When Terror Strikes We Need to Strike Back

The attacks in Mumbai on 26th November need no introduction. They made front page news all across the globe...unlike the many many other terror attacks India has more than often been a victim to. Indians have died on trains, in markets, while watching movies, in hospitals, on the road and pretty much any place imaginable. 26th of November was not the first time Indians were attacked, or our security was questioned. Yet, there was something different this time. I think it was the magnitude of the attack...and like on a show Simi said the audacity of the terrorists...the targets chosen...it was not just the aam junta this time. 

Indians have for a change reacted strongly about this event...and questioned their leaders...leaders who said aise bade sheharon mein aise choti baatein hoti hain...leaders who make the visit to the attack sites look like an excursion with an actor son and his director friend tagging along...leaders who at every chance try to divide us based on caste, religion and region...leaders who have security every step of their life...and this security extends to their family as well...leaders who have never been able to unite to fight terrorism... Don't pay your taxes some said...vote for better leaders others said...stay out of this we will deal with it many said...unite at least now Indians asked... 

It has been over a week...and what has happened? Many peace marches have been held in cities across India...something I think became a fad after RDB. Ministers have resigned and been replaced (there are still quarrels with other ministers not happy with the replacements). Speculation of the operations conducted and India's way ahead have been discussed on many news channels by different panelists like Mahesh Bhatt...and basically anyone who is willing to talk. India has blamed terror groups in Pakistan and Pakistan has asked India to get over their Pakistan Obsession. Ms. Rice has flown down to India and Pakistan to help us sort issues. And hopefully today after 60 years of independence and maybe at least 2 decades of terror attacks...most of which are still unsolved with criminals gallivanting all over the world...India has decided to come with an agency like the FBI. Life goes on...hopefully in the direction to achieve something concrete...and to punish people who were involved in terror attacks in India. But when I think about those 3 horrifying days...of all the helpless families and friends of the even more helpless people stuck in the 2 hotels...I wonder...so much loss...for what? This is a war for a cause we don't understand. 

We'd like to believe it is a Muslim thing...but many Muslims don't understand the cause either. And I don't understand what was achieved at the end of this... Couples who went for a quiet dinner at some of the best restaurants in the world lost their spouses...or left their children orphaned...as the GM of Taj helped his guests...his wife must have looked helplessly as she saw the fire engulf her home and knew she would not be able to save her children...and one of the sadder stories of a Muslim home destroyed with all the bread winners dying at the CST... The pathos of these events definitely scarred me...and terrified many Indians. Indians feel unsafe and are scared for the lives of their loved ones. 

The hijack threats that came in within a week of the Mumbai attacks frightened Indians all the more. I believe there were sms's in Bangalore saying malls have received terror attack threats. Many friends of mine think it is better to be safe. So why use domestic flights...why go to malls...why watch movies? There are discussions of war with Pakistan...taking out the terror camps where these men were trained. But I think the most important thing when striking back is to not be afraid...is to not let these groups to make us stop living our lives. We need to be stronger...we need to stop panicking...we need to stop thriving on fear... This attack has to bring more progressive change...and fear is regressive...that is the last thing India wants today. Finally I salute all those brave men who fought the terrorists...and not just the ones from the police or NSG...even the ones trapped, held as hostages...survived or lost their lives. They are all heroes...

A Vacation of Many Firsts

I am back from my last trip home before the wedding. This holiday promised to be quite high on emotion - you know the whole I am getting married and I have grown up and I will be someone's wife and I will be part of a new family. All the traditional thoughts that go through a girl's head before D-Day. But things took quite a drastic turn...and I had a very high dosage of emotions this time round. 

A day before I landed in Muscat, Appa had a heart attack. Amma kept the news from me till 3 hours before I boarded the flight. I don't think I reacted to the news...ever. I mean, I just didn't know how to react and maybe by the time I had digested the news there was so much to do...that there was no time to react. Walking out of the airport and seeing appa and amma's excited faces has always given me a thrill. In fact I have taken extra care to what I wear and how I look despite odd flight timings. Everytime I land appa hugs me and says You've lost weight :) I must tell you that appa and ajji are probably the only people who feel that...I always tell appa not to be loud coz anyone around will definitely not think of me as slim girl. This was the first time in the last 15 years that appa was not at the airport to receive me. 

Ma was there with friends...but appa missing really tugged at my heart. That was the first change. Ma and I chatted on our way home...I asked how all this happened. It was a very normal conversation...no one was emotional...just dealing with the situation. We got home, rested and then after a couple of phone calls from friends who had heard about appa, ma and I left for the hospital. 

Appa has been in hospitals before...but funnily I have never seen him in one. Appa was in the ICU when I first met him...he looked happy. He was definitely enjoying all the attention everyone was showering him with...but this had certainly rattled him. Ma was her usual calm self...more focussed on what to do and how to do it. The first week of my vacation was largely spent at the hospital. 

Once appa came home things were much better. It was the first time I had spent so much time with appa as he was under complete rest - no office, no evening walks and no socializing. While appa was under complete rest, amma was fulfilling her duties by being Super Mom. Along with managing the home, appa's health and diet, amma was single handedly driving me around town from malls to tailors to the spa and the souq. I knew she was tired...but she wanted to ensure that I had got most of my shopping done and that at the end of it I had a good holiday. 

The Gowri pooje was the highlight of the holiday. Amma managed to organize a get together in 2 days. We about 20 odd friends visit us that day - some old and many new. For a change I was showered with all the bride-to-be attention...and I quite enjoyed myself. My last Gowri pooje at home before the wedding...the reason for me planning my trip at this time of the year. 

The last 2 nights, we also went out to Kargeen and Pavoreal for dinner. My holidays home are never complete without trips to these restaurants. Poor appa sat most of the evening without eating at all...quite a tough task for a foodie like him. Saying goodbye was the hardest. I just didn't want to leave them this time. 

It was the first time in many years that I cried at the airport...something I didn't do even when I was 12. I guess that was the first time I reacted...

Getting married, for reasons I do not know, is always an emotional phase for a girl. I knew that my life in these months would change and I'd be running through so many feelings and emotions. So yes in a way I was prepared...but when you see the first man in your life down...there is something that is scary and unsettling about it. Then when your mother is being strong for you and him and her parents...not once saying what she is going through with complete honesty...you see who you will have to be in the future...which now doesn't seem very far. 

My holiday wasn't the joy ride I had expected it to be. But despite the drastic turn of events, just the time with appa amma was worth all the change of plans which I never take too well to. I will cherish the time spent watching movies with appa, the visit to the spa with amma and the last day when appa amma helped me pick up my lehenga for my wedding reception...I guess a trip home is always great...no matter what...