Mumbai 26/11 - the nightmare ends, finally!

It has been almost 60 hours since this nightmare began and finally, it is over. Yes, the “cat-and-mouse” game has finally ended with the terrorists infecting the Taj Hotel being taken down by the Army, the National Security Guard(NSG) and the Navy Commandos, but only after a prolonged ordeal in which the “mice” caused severe damage, and in more than one way. People across the globe have been exposed to a face of terrorism not seen ever before, anywhere in the world, and I feel this event would have made people to sit up and think about the kind of situations they might find themselves trapped in. For this problem is prevalent globally and is a threat to each and everyone equally, whatever country or place one may be in. It is just an example of how terrorism is affecting countries, targeting people from all nationalities, communities or races equally. It also goes to warn us that if we fail to take active steps towards not just curbing but also eliminating terrorism completely, we can fall victims to similar events again, maybe even in worse forms.

This incident has left a deep impact not just on the people in India, but on those in countries across the globe. This episode showcased that given the state of things, people cannot feel safe anywhere, outside on the street and nor in their homes. The false sense of security we have all been accustomed to has been shaken. This event has raised several questions and has also led people to think of the possible threats one is exposed to each day, leave apart the worries of arranging 2 square meals a day, access to proper medical facilities and potable drinking water. People across the nation will have to get together and initiate change in our society, in our thought process and in the way we lead our life, every single day.Only when we are more aware and more conscious of our duties towards each other and towards the community will we be able to rebuild this lost faith.

We should take cue from this Indian version of America’s 9/11 which shook the very psyche of individuals across the globe and take prompt action against such acts and against people propagating or supporting such activities. We need to have a centralized agency capable of not just resolving such issues but one that has the power to preemptively work towards eliminating terrorism completely from the face of this planet. We need to have the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) of the United Nations to take a higher role in mobilizing forces of all countries and working towards identifying possible threats and eliminating groups indulging in or facilitating the development of such factions. It would also need to work towards recognizing channels which fund such activities and take actions to sever and subsequently deter such connections.

The current trauma in Mumbai lasted for duration much longer than I could have imagined and has left me with a mixed bag of emotions: some frustration, anger, sadness, respect, and a lot more. I am proud of the task force in the Mumbai’s 26/11 that tirelessly worked towards neutralizing the imminent threat and glad that the media was now more sensitive towards disclosing sensitive operational information, although only after being TOLD to practice restraint. I salute the brave commandos, the fire-fighters, medical staff, the Police and the members of the support groups who risked their life in this task. Most importantly, I applaud the staff from the Taj and Oberoi hotels who worked hand in hand with the security agencies, risking their own life in trying to make the guests safe. Moreover they never lost their cool amidst the trauma and pressure and assisted the agencies and the guests’ right till the end. The contribution of those who lost their life serving others in this tragedy can never be forgotten and the heroes will remain afresh and alive in our memories and in the stories people will tell each other of their acts of bravery.

I don’t think I have ever followed anything live on the media as closely as this event and I hope I don’t get to witness anything like this ever again in my life. I can now heave a sigh of relief that the people back home are now safe, at least for now, and hope that this event will prove crucial in establishing a common platform for nations to fight against terrorism and eliminating it altogether.