Still quaking, still not prepared

November 26, 2008 is a date etched into too many memories to count. The intangible scars take more time to fade but what are we really doing about the tangible ones?
Mumbai, the financial capital of India and the victim of ten shooting and bombing attacks on the abovementioned date. Life indeed came to a standstill for the city for the three days terror gripped them. The pain of the subway attacks hadn’t precisely faded and misery came knocking again. Why weren’t we prepared? Why weren’t we better equipped for an attack? These questions were asked at that time as well but the lack of answers still haunts. And now we stand almost a year later and the scenario still aches if not more.

Even if you sit in Leopold’s and survey the hustle- bustle of the market or you stop by to grab a slice of blueberry pie from wich latte, this part of Colaba neighbourhood in all its glory still shows smears of the darkness. Be it the bullet marks in Leopold or the guarded cautious glances you catch being thrown across the shoulders they are all a reminder. Taj Hotel with its rigorous security checks and a stone in memory of all those who lost their lives, functions every day but one glance at the sky at the main gate shows you smears of the blood and the recollection comes swiftly.

Ajmal Kasab, the only living accused captured is still undergoing trial. The proceedings started on May 6, 2009. While we were flooded with assurances of him receiving extreme death penalty, what conclusions can be drawn from him still being here? The drama doesn’t seem to end. It might have started with his lawyer’s house being pelted and her giving up the case and another lawyer stepping in. the flip flop about his nationality seems to amuse most. The politics and blame game became more highlighted with Chidambaram’s latest statement. But does the public really need to be reminded of the tragedy by reading about his demands for perfume and evening walks or him shifting jails? Starting with DNA tests to determine his age, the absurdity of it all seems to escape the notice of too many.

David Headley’s arrest on October 3rd is a feat no less but now the flames are rising and who from Bollywood might get burnt hasn’t been disclosed yet. Emran Hashmi has denied all allegations and Rahul Bhatt is doing the same. This recent slur has created quite a storm. Mahesh Bhatt’s son is a fitness instructor and has reiterated his cooperation with the police. So close to the heels of the ghastly event completing one whole year, Bollywood’s glitz is scraping open wounds.

Shivraj Patil, the home minister of India who had resigned taking "moral responsibility" for the incident continues to be a member of the Rajya Sabha. He is still a respected functionary of his party. Although he valued his wardrobe more than the nation’s suffering at that time apparently, Ashok Chavan, the current Chief Minister of the state values Patils’ opinion still. Congress - NCP combine the serving government during the terror attacks continue to be in power. Vilasrao Deshmukh the Chief Minister at the time of Mumbai attacks is now the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and by all accounts enjoying being a cabinet minister. RR Patil, the home minister who had resigned from his post in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, has been reinstated as the home minister. What really has changed? Our political parties and leaders are faring the same way, it is only the one who steps into the crowded subway repressing the fear.

Are we enlightened? Currently only of the fact that a police officer goofed up in labeling articles that were seized from Taj Hotel and Nariman House. Aren’t we careful?
While we all wonder are we ready, the waves at Gateway of India continue to crash and the crowd at Leopold’s continues to cheer, a tear is wiped away by the mourners.