Night Has Never Been So Dark - 26/11 Mumbai Terror

रात थी अंधेरी और बरबादियों का शोर था. . .

चीखों की गूंज में तन्हाईयों का ज़ोर था. . .

हर तरफ मौत का सन्नाटा था पसर रहा. . .

हर सांस में बिखरती हुई ज़िंदगियों का दौर था. . .

Night has never been so dark as it was on November 26, 2008. Around 10 p.m. the darkness that befell the city of Mumbai was so deep that its sooty shadows still could not be expunged from the conscious mind. On that very fateful night, some handful of dreaded terrorists shook the vibrant economic hub of India with bullets of death... The fire of terror kept billowing up its flames for almost three days...devouring the breaths and leaving behind shards of broken hopes, ashes of lives, heart-wrenching sighs and a never ending tale of woes...

The scourge of terror is not new for India. Our country has been grappling with this menace since the day of independence. According to some estimates, terrorism in India has claimed more than 70,000 lives over the years so far. Nevertheless, its quite disheartening that India has still not braced itself with effective measures and mechanisms to counter this kind of threat which has put the lives of innocent common men in jeopardy. 

Our Usual Reactions to Such Terror Attacks

In India, following every horrifying terror incidents, there ensues a repetitive cycle of reactions from our authorities and similar pattern emerged after the 26/11 attacks as well...At first, there is a Kadi Ninda (Strong Condemnation), followed by Resignation of Ministers citing moral responsibility, Announcement of Monetary Compensation for the victim's families, Proposal to Make News Laws or Amendments in Existing Laws, Formation of New Anti Terrorist Bodies, Beefing-Up Security Measures, Declaring Red Alerts in the affected area or Deployment of Special Forces, leading to a  Series of Security Checks at all the public places, viz, Malls, Schools, Hotels, Cinema Halls, which often end up causing inconvenience to the common man.  

The Blame-Game with the neighboring country initiates, accompanied by Snapping of All Ties and Calls for Foreign Intervention. . .However, after a while, relations with same neighboring country are resumed- singing Melodies of Piece -Aman Ki Asha, and then after few counts of time. . .in some other dead of night. . .there is another deadly attack. . .and the aforesaid cycle of reactions reignites and continues again. . .and again. . .

It has become a sort of norm that after every such terror attacks, everyone suddenly wakes up and stands alert. . .However, after a short while, everything returns to the same track and everyone slips back into the deep slumber of oblivion. The moot question over here is whether there is an absence of intelligence inputs regarding these terrorist attacks on our nation. If such inputs exist then why aren't preventive measures taken to avert these threats and save countless innocent lives? Why is it that security measures are only employed and strengthened after such horrific incidents occur?

Our political leaders and ministers often appear to believe that they can simply announce compensation and consider their responsibilities fulfilled. Do they truly realize that compensation can not bring back the lost lives? Moreover, do they take the time to ensure that the announced compensation reaches the intended beneficiaries or not? The situation raises concern over the effectiveness of measures taken and the genuine concern for the well being of the affected citizens. 

When will we finally learn a lesson? Must we wait for a shock every other day to glean something new? How much longer must the common man endure the price for the government's incompetence? Regarding 26/11, it's being said that this time around the terrorists employed a new tactic by infiltrating through the sea route and holding Mumbai hostage for nearly three days. How did this happen? Do we lack a coast guard for securing our sea coasts or are they incapable of detecting such intruders? 

Now, discussions are underway of establishing a new coastal commando unit and implementing radar coverage along the entire shoreline. But can we be guaranteed that these preparations will effectively prevent future damage, or will there be excuses again?

Undoubtedly, our counter-terror mechanism is outdated, necessitating the abandonment of archaic legal systems and the introduction of a fresh framework that addresses the evolved tactics of terrorists. However, alongside adopting these measures, there's a pressing need for resolute determination, a sense of duty and responsibility from our authorities and politicians towards the safety and security of the country and its citizens. Only then will these mechanisms yield meaningful results. 

Let's hold onto hope that the upcoming year will usher in a new dawn, dispelling the growing darkness that envelops us day by day!