Many of our mates have enquired if we were ok following the recent Mumbai attack. Although we are nearly 1500km away, we were shocked by the violence of it all. It is beyond me to understand why would anyone should unleash such violence on anyone. However, one wonders in a region where religions and great ideas were floated freely not very long ago, many violent incidents are happening on a daily basis. This region had openly invited anyone who wanted to be a part of it. Yet there is so much violence today. I am also adding mental violence to it- promoting differences, caste, classs, economic, etc. The old thoughts in the subcontinent were that all religions must be secular, spirituality scientific and business social. Suppression, exclusivity and fear are making the region violent. More inclusivity would make the region more peaceful. Would this happen? I doubt it. Such differences, I think, have been responsible for foreign domination. There is a saying in Tamil கூடி வாழ்ந்தால் கோடி நன்மை. This nice rhyming statement means you live together and there are millions of benefit.Wasim Akram, one of those brilliant Pakistani bowlers, made some sensible statments. He says that he considers India as his second home. I doubt if any Indian cricketer would dare say that.
There were also a number of high political dramas after the unfortunate attacks if you had not already read about them -
- a Chief Minister was driven out of the house of a slain soldier,
- Another Chief Minister announced cash rewards for soldiers while the commando operation was going on,
- Politicians commenting about the frequency of such incidents,
- Condaleeza Rice visiting at an unfortunate time and blaming Pakistan, etc.
However, the most disturbing aspect was the media using what could be termed "embed" method. The media was almost alongside the fighting commandos. Some channel even broadcast a telephone conversation with a terrorist. Media liberty is fine but I expect them to be responsible and sensitive.
Soon after the Mumbai attack, some magazines commented that the commandos did not have basic, atleast in these modern times, equipment. One item that attracted my attention was the helmet worn by commandos did not even communication ear plugs! I hope this is not true since almost any motorbike rider in Australia seems to have it.
There were also others who pointed while such attacks were being carried out on a daily basis on poorer populations in India, the entire country is being 'outraged' because a few rich people and their properties were attacked. While this is cynical, there is some truth in it.
What I would like to see is a single India that is united, being inclusive, ready to accept others and their opinions, and make useful contributions to the world. An inclusive India is also very essential for the betterment of this world.
Picture - a waterfall near Ooty.
