Burning

All my posts thus far have been about myself, or my life, or just a way to try something new. This time, I'm trying to write a post that actually means something. I have tried before, and on this very topic, but I'm trying to better it in an attempt to try to protest more fully against the horrific events of a week ago.
Exactly this time, exactly a week ago, some emotion-numbed, fanatic men were all set to ruin the tranquility and serenity of every life in this country, indeed, their aim was to upset the world. A few minutes from now will mark the very time last week when militants entered the crowded and popular Leopold Cafe on Colaba Causeway and opened fire on innocent people with AK47s. Soon after, two terrorists entered one of the most crowded stations in the city and opened fire on unsuspecting commuters. Not only were they equipped with the AK47s, but also hand grenades, and enough ammunition to blow up the whole station. Simultaneously, two of the most upscale hotels, frequented by Indians and foreign nationals alike experienced grenade blasts and more terrorists, who were interested in more than just blowing the place apart, as horrible as that would have been. They took hostages, and this led up to the 62hour ordeal which few were lucky enough to leave alive. Not a single person in the world who saw this is unscathed by the massacre. There are hardly any words to describe the enormity or the deepness of the distress that this caused.
I could talk about the baby boy who saw his parents being shot, and who is the sole survivor of the hostages taken in the improvised headquarters of the militants. He will never see his parents, and will always wonder why he survived. He will also hate those that caused this with a vengeance. I could talk about the GM of one of the hotels, who lost his entire family even as he was fulfilling his duty as the captain of his hotel. How can his life ever actually go on?
I could talk about the structural damage. About the entire top floor of the hotel going up in flames and the lump that formed in my throat as I remembered it's loveliness. About the crores that we lost in this. About the bullet holes in the windows of my own college, which symbolises safety and security. About how I'll never be able to walk along that road again without thinking about the cowardly act of killing patients in their sickbeds. And how the area which I was beginning to love is now a mocking reminder of the night that began the horror that nobody expected.
And I could talk about so many other things that touched me, and made me cry and will always remain in my mind. Agreed, I wasn't directly affected, by God's grace, everyone I love is unscathed, but that doesn't mean I don't feel for everyone who was. And for my city, and my country.
But what enrages me, more than the terrorists simply taking away so much in those 62 hours, is the callousness of our politicians. The absolute coolness with which they're taking the untimely death of so many. The disregard they have for the lives that have been snuffed out to give us all a little safety. They make comments the likes of which I have never heard. And now, with all this negative press and pressure to do something about it, they're coward enough to quit. Sure, we all wanted them too, but this doesn't solve anything. With another few months left before the elections, we're deprived of a lot of ministers. Not that they ever did anything worth applauding, but they need to stick around and right their wrongs. Let them be pelted by stones. They did nothing to save their people, and we're all rightfully angry. And their comments trivialize the efforts, that have been made. Resigning is no answer. They better make amends, and pretty soon.
And as for the one man caught, he ought to be given audience with those who've lost part of their lives. He's worried about his family, and yet he didn't flinch while killing so many others. He wasn't hassled while calmly shooting at people who he'd never even met. He didn't look too worried in the frontal picture that we've all seen. The wild joy in his face is evident, and it will haunt me for evermore. I hope the man and those others rot wherever they're stuck after death for eternity. They sure deserve it. I totally agree with the decision of the people not to bury the dead terrorists on Indian soil. They declared that the men aren't Muslims, whatever they may claim, and let their country claim their bodies. Bravo!!
And bravo to those men who fought for us. To the brave NSG officer who laid down his life. To the victims of the violence inside the hotels, and on the streets.
We will not forget this.
And our politicians better pull up their socks, or a Russian Revolution could well arise in this day and age.