AND WE CRIED RIVERS OF BLOOD….

(Articles on Terroris: My own, Dance of terror on November 25th last year and the recent one I came across

on Ninad Bhangle’s blog, We seek Peace )

Being an Indian, terrorism is nothing new to us. Every single day, we witness the violence in Kashmir. Every month, we hear of bomb blasts either in Bangalore or Mumbai or Delhi or Ahmedabad or some metropoiltan city. It has become such a common place thing.

We witness the ripped out bodies, the pools of blood, the charred remains of people and vehicles; broken homes, wailing loved ones, lost hope, undying spirit…

We witness the gunned down terrorists, the captured ones, the ones running scott free after a disappointing court trial….

We only witness….

But nothing ever prepared us for the cruel attack of terrorists in Mumbai on November 26th 2008!

Compared to what has happened recently, I think, bomb blasts were easier to cope with. After the initial trauma, we have been left to deal with clearing of the mess, helping out the injured, supporting the victims families, nabbing the accused…….we have seen a fresh morning.

We have NEVER witnessed an ONGOING terror attack……until NOW…..

WE CRY RIVERS OF BLOOD, for people at

……CST railway station

……Cafe Leopold

……Cama hospital

……Metro Cinema

……Hotel Taj

……Hotel Oberoi

……Hotel Trident

……Nariman House

and other such places in South Mumbai.

There are thousands of sources that will provide you the entire information about the terror attacks.

But is knowing enough???

Have you seen the terrorists who have been shot dead and caught……they are mere teenagers! What kind of hatred are they holding in their hearts to commit such atrocious acts of inhumanity? What religion compels them to take such extreme steps of terrorism? What exactly is their jehad ?

NO. I don’t think, terrorists have a religion.

NO. I don’t think, they follow a God.

NO. I don’t think, they even have hearts.

They are machines.

They are made up of immense fanatical hatred; that which has no boundaries.

We see brave cops laying down their life for common people. Common people still held hostages. Amidst the chaos, we see the vulnerable human life fighting against these inhuman beasts.

WE CRY RIVERS OF BLOOD, for people

…..all foreingners who came to enjoy a holiday

…..commuters who died at the railway station

……hotel guests

……families of dead cops, hotel staff

and all those who were affected.

It is easy to deal with criminals who have demands. Demands of a ransom, of release of some fellow prisoner, of ammunition, of any thing in particular.

But, how the hell, do you deal with people, who’s only intention is to terrorize, to kill without reason, to injure without an aim, to just create fear.

People? Can you even call them people? They don’t even deserve to be called as animals….

What can be worst?

Yet the spirit of the people is undying.

The love for fellow-beings in us eternal.

Not only the commandos but even ordinary human beings have been working ceaselessly throughout the night. They are donating blood where needed.

Every single human soul is making at least a tiny contribution to ease the pain.

Even as I write this, do you know, what video is being viewed constantly on Youtube? The CNN Irony! Check this out!

Even in a grave situation like this, it sure feels funny.

What we need, is not ignorance.

We need support.

People all over the world are pitching in their help.

It doesn’t matter where in the world you are.

You do not need to contribute your money or donate blood or be here in person to make a difference.

Just do ONE thing.

Do not shy away from the television reports and sympathize.

Instead Empathize and PRAY.

PRAY for the brave souls of Mumbai.

PRAY for India.

For what can deafeat terrorism is not ammunition and hatred;

But unconditional LOVE, undying HOPE and oodles of FAITH!!!

(I dedicate this post to people all around the world who have faced terrorism. The fact that you acknowledged the presence of terrorism in your lives and fought it in your own speical way, makes you victorious. Together we can make a difference. And we will. May God bless the departed souls and give the remaining ones courage to move ahead….Amen)

A GIRL’S WEDDING

Have you ever seen a Hindu wedding? It symbolizes sanctity, beauty and the most correct following of rites and rituals. It is grand. It is royal. It is everything what a young bride and groom hope for.

There are several customs and traditions. Several ceremonies that run parallel to the grand event. Each one more memorable than the last.

For nearly a month I was involved with the wedding preparations of my best friend. Last one week was total fun. I enjoyed a lot helping out, taking part in the various ceremonies and trying my best to keep my friend happy until she begins a new phase in her life.

There is an unique characteristic of such weddings, at the end of the day, the bride cries, her family cries…..It is always sad to leave one’s home and settle elsewhere. To begin a new life, with a new person, with a new family.

I have never cried at weddings. I had always found it to be stupid. Or perhaps, I have never been close to someone enough, to miss them or care for them.

However, I did not realize but tears did sprang up in my eyes while saying goodbye to my friend. I felt silly. My friend is going to remain in the same town but just at a different house. She will carry with her the same phone number.Still, I did feel sad.

I don’t why she cried either. It is the same with her. Though, she won’t live with parents anymore, she will be just minutes away from their home. That house will welcome her anytime she wants.

Then why did she cry? Why did I cry?

Does a bride really cry because she won’t stay with her parents.

I don’t think so.

What is intimidating is that it is the beginning of a completely new life. More so for a girl.

She is the one who is going to leave her parent’s place and move elsewhere.

What made me cry is the same thing?

In a few years time, I will too begin a different life.

And now I know, I will cry a lot.

Not that I am not not used to staying away from my family. I have done that many times. But I did not realize earlier that what is actually means.

It means changing your priorities.

All those people, you thought to be the most important ones, will be given the second position. Your husband, will be your top priority.

All those people who were your family, will have less right on you and your life will have a new meaning.

What hurts is the fact of pushing your own people away from you and embracing total strangers.

For a girl, that is such a major thing to do.

Few years, down the line, a new family life begins. A phase of more responsibilities and commitments.

Sometimes, I don’t understand, what is more dear?

The first years of life when you are young, carefree, innocent and without any responsibilities.

Or the later years of maturity.

For a boy, maturity means to turn into a man.

But a girl, becomes a daughter first, then a sister, a wife and finally a mother……and that’s what she remains all her life……without any second identity…..

A wedding, is fun but at the same time, it s when a girl is born again with a different identity….

And one never knows, that the tears a girl sheds are the sad ones or the happy ones….

Or whether, the most beautiful thing in life is the one in which aeons of happiness is mixed with tons of grief!!!

TWO SOULS, ONE MIND

My happiness is always a strange question.

There can’t be a better confusion.

I want to tell thee,

What my thoughts mean,

Where will I be tomorrow.

And where I had been.

I was praying for you;

And you never knew.

You came into my life,

Like the morning dew.

I was groping in the darkness,

When suddenly there was light.

You gave me your eyes,

When I had lost my sight.

Sometimes, I wonder…..

What our destinies behold?

But then, from the ordinary earth

Great sculptures do mold.

Let us shape them such-

that our lives are entwined

Two lovely souls but one single mind!!!

DESTINY’S CHILD

The sparkling eyes full of innocence,

the face that has so much to tell.

The dried up laughter, the living tears-

all those thoughts that had meant well…

She never knew, life is so unfair;

the struggle, the rough pathways.

The never-ending storms that destroyed all;

filled with grief, were those endless days.

And sometimes, an occasional sunshine;

the good, the better and the best.

Little joys and mirth around-

Happiness that matters more than the rest.

Now, she has realized everything;

Life’s like sugar and spice.

The uncertain mixed feelings;

Life with its virtue and vice.

For she is the “Destiny’s child”

For her life is a contradiction.

A fair bit of hope and a tryst with fate;

A truth that is stranger than fiction!!!

(Destiny’s child is a special poem for me in many ways. The words are simple enough and it may seem ordinary but if you read it peacefully, you would see that it conveys a deep meaning. A meaning that goes well beyond words. A sorrow that is so obvious yet a determination so profound that it just breaks the heart…)