A friend of mine pointed out that my blog looks orphaned so thought of wiping off the layers of dust, a month and a half old, and put something up on this blog.
Even as I wonder about a suitable topic the images from the Mumbai mishap, so generously splattered on TV screens across the nation by countless and thoughtless news channels, spring to mind.
A most concerning feature of the terror attacks has been the amount of sensationalism created by the media.
Every news channel repeatedly playing scenes of explosions, getting in the way of the armed forces pestering them for statements, loudly announcing unconfirmed rumours creates a sense of panic among the general populace. By doing all this, the media gave these terrorists exactly what they wanted. A.t.t.e.n.t.i.o.n. Tons and tons of it. By announcing body counts and death tolls the media are only helping the terrorists in creating fear and panic.
The blame game, of course, has already begun. Some prominent politicians blame Pakistan. The West suspects Al-Qaeda. Bow-bow blah-blah.
But shouldn’t we all take a moment, step back and look at this from a different point of view?
We are killing each other. Rather shamelessly.
Slaughtered on the streets of Mumbai was a 27 year old IIT graduate whose was set to marry his childhood sweetheart sometime next week. By a mere whimsical pull of a trigger, they have extinguished lives and dreams. Brought agony to many many more.
As terrorists and armed forces fight it out, both convinced that they fight to defend their faith, to honour their country and in the service of God, the real victims however are innocent people.
The words of Mark Knopfler come to mind:
Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms
