13-Jul, 2011 - yet another set of bomb blasts in Mumbai. Around 25 killed, more than a 100 injured. News channels cover the event. Displaying the same tape over and over again. I have lost count.
Few minutes later, people exchange messages, make calls, across chats discuss about each others’ safety, update statuses about being safe or probe about others.
Friends from across countries message, e-mail, ping asking about our safety and we reply, "Yeah! All well. Why? What happened?" And they remind us "Obviously, you were not close to the bomb!"
The Result - Jammed networks. Understand the concern, but it doesn't help.
14 July, 2011, 8:30 am - People get back to routine, fighting the rains, complaining about late trains, trying to get to office... et all...
Damn Mumbai never stops.
Doesn't stop to realize that we have become insensitive, indifferent, accustomed to everything including Terrorism, Hijackers, Suicide Bombers, deaths and bloodshed!
Same day, few hours later - this gets funnier. People write mindless details on social networking sites, post black profile pics, etc. thinking that it will represent the rage and that this will make a difference and stop - Terrorism. Some may have planned another candle march already. This will only get crazier, you bet.
When I question a friend, asking how changing a display picture on your cell phone this will help - This is what I get in response – “Oh this will bring us closer, unite us, bring an awakening that we are all together at this time of crisis.”
Awakening! From what - our slumber of insensitivity, our hibernating indifference, from what? and for how long? only till the click of another button – till you forward it to someone else and you think your job is done of awakening yourself and one more. Doesn’t sound that easy, or does it?
Indian literacy levels may have soared on graphs, but we are Aghyanis still.
And why? May I ask? Because we think that it’s the job of the Govt. and the Govt. thinks that we should have be more alert and so on. And the interneducated few, who think that their job ends at the click of a button. Then a few who actually get up and walk the candle march. But what after that? No disrespect for anyone’s feelings, but for the sheer inaction. Not only for this bombing but for the history behind us.
If ever they celebrated Kasab’s birthday in this way (if ever the fwd about his birthday was true), then to you Kasab, and the likes, and to the ones who don't deserve another lungful of air - May you die every moment, and may every moment be filled with excruciating hurt and regret.
And to those too, who have kept him safe and secure, the bigger Aghyanis, I am at loss of words.
From,
Another Indian,
Another indifferent Aghyani,
Another 'just standing and watching',
Another 'don't know what to do to stop this' and
Another 'even if I am willing, I don't know where to begin.'
