Hope and Love for Bombay

Last week, someone set fire to my home. Last week, someone made me feel like I wasn't safe at my own home.

Security at hotels. Check. Security at malls. Check. Security at movie theatres. Check. Security on the roads and markets where the majority of Bombay is. Rain Check. Security at hotels, malls and movie theatres isn't going to protect Bombay and it's 20 million + residents. You think people would learn from their mistakes but instead we've just learnt to make peace with the governments repeated mistakes. We've begun to treat terrorist attacks like a bad movie. Watch.React.Delete. Life goes on. Our ability to forget is what gives birth to the sequel.

When New York City was the victim of terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, the US government took a stand and initiated the 'War Against Terror'. Whatever Bush's intentions were at that point and whether I agree/disagree with them is a discussion for another time but one must be in awe of how no one could stand in the way of the US government once the decision was made. The attack on the Twin Towers didn't just result in airports screening people like they were felons, it abruptly resurrected a sleeping giant. A sleeping giant that gave hope to the Americans and instilled fear in the rest of the world. How many terrorist attacks have taken place in the United States after that? None. How many terror attacks have been thwarted? Pretty much every attack attempted since September 11th, 2001. In fact, it's been almost ten years since the attack and just a few months ago Osama Bin Laden was proclaimed dead. Here in India on the other hand, it's been less than 3 years since Bombay was under siege by terrorists and here were are...plagued by terror again. What has the Indian government done in the last 2 and a half years besides keeping Kasab alive? Well that and being unable to prevent another terror attack last week.

Yes, clearly the Indian government has disappointed us over the years. Maybe it's a lost cause to believe that the system in India will ever change. Let's all just give up, sit at home and watch the news. Let's feel bad for about 3 hours and then forget that we were ever attacked. Most importantly - let's change our facebook/bbm profile pictures to an Indian flag and show the world that we care.

Did your parents give up on you when you were rebellious and frustrating to deal with as a teenager? Just because you didn't pay any heed to their advice and suggestions, did they leave you to face the world alone ? In most cases, I don't think so. Most parents are patient, they keep trying and hope that you will be the best version of yourself. If parents can have so much patience while raising their kids why can't we have that same compassion for our country? We're the largest democracy in the world...it's a shame to think that over 1.2 billion Indians don't have the power to change the system. The solution in this scenario isn't to give up. You have to keep pushing and trying to bring about a change. No one said it was going to be easy. So don't forgive and forget so easily. Doing so just gives the government a chance to get lazy and make excuses. We have to make sure our voice is heard and our presence is felt. Talk about it, write about it or organise a candle light vigil. The more we do, the more pressure there will be on the government to take serious action against terrorism.There's always power in numbers and there's no doubt that India is one helluva big number.

As the "mango people" of India, we have some serious rights and responsibilities. We are not going to forgive so easily the next time they treat us like fools and think they can get away with it.