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Nothing gets past Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. Immediately after the 13/7 blasts, he told the media that this was a “coordinated attack by terrorists.” He reached this monumental conclusion by inspecting the incidental fact that the blasts happened around the same time! Indians everywhere are feeling proud at having such incisive minds at the helm of affairs.
Many Mumbaikars, in fact, took to the streets to celebrate the nation’s political and executive pantheon.
‘Look here,’ said Pandurang Kamble, a goldsmith’s assistant who works 15 hours a day smelting the precious metal, ‘this is just the third time that Zaveri Bazaar has been blasted into smithereens. I can confirm that because I’ve been working here for 52 years. Only three blasts in that period. I feel lucky to be protected to such an extent from the vagaries of terrorism.’
Sajid Mohammad, who runs a tea-stall in the vicinity of the Siddhivinayak temple in Dadar, not far from the site of one of the blasts, cannot agree more.
‘It takes courage to point out the happy truth at a solemn moment,’ he said as he cleansed used glasses of cutting chai. ‘When the rest of us were grieving over the charred bodies, Chidambaram pointed out that we haven’t had a single blast in 31 months! I tell you, we Indians don’t count our blessings and I’m glad that someone is ready to teach us to do exactly that.’
‘Our security apparatus operates at Six Sigma level,’ added Sahadevan Namboodaripad, a software engineer who recently returned from an onsite stint in Atlanta. ‘Just take the example of this blast. It must have taken, what?, Two and a half seconds for all three blasts to trigger? So the city was unsafe for those two and a half seconds. But, what about the billions of seconds in which Mumbaikars are kept safe? Is anybody counting that? Six Sigma, I tell you.’
Thankfully, Sahadevan’s optimism is not isolated. It finds an echo in Poonam Lakhani, an office assistant who works in Nariman Point.
‘I stay in Vakola. My husband and I are saving for our son’s education, so I avail many modes of transport to reach home. Last evening, as I was about to leave the office, I thought I heard a damp squib go off. People told me that a bomb had exploded outside Opera House. Was I scared? A bit. But then, I remembered the spirit of Mumbai. I walked slowly to Churchgate station. No blast on the way. I caught a slow local to Santa Cruz. No blast inside that either. And then I took a bus to Vakola. Again, no blast. My husband and son were safe, waiting for me. Really, we sometimes miss the forest for the trees. I cannot tolerate those sceptics who point out that 92 blasts have rocked Mumbai in the past 20 years. Hello? Only 2500 people have died so far in all the blasts put together. More people have been electrocuted by naked electrical wires in the same time.’
Harpal Singh was sitting idle inside his taxi when the blast occurred outside Opera House. He knew that the brave rescue efforts of the law-and-order machinery would be hampered by peak traffic conditions. So he ferried the wounded to the closest hospital. Being this close to the epicentre has not shaken his confidence.
‘I’m glad they’ve placed all metros on high alert. You think this is like bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted? What rubbish! You know, I meet pessimists like you every day. I know exactly what you’ll tell me next. That this is an intelligence failure. Let me ask you: can you have a computer failure without a computer? How then can you have an intelligence failure without intelligence? The Home Minister has made it quite clear: we had no prior intelligence on the blasts. And you still want to blame him?’
Indeed, Indians from other places are astounded by the level of trust Mumbai is placing on its security personnel.
‘Tukaram is a hero to me,’ said Victor Rasquinha, pointing to the potbellied constable snoozing under a tree in the Chembur Golf Course area. ‘Don’t go by his 40-inch waistline. The other day, I saw him slap a teenager for not paying a 50-rupee bribe. The boy couldn’t move for five minutes. I daresay he can kill a terrorist with his bare hands. Agreed, he might have trouble chasing him down the street, but that’s what we’re here for.’
Meanwhile, those Mumbaikars who’ve relocated to other parts of the country and the world are feeling jealous.
‘I feel that the whole terrorism thing has added a dimension of excitement to the city,’ said Singapore-based Lakshmi via email. ‘It must be like living on the frontline. You’re tallying accounts in your dinghy office and the smell of gunpowder hangs in the air like the memory of a callous ex-boyfriend. How romantic!’
I, Eshwar Sundaresan, a Mumbaikar in body, mind and soul – a freak who continues to love the city of his childhood and youth – hereby hope that the above article will be used by the ruling coalition during the next elections. Last night, I sat down to dinner, switched on the TV and saw familiar gore on the screen. The morsel in my hand remained suspended for a long time. I then decided to substitute my solid diet for a liquid one. Once I had emptied a tall bottle, these optimistic voices of Mumbai came floating towards me. So they must be true. Just like the competence of this government. Just like the feeling of safety we people in the subcontinent have gotten used to.
Eshwar Sundaresan is a writer, freelance journalist, ideator and entrepreneur. His works are Googlable.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Nice work Eshwar !!
The terrorists have no religion or country, so bringing in both is a miscalculation. The terrorists do not care for anything or anyone. Terrorism is a menace and it should be wiped out.
I second your thoughts Awais… These terrorist dont care whether u r a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian when they fire a bullet.
its high tym that the literate society of both indo and pak should place their common issue i chil who dying out of hunger in islamabad and delhi doesnt pronounced as indian or paki but human..its the human values should be taken care of blast of anything in india or pakistan reflects the sentiments of people we are not inhuman treat us like human .. the path of violence should be discussed among people to people not let politicians to let decide our fate .. from a human being
Brilliant,tasteful satire.By the way,I strongly feel that we shouldn't be blaming the Authorities(government and security agencies) all the time.Rather,we should make Quick Improvements and outsmart the terrorists.Winning the battle against terror will take time,but it will happen.Amen!
Terrorism is a problem that plagues India and Pakistan equally and both countries armies, intelligence agencies, police, etc cannot protect us.
Excellent article my brother… Salute to the spirit of mumbai….
Sad that we Indians do not learn from our mistakes & keep expecting our elected representatives to protect us.
The author is treating this disaster as a project failure. 9/11 happened but we heard nothing of the sort in the US, why then does this continues in India?
Dude, US is US and India is india. Please don't equate the two. What Us has got in more than 300 years of democracy cannot be expected from 60+ years of freedom of India or Pakistan. We have not been able to solve the hunger problem of more than 25% of our population. Think again dude
An Indian Dawn Reader
Why cant they target these corrupt politicians. Indians politicians are much worse then their Pakistani counterpart. They have exploited the people for many decades on the basis of caste, regionalism, religion. How long will the common people suffer. We need a revolution where humanity, development, good quality of life should come first. I went back to Mumbai after 7 years, man the amount of Garbage on the streets was so high that many bomb can have safe heaven.
Peace Earth!!
My family, as a victim of terrorism in Peshawar, I can level with the people of Mumbai. Just can’t think of a reason why someone would take the life of an innocent human being, regardless of his/her religion, age, nationality and skin color. It is a shame that we are getting less sensitive to cowardly, violent events like terrorism. I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to the people of Mumbai.
Lakhkar bhai, salam and peace to you from a Mumbaiite. I pray that your family be always safe from mayhem as much as I pray for mine and other common innocent citizens of both India and Pakistan. Khuda Hafiz
We are all living in the same world and facing the same threats. May those who have passed away in this tragedy find peace, may those who have survived them find the strength to go on. May our governments find some sense.
For a change this time there is no finger pointing OR blaming ou neighbour
People seem to realise that this is our problem now and we have to find a way out
As Mr Bachan say people have to think themselves as police & keep alert & vigilant
Innocent people, who are not at all concerned with politics and who are struggling for their bread and butter are unfortunately the victims of terrorism. May be in India or Pakistan.Those living in protected bang lows are unmindful.What is achieved by this ? Only personal loss.
Trying to trivialize the extent of damage caused by blasts by saying that more people die yearly of electrocution than blasts is not a correct comparison. Accidents are a totally different case, and blasts are different.
These blasts are planned by people with malicious intent, they choose to kill random, innocent people. They do not even know who they are killing, they just want to maximize the damage.
I am telling this from experience, lost a close friend last year in the German bakery blast in Pune. Believe me its a horrible feeling. You know your friend is dead, somebody killed him, but without any of his fault and nobody knows the killer. You wonder what my happy go lucky, young friend had to with the rivalry between the two countries. There is anger, there is frustration, there is helplessness. Its totally different from losing somebody in an accident.
Your point is well taken, but unsecured electrical wires are also a form of random untargeted killing that may not be malicious but certainly callous and preventable. In fact I would include all our fast food restaurants and soft drink companies who for the sake of profit sell unhealthy food to our children. Millions of people die unnecessarily every year from cancer and heart disease. Those lives are as valuable as the ones killed by terrorism. Both India and Pakistan will face a catastrophic health crisis that will kill millions and negate all the economic growth. At least we can predict and prevent those but we don't seem to care.
Diamond bourse was supposed to be shifted over ten years ago to a gigantic complex but the traders did not do so. With so much of people in these areas, apart from the the Govt., shop people should also be careful. Look for any suspicious activity like some one pretending to repair, unknown people loitering around etc. It is better not to crowd unnecessarily as it increases loss of lives. Mumbaikars are very brave and will carry on well and my heart goes out to those families that have lost dear ones. Te Govt. is responsible but I don't know how to avoid blasts by determined terrorists as the whole country is at risk.
As a Pakistani, who witnesses bomb blasts and gunshot-related tragedies on a daily basis. I can image the devastation you must have gone through. No matter how far or few in between or even how frequent. A tragedy does not have a time bar or an immensity meter on it. It is at the end of the day a tragedy and requires courage to recover from. From Pakistan to India, may God grant you the courage to overcome this. May the wounds heal, both physical and psychological.
Thanks Sarah! God bless you too.
Thankyou Sarah for your kind words.
Appreciate your words Sarah.
Cheers!
Ashok
Thank you Sarah for the kind words. It is such a pleasant surprise to hear sane words coming from Pakistan online community. I follow a website zemtv.com to keep abreast with whats up in Pakistani media and often find only uncharitable remarks by Pakistanis in very vulger language. Your words came as very pleasant surprise. God bless you, long live Pakistan as our neighbour
thanks a lots
Thank you Sarah.
Sarah you just showed the human spirit, thanks for these soothing words.
thank you sarah yor are a beutiful soul!! god bless
Thank You Sarah, and God bless you too!!! I am an avid follower of Dawn online and have realised that the youth in Pakistan have the same ideals as their Indian Counterparts. But it seems like only the educated urban youth, The rural majority are influenced by the Mullahs and the Imams with religious bigotry and fanaticsm, It is the challenge that the educated and if I may use the word "enlightened" lot, such as you to do everythhing in your power to educate these people. That is your only hope for your country and for mine too, so that one day we will emerge to the fore in every sphere among the comity of the nations of the world. Inshallah!!! lets do everything we can to make that happen.
Look at the garbage heaps in and around the busy city corners. It is quite easy for the bombers to hide 'even nuclear bombs' at any part of the city. Then it is only a matter of triggering them at busy hours to ensure maximum casualities. All Indian cities literally stink with heaps of garbages. If at all, India cares for security o life and properties, the first step would be ensuring reasonable municipal services. Don't you see Palaniappan Chidambaram and Mah CM smiling ! "The municipal services are the responsibilities of local government in Mumbai City. Well, we will send out a strict government circular"
I dont understand why islam has followed the path of violence in the recent history -were tolerence has gone- why not the younger generation takes the vital steps to make a change
Rajesh, Islam has not followed the path of violence, Anti-Islam has. Giving murderers and terrorists a religious face itself unfair to a religion.
dear sir,
it is not islam that teaches violance but other religions like HINDU religion or christianinty or judaism
see what u did with the down caste hindus what u did with muslims what u did with christians what u did with sikh all with religious hatred.please also see how usa is doing with muslim in Iraq and Afghanistan and other parts of the world.please read your own historty impartially u will learn the truth.
zia khan
sir
terrorism don,t have any caste or religion. religion do not support violence Both hindu and muslim are victim of terrorism . religion should not be blamed .It is just poltics that indian govt blame pak and pak govt blame india for terrorist attack ,if we want to remove terrorism then first we should stop to blame each other We should remove these narrow domestic walls of religion and caste And peace should be our ultimate aim ,
om
Rajesh, I am a Hindu and I seriously do not agree what you say here. Violence done in name of religion does not make the religion bad, it is the individual who is coward and evil who uses religion to shield himself by gathering community support in case he is vindicated by people of other religion. Racism in any form sold not be tolerated and it is very much needed in all of us to not provoke religious sentiments. Provoking religious sentiments always diverts the real purpose to find a culprit because then you provoke the innocents too. I hope you will fix your attitude and make sure you dont pick on any religion
@ Zia : I understand your response was to rajesh. But I request you not to judge any religion with a limited knowledge and abstract knowledge. Religions are not evil, its always the fanatics who do not understand religion right or who wants to cover their crime under false religious inferences who makes it evil. So as I request Rajesh, I request you too my fellow blogger to resist provoking religious sentiments.
Rajesh, Islam has not followed the path of violence, it is the nut-cases who are paranoid and see threat in every corner and their motto is to eliminate any threat.
The sarcasm comes out so well. Superb writing.
The peace talks must continue. South Asia must unite. Open trade, even same currency. But seems like the west would never let this happen. One way or the other, some how the tension is created. The west is scared of the union between indo pak.
Rightly said Ali, dividends of peace is prosperity for both India and Pakistan.
Sarcasm tinged with irony. But people have no choice but to be resilient and move on. Time is inexorable, and demands that people trudge along despite hurdles and shocks. To halt time is to die. A nation can be deprived of many things but hope is all it needs to seek a better day.
Mind blowing peace of work…salute my people…and the forces that protect us.!!Jai hind!!
excellently penned..A condensation of human nature in a few lines. Though such generalizations may be misleading at times you have really done a wonderful job of conveying what you wanted to say while avoiding the pitfall of being too opinionated.
from the heart – the flow is very natural…:)
I am sure Mr. Chadambaram can't beat our Mr. Malik. As far as terrorism is concerned our security apparatus is totally incompetent and lacks even the basics to avoid such tragedies. Pakistan has been having 9/11s almost every month and what have they done to preemept even a single attack? I guess nothing except for the rhetoric.
Malik ji
Believe me, there is not much difference between Pakistan and India. Ek hi Thali ke …. Both the nations are corrupt and have zero regard for human life. No matter how many times we part and divide the two nations, logic and common sense will never prevail. Quality of life is more important than these stupid talks about nation, honor and religion.
SACHIN what a fantastically refreshing comment sir. Why can't more people like you come to this site with such wonderful thoughts. So refreshing sir. Thank you.
Sachinji very good statement, Quality of life is important than nation and religion.
Sachin thanks for such excellently clear perception of human life. We should appreciate life rather than sacrifice of it for any cause. Each Hunan life is more important than all the causes of the world put together.
Mr Sachin you are right both nations suffering, and our so called leaders and dictators of both countries enjoying and making money… rightly said few fanatics in India and Pakistan do not peace to prevail. They want tension all the time as it suits their politics. May be they have joined hands,
and someone helping them to join together,we know!! that's why still there is no outcome of pak india talk since last 63 year…God Bless our nations.
Mr.Chidambaram has done a fantastic job since taking over as Home Minister. After the last attack in 2008 in Mumbai, this is the next one and for the country for the whole, one can only recollect German Bakery blast in Pune that killed 8 people. The terrorists had their way this time but hundreds of incidents where intelligence catches people before hand go unreported. Even this time CCTV recording is available and something will come out of investigation. It is not fair to compare intelligence agencies that work so hard to compare with imaginary Tukharam etc. I see video cameras everywhere in public places like railway stations, roads etc. all over India and have also seen police working 24 hours monitoring them.Several states in India have gone without terror incidents for decades and Mr.Chidambaram has worked very hard to upgrade intelligence at all levels. I am not related to him or a friend or belonging to his party. My comments come also from meeting a senior police official.
Kanak – I do not agree with you. Mr. Chidambran is busy doing politics but has failed as home minister. He is good for nothing.
Sachin – I agree with you 100%. QUALITY OF LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN NATION, RELIGION.
Every human must be respected and should get oppty to lead a peaceful happy life.
People of India and Pakistan – Do not get fooled by these old politicians. They have history of dividing people and ruling them. We need young politicians who can also elevate our quality of life.
The issue is not simple. The issue is trust. Common man does not trust the Govt – politicians and babus alike. As a result they would not report anything suspicious as they do not want to get involved. The common man is the ears and eyes of the Govt. Otherwise be ready for a police state.
Remember KGB?