Big terror Show...............!!!

Ten determined and well trained terrorists were able to hold 18 million people in the city to ransom, and not even the entire power of the Indian State, including the NSG, were able to save many of the hostages that the terrorists took. It is still a mystery why the terrorists did it though there are hints that Pakistan may be trying to bring India to its knees by terrifying people in the financial capital. We’ll be getting more such terror strikes unless the government has a crack commando force 24x7 in Mumbai and all major cities.

Financially it will mean a huge cost but in relation to an unguarded city it is nothing. What has happened to the Coast Guard which used to be so very active during the smuggling days? We never hear of them any more. I would like to make some positive suggestions to the impotent powers that be!

* Our intelligence network needs to be beefed up. The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has got to have more personnel with better pay.
* Does the coast guard have enough boats and men? Today, protecting our land borders is second priority compared to installing a mechanism that will stop terrorism before it begins. For this we need a Homeland Security Agency headed by the most experienced military man we have. It must be funded and made operational on a top-priority basis.
* Our police officers, who go into terror confrontation, need the kind of bullet-proof amour that the NSG has, along with updated AK-47s.
* Important as the above, we must have streamlined Hospital emergency services. Some of the scenes we saw on TV about the neglect of victims were shocking.
* Most important we need a team of trained hostage negotiators. There was no attempt at negotiations with the terrorists, neither through loud speakers nor through the public address system of the Taj Mahal Hotel.
* I don’t see much ideation on handling terrorism. Why don’t we join a worldwide terror brainstorm?
* Why has the US not had any attack after 9/11? It has a shoreline like ours, with the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans on either side. It has a porous border with Mexico. So how did they manage not to have another strike? Why should we re-invent the wheel when other countries have fool-proof anti-terrorist systems? Top RAW officers could exchange views with Israel for instance, which is operating a crack anti-terrorist system.
* In all major hotels and public places we must have anti-terrorist drills like the fire drills. We are fully unprepared for internal terror attacks by groups who feel the State has wronged them... and can’t even cope with local goondas!
* Another pragmatic suggestion: I think surely some creative scientist could invent a sleeping gas which could be lobbed into hiding places of terrorists, like tear gas. Isn’t it amazing that man can travel to the moon, create an artificial heart and yet not invent sleeping gas?

The city was unprepared. It only knew about bomb attacks. It has never known an attack with guns spraying people with bullets. Shooting is more personal that bombing. Shooting creates fear psychosis and causes panic, even paralysis. This was for the first time that terror was brought into our living rooms in real time. Like Operation Desert Storm was the first TV war for the US, this attack has brought a highly dramatic, blood and gore event into our homes through television. But I hope that with strong preventive measures we will never again see another Terrorist Reality Show.

Let's Stratergise our Approach......!!!

The counter-terrorism operations in Mumbai have now been successfully completed.But this success came at a heavy cost, both in terms of loss of precious lives and destruction of infrastructure. The real loss though is the image of our country.However, people across the nation want answers to important questions, including whether we have a strategy for tackling terrorism. This terrorist attack, in a long series of such attacks at different places, is the worst the country has faced in terms of any parameter.

The leadership appears to have such a myopic outlook that its continues to view terrorism as a law and order problem, when it is actually a form of warfare.

Why are we so helpless and devoid of imagination? The reason is that we have been unable to get our act together and we are dealing with this major menace in a fractured and uncoordinated manner. I am afraid this will not do. The overwhelming need is to formulate a comprehensive plan to deal effectively with terrorism.So far, neither the political leadership, nor the Opposition parties, nor even the emergency core group or concerned bureaucrats have even hinted at a discernable plan for fighting terrorism. All the government is talking about is further strengthening laws, which is just one small aspect of the totality of actions that need to be taken.

So, what do we do? I propose a four-pronged approach.............
Firstly and most importantly, it is imperative to set up a unified command, which is fully autonomous and headed by only one person or entity.

Secondly, the key to unravelling terrorists and their nefarious activities is a very high level of relevant and actionable intelligence, which would enable the police and other security forces to nab the terrorists before they commit dastardly acts. This needs a high degree of expertise; technical back-up; dedicated and fearless individuals, who can penetrate terrorist cells; funding; sharing of information as it is available; complete independence of action; no interference by political leaders and bureaucrats with their own agendas; and many other related actions.

Thirdly, immediate strengthening of the police forces in all states, as well as the Central police forces.

Lastly, there is a need for our political leadership neither to appease any community or group, nor to spread the ideology of hate, particularly through inflaming religious sentiments and class and caste distinctions. This squarely falls in the realm of the government and the political parties.

None of these are unachievable, provided there is a will, centralised authority, accountability and an understanding of the magnitude of the task.

Give youngsters more chance.......!!!

There is no doubt that Sachin Tendulkar is a legend in the world of cricket. There was a time when his presence created panic in the opposition.But this is no longer true. The youngsters have taken command of the Indian team. One match failure should not be a question mark on Sachin’s inclusion in the team, but younger players are doing well and the selectors should give senior players like Sachin a rest so they can concentrate on Test cricket, while the young players should be given more opportunities to play ODIs.

Increased Interest rates........!!!

As a matter of abundant precaution, senior citizens have put their hard-earned savings in Post Office schemes and bank deposits — mostly in monthly income schemes and senior citizen savings schemes — at eight and nine per cent interest. Currently all banks are offering senior citizens almost 11.25 per cent annual interest on deposits. Banks say that to avail the higher interest rate, one must first close the original deposit, incurring a penalty, and then open a new account. Instead of going through all these procedures, the banks should offer the higher rate of interest for the remaining period of the deposits. This will not only eliminate unnecessary paperwork, but also earn the goodwill of customers. The banks have the power to take the initiative. Will they be gracious and magnanimous in their action?

Don’t doubt the army

Though fundamentalism in Hindu society is a later development than in Muslim and Christian societies, now India has a plethora of extremist Hindu organisations like Abhinav Bharat, RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal. For them violence is a means to an end. The rise of Hindu fundamentalism will result in the total breakdown of our security. What we have seen in Malegaon on September 29 may be a harbinger of fragmentation. The penetration of such "radical religious political parties" into our security forces is a nightmare. However, the recently revealed involvement of Lt. Col Purohit along with a few retired officers should be treated as a mere aberration. The Indian Army is very much apolitical, secular and, above all, highly professional. Let us not overplay this development to defame the "world's best Army". Our Army has its own in-built mechanism to check against rogue elements.

Politics.................just another Profession...!!!

The politics of principles, ideology, and perception has faded into lore. Politics today has acquired a sinister aura and political opponents are treated like arch enemies. Politicians switch political affiliations day in and day out. After his expulsion from the Congress, Natwar Singh joined the BSP in the hope that its rising graph would bring him good fortune. But here he made a mistake and, before he knew what was happening, he was dropped. Now Natwar Singh has knocked at the door of the BJP, which has become a sanctuary for discarded and disgruntled Congress politicians. How will Natwar Singh now justify joining the BJP? Indian politicians are mercenary, bereft of ideology or perception. They have simply adopted politics as a profession and, like any other professional, they want to be in the reckoning.

Kudos to Navy and let's help Somalia.

The sailors and officers manning the Indian Navy’s warship INS Tabar deserve praise for destroying a pirate mother-ship.The Somalian pirates have been hijacking scores of ships over the years and demanding astronomical sums as ransom. However, it should not be forgotten that war-ravaged Somalia suffers unimaginable poverty. Hence, while initiating joint action to put an end to piracy, it is essential that the international community join hands to help improve the lives of the people of Somalia.