Sundance Kid and I went to town today to see the Taj and Trident. We got off at Churchgate station and were repeatedly asked for our tickets thanks to Kid's goatee, large knapsack and serious demeanour. Once out, we walked to Marine Drive to see the Trident. The road was cordoned off and we stood by the sea amidst onlookers and press personnel. The towers wore a deserted look and everyone just stared, blankly, maybe searching for answers. No one seemed to have any. We stayed a while, and walked to a shuttered Leopold before ambling on to see the Taj. There were people everywhere. Cops. SRPF. Black Cat Commandos. Army. Press. Embassy personnel. All standing, and watching. Waiting. Blank faced. Helpless.
We spotted the Alert Mumbaikar posters on the walls and windows along the way. The campaign was based on a survey conducted by the Mumbai Police that brought to light some startling figures. According to the report, while 79 per cent of Mumbaikars are aware of Mumbai being a terror target, only 3 per cent are alert and take action when something rouses their suspicion. The survey also indicates that 87 per cent people tend to think that if a terrorist act occurs, they will not be affected. The campaign urges citizens to be alert at all times and has a 24-hour Mumbai Helpline number 9702100100, in addition to the existing police helpline number 2633333,for Mumbaikars to call on in case they observe any suspicious or untoward activity. More information is available on the Mumbai Police website (http://www.mumbaipolice.org/).
All through the way, Kid and I discussed and debated on what we could do now. He spoke of creating a citizens action group like the one in Ahemdabad or perhaps googling to see if there are any existing bodies that we could join or support or strengthen. Then he spoke of the Mumbai Police and how they're short staffed, and why aren't smart, intelligent, dedicated youth joining the force. He suggested that maybe we should speak to Ogilvy and do a recruitment campaign, like the Indian Army does, that makes the Mumbai Police seem like an honourable career. I chatted about the next election and how we could all volunteer with Association of Youth for a Better India (AYBI) and create a blog or website where one could get all the information about the election candidates, so that we're equipped to make an informed choice when we vote. For those with voters ID problems, Kid just googled and found www.jaagore.com. The two of us are still googling and asking around to create a database of institutions already doing work in these areas.
Plenty of my friends smsed and wrote expressing their helplessness and anger and wondering what could be done. I've realised that we can each use our strengths to contribute. Web designers could help create better information systems online, marketing people could turn consultants for NGOs working with disaster management and help them work more efficiently, architects could help rebuild damaged structures and so on. There's much to do and even a small effort now will result in big action over time. So let's set aside our knee jerk reactions; let's browse, plan, be involved consistently and make our community part of our lives.
The NSG, Marcos, Black Cats, SRPF, Army and the Police are done with their work. It's time for us to start ours.
4 comments:
today there is no true national party other than the bjp (which is considered communal), congress (which is considered too soft and tending to appeasement policies) and the rpi (which is too narrow-focused on caste politics)...
all the other parties are very local, region/state/caste/language based outfits... and most of them are run like family fiefdoms with the mantle being passed from one generation to the next...
in fact what we are seeing is our coming a full circle... before independence our country was a collection of princely states with each state warring against the other and each ruler fattening his own coffers... with some of them running their kingdoms benevolently...
we are seeing the same thing happening today with all the regional parties... and people are increasingly looking at everything only in a parochial and selfish way... nobody is looking at national interests...
there is no national level vision or agenda for any of these parties... nothing which is gripping the imagination of the entire population and uniting them under one umbrella!
what is required is for one of these parties to reposition themselves in this manner. or for a new party to emerge as a truly national alternative! but that requires a lot of investment of time and money and people... but if a group of people come together with a clear vision and a good plan i am sure a lot of funding will also flow in... anyone wants to give it a shot?
but in the current scenario with the limited options i believe that the bjp will come back to power... and modi has a very good shot at being elected prime minister... but don't be surprised if mayawati manages to get the majority...
either way, the problem will be that no one will manage a clear majority which will again mean a lot of counter-pulls... no strong hard decisions...
but the question is how will we fight this menace? is there a plan? anyone who comes up with a good plan during this time in history will automatically have a large number of people backing them!
Let me know what I can do. I want to dosomething...but what?
http://www.adrindia.org/home/getinvolved.asp
We are always looking for passionate people to come and participate in our activities. You can get involved in Delhi and/or other places in several ways:
1. Volunteer for Election Watches: We need people for various activities during election watches, like: data entry, interacting with election officers, etc.
2. Answer the helpline: Answer the questions coming from states going to polls on candidates based on the affidavits filed by them.
3. Design work: Create pamplets banners to support the Election Watch teams in states. The pamplets are based on current events and findings.
4. Web site updates: Our website needs to be updated on a regular basis, with lot of content, a lot of which comes from different states. You can help us with updates to the website.
5. Blogging site: Monitor and contribute to the blogging site
6. Public dissemination: There are a lot of election watch public dissemination activities going in all states. You can participate in these activities.
7. Media Watch: We have a media watch program going on. You can participate in the media watch program
8. Translation Activities: A lot of our press releases, newsletter etc. need to be translated into local languages. You can help in these translations.
If you are interested, please contact Mr. Anil Bairwal at abairwal(at)gmail(dot)com
Well said.
Now if only it would be said repeatedly, by many voices, in many places, over and over again.
As to what can be done-- We first need a place, ONE place, where the various ideas and suggestions coming out of the wood-work can be looked over and thrashed out, so that the everyday people who are bashing their heads against walls coz they want to do something more than light a candle/cast a vote and can't find something to commit to have a way of actually being a part of an active community of more responsible citizens. A forum then, or a public meeting? Perhaps.
Thanks for writing this.
P.
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