9/11.co.in

Posted on | November 29, 2008 | Comments

Random observations on the last 50 odd hours of terror, horror, hope, cynicism, sadness and fury.

In no particular order, whatsoever.

a.

This was, undoubtedly, the most televised tragedy in this country as yet.

It also invited, in all probability, the most intrusive coverage in every sense of the word.

While a few channels displayed humane and responsible reporting, some others were typically blatant in their eagerness to get the ‘news’ first.

People emerging after being holed up for hours deserved an easier passage to a safe place, not microphones and cameras that were shoved in their faces.

People who broke down upon hearing that their friends or kin were not returning home needed space to come to terms with their personal tragedies, not the glare of media lights.

b.

I recall footage that I saw live.

A terrorist had just been shot on the streets.

And his body had been loaded on to a security vehicle.

A reporter, probably the first one to get there, ran with his camera-man to the vehicle.

Even as he was breathlessly narrating the sequence of events, a cop opened the door of the vehicle, reached in, grabbed the head of slain terrorist by the hair and held it up to the camera.

He was shot through the head.

All you could see was a bloody mess.

They never ran this footage again.

c.

Nariman Building.

The crowds somehow sensed the operation was over.

And started cheering.

The security vehicle and the fire truck could barely get into the nrrow lane.

Mr. Munde descended upon the place right then.

And decided to start speaking to the press right then and there.

Never mind the situation, it’s sensitivity and the security issues.

What was he doing there?

Who invited him?

Who even cared what he has to say?

It soon emerged the operation was NOT over yet.

A crowd that has been waiting hours for some sign of victory takes time to be brought under control.

An opportunistic politician, however, seems impossible to control in this country even today.

d.

Nariman Building again.

The jubilant and relieved crowd erupted.

Vande Mataram!

Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Vande Mataram!

I did not hear a single soul shouting ‘Jai Maharashtra’.

I hope the self-styled “protectors & preservers” of the Marathi Manoos heard what I heard.

e.

A furious Shobha De burst out on camera.

Enough is enough!

To every politician who is coming to Mumbai, to Mr. Advani, STAY OUT.

We don’t need you.

Later NDTV 24X7 took up the slogan – Enough is Enough.

f.

For once.

For once, the media and the people were NOT interested in what the various political parties and their leaders had to say – about anything.

g.

A Facebook status update:

“X wants to know where all the pussy goons of the Shiv Sena and the MNS are tonight, and why they arent helping the real heroes – our NSG commandos.”

h.

Some responses to the above update:

“true! come & help guys, otherwise you are all over the place running around like hooligans”

“its easier to pelt english store signage than fighting grenades and guns”

“i can’t believe that if they can bring a city to its knees because somebody’s been arrested, they can’t storm a frigging bunch of hotels. Where’s all that fighting spirit now…”

i.

It was not so much the scale and magnitude of the attacks that shook Mumbai.

It was the sheer audacity that did it.

j.

Another Facebook status update:

“please don’t make a face the next time the security guy wants to check your bag…it’s time for us to do our bit…”

k.

“Were you feeling scared?”

This question was often thrown at harrowed people who were evacuated after hours of confinement.

l.

The BJP ran an advert in the Hindustan Times, New Delhi edition on the 28th of November.
My feeling is that they lost more votes than they imagined with that one piece of opportunistic communication.
Who says advertising does not work?

m.

I received this SMS yesterday:

“We need not worry about those who have come by boat.
But we must worry about those who have come by vote.
Save Mumbai.”

n.

Another SMS I received:

“Please forward Raj Thackeray’s phone number if you find it.
Want him to go and save Amchi Mumbai with his MNS goondas.
The NSG commandos are not Marathi Manoos.
Why should they lay down their lives for Mumbaikars?”


o.

Anger was palpable amongst the people of Mumbai.
The anger at the terrorists was as much, if not less, compared to the anger the people of the city felt towards the politicians and the administration.
The SMSes above are a symptom of the same.

p.

Someone told me this.

This time something will be done.
This time, there will be change.
They have hit the rich and the famous this time.

Sunday. November 29.

It’s over. For now.
Says one channel.
Hindsight is always 20/20.
The next few days will be watched with keen interest.