Friday 5 December 2008

Candlelight vigil for Mumbai victims!!!!!!




HI all
Yesterday there was a Candle light vigil organised here in London by Sewa International, an organisation which strives to serve the South |Asian community in UK. I got a mail couple of days before the event, inviting me to take part and thought that i will some how adjust my shift n go, luckily had my weekly day off yesterday and went ahead as planned. The event was just outside the Canary wharf tube station, which is the financial hub of London. Though it started at 17.30 hrs, i reached a bit late and soon took sme pictures and joined the crowd. It was a mix of people, with predominantly Indians with quite good number of Britishers too joining in, as this was apolitical vigil for Peace and to show solidarity with the victims of the terror in Mumbai. No one gave any political speech or shouted any slogans, it was a very peaceful vigil for almost an hour and at 18.30 everyone left their candle in a row, paying homage to the victims of the deadliest terror attack ever on Indian soil.
I watched the other candle vigils that was coordinated throughout the country in many metros, including Mumbai, where there was a huge rally and everyone, mumbaikars from all walks of life have come down to pay homage to the victims and also sending a strong message to Politicians and the government that "Enough is enough".....though there was huge outcry against politicians and how corrupt they are and the mood was unanimous that they want change......i totally agree that everyone wants a change, but everyone wants the change to be brought in by the other person......the truth is, the change should start with us - The People.....How many of those people who attended these candle light vigils, who work in government offices will be willing to change, as in work without taking any bribe??????we want our politicians not to be corrupt, but we the people dont want to change ourselves. If the people change, stop taking bribes, the terrorist wouldnt have obtained fake fishermen ID cards and would have never madeit to Mumbai, wouldnt have obtained SIM cards, wouldnt have got any information on any place or person......its time for us - The people to wakeup and change ourselves first before asking for change in others. Will the people change????only time will answer........
My next observation was to the demand by the public in all these rallies to attack the terrorist camps in POK and some even demanded an attack on Pakistan. I can understand their anger, some have lost their dear ones, many have their dear ones injured and everyone are scared of living a peaceful life........But is that a wise option for Government of India?????Yesterday i was chatting with one of my closest freind and he too want us (India) to attack the root, the terrorist camps in Pak, like how Israel does in Palestine on Hamas camps. It is possible, but will it yeld permanent peace???Actually, No....it will dd more fuel to these fundamentalist ideas and more and more people from rural Pakistan will be moored in by these fundamentalists and will turn them against India as Mujahideens.......more and more pakistanis will be willing to give their lives to do anything against India, which is not the case now, as majority of the people of both the countries wants peace and development. Rather, Government of India should use its mighty diplomatic power to pressurise Pak govt to act on the evidence that we provide against these terrorists and their camps in Pakistan. We should submit all the concrete evidence to the world and unite the world to pressurise pakistan to act.....As we all aware the state of Pakistan, as they themselves are fighting terrorism, as there are quite a lot of fundamentals, who dont like Pakistan army fighting hand in hand with US in war on terror, thatswhy there are so many suicide bombings and the best example is the killing of Ms. Benazir bhutto. The Civilian government doesnt have full control on its army and ISI, both of which have their own agendas in the way they function.......read this -
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Battling_jihadis_India_has_few_options/articleshow/3794488.cms

We live in the world where religious terrorism have spread across borders and it have gone to the extent that it is very difficult to eradicate. The only way forward is to be resilient and dont blame any religion or sideline a particular communtiy. The government should do its job of protecting the citizens of the country, by tightening the security across borders, setup emergency response infrastructure in major cities and zones throughout the country, strengthen local police with training and proper modern equipment, so information gathering is very efficient and there is co ordination between security agencies in sharing and acting on information. More armed police or army on the streets is more scary,as if we are in a battle zone like Srilanka or Israel or Afghanistan..........the aam aadmi also have a role to play in reporting any suspicious activity to the local security agency, rather than giving statements to news channels about their earlier citings and suspicions on the terrorists after they have done their job of causing damage and fear in the society.........
My point is, the people should wakeup and dont just take part in candle light vigil, but be vigilant in day to day life and inform of any suspicious activity to the respective agency.........with hope for change and peace..........

2 comments:

Vijay Sivaram said...

We should just hit the root i say... just train a few guys of our own and blast those camps.. possibly dawoods as well...

what say!!! If the ISI can do it why not the RAW.

Unknown said...

Hi Gops!
A gud initiative to bring like minds together. It is true that everyone of us are responsible.
And everyone needs to change their view... The "chaltha hai" or "what for me" attitude has to change. Official bureaucrats who indulge in taking bribes do not worry about the serious damage that will follow. The fit for nothing politicians should be taught a gud lesson.... on the whole the personal "attitude" change is required.