Even as I write this post, reports of terrorist attacks in Mumbai are coming from new areas. Of course, TV channels are having a field day beaming human tragedy with amazing enthusiasm. And yes we will have routine rhetoric from our politicians about such acts not being tolerated. But in end everything will be forgotten.
Now please don’t get me wrong- I am not blaming our police or politicians. The fact remains that men in uniform have risked their lives to bring situation under control when we all (less a unlucky few) are safely home and praying for well-being of our relatives. However there are thing about which police cant do anything. I am certainly not indicating that we should ignore basic security. The truth is that we need to value human life more. Of course we do have a large population and human life is cheap here. But that’s true only in purely economic sense. Acts of terrorism have much deeper impact on an society than simple loss of productive manpower. Safety and security are basic requirements of economic growth and terrorism can bring even strongest economies on its knees. It is time we take security seriously. Today even our busiest buildings lack a basic metal scanner. Aren’t we inviting attacks?
However, there is more to the story than what meets the eye. As a newly independent nation we have done amazing well to have avoided disintegration. The risk is we have started taking our nation’s unity for granted. While we do have political and geographical unity, there is hardly any trace of religious and economic amalgamation. As long as we are not able to bring economically marginalized citizens to enjoy the “shining India” there will be disrest. It is time we understood we cannot have a peaceful Mumbai as long as people go to bed Hungary in hinterlands. In all likelihood money spent to eliminate poverty and hunger will be as effective against terrorism as money used to buy latest arms for our forces. We will do well to listen to the warning signs before it is too late.
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