Now, that the last of the terrorists have been gunned down and the 50+ hour ordeal is over(well not for the families of those killed and injured), there is a deep sense of anguish and anger that can be sensed in the city...24X7 televised terror is more scary than one without the TV. To that extent, I don't know whether it's a good thing or bad. As I pull myself together from the shock at the periphery, within the warmth and comfort of my family...I chanced upon this piece written by Suketu Mehta in NYT here. Worth a read!!
Says Suketu - 1. In other cities, if there’s an explosion, people run away from it. In Mumbai, people run toward it — to help. Greater Mumbai takes in a million new residents a year. This is the problem, say the nativists. The city is just too hospitable. You let them in, and they break your heart.
2. The best answer to the terrorists is to dream bigger, make even more money, and visit Mumbai more than ever. Dream not just of Bollywood stars but of clean running water, humane mass transit, better toilets, a responsive government. Make a killing not in God’s name but in the stock market, and then turn up the forbidden music and dance; work hard and party harder.
3. If the rest of the world wants to help, it should run toward the explosion. It should fly to Mumbai, and spend money. Where else are you going to be safe? New York? London? Madrid?
4. So I’m booking flights to Mumbai. I’m going to go get a beer at the Leopold, stroll over to the Taj for samosas at the Sea Lounge, and watch a Bollywood movie at the Metro. Stimulus doesn’t have to be just economic.
I guess he is right. We must not run away from saving people...We must give our blood to Bombay and not just stop after fwding smses and wearing black!! We have to get back to work and slog harder as if nothing happened...And we must actually vote(this time)good men/women into power who can protect the city better and not just be TV citizens and armchair voters!
You just can't derail this city for more than 48 hours. Bombay is wired differently. It just is...
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