26/11 What Else...

On the anniversary of 26/11, I shall try to collate as many "positive" developments and post links here. Please feel free to direct me to anything which has improved from 26 November 2008. This could be improved security infrastructure, upgraded intelligence, common man's attitude towards terror, Pakistan's stance, state government, police force; anything which points to a possibility of a terror ridden peaceful life for all Indians. Heres the first on the list..

1. A smart anti-terror force for Mumbai now http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/25/stories/2009112561591800.htm
2. Idea tribute to 26/11, will donate revenue http://www.hindustantimes.com/Idea-tribute-to-26-11-will-donate-revenue/H1-Article1-476112.aspx
Update (26/11)
3. Pakistan indicts Lakhvi, six others. http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/26/stories/2009112658470100.htm
4. Government recounts steps taken post 26/11 http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/26/stories/2009112655481000.htm

Note: I urge readers to refrain from commenting negative opinions. If you think we are worse off than one year ago, please let your silence be your dissent. Thank You.

Finally..

At last, the great denial appears to be showing signs of cracking, Pakistan confirms that the lone captured terrorist of 26/11 is a Pakistani national. (Link to Dawn, Pakistan's widely circulated daily). Also read this post regarding the dossier of evidence prepared by Indian authorities which has transcripts of verbal talk between the gunmen and their handlers.

So there is progress, finally. I was afraid President Zardari would seek Kasab's class X & XII passing certificates, Income Tax returns, original of driving license (duly attested by gazetted government official) as proof for establishing his nationality. Also, (he could have said) "Only if all four years marksheets for graduation and provident fund details were available could Pakistan consider him culpable under its jurisdiction". It appears this might not be required.

Over one month has transpired since 26/11, and I am exasperated with Pakistan. I completely fail to understand the collective conscience (or lack of) among the common people. I have just one word to describe the seriatim of responses from our estranged cousins - immature. The hyperbole of naivete was blaming India for Lahore blasts. I had laughed at this, really.

I have just one complaint from Pakistan. Its adamant refusal to accept reality. Before I point a finger to my neighbour, I know that four fingers point back to me. I am appalled, shocked and ashamed with B Ramalinga Raju, dishonorable chairman and founder of Satyam. I absolutely denounce any stratification of society based on caste, sub caste, sub-sub-caste which currently finds currency in India's ethos. I fail to understand what the Maoists and Naxals are trying to achieve. I hate dynastic politics and have strong aversion to coalition politics. I am aghast at the objectives of home grown terror groups like SIMI, Indian Mujahideen and Hindu extremists. All these and thousand more, are the chronic epidemics crippling India and its citizens future. I so much hope such frank acceptance like mine also echoes in the lands across Wagah. Unfortunately, in my reading of Pakistan media I found overwhelmingly few articles of soul searching. Too few to build up decible levels for drowning the constant jingoist anti India din. I would love to be wrong, but that needs to be proved. And proof does not mean Zardari's definition.

Mumbai Attacks V

My good friend and blogger extraordinaire Equinox has an excellent post (yet again). Please read this. I think all must read what he has written.

Mumbai Attacks IV

I am quite amused by the recent hoax call to President Zardari. In fact, it was just the bit of ass kicker injection which the doctor had ordered. Whoever did that, good job buddy.

Although I had planned to write about what I think should be done to free us from the scrouge of terror, I understand that this may not be a task which I can do justice to. I frankly dont know much to comment on the NSG, intelligence failure, constitutional amendments. All around me, each and every intellectual is talking about 'What should be done'. In a true Lincolnian democracy, there can be no talkers without listeners. So I choose to serve my country by listening to all arguments, criticism, plans, call for actions being voiced around. Someday, when I mature enough to understand the complexities of my country I shall surely speak out.

Having said that, I do see one area where I have a relative edge over my fellow citizens. Having lived in the UAE for over 3 years and travelled across other Islamic countries, I possess a outsider non US view to India. I have worked closely with executives at all levels in a leading bank in Pakistan. Further, I have spent half a day with the head of Private Banking/Wealth Management of this particular bank. So, I have a perspective towards Pakistan and Pakistanis which most Indians might not have yet seen. I was completley confused by the anti India propaganda being aired on Paki television shows. I mean, till how long will our friends in Pakistan live in a state of denial. Even after this, which happened only a few days after the Mumbai attacks. Doesnt the Pakistani conscience ever knock twice?

While on this issue, I came across the most audacious and incriminating article I have read during the last week. It ostensibly blames the ISI and talks of a shocking revelation that the Al Qaeda + Lashkar combine highjacked a low key terror strike on J&K from the ISI's drawing board and developed it into the Mumbai Attacks. Regardless whether this is fact or fiction, its a compelling read. Leave your household chores and please read this.

Mumbai Attacks - III

continued from here. My take on the most important W of all - WHY?

A lot has been said. A lot more will be said, done and undone. But this shall go down in the annals of Indian and world history as one of the most successful terrorist operation ever executed by the terrorists. They have won, this once. Let us be gracious in acceding defeat, this once. But let us firmly resolve to buttress this grace into a ricochet movement so massive that it effaces out the entire terror ecosystem. I would be more than happy to empty a full 30 rounds magazine up the terrorist's arse and another 30 down his throat as insurance to the previous 30, but that only John Rambo can do. And he does not exist.

If I attempt to envisage the charter or the vision document behind these attacks, it would roughly constitute the following directives -

1. Rekindle Kashmir issue by derailing the quasi warm relations between India and Pakistan

2. Debilitate Pakistan's attempt towards moderation by adopting a democratic framework

3. Support the Taliban in Afghanistan

4. Spread fear, panic among Indians by maximum destruction of life and property

5. Fight and kill westerners specifically US, UK and Israel

6. Garner worldwide attention and media share of voice

I think they have scored a perfect 10 with their 10 fidayeens. If we carefully retrospect, all the above 6 broad objectives have been met except probably no. 3 (which is a larger game plan, my surmise being its a corollary of achieving points 1 and 2) Whoever is behind this heinous, inhumane, barbaric act has succeeded in killing three or four birds with one stone. India and Pakistan are at loggerheads again (point 1 achieved). There is complete chaos in already chaotic Pakistan. Religious fundamentalists are playing demagogues to the people who want to hear that their country has absolutely nothing to do with all this. (point 2 achieved). A threat of Indian military response would be enough fodder for Pakistan to mobilize its troops away from the western border to its eastern border (point 3 achieved). I dont think there is any clarity required on how point 4 has been achieved!. Picking foreign targets and attacking the Chabad House (point 5 achieved). My earlier post shows the number of stories on Google News (point 6 achieved)

So that is my understanding of the 'Why was Mumbai attacked like this?'. I am off course looking at more debate and thoughts on this. I personally feel before anything, we should all first understand the problem. Sacking ministers, overhauling national security, amending constituition, firing radar guided missiles at Muridke may/may not follow. In fact, I shall now move to the more complicated task of framing my wish list on 'What needs to be done now'. Next post by weekend.

Live and Let Live

Mumbai Attacks - II

Epitaph

My Maker, when I meet thee

Shalst thou answer 'Why Me?'

Name - Malayesh Bannerji
Born - 1981
Murdered - 26 Nov, 2008
Survived By - Two parents, One fiancee
Cause of Death - Shot at close range from AK 47. Flesh & Bone ripped apart.
Place of Death - Leopold Cafe, South Mumbai

Malayesh, the only son of my all time favourite teacher, Prof Manavendra Bannerji; a gentleman whom I am greatly indebted for teaching me Chemistry in class XI & XII. As I move my memories back over 11 years, they slowly crystallize into the face of a chocolate boy, the darling of girls at school. An IIT KGP + S.P.Jain alumnus, he was to marry his 7 year long sweetheart on Dec 6, 2008. But someone I know very very well, who goes by the name 'Fate' had other plans. So be it mate. What you have left behind is far more worse, hideous, unfair and horrendous as compared to the eternal peace which shall envelop you now. And, may you feel lonely ever, just be patient. All those you have left behind live today only to die another day. Till that happens, requiescat in pace. R.I.P

Mumbai Attacks - I

In the past 3 days, I have read official condemnation statements from countries including US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Israel, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Uruguay, Panama, Chile and Bangladesh. These I can recall reading, others I may have missed given the deluge of news to digest. Goes without saying I havent worked a wink.


From a high level, any issue needs the following answers. Who, Why, When, What and How. Of the Mumbai attacks, we definitely know When and What. Speculations exist on Who and How. That leaves us with the most fundamental of all Ws unanswered - Why. And this shall be the focus of my blogging in the days to come. Till then, I shall gather my thoughts below -


Things which shook my foundation -
1. The tragic gunning down of a school mate cum B school alumnus at Leopold Cafe, and the story of his fiancee scrapping deliriously on Orkut, 'Come baack'


Things that inspired me -
1. Top cops dying on duty. Live by the bullet, die by it. Do I have such dedication towards my work. No.


Things which peeved me -
1. Blame game of 'This is a complete failure of intelligence' -
2. '300 NSG and 400 police personnel required for 10 terrorists' - So?
3. The siege began at 9:30 PM, the NSG arrived only at 2:30 AM