It’s almost a year since the 26/11 attacks. The spirit of Mumbai has always been lauded by people across the country. Though the average Mumbaikar has picked up the pieces and moved on, can the same be said about the city? Do you feel safe a year since 26/11?

While last years terror attacks left us dazed and confused, stories about acts of outstanding bravery and kindness abound. Acts that make us proud to be from this city. Highlights in clouds of grey that let us know that humanity shines through no matter what. Mumbai will never forget the bravery displayed by the NSG, the policemen or the firemen. The concern, however, is not the beneficiency offered; instead it is about the city of Mumbai which has become a potential victim all unoblivious. Though the average Mumbaikar may have displayed an undaunted spirit, the city somewhere has definitely been intimidated. So the question here is are we as unprepared as we were a year ago? Are we sitting ducks waiting for a repeat attack? It has been more than once that the city of Mumbai has been catapulted by these flagitious people. Infact its not just instances like 26/11 but many more which have faltered the confidence of the people and their belief of being safely cocooned. No doubt that the image of this wonderful city is being tarnished. If the cities most high profile targets could remind one of an evening gone awry, it wouldn’t be long when denizens wouldn’t consider even their havens as safe enough. It’s a shame that entering even a majestic five-star hotel would require prior thinking. An average Mumbaikar may no doubt have paced up but where does this leave the victims, the survivors or for that matter even their family? While the kindred have been paralyzed with fear, the ones fortunate enough to have survived this disaster live in constant psychosis. No one has ever cared enough. All the good resolutions and all the pious professions to unitedly fight terrorism and assist the police are dead and forgotten. The same policemen who bungled and blundered then are again strutting around with their pompous orations. The people too are back to their petty squabbling, complacent and smug. We continue to feel as vulnerable as we were last year. One year after the infamy India divided by politics doesn’t know what to do with its enemy or with its much-mauled nationalist soul. Sorry to say but we are as clueless as we were on that dreadful November night one year ago; still finding answers to questions like ‘when will the danger end’, ‘when will the city be safe’ just like we were on the 26/11 night. The culpable are Scott-free spitting poison and acid. This will never allow fear in the common man’s mind to expunge completely. What we need is quick justice, because justice delayed is justice denied. We cannot just rely on the government all-alone, we need to be equally vigilant. Nor can we forgive or forget. Our actions need to be more discreet. We cant be giving sermons on peace and complacency to these terrorists. Because these terrorists themselves are victims; victims of wrong preaching. To infer lets say that we need to solicit. We cannot allow our city to bear another brunt. We severely need to emancipate ourselves from such machinations or else very soon we will be towards degenerating such catastrophes. We cannot and will not condone this. We need an answer not only for ourselves but for our posterity as well!

-BINDIYA CHOTRANI

Contact details -

Bindiya. Chotrani
Mobile no - 9833557142
Address - k/2, 301, Kishor darshan, N-dutta marg, 4 bungalows, Andheri (W) – 56

E-mail - oops_bindiya16@yahoo.com

ACADEMIC DETAILS

B.M.S. MMK College of Commerce & Economics First Semester BMS - 68% Second Semester BMS –73% Third semester – 79%

H.S.C. Mithibai College of Commerce & Economics
March 2005 77.67%

S.S.C. St. Joseph’s Convent High School
March 2003 77.74%