tuesday's suburban train blasts have a left a indelible scar on our day to day lives. it's not just
the fact that the trains are the lifeline of the city. i think ordinary citizens like you and me
are sick of the fact that while the citizenry suffers, even the most menial of politicians are
laughing their way to their benaami accounts. this was demonstrated amply twice in
quick succession, the rains in the earlier week setting the tone. the ruling class in
maharashtra as well as the alternative, both are two sides of the same coin. politicians
in both camps have failed to represent the voice of Bombay forcefully and effectively at
the centre. despite contributing predominantly to the national treasury, all the city gets
is a pittance. political will is non-existent except in issues which concern vote-banks. and
the great middle-class, which every one raves about, reads the same story in the papers
every day, shakes his head and gets on with their jobs. that is the bottom line. the job
should be done.
i am sick of hearing the television newsreader say the phrase "the spirit of mumbai is
indomitable". i personally believe that we as bombaites, not mumbaites, have failed in
the sense that though we have felt anger and frustration about these reprehensible acts,
we have not channelised it effectively for our own benefit. because the political class is
shameless and will get more so with passage of time, we as citizens should raise our
concerns loudly and effectively. none of the accused in all previous blasts have yet been
convicted. so the bombayite feels, as i do perhaps, that his lone voice will and cant make
a difference. the job should be done? wrong. not at all cost. not at the cost of our city.
i accept thatI i was wrong. there may not be any difference in the end but the important
issue is to raise our concerns in whatever medium one is comfortable with. Bombay
as a city, shall be always vulnerable to terrorist activities. the important thing, however
is to keep on trying. if you believe even a word of what i feel pass the thought onwards.
not the mail, perhaps. but the thought, definitely.
