Click here to go to the main page of Star Of Mysore.
Click here to go to the main page of Sri. K.B.Ganapathy.
Please send your opinions, feedbacks, articles to shshenoy at yahoo.com

Once again we are supposed to grin (like fools) and bear it (like weaklings)

Yesterday evening American President Barack Obama's prayers and thoughts were with Indians — Indian victims of yesterday's terrorist - serial blasts in Mumbai, their near and dear ones, the Indian people and, I presume, with the government of India.

Obama may well have sympathised with the Indian Government both for suffering the terrorist attack and its inability to fight it like America is doing after the WTC was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. Not a single incident of terror has been reported from America after 9/11. Apparently, the "Homeland Security" it set up to combat and prevent terrorism must be doing its job well.

As I write this at 5 O'clock this morning, a TV channel says 21 killed, 121 injured in three blasts that occurred in 20 minutes — another TV channel said 10 minutes. The serial bomb blast occurred between 6.45 pm and 6.47 pm, according to one TV channel. Figures related to the serial blasts or any terrorist attack for that matter are bound to be variable. It is like cricket score and the figures are soon forgotten.

But what is important now, after the event, is to remain calm and maintain peace. Nobody wants a post - Indira Gandhi assassination or post - Babri Masjid demolition or post - Godhra response. Hence this most important appeal by political leaders, social activists and actors, including pregnant Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who came on TV to make the appeal.

The blame game will begin but surely not now. The opposition is sure to bide its time, as a responsible opposition but sure to come down heavily like an avalanche and cloud - burst upon the UPA Government which is already tottering under corruption scams of unheard proportions in the post - independent era. It is hoped the UPA Government will not stoop to conquer its lost glory and credibility by blaming the opposition for “not co – operating” with it in combating and preventing terrorism or by being reluctant to blame the home - grown terrorist outfits, as often happens for obvious reasons. Of course, Pakistan will be the No. 1 suspect, a natural suspect. But by God, tell us what next?

We are told by our rulers that "this will not break us. Justice will be done." This is an often - repeated assurance that is soon forgotten. The terror attacks have broken the families of the victims and we know justice has not been done to us. Look at this: 1993 serial blasts in 13 places in Mumbai with 250 dead, many more injured. In 2003 blasts in Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar 50 were killed. In 2006, seven bombs went off killing 600. The worst and traumatic one was on Nov. 26, 2008 when bombs went off in 10 areas killing 160 and wounding more than 300 — among the dead are security personnel as the terrorists attacked at Chhatrapathi Shivaji Railway Terminal, Cama Hospital, Taj Hotel and the Nariman House which lasted for nearly four days.

How many are sentenced and how many are hanged? Not one, even though the number of persons killed by terrorist attack in Mumbai alone may have touched 1,000 or more, apart from the collateral damage.

Now, as expected, probe begins. But before that a speculation on suspects, as in all crimes. According to Home Ministry, Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Lashkar – e - Toiba (LeT) are the suspects. And from experience, it can be deduced the inspiration, planning and money must have come from Pakistan's ISI or other parent terrorist organisation.

The Home Minister P. Chidambaram has already arrived in Mumbai last night. He must, otherwise he would also suffer the same fate as the earlier Home Minister, always immaculately dressed Shivaraj Patil who came to Mumbai very late following 26 / 11 terror strike and lost his job. In a way, he was also a victim of 26 / 11!

Chidambaram is a smart, canny guy who knows how to win a losing election and also save his job. We wish he also knew how to provide this country with a good "Homeland Security" like America. Also how to hang someone who has killed so many in front of camera and terrorised the people. One who was the cause for attacking the very citadel of our democracy, killing security personnel. Politicians (law - makers?) thank god were saved, all of them, in the Parliament attack.

The security machinery is in place, according to the Home Minister and also the Chief Minister of Mumbai. NSG Commandos have been rushed to Mumbai. National Investigative Agency (NIA), an exclusive fraternity is set on the job. Anti - Terrorist Squad is in place. Forensic experts' teams from Delhi and Pune have arrived in Mumbai. The Mumbai CM is calling a high power meeting. Home Minister Chidambaram has called this bomb blasts as "Terrorist attack." What more you want?

According to one TV channel, yesterday was 26 / 11 terrorist hero Kasab's birthday. Could it be the terrorists are reminding we Indians of Kasab's birthday? And is this serial blasts and killing their way of celebrating Kasab's birthday? With blood and gore?

Whatever it be, the primary duty and responsibility of a government is not doling out subsidies or holding Commonwealth Games or building high - rise buildings or licensing 2G spectrum. That will come later.

The first and foremost duty of a government is to protect the life and limb of its citizens from terrorists, criminals and war mongers from across the borders or within the country.

As our suffering continues from periodic terrorist attacks, let our politicians and bureaucrats do some introspection and reconsider their priorities among their innumerable duties and do a rethink on the following:

(1) Country's Intelligence Service. Its legal status, gathering of intelligence, sharing of intelligence, acting on such intelligence etc. Intelligence failure in our country is as frequent as power cuts. Remember George Fernandes, when he was a Defence Minister, got his intelligence about Kargil, that soon happened, from the shepherds.
(2) Corruption. For now, forget about CWG or 2G spectrum. Think of defence purchases and combating terrorism. The RDX that we all heard of for the first time in 1993 following the serial blasts of Mumbai came from the Konkan coastline where officials were bribed to bring the deadly contraband to Mumbai.
(3) Pursuit of votes. Please, for God's sake, no one should play vote - bank politics when it comes to country's interest, security and integrity.

According to a BJP spokesperson, Mumbai is the only city in the world with maximum number of terrorist attacks. If this is true, then the government should think of setting up a special, exclusive intelligence agency for Mumbai with capabilities of gathering actionable intelligence. It must have the cream of our young men and women, brilliant and patriotic and give it a status of a privileged service with salaries that would be more than what is given to our "non - performing" lecturers under the UGC scale.

God bless India and may wiser counsel prevail upon our politicians. Jai Hind. Please call Subash Chandra Bose!

By K. B. Ganapathy
Editor in Chief
Courtesy: Star of Mysore