About 10 terrorists occupied the centre stage of our national consciousness challenging us, an entire nation of 1 billion people. They shook us. Especially people in cities are insecure and baying for the blood of those who should have prevented this.
The misguided and indoctrinated youths who took on the might of the Indian State did not come to kill a few hundred people. They came with the target of weakening the spirit of India by accentuating the divides between communities, halting the wheels of progress, fueling the insecurities and fear among the people. They do not like to see a rising, prosperous India.
Till recently, none of the terror attacks managed to shake the confidence of the country. The media gave the lead, extolling the spirit of India and the country reverberated with, “We are one and none can shake our spirit.” After the recent Mumbai blasts, however, the refrain of the media is, “Enough is enough. We are disgusted with the politicians and the system.”
The entire country is echoing with, “Enough is enough, hang the politicians”. We are prone to exhibiting a herd mentality at crunch situations.
Here lies the problem. At times, we applaud the politician for playing to the galleries and whipping up passions, spitting venom and fire on people based on their caste, religious or regional roots. One day it is the season for hero worship of the politician and on another day, it is time for pelting abuses and stones at the entire lot of them.
Look how this mentality even consumed the father of the slain commando, Sandeep Unnikrishnan and led him to drive away the Chief Minister of Kerala from his home.
When an upright police officer stood up and conducted an impartial enquiry into terrorist links of some religious leaders, there were top political leaders casting aspersions on the integrity of the officer. Hardly anyone stood by the officer then.
Today, brave individuals in India are rare. We have to value and preserve upright police officers who do their jobs fairly. We have to applaud the honest, hard working politician because that again is a rarity. We have to thank the heavens for giving us a judiciary at the highest level with tremendous strength and backbone. India is alive and kicking because of people like them.
Just as a few mad young people could induce feelings of despair in the minds of people, these rare individual leaders carry the country on their shoulders and give us hope. We have to treasure them.
We tend to praise the dead, or praise them after they win acclaim in foreign lands. We follow, not lead. How I wish that we had more Indians with innate strength, people who know it is no use hero worshipping when each of us has the capacity to be heroes in our own right. Standing by what is and who is right. Till that happens, our country will go through cyclical periods of applause and abuse.
We are now dry fodder for any terrorist. They must be a happy lot. Where is the spirit of India?
I wish we made some effort to get out of the thick envelope of gloom and recriminations. Let us not allow the terrorists to steal our thunder. We have to stand tall as individuals and as a nation. And prevent them from wounding our national psyche.
It is ultimately an individual choice.
Image Credit: Hamed Saber
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December 4th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Hi Babu,
A good article, well said. I fully agree that at this hour of crisis we should be cool and maintain the ‘Spirit of India’.
However I will also supplement by agreeing with the youth that we will do the right thing at the right time, that is trouncing the terrorists from Indian soil and waters and building a firewall so that they never dare to venture again.
It is also very pertinent that we (Govt.of India) insist to hand over the 20+ most wanted from Pakistan (these criminals shuttle between Pak, Dubai etc.). Mr.Zardari has denied to do so while stating that Pak will trial them in their courts and punish if found guilty, which is not acceptable to us. We all know that the 1993 Mumbai Blast was masterminded by Dawood and his bro Anis. similarly all fool proof records are available with our intelligence dept. about the remaining 19 ones like Hafeez, M M Sayeed etc.
If Pak, UAE and such other countries who shelter these criminals are ready to cooperate with us, our job will be easier, else war is the only answer and solution.
If our ‘cleaning square’ can take up this noble act, I am ready to be the front runner even at the cost of my life.
Warm regards.
P K C Rajah
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December 12th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Hello Babu,
Exxcellent article.
After the terrorist attacks,most of them talked about war,about polical foul plays,about security,but none about the Spirit of true India – which is actually the most important thing to be restored now, not the fallen buildings,or Minister resignations, its the true Indian spirit that needs to be resurrected.You made a very good point,I highly appeciate it.
Its more important to make india as a country of Integrity,waging war under a rage with out the existing inflation being controlled,will end us in total devastation.Trust our Govt in whatever action it takes now,( though i didnt vote for Congress in the last election and shall not vote in the next) they are all in politics for decades and they are intelligent and experienced and would take a decision which would prove good to nation.Our politicians may play around for public attention and winning votes but they would not play with a national calamity like this.Jai Hind.
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December 15th, 2008 at 1:47 am
I couldn’t agree any less on how poisoned these young minds are. One wonders whose fault is it. Is it the parents, the schools they were educated in(Literated rather), or the adolescent friendships they made. It’s easy to blame and get away. But this is now a disease and has to be treated as one.
Maybe it’s time parents also see if their young ones are influenced easily. Or can they stand their own and be firm on decisions. This psychological test that we all tend to do on each other should especially on young ones have an outcome.
Very soon it will become easy to defeat the spirit and all will be too late. Maybe such a diagnosis and result should be published along with the portfolio and biodata of each Politician for us to make a well informed decision.
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