Anniversaries We Mark

When the world was simpler and people naive, anniversary was about birthdays and marriages. We all waited with bated breath for our birthdays to come or our parents' marriage anniversary to arrive. We were simple people, drawing happiness out of these special little days of the year. Even for institutions with bigger canvas like a state or a nation, anniversaries were meant to mark historical days of achievement, freedom, success and martyrdom. Our very own Republic Day, Gandhi Jayanti or even US' 4th of July celebrations are some shining examples.

But things have taken a drastic turnaround now. Now, it is all about how you play up to the gallery. Your actions are no more melody of our own, but have become a collective cacophony of sorts. In the era of digital revolution and media crusade, anniversaries are meant to gain mileage or wield a weird symbolic punch. So, we mark 10 years of the horrific 9/11 attacks in a manner that is bound to encourage more of such cowardly acts. We remind them of their 'heroics' and inspire them to seek further 'revenge'.

Media is the oxygen of terrorism. Those who mastermind bomb blasts, terror attacks do not just intend to inflict damage to life and property. Their ultimate wish is to create panic, infuse fear and insecurity in the minds of the people. The all-powerful media of our times, falls prey to this dirty tactic of terrorists and adds fuel to already blazing fire. Non-stop coverage, the feeling of city/nation being under siege, that helplessness, blood, gore and tears on screen.

It is because of this, I think, anniversaries like 9/11 should not be observed with such fanfare. Why give them another chance to strike by gathering around the place that was once struck? Will Obama's speech will make any difference to those who lost their loved ones ten years back? What's the wisdom behind throwing your security apparatus in tizzy every year around 9/11?

Has the world changed 10 years after 9/11? I am not sure. Blood bath continues in Iraq, Afghanistan. US' War on Terror is far from over and light years away from success. Americans' frantic 'pat down' at airports continues. Yes, it has served them well. But, they are not breathing easy. And you are not a victor till you can breathe easy. The only success, if at all, has been the killing of viagra powered Osama Bin Ladin.

Some media researcher remarked few years back, "There would be no terrorism in this world, if there was no media." I do not fully endorse his view but, yes, his remarks forces me to ponder. Forces all of us to ponder. Terrorism resembles showbiz in many ways. There is media attention & scrutiny, glamour (of different kind), fanfare (of different kind), appreciation and emulation (of different kind). With so much coverage and footage already being dedicated to terrorism, least we can do is to do away with such symbolic anniversaries. I thought Osama's burial in sea marked a new dawn of smartness for the American Mind but alas they have flattered to deceive, yet again. They still talk of 'credible but unconfirmed threats' of terror on eve of 9/11 anniversary.

Those 102 minutes, we must forget. Why just on September 11, that tragedy should haunt us all the time. Silently, we should mourn and resolve to emerge stronger. Our happiness and safety lies in our hands. The more noise we make, more vulnerable we are, in this world of great insecurity.

The Usual Suspects

No, it can’t be destiny

It was never meant to be with me

No, it can’t be irony

You need a meaning for that to be

I am sixty-year young

And I bleed blue

But all this while

Blood has gained a red hue

Inflicted pain, the recurring remorse

I have taken it all in due course

My modesty is often outraged

And I feel like a bird who is caged

What shames me is not the pain

Nor does anyone’s loss or gain

The fact that we often take it in stride

A feeling that we could have better tried

Pointing fingers is all we do

Some throw a bomb, we flung a shoe

Why we fail to nail the issue

Grope in the dark to find the clue

Blame it on history or someone’s felony

Innocents die, all we express is agony

Malice is stretched out wide with deeper root

Leaves are green, that healthy red shoot

You shroud it with mystery, calls of whodunit

And Find heavy black bag with electric circuit

Wait till dogs bark or intelligence intercepts

Till then we can blame The Usual Suspects

Why Mumbai? Again and Again!

Five terror attacks in less than two decades. Since March 1993, Mumbai has periodically witnessed terror attacks. The immediate backdrop to the 1993 blasts was the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the riots in the city. Why is the city being targeted again and again?

Mumbai is a thickly populated city that has a large 'floating' population. People come in and go out of the city frequently. Making it very vulnerable to terror strikes.

Cities like Mumbai and Delhi will always be prime terror targets. Mumbai is India's financial capital. An attack in the city would shock the nation as well as attract global attention.

Due to high population density, the terrorists get their desired 'impact'. Number of casualties rises; even a low intensity blast can claim numerous lives.

As rightly put by a former official, "The population of the city makes it an easy target for the terrorists. The idea behind these kinds of terrorism is to spread fear. As such, the target of the terrorists is the average citizen, which is not difficult in Mumbai."

Also, the floating population in Mumbai is high, which makes policing a tough job. “It is difficult to put in place long-term safeguards in a city like Mumbai and the police have to rely largely on the network of informers and intelligence inputs,” she added.

But does this mean we will have to live with this 'reality'? Should we think, just like rains, Mumbai would have its share of annual terror attack?

I am too shocked and hurt to think of a solution.

Keep reading this section for more.

P.S.: Mumbai, famous of for its unshakable spirit, has already taken the attack in its stride. BEST buses and local trains are bustling with passengers, the overnight rain has washed away the blood, healed the wound. Perhaps.

(With Inputs from Hindustan Times)