I suffer from short term memory loss. I vaguely remember 26th Nov. Some gunshots in CST, Leopold's, Nariman, Taj and Oberoi. Some dead and some alive. Then again, I can recall just a few glimpses of the 3rd Dec protest at the Gateway. A 35-something lady telling me not to forget anything. A 40-something man holding the Indian flag and yelling at everyone to come back on the 1st month anniversary. I can still hear his hoarse voice.
I was there at the Gateway on the 26th Dec, one month after the Mumbai attacks. I was one of the 30 odd fools, all of whom collectively suffer from short term memory loss, given the case that all of us forgot we were Indians and that at the end of the day, "khaana-peena-sona" is what matters the most for us.

On the 3rd Dec, as I still remember, albeit my mental condition, there were around 10-20 groups or organizations, all claiming to be working to bring the administration to books. Only one turned up a month later at the gateway.
Jaago Mumbai or Jaago India, they were not sure on the name.Its okie though, names really don't matter. When Jaish = Lashkar = Jamaat = ISI = Jihad, I don't care if Jaago India = Jaago Mumbai. At least they said they are trying to create an umbrella organization to support all individuals and groups fighting terrorism.

I would like to acknowledge the contribution of Aamir Khan in making me so aware of STM. Or was it Dyslexia? Oh Memory loss at it again!!!

Neck Deep in trouble, we are. I have been waiting for a national address or at least a widely covered press conference from the PM, or the President assuring citizens, but that is not happening. Instead, we see a reluctant new Home Minister, saying there were lacunae in the security setup.
Thanks, Mr. Chidambaram for enlightening us.
What Next?
Where is the action plan?
How many days does it take to devise one?
How many more bodies will we count?
How many days after the Sept 11, did the US take to bomb terrorist outfits in Afghanistan?
And, did they take our permission?
How many times will we parade around the world with our proof of Pakistan involvement? Don't you know nobody cares?
Why demand Pakistan to take action? They cannot set their own house in order!
Why go to the UN? Who is the UN, by the way?
Why ban organizations? We banned LTTE, I can see how much that helped. The US banned Al-Qaeda. They must be laughing their asses off somewhere.
Come on, Mr. Chidambaram, you are one of the most learned men in the parliament, a Harvard alumni, We have our hopes, expectations.

Loved this article on rediff. http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/dec/10mumterror-8-
things-india-inc-govt-must-do-against-pakistan.htm


Here, in Mumbai, two people seem to be completely missing from the political picture. One is Raj Thackeray, and the other of course, is Bal Thackeray. Right after Babri Masjid was demolished, Thackeray, gave a provocative speech from his residence, Matoshree, calling for ethnic cleansing of Mumbai. This time, he is quiet, not because he is old, but because he knows and fears like all of us, if they can come to the Taj, Matoshree is not so far off!

3WW?

This is India's WTC?..3rd World War?..

Last night a friend sent an SMS which had content like.. saluting the brave soldiers who died fighting the terrorists. Jai Hind! Pass on this message..At least we can do this much..

Yeah, we can forward a text message so that mobile operators can cash in on the SMSs sent.
At least we can do that..

We can allow businesses in most parts of the city to go on as usual, even in this situation, so that our clients elsewhere in the world do not get affected. We can later claim to be "the Mumbaiites", from a city that has an undying spirit..
At least we can do that..

We can allow news channels like India TV to show any crap they can get their hands on.Of course, we are a democracy, we can claim to have an independent media which can run after victims for bites on the terror they'd have faced..
At least we can do that..

We can create websites and portals for webbies to light virtual candles, to pray, for peace, for souls who lost their lives, for those who lost their loved ones..
At least we can do that..

Give me a break..
We need to grow up..At least we can do that..

27th Nov 2008

The other day..one of my neighbours wanted me to change the keeping place of my dustbin, and I fought for my space rights..I accused him of invading my privacy..After all I have the right to
decide where I keep my things and who's he? An outsider? Who gave him the authority?

Today, I feel helpless, restless, sleepless..

Yesterday, someone invaded my home.. "Mumbai" has been my home for three years now..Someone ruthlessly..killed my family, my friends, held captive my fellow citizens..snatched my peace of mind..trampled the serenity around me...took my freedom away....

I cried..but that does not make me feel any better..because thats so unlike me..I feel like holding each one who is responsible for this by their collar..okie frankly..by their hair..and beating them black and blue..till they say they wont dare to do this again to my country..to my India.

But..where do I go? whom do I accuse? The terrorists, who have ambiguous identities? or the politicians, who are more interested in Vada Pav business? The State police, who is not even equipped to fight what is actually, international terrorism? The Center, who calls an EMERGENCY CABINET MEET 14 hrs after the attack? The Maritime Security? The ATS?

Please tell me where should I go? Whom should I ask? Listen to?

Can anyone answer my questions, please?

Through all this mayhem, I remember a song I learnt during my schooling, ( Paloma Blanca was a country fighting from freedom)

Ooola Paloma Blanca....I am just a bird in the sky...
Ooola paloma blanca....over the mountains I fly..
NO ONE CAN TAKE MY FREEDOM AWAY.....

But,

Is anyone listening?