26/11 is actually a misnomer, because unfortunate as that day was, the attacks were hardly a one night stand. The city’s battle with the terrorists raged on for four long days.
With the situation mostly under control now, I think it’s time to react. I don’t agree with people who say “we shouldn’t let these acts of terrorism affect us” or “life should go on as it used to as an act of defiance” — it shouldn’t, or they’ll come again, and again. We’ve got to do all we can to correct the flaws that let these filth seep through and kill at leisure.
There’s something hobbit like about Indians. We forget too easily and care too less about things that do not personally and directly affect us. 2008 has probably seen the highest amount of terrorist activity in our country for a long long time.
Also, name calling is exactly the wrong approach. I quote this comment by Rose:
Terrorism has been going on for hundreds of years, by people of all different ethnic groups, nationalities, and religions. And as long as some person somewhere in the world has their own agendas and their own way of doing something there will be terrorism. Because in the end all of this is some pathetic mob of people doing these horrific stunts in the hope of scaring the world. Blaming one place in particular doesn’t solve anything, the only thing it manages to do is anger someone else somewhere else in the world.
One shouldn’t be so ignorant to say that every citizen of a particular country or every follower of a certain religion, wishes for, agrees with or rejoices at the inhuman acts of terrorism. Placing blame only lights the spark for another fire.
It is very important to act responsibly, or you may end up creating more holes instead of closing gaps.
New York times page with regular updates to all and any information on today/yesterday’s terrorist attacks in Bombay.
A film about the global effort to eradicate polio, with most remaining cases identified in India, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Watch the real heroes of our time at work in this 38-minute collaboration between Google.org and Vermillion films, accompanied by what sounds like excellent music. (via)
There’s something about showering that tends to spawn new ideas which may not occur otherwise. And the frequency with which this occurs seems to suggest that perhaps the occurrence isn’t merely happenstance, but instead a decent model for what has been called “creative pause” – the shift from being fully engaged in a creative activity to being passively engaged, or the shift to being disengaged altogether.
You may or may not be able to replicate this “creative pause”, but one thing is certain – a shower is the place for the most awesome epiphanies. I am constantly surprised by the quality and elegance of solutions that strike me under the water spray.
What does a person do on the day before an exam? Watch movie trailers of course!
This one’s for all current and future DSLR owners.