Saturday, November 29, 2008

Where is our PM?

Everyone seems to be writing about the Mumbai attacks and even though I may be repetitive I would still like to talk about this.
As I checked my emails today morning, I recieved an email from my college condoling the loss of 2 students from the 2007 batch. I felt very sad for them. Then I moved on to read the various blogs my friends have written here and discovered about this to-be-married couple on Nisha's blog. Turns out this is the same guy from my college. I visit their wedding website (they were to get married on 6th Dec) and I can't describe my feelings. My heart goes out to this girl who has suddenly lost everything she had planned for. So many dreams, so much to look forward to and then suddenly everything has changed.
Every person who lost their lives in the Mumbai attack has a heart breaking story. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's mom cried inconsolably when his body arrived in Bangalore. The NSG Commandos, Maharashtra Police, Hotel staff and Army - all have earned the respect and love of the people. We thank them for all they have done to secure and help their people.
But in such trying times, one expects the leaders to come forward and offer something to console their people. What did our PM do? He came on TV, read the speech from the teleprompter, no emotions and no authority in his voice whatsoever. Everytime we are told to calmly bear the situation. Why are we never told "Don't worry we will go after them. Wherever they hide we will find them and destroy them. They have killed our innocent people, they have attacked our people in our country and they will not go unpunished for this"
First they bombed the trains, then they attacked the parliament and now they come and kill the top Police officials and many more innocent people - and all that the PM can say is be calm? Is this some kind of a joke? We are paying taxes to the country for getting a proper infrastructure and a decent security. Are we getting back any of it??
All public places in India have a security system in place. Hotels, airports, malls, cinemas - we are serached everywhere. And the citizens are very willing to cooperate. All these places have armed security personnel standing outside. Still no one could stop these terrorists from entering the hotels/railway station/restaurant? The amount of ammunition they were able to take inside the hotel is not funny. The ammunition lasted with them for the entire 40 hours. I read in a Gulf News article yesterday that when a policeman entered Taj immediately after the terrorists entering it, he was already crying that he had only one bullet left in his rifle! We know such things are happening time and again, so why are they not properly trained and properly equipped? Sending them out to battle, without proper training and equipment is like ridiculing their precious lives!
If a citizen fails to pay proper taxes, the govt imposes various penalties etc on them. What are the penalties for a govt not taking care of its citizens???

15 You Spoke:

Mampi said...

Very pertinent question that you raised at the end? And what is the penalty of the leader of the opposition spitting out venom at the cost of the tax payer's money too?
That website broke my heart. The countdown will go on, no matter what. But the countdown will be-to nothing.

Indian Home Maker said...

Oh my God! This is so terrible! May God give her strength.
So much has happened in such a short time, I have thought of nothing less (and who has in this country?)... like right now, Shobha de is saying, "We don't want 'talk' anymore ... if you were directly affected you will be singing a different tune!" She is lambasting the politicians for leaving the citizens naked by taking away the citizens security.
I also was disappointed by Mr Man Mohan Singh's speech first, then a comment on my post made me wonder if we haven't become too bitter after these repeated attacks - maybe we need good practical workers instead of charismatic leaders.
Too many good orators have been taking us for a ride.
But maybe we should demand solid action, and accountability .... just rambling, this is all so disturbing.

Salomie said...

I don't have the words to express my horror at that couple's fate, so I'm not even going to try ....

As I post this comment, CNN-IBN is having a debate show and asking similar questions to what you've raised: who is accountable for this mess? Who accepts responsibility?

my space said...

this has been a nightmare...my daughters classmate lost her dad ..everytime i think of his wife i shudder..it could have been me! the mere thought is terrifying..i dont want to get into the blame game..but seriously i feel helpless cos i dont know what to do??how can we ensure a safe city??
I read a statement by Aleque Padamsee and i absolutely agree with him..he said "our politicians are so incompetent ,I wouldnt employ them as a peon at my workplace!".. and here they are ruling our country jus cos we dont vote sensibly...but then beggars cant be choosers..there are no options..

DeeplyDip said...

@Mampi: that's the sad part...we tale everything lying down...hope some people wake up with this tragedy atleast...

@IHM: Ya everyone is voicing similar opinions. But well we neither have charismatic nor practical leaders - we only have opportunists here. I seriously feel that at these times if the leaders take a tough stand it comforts people. And ofcourse this oration needs to be followed by a well thought out pragmatic plan...

DeeplyDip said...

@Shalom: All media channels and everyone around is talking the same thing...We pay salaries to these people and they are actually accountable to us...we have never used our rights properly...

@myspace: This is not a blam game but a rage amongst every Indian...and hopefully this time people will not use the election day holiday to go for a trip somewhener but actually vote. A for the dilemma on who to vote I'm sure these circumstances will bring out some deserving people who would like to do something for their country. This is just a start for us and a good one I'd say because we have alteast come to realise what we want and what we are not willing to take any more...

Keshi said...

Very good post!


**If a citizen fails to pay proper taxes, the govt imposes various penalties etc on them. What are the penalties for a govt not taking care of its citizens???


thats a very powerful qn! I hope the Govt has answers...I dun think they do.

This is the same story in Sri Lanka.


Keshi.

Reflections said...

I'd like to think that this disaster has woken the govt up from a deep sleep. Making Chidambaram the HM is a step in the right direction.
Now to see where it leads.

Good post!!!!!!!!

Nisha said...

where is the award!?sorry too busy to read anything else :P

Razigan said...

May be...... giving bribes.... As far as politicians are concerned, If they do good, generally they are punished

Unknown said...

Seriously!!! Where on earth is he?!?!!! Well said. This is such a terrible thing. I am hoping for change.

D said...

Our democracy is for the politicians, by the politcians and of the politicians! So forget about any accountability.

DeeplyDip said...

@Keshi: Yes this is a very sad situation for a citizen of any country.
Life is worthless for a common man.

@Reflections: I am not sure if making Chidambaram the HM would solve the problem.
The govt is still not awake – but the people are and that will make sure these people perform. Did you notice that the public anger was so high that Deshmukh and Anandachutam came out in public and apologized?? That is the power of people being together and voicing their opinion…if this continues, the politicians have no choice but to perform…

@Nisha: Left the address on your blog…take your time…I know there’s a lot going on…by next month you will have all the time in the world to do just this ;)

@Razigan: True. Some of the good people in this profession are outnumbered by the bad ones…

@Writing for Crows: Yes hopefully this is the turning point for a better tomorrow…

@D: True. But I see a hope here. If the movement carries on the way it is right now, the politicians are in for a bad time. They will seriously have to perform this time round…

Unknown said...

yeah hope is all we have left, and then our lives.

Salomie said...

You've been awarded ..... :D

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