Terror attacks (part 1) : 'Bomb-ay.'

>> The white coloured walls are studded with bullets. These are the walls of a hospital.
>> The heritage monument of the financial capital of the country is now a gruesome picture of horror. The carpets are bloodied. Even the lifeless walls echo the screams of innocent people who faced terror.

Shocked, initially numb, shuddered with the thought of a possibility that would've wreaked havoc in my life, numbed with shock again, horror, angry, disgusted, frustrated, tearful... these are just some of the emotions I've experienced in the past few days. Now, at the end of it all, I'm left feeling disturbed.

Disgusted :
#1. The area around the Taj had been declared as a curfew area and yet, you saw hordes of people standing there and crowding the place unnecessarily. It really irked me to see some people purposely coming and standing behind a reporter so that their million-dollar faces could come in front of the camera. Some were even stupid enough to smile and wave 'hi'! Huh?!?! If the people of the country are going to have this attitude, then it is not surprising how the dumb politicians have been sitting on our heads for so long.

#2. While the NSG operation was still in progress, Mr. Narendra Modi turned up outside the Trident - Oberoi and gave a speech about how he was unhappy with the 'government'! Hello?? We are combating terrorists here! This is not some silly hide-n-seek game where you can say 'time-please' and give your unwanted speech anytime you want. Here is where Newton's third law of motion worked in full force : 'For each action, there is an equal and opposite reaction'. Wasting no time, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh landed up there too! Of course, how would he not... the opposition party representative did it. If he didn't give back, then he might lose votes! First of all, he hardly knew anything about the exact situation. He needed briefing by a police incharge. Then he spoke to the media and went so far as to saying that Mr. Narendra Modi shouldn't have landed up like that! Excuse-me?! And what exactly were you doing there ? Why didn't you sit at home and say this? All bloody blood-sucking leeches. Can see nothing, except for vote-banks. Can do nothing, apart from politics. Could it have stooped lower than this??? Politicizing terrorism? That was a moment of shame for the entire country. Didn't either of them feel any shame at all?? Already there's a grave security problem here and you burden the situation by demanding security for yourself? Do you know what the fear of death is?? Do you have the guts to move about without even a single security guard in a terror-attack situation? Do you need to be told to feel ashamed at your deeds?

#3. As the hostages were freed by the NSG commandos and as they were coming out, they were surrounded by a host of reporters with microphones and cameras. A reporter asked, "Were you scared?" What kind of a question is that? Do you expect an answer to that? Okay, some people were fine enough to talk to the media about it. But that doesn't mean you expect everyone else to do that and literally hound them for bytes. That was absolutely inconsiderate and insensitive. Learn your manners, please.
Also, why was there such an extensive coverage about details of the operation?? They caught the activities of the NSG on tape. For example, at the Nariman house encounter, they videographed the NSG commandos descending from the helicopter, positioning themselves strategically, aiming at the building... Why?? The terrorists were constantly communicating with each other through satellite-phones. Whoever they communicated with, could easily switch-on a news channel and tell them about the positions of the NSG commandos. To the media: Use the cameras you've been given, in a responsible manner.

Finally, I heaved a sigh of relief when the 62-hour long operation ended with the death of 9 terrorists and one terrorist being caught alive. When I saw the picture of the terrorist who's been caught alive, I couldn't help but notice the expression in his face. It was, you know, menacingly maniacal. What must be the chemical composition of the brains of terrorists... Looks like he's born to kill. And obviously, has been completely brainwashed. They aren't human-beings at all. They do not have the right to live.

Oh yes, as my friend Nevin said, where's Raj Thakeray now?? Hiding inside, tail between his legs? Hawa tight, seeti-beeti gul?

The NSG commandos, marine commandos are truly the heroes. They came, they saw, they conquered and they left for their next mission. Modesty personified. They belong to the esteemed class of citizens of our country who 'do their duty'. On the successful completion of the the really difficult operation and when some commandos were seen smiling, a reporter went up to him and told him that this is the first time they're seeing a smile on their faces. And this man replied, " Yes, there's a lot of power in a smile. One should always keep smiling." That really touched my heart and almost instantly, my eyes were filled with tears...

When we saw the news that Mr. Hemant Karkare's wife refused the compensation offered by Mr. Narendra Modi, I swear, my family and I applauded in unison. What strength her mind must be made up of! Who needs your money man? Give his life back if you can. You cannot do anything to compensate for the loss of his life.
Also, I am appalled by the strength of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's father. He addressed the media and maintained his composure throughout. He said the words, "...Then I was informed that he died." To say that..., it takes real mental and emotional strength. Later, when the Kerala CM came to visit his residence, surely ready with 'compensation', he was asked to leave. Infact, the father of Major Sandeep slammed the door on the CM. These are real people. I salute these brave people who gave up their lives for the nation and their families. And the employees of the hotels who took the terrorists' bullets, may their souls rest in peace.
(...part 2 follows shortly.)