Cynical as it sounds, Mumbai is back to putting its best foot forward, and that foot is generally a self-serving one. We are back to rejoicing and having fun. After all, nobody we care for has died.
Of course, we shed tears for Karkare, Kamte and Salaskar (always in that order) and ah, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, and then some others such as a certain Tukaram Ombale. We pledged to make their families flush with funds, and we did.
Now that we're done, we have to get back to our lives. Isn't that what they died for? as someone said. Sure, we cant mourn them forever. Let's cruelly leave that for their families. But I think it's our responsibility to ensure such sacrifices don't have to be made again. Or worse, that we should not have to pay with our lives as well the next time round.
Let's start with recognising Tukaram Ombale's sacrifice as far greater than others. Let's get him a Param Vir Chakra, or any award specially invented for him for what he's done is unparalleled in the world. Catch a terrorist alive. He rushed towards that b****** Kasab (he has been disowned by his family and country) who was fleeing in a car. Armed with a lathi (yes), he held on to him till his colleagues came to take charge of him. He also ensured Kasab's AK-47 was resolutely pointed towards him so that he took all the bullets instead of his colleagues.
Now, here's what CNN-IBN did on December 31: It started with a tribute to Karkare, Kamte and Salaskar and then generally talked about the heroic action of Ombale's colleagues who caught that b****** alive. It was these cops who mentioned Ombale's sacrifice. For the channel, Ombale was just one of them.
Wake up, guys!!
Second, I had written two columns - one in September and one in October -- in Mail Today on how we may have to pay a heavy price if we neglect coastal security. In November, we did. I have seen up, close and upfront how chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh cockily ignored all warnings, alerts, intercepts on a threat from the sea. There were specific inputs about the threat to not just Taj, Oberoi and CST but also Cafe Leopold. But who cares? All will be forgiven and forgotten by the time elections approach and he may well be sitting on the CM's chair while Congressis applaud on the streets with band baaja.
My points is we need to start caring--for our sake. We need an apparatus in place that demands answers, keeps track of security requirements and keeps a close vigil on the shifty politicians in power.
Third, intelligence inputs have to be respected. Even if nine out of ten are general or ineffective, we cannot ignore them. How much would it have cost the authorities to scan Leopold, organise a watch on people going in and out for a while at the very least? But that particular input, I am told, went right into the dust bin and is currently untraceable at the receiver's end.
Time we took a break from work and got to work for ourselves.
