Attack on Mumbai - What will change?
As ‘operations’ in Mumbai come to an end I sit back and recollect what all happened to us Mumbaikars in the 3 days. Some things have probably changed for ever in Mumbai and some things will probably never change. Some things that happened make us mumbaikars all very sad and some things make us proud. Some things we did in the last few days have been outright stupid (like spreading rumours) and some things absolutely right. So what will history call this November’s events in Mumbai? Well this only time will tell but history might call this event ss India’s 1st Urban War?!
As we see TV channels today we see people congratulating each other on the victory we have got in this ‘war’. Im not sure this is a war but maybe a small battle which is part of an overall war.
So as Mumbaikars is this our last battle with terrorism of this type - very unlikely. For all you know this is probably just the begining of a new phase of the War with our not so ‘friendly’ neighbours.
What will never change? (AND we hope it does)
- The police armed with ONLY the lathi.
- The city with no single command structure to handle such situations.
- Not acting on information and detailed analysis leading to loss of precious lives.
- The politicians playing politics even in such situations.
- Insensitive news channels just being outright stupid and not knowing where to stop.
- Human lives being cheap.
- Making heroes and then forgetting them.
- Our crowds who just want to push their way to see the ‘action’ just to tell others (what else could it be).
- Our cribbing and anger with our politician and still voting them back.
- Politicians increasing their own salaries and ‘perks’ and debating a small increase for armed forces and police.
What will never change? ( AND we hope it does NOT)
- Our brave police officers who take on challenges with minimal support and maximum risks.
- The ’spirit’ of mumbaikars who value their way of life and will get back to it at the earliest.
- Our well trained army and commando units who are ready for action, always.
- The hospitals and doctors who worked overnight.
- Common people in mumbai who came out to donate blood all over the city hospitals.
- The Taj and Oberoi management and their super staff who saved so many lives.
We also hope that our politicians will learn something from the last few day:
- Create an Urban Warfare Management group in each city and is full of action oriented people like Karkare.
- Dont keep NSG in Delhi only, India is beyond Delhi and your home in Delhi.
- Security is important to the ‘aam admi’ just like roti, kapda, bijli, paani and makan.
- Dont walk into a military or police situation, you will complicate things and also look stupid.
- Sorry, Narendra Modi, compensation was not on our mind but safety of hostages was.
- Manmohan Singh and Advani: Show unity in this hour of crisis. We can see through your games.
- We dont need BANDHS to protest or pay homage to the dead ones. So guys dont even plan such things.
- Gopinath Munde, what were you doing at Nariman House when the operations were on? Did you want to take charge?
- Raj Thackeray, not sure if you got all the SMSs and the ‘message’.
Some more reading on Mumbai Terror War: Who are the Men in Black?
Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar and Ashok Kamte lay down their life for Mumbai
Mumbai Emergency Helpline Numbers
Attacks on Mumbai November 2008
