Why we deserve it?
Let me start with three seemingly uncorrelated facts and establish what I have to say
Recently, someone I know was issued a new cell phone connection on an address proof that does not establish the fact that he’s resident of that address. Remember this was done by an eminent world renouned telecom company. If a world renouned telecom company is so pathetic about establishing the fact that a person stays at a particular address, do you expect an ordinary man to make sure the house he’s renting out to someone, that he’d be able to do a thorough background check of the person? Sadly enough, NO!
Another incident – There have been atleast 5-6 occassions, where I have offered to show photo-identity to shop owners, whenever I used my Credit Card and asked them that you should “insist” on photo identity. To which I got a response “saab log chillate hain (people get angry if we ask this)”. Another fact.
Third, a leading actor in bollywood, who has been proven guilty for carrying an automatic rifle, runs free, shooting movies and reality television show and entire professional brethren joins hands to establish that “he is innocent”.
What do these facts say about us as a society? We deserve what we got in last four days? If we are so pathetic about our own security, if we are so eager to offer Telephone connections to anyone and everyone who asks for it. If we are desperate to give credit cards “without any documents” and if we spend our hard earned money on watching movies in which a “criminal” performs. We deserve to be attacked by the terrorists every now and then. We deserve it!!!
As a society we are not upto the level of evolution that can be expected . Come on are we not largely pathetic about hundreds of farmers who commit suicide? How many people remember the recent bomb blasts that killed 80 people in Assam? I know when something happens in Mumbai, its a big fuss ‘cos some bollywood biggie will come and perform in front of a television camera lamenting how sad this whole issue has been blah blah blah. It’s just true that, here we have an abundant supply of human lives and we can afford to loose a few. It has just become our mentality. So why we crib ? We deserve it!!!!
Now, I see around everyone blaming politicians and Government. Will people please tell me where did the politicians come from? Did they come from some foreign land? stomped into our parliament and Mantralay and started ruling us? These are the people amongst us whom we have “elected” as our leaders. So if we are so pathetic about choosing our leaders, why crib when they don’t act? We deserve it!!!
There are lessons for each one of us here to learn and improve -
1. Don’t feel embarrassed if someone asks to check u r baggage or check your ID card if you use a credit card.
2. Know your neighbours – Ask the society or apartment complex to establish stringent rules and background check before any flat is rented.
3. If you do vote, be judicious to select whom you are electing, because you are jeopardising yourself if you elect wrong people.
4. It’s easier to shout slogans we are proud of you brave soldiers, but it takes a little bit of effort, to live as a prudent citizen careful about his/her own security and its not so “cool”.
5. Do not spend your money in watching movies in which “criminals” star!!
6. Stay away from TV channels “who sell dispair”.
I hope “WE Deserve something Better!” in future.
PS: I am thoroughly disgusted by the manner in which the TV channels are showing the recent conditions of Taj and Oberoy. (However symbolic it may appear) I am sure through these ashes the phoenix will emerge!!!
PPS: Subsequently I am going to deal with – why “islamic fundamentalism” is not a real cause of terrorism. Infact, its not even a cause of terrorism.
