The recent terror attack in Mumbai has rattled not only the energetic city but also India as a nation. The incident has left a deep scar in the common man's mind and morale. He knows that the entire nation is watching his plight, some sympathizing and some (who might be instrumental in plotting the massacre) will be busy making the next plan of destruction.
It looks as if the young terrorists are trained meticulously in each move they ought to take, with an alternate plan if it doesn't work. They are techno savvy and they have done their homework well. They have been given enough assurance (in whatever kind it might be) so that they can forget their kith and kin, responsibilities they would have had otherwise, and concentrate only on their fanatic goal.
We, as common citizen of India should become more alert. It should become a habit for us to be suspicious of anyone strange, any act that is out-of-the-ordinary, anything that is even slightly varied. We should be careful about who we open the door to, be alert and look around in a crowded train/bus, even if it is only upto a spot where our vision can reach, be watchful of body language or expression that signal something different than what we would expect it to be. In a nutshell, we should be more observant and vigilant. As a habit, we all should have the emergency numbers (police/ ambulance/ neighbour) handy even if we can memorize them, and carry an identity card (photo-id with the contact information) on us all the time.
Our politicians, the so called 'governors' of our country, should get down from their pedestal and think of the need of the moment. Army and Air Force should have maximum man-power and excellent training. Since most of our boundaries are sea-coasts, Navy has a bigger responsibility of having alert, well-trained, non-corrupt, stringent staff who think of our nation before anything else. There should not be any dearth of funds spent in the training of any defence and para-military forces.
Judiciary should be above any other department and strict no-nonsense regulations against such destructive planning and actions be made. Verdict should be of utmost severe nature to those who have been proved guilty of terrorism in the past, so that terrorists who plan to plunder our nation in future think twice and retract their steps.
Anyone who enter India, irrespective of what route they take or who they are, should be strictly monitored, their papers, background and belongings checked thoroughly. For this to happen, we should have officers who rise above corruption. There are such officers in India no doubt, but the numbers should increase to encompass ALL authorities, public servants, including politicians.
Indian citizens should get together as one (forget about state borders, it lies only in the minds of petty silly 'netas/politicians'), create action-plans and make groups of volunteers in each locality. They should involve the local public in security drills and have discussions on emergency moves. According to me, all youngsters should get trained in commando activities at least for a year as a compulsory regulation. Self discipline, alertness, observation and quick, well-planned action might be able to save us from a similar situation in future.
© Shanta Ramakrishnan (November 2008)
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