(Post updated)
As everyone knows by now, there have been 7 blasts in Mumbai, all at railway stations. Amit Varma and Gaurav Sabnis are constantly updating their blogs with the latest reports. The toll as of now stands at a staggering 145. According to a Washpost story, the death toll is only expected to go up. The coverage in Western media is remarkably patchy and underscores how much India and Indian lives really matter. Perhaps the best site now for help and information is Mumbaihelp. They are doing an awesome job trying to contact relatives and friends. For hospital numbers see here
I just hope Mumbai holds together and no communal riots occur. The Shiv Sena’s and Abu Azmis please hold your hands.
Two things stand out:
First, no help was forthcoming from any government official for almost an hour.
Second, Rajdeep Sardesai is making a song and dance about how CNN-IBN was the first to pick up this story. Some one, please kill this bastard.
Update1: Why is Laloo Yadava going to Mumabi ? What the hell is he going to do except impede rescue operations? Politicians, can you guys please stay away for a couple of days?
Update 2: BBC givesManomohan’s Singh and Musharraf statements the same importance. Infact they follow right after one another. Why has LET not denied its involvement till now? Oh, I forgot, Mushy has already done it for them.
Update 3: I was just watching CNN and it is reporting increased transit security in New York as a direct result of Mumbai blasts. The overall coverage is atrocious and the contrast from Madrid blasts is so clear. India is too far to matter. Also, for the first time, I saw the live pictures and it just confirmed what bloggers like Gaurav have been saying all along. Complete lack of government offcials and people fending for each other.
Update 4: The death toll currently is around 173 with more than 400 injured. It is expected to go up. At least the trains have started working again.
At 10.45 pm, four hours after seven bombs exploded in seven suburban trains on the Western line, a train left Churchgate station again. Hundreds cheered. Mumbai’s lifeline was reconnected
Update 5: B Raman in Outlook sees the hand of Al Quaeda of course with home grown terrorist networks like SIMI. There has been speculation regarding the involement of Dawood Ibrahim too, another terrorist who Pakistan has consistently refused to hand over.
Filed under: Just Plain Weird
[...] Dilip refers to this post, when he talks about me calling for Rajdeep’s murder. I leave to readers good judgment to understand the context. [...]
Oh forget that
Zero-Assertive yet Plain Aggressive & Head-strong shell named Dilip D
………
I felt the same and said the same “bastard bit” while watching the coverage of the aforementioned inhuman act….I got irritated too, when the reporter, shamelessly kept terminating each piece of coverage with that fuckn “Chest thumping” – like Gorillas do, when they seek attention {stand up, bellow loudly and beat their chests with a thunderous sound}….which was not essential an ingredient at all.
look at the old man Dilip D, instead of expressing his opinion on the situation, he disgustingly pulled out that bit n said “Astonishing…’ where is the journalistic n columnistic attitude? just a piece of clamor!
This “Chest thumping” happened when the same TV channel covered “Priyadarshini Mattoo’s verdict”…agreed, the channel played that “expected catalyst role” to bring aggrieved father together with families of other murder victims -….that’s what I,a common woman on the streets, expect from a TV channel. they are doing their job. Chest-thumping act is uncalled for.
It suddenly seems a helpless cry amidst the chaotic existence …DO THE DEED.LEAVE IT TO THE AUDIENCE.DONT CHEST-THUMP!
DILIP D…I dnot get your angst! DO FOCUS YOUR ENERGIES (IF YOU ARE LEFT WITH ANY) ON SOMETHING SUBSTANTIATIVE