terrorism

It’s a jungle out there. Sam is Sauvé, arrogant, boisterous, wealthy, ruthless don. Since the fall of his big rival he became all powerful and all dangerous. He has the dubious habit of poking into another’s business, picking up fights, play double-games and force his authority. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely – he is perfect example for it. He walked his own talk often destructive to others but none dared to say anything and even if they said it did not matter eventually. That is Sam for you. Of course he got his nose bloodied once at an eastern corner but then it’s history now. Everyone asks where is the money, honey? and he has and still has loads of it to make the neighborhood dance to his tune. His writ ran unchallenged till one fateful day…

Zia is a small time rogue but single minded and mad. This makes him very dangerous for all those around him. He is a side kick of Sam used for his vested interest in the neighborhood. Sam ignored Zia’s mafia members who were equally mad. Till one day when the game changed…

Vic, the butcher, was a terror in his own backyard. Vic is the nickname given to him during his last run. His writ ran unchallenged in his small rich neighborhood. Though, everyone knows he is no challenge to Sam. Laws of mafia are crazy – Sam had a grudge against Vic. The butcher  would find himself hunted soon for a true lie that people were made to believe.

Sam’s nightmare came as an unbelievable rude shock. A nasty blow. Someone hit Sam hard where it hurts a lot.  Sam never could see whom he is fighting. Soon it dawned the attacker is a member of Zia’s mafia. Sam attacked Vic.. Sounds idiotic? Logically, he should have attacked Zia. Well, that is Sam for you. When it was very clear where the enemy lives and who trained him, Sam chose to hit Vic. The butcher got hunted and Sam burnt his neighborhood. People would say Sam had a personal grudge on him or some claim he wanted to take control of the street and its goodies. The bottom line is Sam found an excuse to eliminate Vic. He drafted Zia to get his mafia member who attacked him. Zia double crossed effectively and made sure he kept both of them happy. For him the rule is simple – “If i loose one eye, the enemy should loose both eye”. In process, he did loose more than his one eye.

The neighborhood is in fire. The fire is raging across.  A chaos. Sam went too far and aggressive without a logical game plan. Even the laws of wild mafia land needs a rule. Now all the rules have been broken and its a total havoc.

At the end, it is those living in the vast neighborhood of Sam, Zia and adjacent areas who bear the brunt of inter-mafia game plans.

R.I.P All those innocents killed for no mistake on their part. 

Unraveling the mafias:

Uncle Sam is US of A

Zia represents Pakistan. He is the chief architect of Islamic radicalization of Pakistan and who nurtured the Mujahedeen’s to fight Soviet union in Afghanistan and who later turned to be Frankenstein monsters.

Vic the Butcher, is Saddam Hussein, the butcher of Baghdad. Under US captivity he was given a nick name “Vic”.

Now that sums up the larger picture of the story

A year back, I was going through a community in a networking site, when news trickled in that there is a gunfire in Mumbai. Initially, I thought it might be a gang war. As minutes went and I turned to news channels the severity of the night dawned. Next 60 hours was an emotionally harrowing, mind numbing experience for Indians and Mumbai was the focus of the whole world. It all took 10 brainwashed, well armed young men from across the border to unleash mindless terror and kill 164 lives. We lost valiant cops, we lost clueless common men, we lost children. Unsung heroes emerged. Constable Ombale gave his life valiantly to capture the sole surviving terrorist. Ordinary men and women gave their life to secure others. Nation shocked. We lit candles (it has become the current fad) Nation mourned but life went by.

Soon after 26/11 politicians made big talks. Heads rolled. CM of Maharashtra removed. Home minister made scapegoat.  Plethora of grand plans announced to make Mumbai and India safe.

One year later…

Did we learn our lessons from the tragic event? I doubt…

Vilasaroa Deshmukh, the then CM of Maharashtra is an Union minister now. I wonder if it is promotion or demotion. From state politics to Center does sound like a promotion to me.

R.R Patil who infamously made the comment “Bade shehron main aisi bate hoti hai” is back as the home minister of Maharashtra. If he has to be reinstated now, why remove him then? Or does the government thinks that the public memory is too short? Unfortunately seems like the politicians got it right on that assessment.

SRPF (State Reserve Police Force) Jawans meant to protect Taj were made to stay like squatters in India Gate. When the media exposed the sorry state of accommodation given to the Jawans, the CM of Maharashtra makes a statement “there is no place to house the policemen”. What happened next? cops of Colabo station “evacuated” the Jawans and their belongings from gateway of India to the sidewalks and told to spend the night on the road till alternate arrangement were made. Check the story here 

I was watching CNN IBN citizen journalist programme which exposed glaring security loopholes in various parts of the city across India – Security cameras installed post 26/11 in market places but no one to monitor the screens and unmanned security screening machines.

I don’t know if things have changed or not, I am not sure if Indians are feeling safer post 26/11 security arrangements but the news that I came across does not give me confidence but yes life goes on. We can only hope we are “lucky” enough and 26/11 is not repeated again.

TOI headlines mentions that it has cost Rs.31 crores to keep Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist,  alive and safe. Dammit! He sure is the most protected and well safe person in India now.

US of A is considering a bribe for the Afghan fighters to join their side. Honestly, I find this both interesting and hilarious. Some of the security analysts claim, these fighters were frustrated with local leaders, impressed with charismatic leaders from the Taliban, and promises that were made to them if they to perform an action. Simply said, Taliban or whichever group they represented promised them things that the government deprived them of. So who shall we point the fingers at now?

I am not encouraging war and will I never do that. Everyone at some point was at the bottom of the lowest pit, and obviously you would not care who pulled you out from the pit, as long as you got pulled out. I am guessing the same worked for these guys when they were in distress.

Let’s just take a look at ourselves. We lose our temper at times and only cool down when we have either got it our way, or some sort of a consensus has been reached largely in our favour. I would call that subtle bribery and of course violence on a small scale. We are not different from anyone fighting out there. They kill people. We tend to "kill" people with words – Just a faint line that separates us from them. Otherwise, all is good whether you choose to agree or not.

This video I came across had Hindu men fighting in the name of jihad. That came quite as a surprise. If this was indeed a religious war, where did these guys sprout out from? And they claim, as always I am going to quote word for word: "When we pick up guns, we get everything in life". Jihad in its true sense (if I am mistaken, please do correct me) is “all about battling the vices within which can range from simple anger to ego, jealousy and anything else that may cause harm (both physical and mental) to the self and others.”

Back to the ‘interesting’ American solution, it has been identified as ”the most cost-effective way to get people to lay down their arms, either to negotiate a peace or coerce them". I hail from a nation where Bribery is heavily criticized and is almost non-existent so that would naturally make me one who detests bribery as well. However, in this case if it reduces the amount of violence in the country, then I might be all for it. This of course may not be the permanent solution to the rising problem. But it will curb the situation. Buy us some time.

So why not?

Article written by Usha Amudan. The author hails from Singapore, currently pursuing studies in China.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gillani met on the sidelines of the NAM summit and followed up their two hours talk with a joint statement.

What does the India – Pakistan statement says ? The following is the text of India – Pakistan joint statement .

The two prime ministers had a cordial and constructive meeting. They considered the entire gamut of bilateral relations with a view to charting the way forward in India-Pakistan relations.

Both leaders agreed that terrorism is the main threat to both countries. Both leaders affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and to cooperate with each other to this end.

Prime Minister Singh reiterated the need to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice. Prime Minister Gilani assured that Pakistan will do everything in its power in this regard. He said that Pakistan has provided an updated status dossier on the investigations of the Mumbai attacks and had sought additional information/evidence. Prime Minister Singh said that the dossier is being reviewed.

Both leaders agreed that the two countries will share real time credible and actionable information on any future terrorist threats.

Prime Minister Gilani mentioned that Pakistan has some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas.

Both prime ministers recognised that dialogue is the only way forward. Action on terrorism should not be linked to the Composite Dialogue process and these should not be bracketed.

Prime Minister Singh said that India was ready to discuss all issues with Pakistan, including all outstanding issues.

Prime Minister Singh reiterated India’s interest in a stable, democratic Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Both leaders agreed that the real challenge is development and the elimination of poverty. Both leaders are resolved to eliminate those factors which prevent our countries from realising their full potential. Both agreed to work to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence.

Both leaders reaffirmed their intention to promote regional cooperation.

Both foreign secretaries should meet as often as necessary and report to the two foreign ministers, who will be meeting on the sidelines of the forthcoming U.N. General Assembly.

Now lets analyze the points mentioned .

1. “ … terrorism is the main threat to both countries … Both leaders affirmed their resolve to fight terrorism and to cooperate with each other .. ”

Words are nice in statements. But what about reality ? Hafiz Saeed , the leader of Lashkar e Taiba , the terrorist organization that masterminded the 26/11 Mumbai attack is  released by Pakistan courts , thanks to lenient , careless probe by Pakistan authorities.

Is this the resolve to fight terrorism and cooperation ? Duh !

Dawood Ibrahim , the head of the dreaded D gang who masterminded the Mumbai blasts and various other terrorist activities in India and India’s most wanted terrorist is living a high life in Karachi with Pakistan making a mockery at India by refuting the fact time and again about his existence within their territory.

Look who is talking about cooperation ?

Maulana Masood Azhar , the founder of yet another terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed is in the safe haven of Pakistan . He is again one of India’s most wanted involved with the Indian Parliament attack and the Kandahar Plane hijack episode.

and now they talk about resolve to fight terrorism and cooperation ! Funny !

2. “… the need to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice .. ”

Last many months Pakistan has been dilly dallying with the reports on Mumbai attack , raising silly points , unnecessarily and purposefully delaying the investigations . Reality being like this , what can be expected of Pakistan government and establishment on bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to justice ?

Just rosy politically correct words that would see no light in the end.

3. “ Both leaders agreed that the two countries will share real time credible and actionable information on any future terrorist threats.”

Makes me only laugh. When the terror activities are planned across the border in tandem with certain elements of Army and ISI , the leaders are talking about sharing the real time credible and actionable information on any further terrorist threats . There are enough indication that ISI is involved in activities aimed at destabilizing India and we are talking about sharing information on future terrorist activities with the same establishment. The problem with Pakistan – The civilian government is toothless and the real power centre lies with the Army and ISI. All the talks by the democratically elected leaders can be only diplomatically correct but not reflecting the ground reality.

4. “..Pakistan has some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas ”

 If they have any information on threats in Baluchistan , bring it on. Send a dossier to the government based on facts. Till then no point in making statements based on no facts. The very mention of it without facts in the joint statement itself should have been protested by India.

5. “Action on terrorism should not be linked to the Composite Dialogue process and these should not be bracketed. ”

Wonder why ! All talks so far has not lead anywhere. We have seen years of talking only to end with Kargil wars , Indian Parliament attack and Mumbai attack. Dialogues must be linked with terrorism. Terrorism is the main agenda and the foremost one. There should not have been no talk without bracketing terrorism but India lives optimistically ever with the hope Pakistan will live up to the promises. History has proved time and again the optimistic hopes have only been crashed with each terrorist attacks. Yet , India gives a long rope for Pakistan to pull itself again.

Realistically any dialogues forward should happen only if Pakistan acts on the perpetrators of 26/11  Mumbai attack. Will Pakistan act ? Honestly , I don’t think so .

I am nameless , voiceless , defenceless . I am the comman man of India , collectively called. I speak 1,652 languages. I am Hindu , I am muslim , I am Christian , I am Jain , I am Buddhist , I am Zorastrian , I am even atheist , I am fair , brown and black. I practive many diversified cultures. I belong to various races . Even if I like it or not , i am forced to tag along many caste names. With all this diversities existing ,  my own common identity is am Indian.

I dont speak and at times when i speak it does not matter. None takes my words seriously. I am neglected mostly. I am abandoned mostly but do not have a wrong impression that am not powerful . Infact i weild mighty power but I am too absorbed in my personal affairs individually that collectively am weak in most matters. I build the nation. Like individual bricks , I toil silently , I sweat out , I dream big , our personal toilings collectively build the nation. Still I have no voice when i represent collectively as a common man of India. Strange isn’t it ?

I loathe the police . I fear them at times . I chastise them at times. Still when I see them lay their life for the nation , I share the grief silently. Why ? Cause there is a common man beneath those police suits. That common man arise at times to give his life for the nation without second thought. Be it an ordinary cop or the decorated officers. I can be seen in them.

The spirit of common man arises as a phoenix in the name of policeman , in the name of business man , in the name of professor , in the name of Jawan and many more profession . This spirit is what sustains my nation. The never dying , never given up , inspiring spirit of the common man of India ,  the resilent nature of the common man of india ,  the common man’s love of India , my dream of India is what makes my India tide away one more and one more and yet another crisis that it faces.

Still there is one section of me who fails me again and again . Its is the policians of India. Infact it is ironic to know that I , the common man of India , become a politician . Still once I don the political cap , I distance away from the common man within me. Call it a split personality. India will be a much better place if the common man of India still remain a common man of india when he becomes a politician. I , as ever optimist still believe it will happen one day.

I , Common man of India , is a dreamer , is an optimist to the core , I bear the pain silently , I may be wrong at times but mostly good at heart , I still know how to smile during most painful period , I still love my nation and shall always love my nation even if I feel neglected mostly cause India is not just a land but its the spirit of me , the common man of India.

For all those who try to kill me I want to tell something : India is in my spirit and the spirit never dies.

Thanks to Wednesday movie for the topic title. I borrowed the line from the movie , Wednesday . After the deadly Delhi blast on Saturday , watching wednesday struck my conscience. The movie reflected the current thought that must be going in most of our minds.

Am Angry . Am Anguished. Am sad .Am hapless Am emotionally drained. AM NUMB . – This summarises my mind after seeing the dance of terror and blood and cries and hapless citizens and a inefficient government clueless to handle the menace of terrorism.

Weekends are not the same anymore with the terror saturdays haunting the mindset . Crowded weekend streets of cities are not carefree to walk , eat or shop . There is a lurking tune of blood and scare back of everyone’s mind.

But what do we do ? Our life has to move on . We share the pain for few hours when we watch the news in TV and goes ahead with our own life. Our politicians know , we will all go ahead with our own problems of life and so that they can bother more of their vote bank politics rather than tackling terrorism till the next bomb blast somewhere in some city in some street .. and they have now a standard by hearted statements to make (definitely they would have got used to it after many many blasts now )

So we live in a chalta hai attitude . We go ahead with our life . Media cheers our resilence . The spirit of mumbai , the spirit of bangalore , the spirit of delhi , the spirit of hyderabad , the spirit of ahmedabad . The spirit of resilence that makes the city bounce back the normalcy the very next day . The media “claims” that the city is resilent .

But the stark reminder as the movie Wednesday says : THE COMMON INDIAN MAN IS RESILENT BY FORCE AND NOT BY CHOICE.

2007 ended with yet another dance of music to monster called “Terrorism” . Benazir Bhutto , the tall leader of Pakistan was the latest victim to the ugly mess that Pakistan finds itself in.

 So , Why am i writing about a leader of my neighbouring nation ? Do i like her ? Does her policies impress me ? Does her leadership motivates me ? The simple answer is NO. But then why am i writing an article on the slain leader . The latest tragic incident at the end of the year which is marked by terrorist attacks and tensions across the world in the line of religious fire wakes us up to the chillness of the events to come in 2008 . Terrorism is a big ugly monster , made by human , nurtured by human and a monster turned against the master. No one is immune to it now. Not even its masters. No money seems to be enough to safe guard it. No education seems to curtail it , taking in account even educated youth joining its syndicate. No ammunition enought to kill it. Governments seems to be fighting an unending battle. And i dont see any logical conclusion to it. We are fighting with bullets but the monster seems to be feeding on the bullets and reaching greater proportions. I think world needs to do a soul searching on its means of tackling this monster. The methods we follow now can keep the monster at bay to an extend but not completely get rid of it. We need to think a different methodology “collectively” as a human and not as a religious person or american or european or Asian . It needs a collective approach of the people to fight it. Belive me , if we see it as a clash of civilization – We are to be DOOMED.

 BB doesnt represent as a leader in this article but yet another soul sniffed by the monster like millions who have lost their lives . The only difference is she being a known face and a leader captures more media space and debate and some soul searching and blame games and condolosence message from global leaders .