26/11

It has been three years since we saw the 26/11 attacks. Sources say that killed 164 people and wounded at least 308. The attack was certainly a major tragedy. How did we react? We shed tears, sent good wishes to the victims, and prayed for the departed souls to rest in peace. We lit candles, spoke about it, and the anger, the sorrow, and the zeal was prevalent for quite some time. Even people not in Mumbai were extremely angered by the attacks. And we did pity them - from the heart. We typed "Jaihind" on a few online forums, social networking sites and blogs. The attack was condemned. Did we think of them after Feb 2009 – even 3 months after the attack? Even if we did, did we hope for their well-being from the heart? Even if we did, did we stand up and take some action? Did we decide to join hands and ensure that such an attack does not take place again? We hoped that such an attack would not take place again - yes, we only hoped. But what gave us the hope to hope? Three years after 26/11, Mumbai residents say city is still unsafe (http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/251915) ..what must we do now?
There are things that the public cannot do. The government has to. But what is it that we can do?
The base for anything is to be under one umbrella, called India, instead of living in shambles of language, religion, state and stuff. Let’s get together. We are one country. Let us get united, throwing away any prejudiced attitude about another state.
Let’s stand together, and fight it.
If a crow is hurt, the whole lot of crows around comes to the hurt bird and helps. This is the unity and compassion shown towards a single member of their species. And what is the unity we show towards mass members of the same country? These creatures may not be able to talk like us, may not be able to think like us. But they have in them all the qualities that we say are characteristics of “humanity”. They have in them compassion, unity, the attitude of sharing – even if it is just a small piece of bread.
When terrorists know that we are together, they will not have the courage to make any such attacks. When they know that when one person is hurt, the whole country fights for him and helps them, they will be forced to forget the idea of hurting us. This is the unity we need to develop. And this appears to me the only way by which we can avoid such attacks. We should not let another 26/11 happen. Never again.

“Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking”
-Mahatma Gandhi

Jaihind