Sunday morning, here I am. One of the few days when reading the newspaper is a delight. Even though it may be the most hyped and irresponsible one. Its an eventful one today with after-reports and comments about the terror attacks et all.
But refreshing as always is the column of one of the most respected columnists. He has spoken about anti-incumbency wherein a party is generally not elected by the public for a successive time due to their failure to fulfill promises. I say why can't we bar them from electing in the 3rd term in case they are in power in term 1 and fail to get elected in term 2?
Maybe difficult to implement but something on these lines can be done...
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Mumbai meri jaan
Another terrorist attack is over. Again we lost a lot of lives. Again the media comes out blaring at everyone. Again sympathies pour out from all corners. Again the Indian PM and US Prez condemn the attack. Again Pakistan pledges support in the fight against terror.
So whats new?
A lot of things. Never before has the city been held hostage for over 48 hours. Never before has the entire nation been watching news channels like a live cricket match. Some top cops have lost lives. Some of the most prestigious symbols of this "progressing" country have been tainted. Some top honchos like CEOs and other elite have lost lives. Some foreigners have lost lives. Many of them were held hostages.
So what difference does it make?
Well knowing there had to be another attack, I would have chosen one of this magnitude. Not one of those small blasts that claim a pitiable 3-4 lives. But one that would keep all of the nation's armed forces at work for days together. One that doesn't give the Mumbaikars the chance to get back to work in a few hours and celebrate their spirit.
Only this could really shake up the people and the governments. Only this would ensure some extreme steps against terrorism. Some extreme steps to ensure responsible governance. Of course I am being optimistic. What are the odds that this will be forgotten in a few days? But in a country like India, one cannot do away with hope.
What I would like to see is Taj always carrying the bruises from this attach to serve as a stark reminder. What I would like to see is Raj Thackerey keeping his mouth shut for a while since nothing better can be expected from him. I would like to see Mumbai become more capable of dealing with these issues. I want to see a Mumbai that can compete with Shanghai or Hong Kong. I would like an India that competes with Japan for technology, one that competes with New Zealand for natural beauty.
In the midst of every difficulty, lies an opportunity. We need to find the one that is present here.
Salaam Mumbai!
Jai Hind!
So whats new?
A lot of things. Never before has the city been held hostage for over 48 hours. Never before has the entire nation been watching news channels like a live cricket match. Some top cops have lost lives. Some of the most prestigious symbols of this "progressing" country have been tainted. Some top honchos like CEOs and other elite have lost lives. Some foreigners have lost lives. Many of them were held hostages.
So what difference does it make?
Well knowing there had to be another attack, I would have chosen one of this magnitude. Not one of those small blasts that claim a pitiable 3-4 lives. But one that would keep all of the nation's armed forces at work for days together. One that doesn't give the Mumbaikars the chance to get back to work in a few hours and celebrate their spirit.
Only this could really shake up the people and the governments. Only this would ensure some extreme steps against terrorism. Some extreme steps to ensure responsible governance. Of course I am being optimistic. What are the odds that this will be forgotten in a few days? But in a country like India, one cannot do away with hope.
What I would like to see is Taj always carrying the bruises from this attach to serve as a stark reminder. What I would like to see is Raj Thackerey keeping his mouth shut for a while since nothing better can be expected from him. I would like to see Mumbai become more capable of dealing with these issues. I want to see a Mumbai that can compete with Shanghai or Hong Kong. I would like an India that competes with Japan for technology, one that competes with New Zealand for natural beauty.
In the midst of every difficulty, lies an opportunity. We need to find the one that is present here.
Salaam Mumbai!
Jai Hind!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)