On the eve of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks anniversary our hearts goes out to the people who lost their lives on that ill fated day. We as a nation can only come together and share the pain of those who lost their near and dear ones but thats only a small consolation for them.
It is however imperative for us to analyze and introspect on where we stand after 365 days. The investigations are continuing and a lot of new evidences are coming out. Kasab is still to be hanged to death for his cowardly act. What is however more important to observe is whether we as a nation are better equipped to handle external threat or not?
The idea of national unity was something we never really related to with these terrorist attacks. Imagine a nation fighting for its regional identities and suddenly a situation demands her to show her national spirit. I find it extremely difficult to fathom how such a thing is possible. Here we are fighting for 'Marathi Manoos'. Fighting to the extent of beating people from other parts of the country, ransacking media houses, trying to dictate recruitment exams. How can we expect to be united when the terrorist are preparing for an attack? Please understand, i have not mentioned unity after these attacks. I am more concerned about our unity when everything is calm and there is a secret plan going on to attack India.
If i am a bengali, i should be proud of it but i must not forget that my country is India. Sachin Tendulkar echoed these statements and the next day he is being asked to stay away from politics. What on earth we heading to? I would always be delighted to see Sachin Tendulkar speak rather than Karan Johar apologizing to the goons for something nonsensical. The need of the hour is for us to have a common identity which is strong and cannot be broken by our diversity. We were proud of 'Unity in Diversity' once. The time has come to prove it again.
We can do away with MNS and certainly Shiv Sena. We can do away with 'Marathi Manoos', Karnataka 'Rajotsav', State flags etc. These are symbols of regionalism and we are desperate to get rid of them.
On a closing note i would like to pay tribute to the manager of the Taj hotel,Mumbai who on that night kept on protecting all the guests. He was doing his duty having lost his wife and children.
