My Thoughts on 26/11 Attacks

Mumbai City has always been effervescent and astir, it is known for its never-dying spirit that keeps the city alive and it is this spirit that gave lot of courage to fight its battles in the past. Again during those days, Mumbai was hit by regionalism and casteism, dividing the populace into Mumbaikars and Non-Mumbaikars. Despite this Mumbai was operating at its agile pace. 26th November 2009 was a lovely Wednesday morning and yet another quotidian day for Mumbaikars who started their daily chores with full vigour and vivacious mood. Local trains were flooded with people, dragging them to their final destination; streets were busy with regular traffic, offices working till late hours and an exciting India-England Cricket match to cheer about. Suddenly at about 9.00 pm, news spread across that 10 young Terrorists had besieged Mumbai at CST Station, Hotel Taj Mahal, Oberoi and Nariman House which shocked the entire country and Mumbai came to a standstill. There was complete chaos around the besieged area with heavy gun-firing, grenade shelling and pool of blood all over the place. Over viewing the situation, curfew was declared by the government of Maharashtra within no span of time. Not only Mumbai city but whole of the country was under consternation. Terrorists clandestinely entered our city with fully equipped weapons and were mentally prepared to destroy the city for days to come. They had the delineation of the whole city especially the places where they attacked. Police officials were clueless as they had come across this kind of massive brutal attack for the first time in the history of our nation. Terrorists were omnipotent and had complete control over the situation which made them unassailable to the police officials. It was difficult to estimate the number of persons who were on the barbarous mission to annihilate the whole city. Everyone was scuttling helter-skelter with panic all over.

I was working in the office till late hours along with few other colleagues who were busy watching Cricket match. I had to rush home and settle at peace. I was struggling to get a cab as it was complete dark and all the offices were shut. I was fortunate enough to get hold of cab driver who was unaware about the untimely attack as he too was busy hearing cricket commentary. He took me to churchgate station which was my usual halt where I had always boarded train for my home. The time when I reached station, a phone call came from my home describing the whereabouts. Fortuitously, I managed to reach home without any hassles. Phone calls, sms’ were getting exchanged all over the country as everyone was distraught about their loved ones. All the eyeballs were glued to television channels hearing about distress spread all over the city. Our police officials trying to battle out the situation with lot of courage and stress but were futile. Many innocent citizens were killed mercilessly; several others were captured inside the hotel and at Nariman house. Situation was getting worse as news broke that top officials were hit and lost their lives while encountering the terrorists.

24 hours were over and still the war was on with terrorists becoming stronger and more ferocious. NSG commandos were brought to clasp the entire situation. Soon our soldiers took their position and cordoned off the surroundings of the hotels, CST station and Nariman house. Our soldiers were grappling with the situation with robust, stout and vim. Each move was drawn with lot of cautious approach and life was imbibed at every footstep. Special emphasis was laid to attack the terrorists aggressively, at the same time be defensive and save human lives. The whole city was in mayhem, there was fear all over the place. News channels brought every possible bit about the terror activity. Our dauntless commandos were marching ahead and posting victory at each hour. One such brave commando was Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was valiant, unflinching and heroic who under his leadership saved lives of not only civilians who were trapped inside the hotel but fellow colleagues too. It was hapless that he lost his life while encountering the terrorists for a long span of time. He was an inspiration and a martyr, for him nation’s interests were more important than anything else even larger than his own life. More than 48 hours were over and finally strike victory over the enemy with lot hustle-bustle.

Over a span of 4 days, Mumbai city was brought to complete silence with disheartened citizens screeching and screaming for support. Scores of human lives were rampaged with remaining ones to mourn for their dear and loved ones. Our Country’s intelligence system faced a drastic failure with government to accept the defeat against the poor representation of the political bureaucracy. 26/11 was declared as black day in the history of our nation which could have been prevented if effective measures were taken before hand. After math, government took pre-eminent measures to strengthen the security of not only Mumbai city but India. Congress sacked Home Minister- Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister- Vilasrao Deshmukh, just to draw away the attention of public from the inefficacies of their leaders as it was election time which would have put them on the back foot. One year down the line, it turned out to be political gimmick with both of them reigning position in the cabinet ministry. After attacks, Life has been a smooth transition for those who were not affected directly or indirectly but life has come to a grinding halt for those who have lost their loved ones. Someone or the other lost his or her father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife or entire family. Many of them lost bread-earners of their family. For them government and others have not brought any valuable change to live upon.

Are we prepared to combat yet another 26/11 or such external calamities? I personally see a lot of loopholes in our country’s security system. To strengthen the security we must remain united politically, judicially and free from all casteism and regionalism. Why British were successful in penetrating India? They adopted divide and rule policy and made us poor both in financial and economic terms. Terror attacks not only strew the nation’s unity but also weaken her financial strength. We must not let any neighboring nation to transport back DAR Policy. Enemy will always devise strategies to break through the country’s security and especially when technology to produce modern weapon has become readily available in today’s internet age. Gone are the days when people were illiterate, unemployed and impecunious which impressed them to become terrorists on account of religious preaching. Today’s terrorists are ingenious, quick-witted, educated; belong to affluent families and mentally more robust. To challenge them, we must build our technological infrastructure so sound that our soil becomes inaccessible. This can happen when our intelligence system would be van guarded by a martinet who has fostered his life under such exigencies and not by lackadaisical politicians. The question arises in each one of us mind is how to generate funds to build such a large force that would be technically equipped with more advanced weapons and ammunitions to confront the tussle. I feel that if nation exists, its populace exists, if populace exists, its welfare exists. I strongly recommend that significant portion of the tax that we all pay should be contributed towards the security of India. If our country remains safe, every other priority such as improved education & infrastructure, eradication of poverty and illness will follow. Also we must make our judicial system so expeditious that justice could be provided to the victims and punitive action against the cruel accused within quick span of time. At the same time, government should establish training camp for schools, colleges, corporate, institutions, and hospitals to tackle such terror situations. Police personnel should be provided more empowerment to take impromptu decisions inorder to wrestle with such situation. Externally, each nation should crop the root cause of terrorism by attacking the terrorist base camps in their respective territories. Para-military forces should be deployed where majority of the camps are installed and accordingly extirpate them.

To conclude, let each one of us be more vigilant, work towards the safety of our country and make a better place to live in. Empowerment comes with unity; it comes with holistic approach towards common goal. United we stand and divided we fall. Let us vow that we solidify ourselves to withstand any kind of terror attacks in the years to come. JAI HIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

जहाँ भी जाता हूँ वीरान नज़र आता है,
हर जगह खून का मैदान नज़र आता है,
यह क्या है कैसा है,
न उजाले में भी न इंसान को इंसान नज़र आता है

Illuminating Lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!