bunch of terrorists decide to attack parliament and succeed... this would give us more than one advantage....we would lose some of our "beloved" "leaders" and we would gain sympathy form the international community.
After all , our leaders "sacrifice" themselves for the greater common good, right?
As for the mumbaikar's spirit...it will survive...
By
Attila, at 11:00 AM
I agree with most of the comments. Do you think those Mumbaikars who got on the trains on Wednesday morning were not afraid? You bet they were. Do you think that most of the Mumbaikars got up on Wednesday morning, thinking let me go to work on the train today as usual, so that I can show the terrorists that they did not win? No. As someone said, its their livelihoods and life has to move on.
Infact I think if the commercial capital of India came to a COMPLETE stop for a few days and the citizens all join in protests DEMANDING action from the powers that be, I would be more happy.
We hear from the news about Israel's action in middle east as a revenge for JUST TWO of their soldiers being kidnapped. Although I dont totally agree with Israel's actions, we should atleast learn a lesson from them. They are waging a war because two soldiers were captured. And all we do is pass rhetoric when 200 were killed in Mumbai? I think the people of the great city of Mumbai must wake up and DEMAND action. Afterall, that city pays the most income taxes in the country and should expect the govt to do its job.
God Bless India
By
Anonymous, at 11:53 PM
Every terrorist strike is lamented briefly, then forgotten until the next strike. Few Mumbai citizens will acknowledge that their city is porous and fragile, and especially vulnerable to attack at a time when India has aligned itself with the United States in the "war against terror.".
The myth of Mumbai's resilience, expressed in such catchphrases as "we're back to normal the morning after" and "it's business as usual," is at least partly to blame for this unfortunate situation. Which is not to deny the efforts of the civic and State authorities, and the stoic heroism of thousands of citizens who worked round the clock to get Mumbai, quite literally, back on track.
By
RK, at 5:57 AM
Hari.. I have a mixed opinion here. While we must salute the Mumbai spirit.. the way civilians helped each other out, the number of people who flocked to hospitals to donate blood, distributing food to stranded folks etc. is commendable. Also going back to work as usual the next day. However what enrages me is how our politicians convenienetly use this to make no efforts or improvements to the situation. They give these great speeches but we all know that next time around we will see no improvement. The media and all influential people should rise and put pressure on the govt. They must be accountable. And this incident should not be forgotten. We should have memorials and marches and do whatever it takes to make our voices heard.
By
Anonymous, at 3:10 PM
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