26th November Mumbai Terror

27th Nov '08. 10:33 pm in Bombay. 24 hours after the first attack on Bombay started. And it's not over yet, Mumbai is still burning.

As I watch the live news, the Breaking news keep coming in. Sounds of gunfire at the Trident. The commandos entering Nariman house. Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar, Ashok Kamte sacrificed in the line of duties, not to mention the several other police officers who were killed. The images are unreal, live scenes of people being shot at, the noise, the smoke, the chaos.

Too many emotions............Anger? Sadness? Fear? Disappointment? Apathy? Patriotism? Hate?

So many questions...
Why? Who? What was the intelligence doing when this was being planned? How is it that they had no clue to an attack of such proportions? Why is the common man targeted? How do the politicians always get away? Are they going to wake up now? What can I, as an Indian do to help? Will my country ever be the safe again?
Will our country ever be able to rise above the dirty politics and strive to actually do something about safety, security? Can WE really think about Indians as fellow countrymen, as opposed to only furthering our own personal or political agendas and thinking of ourselves?
Why do I ask this question today? Because I as an Indian, am also responsible. Responsible for being apathetic to what is happening as long as it does not affect me, or anyone close to me. Responsible for not bothering to vote for a better government. Responsible because all I seem to do is discuss when something happens and then carry on with my life as usual. Responsible because I don't know how to help.

But I want to take time to remember and thank the Heroes.
Those who lost their lives in the line of fire.
Those who are storming into the hotels, knowing that every breath might be their last, knowing that their bullet proof vests are probably not enough for the types weapons that these terrorists have.
Those firemen, police, other security personnel who are saving the trapped people.
Those who are putting out the fires.
Those who have helping carry out the bodies, the injured even when the bullets are whizzing past their heads.
Those who are creating distractions on one side, so that hostages on the other side can leave.
Those who are working tirelessly to save the lives of those being brought into the hospitals every minute.
Those who have been up for the past 24 hours standing on the boundaries, so that terrorists can't get out.
Those that will continue to go into the hotels with the sniffer dogs after the terrorists have been removed to make sure there are no bombs, no more attackers left, clearing the debris, in the smoky hazardous conditions .
Those that are donating blood so that one more life can be spared.
Those who are helping out how ever they can, just because someone is in need, without expecting any kind of remuneration.
Those who will wake up tomorrow to rebuild Mumbai.
Those who will walk back into their jobs at the attacked locations, knowing the tragedy that happened there.
The families who lost their loved ones but still will need to carry on with their lives, with this terrible burden of loss.
The injured, the survivors who are scarred for life.
Many more will emerge from this tragedy.

Thank you for your bravery. You will not be forgotten.