Recently another catastrophe hit Mumbai, not the usual bomb-blasts or floods but an all out attack against the city. It’s quite shameful that the word “usual” has to be used for occurrence of ghastly acts. This just epitomizes the mind-set of people in the financial capital of the country, who have gradually gotten accustomed to such acts happening now and again. The media went overboard with their coverage, bringing out every small detail in the open during the 60 long hours, which have perhaps written a new chapter in Mumbai’s history. This time Indians all across the world, and particularly in Mumbai, were enraged to the core, and this anger and frustration was given substantial visibility through all forms of media. Politicians have been rightly blamed by every Indian for not being able to stop the recurrence of such acts, and not having the appropriate government machinery and proactive measures in place to deal with such events. In fact the absolute negligence on their part in spite of receiving several warnings has added fuel to the raging fire.
No doubt such a revolt against politicians by all Indian citizens is justified, but I somehow believe that issues facing not only Mumbai but also our country are beyond this attack and all the other devastations put together. These issues have to be looked at the grass root level and resolved over a period of time. The major issue facing us in my opinion is the mind-set of people in this country. Ultimately it’s the people who decide the fate and future of any country. What is worrying is the fact that it’s not just the older generation whose mind-set creates problems but also the present generation which is considered far more educated and progressive.
I remember speaking to one of my friend who visited Malaysia for an official trip. She told me that on one particular day while she was site-seeing, she bought a candy bar, opened the wrapper, had the candy and threw the wrapper on the road. An old Malaysian lady saw this and picked the wrapper in front of her and disposed it in an adjacent garbage-bin. She felt quite ashamed and henceforth abstained from such acts while she was in the country. Well, I am sure once she would have been back to India she would have continued with her old ways. We, even the highly educated lot, have gotten so used to such acts like throwing items on the road, as though our country is a BIG LARGE dust-bin. I wonder how many people would litter their homes rather than using a dust-bin. From what I gather, these acts not only show lack of civic sense but also utter disrespect for our city and country. What’s the point of chanting “Jai Hind” and “Jai Maharashtra”, when this is the level of respect we have for our land during our normal routines.
We all know that one of the biggest problems which have always faced our country has been the issue of Population Explosion. This has been a major topic covered during academics, where the economic effects of having a large uncontrollable growth of population have been covered in detail. I recall a discussion with one of my friends who insisted that post marriage she would like to have two children. I asked her to state the reason for having this number in mind, and the response I received was that it’s a norm and the first child may require company. I was quite flabbergasted by this response. Do the people in our country not realize how this uncontrollable population of ours is impeding our progress? When we are aware that this has been the single largest problem, then how can the present generation justify such thoughts? Don’t we think about the state of our country and how adding more people to the abundance can further slow-down our growth? Can’t we promote the concept of adoption, when the orphanages in the country are spilling-over with children waiting to be adopted by a family who can provide a stable and secure future? If China can take aggressive measures to control population growth, why can’t we do the same? Have the authorities thought of the resources and infrastructure we need to have in place considering the present growth rate?
Well I’m sure, people may wonder that what civilized behavior and population growth have to do with the terror attacks. The point that I am trying to drive here is the level of respect and concern that the people of this country have for our land and its people. This general attitude has resulted in absolute negligence on the part of every citizen who could have prevented the attacks from occurring, whether it was the intelligence agencies or the politicians!
Another problem which exists and would continue to exist is that - with politics being considered a defamed profession, the youth of this country would never look at it as a lucrative career-option. We do not have the brilliant young minds, be it from IIT’s or from the IIM’s, participating in drawing out a progress plan for India. Most of them would definitely prefer a high six-figure salary and a comfortable lifestyle by taking-up a white-collar job abroad. In such circumstances the legacy of Indian politics has a bleak future. Why do the people of this country blindly vote for the government and not demand having higher-caliber talented individuals for key positions?
When we say that our politicians have failed us, I do agree with the same; but what have we done for this country besides focusing on our families and individual lives? Indians have inherently developed a sense a belonging only towards their families and social circles, and we are unable to think beyond this. Religious and cultural diversity does not put us in the center-stage of greatness! If every Indian thinks first about the country, the city and then their near and dear ones then I’m sure most of our issues would be resolved in times to come. Just contributing in minor ways in our daily lives would be sufficient to term us as “Responsible Citizens” of this country, a country, which has tremendous potential. Let’s work towards it!
No doubt such a revolt against politicians by all Indian citizens is justified, but I somehow believe that issues facing not only Mumbai but also our country are beyond this attack and all the other devastations put together. These issues have to be looked at the grass root level and resolved over a period of time. The major issue facing us in my opinion is the mind-set of people in this country. Ultimately it’s the people who decide the fate and future of any country. What is worrying is the fact that it’s not just the older generation whose mind-set creates problems but also the present generation which is considered far more educated and progressive.
I remember speaking to one of my friend who visited Malaysia for an official trip. She told me that on one particular day while she was site-seeing, she bought a candy bar, opened the wrapper, had the candy and threw the wrapper on the road. An old Malaysian lady saw this and picked the wrapper in front of her and disposed it in an adjacent garbage-bin. She felt quite ashamed and henceforth abstained from such acts while she was in the country. Well, I am sure once she would have been back to India she would have continued with her old ways. We, even the highly educated lot, have gotten so used to such acts like throwing items on the road, as though our country is a BIG LARGE dust-bin. I wonder how many people would litter their homes rather than using a dust-bin. From what I gather, these acts not only show lack of civic sense but also utter disrespect for our city and country. What’s the point of chanting “Jai Hind” and “Jai Maharashtra”, when this is the level of respect we have for our land during our normal routines.
We all know that one of the biggest problems which have always faced our country has been the issue of Population Explosion. This has been a major topic covered during academics, where the economic effects of having a large uncontrollable growth of population have been covered in detail. I recall a discussion with one of my friends who insisted that post marriage she would like to have two children. I asked her to state the reason for having this number in mind, and the response I received was that it’s a norm and the first child may require company. I was quite flabbergasted by this response. Do the people in our country not realize how this uncontrollable population of ours is impeding our progress? When we are aware that this has been the single largest problem, then how can the present generation justify such thoughts? Don’t we think about the state of our country and how adding more people to the abundance can further slow-down our growth? Can’t we promote the concept of adoption, when the orphanages in the country are spilling-over with children waiting to be adopted by a family who can provide a stable and secure future? If China can take aggressive measures to control population growth, why can’t we do the same? Have the authorities thought of the resources and infrastructure we need to have in place considering the present growth rate?
Well I’m sure, people may wonder that what civilized behavior and population growth have to do with the terror attacks. The point that I am trying to drive here is the level of respect and concern that the people of this country have for our land and its people. This general attitude has resulted in absolute negligence on the part of every citizen who could have prevented the attacks from occurring, whether it was the intelligence agencies or the politicians!
Another problem which exists and would continue to exist is that - with politics being considered a defamed profession, the youth of this country would never look at it as a lucrative career-option. We do not have the brilliant young minds, be it from IIT’s or from the IIM’s, participating in drawing out a progress plan for India. Most of them would definitely prefer a high six-figure salary and a comfortable lifestyle by taking-up a white-collar job abroad. In such circumstances the legacy of Indian politics has a bleak future. Why do the people of this country blindly vote for the government and not demand having higher-caliber talented individuals for key positions?
When we say that our politicians have failed us, I do agree with the same; but what have we done for this country besides focusing on our families and individual lives? Indians have inherently developed a sense a belonging only towards their families and social circles, and we are unable to think beyond this. Religious and cultural diversity does not put us in the center-stage of greatness! If every Indian thinks first about the country, the city and then their near and dear ones then I’m sure most of our issues would be resolved in times to come. Just contributing in minor ways in our daily lives would be sufficient to term us as “Responsible Citizens” of this country, a country, which has tremendous potential. Let’s work towards it!
The surprising bit here isnt the fact that this was an intrusion (it was one among many which happened this year and before!!)but the way we reacted to this one.(nonchalant)
ReplyDeleteYou kinda get a feeling that we are trying to get used to such incidents and going by the unnerving spirit of the Mumbaikars, i am trying to forecast how soon will the last straw fall which breaks our severed backs.
The same day that the world media was covering this pain by the seconds, I was on a holiday trip to Chicago (bad timing..u may say) at the airport security check. It seems the authorities had upped their security purely in anticipation and we had to go through a special security check.
Though brief, I could very well make out how the US and the rest of the world was reacting to this ghastly incident. (just in reaction to 5 lost yankees). This was one side of the reaction, the other bit were the reactions of our angrez folks expressing their sadness at this unwanted loss of desi lives.
Let me get the population explosion factor into perspective. Whats the point of all this so- called manpower when we just lose hundreds and thousands for nothing, without as much as a whimper from the powerful.(despite a loss of corporates and senior cops..we never cared for lakshman's common man anyway)
These jihadis (give them any name or group),should be complimented for their focus, consistency and successful attempts(no matter how disgusting the rationale may be)
So much so for the world reaction.
When will we understand the worth of human lives in this game where we are playing our own so called "successful" and dreamy game of intellectual volumes (our young minds.) with the rest of the world.
Lets talk about the solution, "Responsible citizens" (all of us feel that way..our response-bility is evident in our responses)
How many of us would oppose wrongdoing in public???, its the little incidents which occur daily where we need to show our courage and righteousness.
Our spirit has always been of compromise and adjustment and the greatest of all..fear (cops and politicians). I dont say that we are entirely to be blamed as individuals but we have let that feelin grow inside us over the generations...barring an exceptional few who pop up once in a while but are ultimately stranded at the end of the day despite their courage
Lets break our shells (especially the so called intellectuals)and try to be more consistent with our actions and reactions.
Its well said by the wise that each thought (positive/negative) flows into the ether and the cumulative effect decides the outcome of a situation.
This is what cultures and tribes are built on..rise up..lets start this new tribe of heroes. (wake up the hero within)
and so much for freakin history!!