The spirit Of…..

Another bomb blast in Delhi, this time the target was Jama Masjid of all places. Luckily, no one is dead. Patrix thinks that will make the supporters of terrorists realize that they have no sympathy for Muslims. I have no such illusions hopes. From Kashmir to Iraq, Islamic terrorists have killed more Muslims than members of anyone other faith. What effect has that had? I guess all is Kosher as long as it is in the name of Jihad.

Anyways, My problem is of a slightly different nature. After each and every blast we hear two things. The government promises to catch the guilty, and newspapers extol the spirit of the people. The standard line is…

”People of (fill in your city) showed great spirit by coming out in large numbers. They showed they will not be cowed down by the terrorists. Such spirit shown by the people of … is admirable and lesson for the rest of country/world.”

Seriously, I am as tired of this cliched line as I am of the alleged spirit of the people.

Now, in my admittedly limited exposure to the world, I am yet to come across a city as spirited as New -York. That New-york air, that vitality is indescribable. Yet, when the 9/11 attack took place, how did the New Yorker show his spirit? By following his daily routine as if nothing had happened? By making 9/11 a picnic spot? No, 9/11 brought New-York and America to a standstill. Tears were shed, candlelight vigils were mounted, signature campaigns were launched and memories were preserved. And yes, most importantly questions were asked. People made it clear-they will not move on. They will neither forget nor let anyone else forget.(As Taliban discovered in Afghanistan). Even now four years after the event, Americans have neither forgotten nor forgiven.

That is the real spirit.

Contrast it to our attitude. Bomb Blasts occur, some unfortunate people get killed, some politicians score political points and life goes on -as normal as ever except for the families of those who have lost someone. Rest of us show our ‘’spirit” by continuing in our daily chores, our routine is unaffected and ”ye sab to chalta rahta hai” spirit is all pervasive. W don’t even make the pretence of being horrified, of being hurt. All we want to know is -kitne marein(how many dead?)

Is this a spirit we should extol? Is this defeatist, callous attitude something to be looked upon as the ‘’spirit of the city”? Pah…So why does it pass muster? Because it is the easiest route to take. The alternative would be to ask questions, fix responsibility, ensure such things do not occur in future. Admittedly a much more difficult task. A task which requires we care-for the fallen one. Why should we? Kaun tha wo humara?

Perhaps, we don’t really care. How does it matter when among teeming millions which dot our landscape a few get blown up? Who misses them? Forget about bomb blasts, thousand get killed in our earthquakes and no responsibility is ever fixed. Mumbai, the apple of our eyes, was brought to its collective knees by one day of rains(to even start comparing it with Katrina is foolish) but life goes on. All is forgotten and forgiven.

Till the next one comes.

Soon, all we will have is the spirit. Rest will be gone.

p.s I always think that when it comes to callousness and hypocrisy, Indian as a breed is unmatched in the rest of the world. But wait, can Pakistan be far behind? So, even Karachi has a spirit which can apparently never be broken. Just shows how similar we are!

Anyways, thanks for the link Mariam. And I was wondering where is all the traffic coming from.