Sighted - the first intelligent comment on Mumbai 26/11

in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks I am beginning to hear ... middle-class murmurs and whines about the ineffectual ... democracy and the need for authoritarian government.

The first part of the argument is ... India’s politicians are greedy sods, incompetent buffoons who have let the country down ... The real heroes of 26/11 were the men in uniform, the navy commandos, the Army, the Mumbai police and the ATS. Therefore, we should put our faith in these people not in politicians ... Some talk openly about a benign dictator (a commodity on par with virgin prostitutes) and some demand an abridgement of the universal franchise that, they say, has led us to this mess. Many (and I’m sure you’ve got the text messages too) demand that we refuse to cast our votes as a gesture of protest: “We should refuse to cooperate with these bloody politicians.” ... Not only does it demonstrate that we have forgotten the lessons of the Emergency but it also shames the Indian middle class and shows up the cowards that are some of its most vocal members. (via Let’s recall the lessons from the Emergency - Lounge - livemint.com).

All is forgiven Vir Sanghvi ...

The first intelligent comment on the Mumbai 26/11.

All your superior sounding down articles, your snooty takes on food, wine and other inane stuff ... This one article allows you to continue with your mindless wanderings for the next few weeks at least. At least, I will not complain, about how you contribute to global warming by usage of newsprint for mindless pursuits ...

Covered in glory

The Indian media (especially English) and the India’s Westernized elite has been hounding for blood ever since the terrorist attacks on Mumbai’s upper class business centres for the first time. After the 26/11 attack on Mumbai prime centres, they have been able to force the resignation of Shivraj Patil, India’s Home Minister. Maharashtra’s Home Minister, RR Patil has also resigned. Maharashtra’s Cheif Minister is expected to be replaced also - soon.

While, busy going up the grease pole of ratings and rankings, the Indian media has not covered itself with glory on the analysis Mumbai 26/11 terror strike. They have stoked a feeding frenzy against the politicians - who are are accountable and should pay a price.

Glaring Omissions

They have NOT pointed any fingers against any bureaucrat(s) who have slept on the job. While they have extensively covered the visits, careers, deaths, heroics, funerals of Salasker, Kamte, Karkare and Maj Unnikrishnan, they have completely ignored the funerals of the foot soldiers and police constables - like Gajendar Singh. No politician has seen it fit to go the houses of the foot soldiers and police constables.

When the poor died, they were praised for the 'spirit of Mumbai' and asked to get back to work - as the rich would other wise suffer. Now that that rich are suffering they no longer want to talk about the spirit of Mumbai, but instead are questioning 'how long'?

Shame on you, Indian media, Indian middle class, Indian elite. Is it a co-incidence that they happen to be English speaking and Westernized?