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No intelligence, no failure

Anoop Kohli,  16 February 2010, 12:52 AM IST

Ever since Indian dailies picked up a rather avoidable habit of making the front page an advertisement, the one today in a national daily, with a black background, about the iconic German Mercedes, somehow hit the right chord and theme for the tragedy of Pune's German bakery. The ad "Leading is not a matter of choice, it's a responsibility" might have been booked earlier, but I wonder if a last-minute afterthought spelt the sensitivities of the day which no paper headline could drive in more meaningfully. For that matter, ads these days portray more of public need and sense than some scholarly editorials.


Deep inside the pages of another daily, I see the snap of an innocent 19-year-old who somehow got into a prolonged discussion with her teacher over Frost's famous poem. Unimaginable. A day before Valentine, when her brother would also be joining her, she was pondering over death. She and her brother were not to survive the blast the next day.


A premonition? Not really. She must have been 10 when she saw  9/11, a little older on 7/7, and a sweet seventeen when she must have read in much in detail about 26/11. A bright and sensitive mind is quite impressionable. Long ago she must have seen the graph of de-escalating violence, sudden unforeseen deaths, mostly of the innocent and the unaware. The surety of the world she was living in must have been too good for her to believe. Maybe she picked up some coffee-room or street gossip, and her instincts were sharp enough about what was coming to her, or to her dear friends.


It is a mute point whether this could have been prevented. If the so-called "intelligence" was actionable, or if  this was an accidental blast of bombs meant for a coming township in Lonavala. There comes a state in a nation's history, when analysis, critical dialogue, concern for the common man's safety, are just not the priorities of the rulers, or even the powerful lobbies that interact and mould the administration's policies. The reasons could be many. Right from chasing a 9% growth target, where finance may rule over security, lack of focused inquiry to get to the base of truth, or a sense of helplessness that truth is far beyond reach, and really not worth the chase.


There is one aspect of the powers that be that is absolutely reliable. They predicted long ago, with sufficient reminders, that there could be repeats of 26/11. It is just that people thought it was a façade for electoral gains.


There will be much activity now. There will be hard irrefutable clues soon enough. Faces wrapped in cloth, or covered by hoods so that they may not be recognized till further inquiry. Kasab may just have some more company in his Rs 30 crore luxury cell with some additional cost.


Next week, you will all be busy with the budget. That is fine. But how many more "Anindyees" may already be growing up pondering over Frost's lines is a thought that makes one shudder. Finally, my appreciation for the ad team of Mercedes, for defining man on the qualities of a machine, "Leading…..is a matter of responsibility."


In passing, do any of you have Headley on your Facebook?

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Tarun says:

February 16,2010 at 06:49 AM IST

India has not tried or convicted any of the Muslim terrorists caught for Bangalore, Ahmedabade, Delhi terror attacks. Yes, indeed common man's life is cheap. Only the rich and powerful matter

(Reply to Tarun)- Rajesh says:

February 16,2010 at 03:53 PM IST

Dear Tarun,

You are abs right!!

This so called secular congress govt will not do it in their terms. Just recall the major part of SIMI network was cracked in MP, based on then inputs Gujrat police nabbed people from UP...
What congress minister like Digvijay Singh does is to put a question on Batla House encounter being on a visit to Ajamgarh. What can u expect from these spineless politicians??

 

Sharda Bhargav - The Confiscated Soul says:

February 16,2010 at 07:49 AM IST

Very rightly mentioned that safety and secutity of common man is no priority of the rulers.
The truth is not that far, to say it is beyond reach. Our leaders don't have the will power to detect and defeat this ugly face.

 

LAKHINDER SINGH says:

February 16,2010 at 10:20 AM IST

SUPERB AS USUAL.YOU HAVE THIS COUNTRY,S PULSE BETTER THAN ANYBODY I KNOW.

 

Kunal says:

February 16,2010 at 10:59 AM IST

That not it though MNIK made 24 crores while good people were dying.

 

Ganesh Chaturvedi says:

February 16,2010 at 11:03 AM IST

doc u better stay in the surgery - what u write is rather convoluted and kinky - hope your hands are doing a better job than the abstractness your pen reveals

 

Santunu says:

February 16,2010 at 12:35 PM IST

Have we ever objectively thought about the reasons for this situation that we are in. Who is responsible. It is a very complicated issue. The entire system is very intricately web net. The vote bank politics and the same vote bank supporting a rogue state and this community having the capability of influencing the selection of the assembly and the government. Now this cycle will continue and there will be no one who will take action for the fear of losing election. The bureaucrats who do not have to fight elections are interested in their own personal gains and any expectation from them is like fooling oneself. So what is the cure. Continue with it but when it starts hurting then dont start shouting. Remember the monster does not even spare its master.

(Reply to Santunu)- Anoop Kohli says:

February 16,2010 at 08:31 PM IST

A reply to all. It is all about the security of the common man, and what we as a people and the concerned minitries can do about it. We would not like to be classified as an 'unsafe' nation for ourselves, and all those who visit this land. That little girl is not much older than my daughter. I also feel that the Ministry should stop using the word, 'Indian Mujahideen'. An Indian is an Indian, and a terrorist a terrorist. This word may hurt many, or may create a rather objectionable bias I thought we had left behind long ago. There is a need that all political parties may decide to refrain from mentioning any community, caste or creed. The press and the electronic media may practice a self imposed embargo on matters which are petty, and in their judgement likely to be inflammatory, and detrimental to communal harmony. Over the years and my interactions with many makes me feel, that the ability to live together peacefully, is perhaps the last lesson civilization has often faltered in, much to this planet's destruction, and each time with innumerable lives lost. That whenever this monster of hate strikes it almost culminates to the most heinious climax, before it settles down. It is not necessary that the most powerful and prosperous may also be the most adept at addressing human issues. Prophets came and left, but while they were on this earth, the rich, powerful, and famous mostly shunned them.Politics, power, diplomacy, espionage, highly accurate and destructive weaponry is not worth it if it fails to subordinate the theme of humanity. Sorry, i had to go to this length to clarify that i do not intend to blame anyone, but we all do have a right and responsibility to conduct ourselves maturely, and the higher the chair and power, the greater the responsibility. This, i humbly submit to all my readers.

 

E. D'Souza says:

February 16,2010 at 02:34 PM IST

When a law enforcement police officer lays in the center of a road begging for help after being fatally attacked and nearby three minister watch him dying how can one expect these despots to help anyone

 

Navinder says:

February 16,2010 at 04:51 PM IST

Very nicely written...
After reading this, everyone have some question in their mind like: Why cons are convicted very rarely in india? Why the common man is put behind bars for the minor crimes too, but the man with the power takes the luxories of life even after killing some one with BMW or any other way?
where are the rules and laws ?

But we all have to take the responsibility that it is us who led that happen.Understand the vote bank politics and don't get lured by the political con's.Because evreyone have choices .It is us who choose one way out of many.

Intelligence can't do anything without cooperation. Feel very low about the pune calamity.

 

Dr P R Chakraborty says:

February 16,2010 at 05:21 PM IST

Absolutely right. If you do not have any intelligence, then the failure %-age is zero. So please do not be a cry baby. The industrial output has increased by 17 %, growth will be 9 %, IPL is starting soon, MNIK has been a super-duper hit, communal forces like, SS, BJP have been shown their places, Rejoice Indians!! So what if a few have died in the Pune blast ( we have had better blasts in the past-did we do anything?), so what if China is gradually encroaching into our territory, so what if farmers are committing suicide, so what if food prices are going through the roof, Rejoice Indians, we are soon to anoint our Baba from the Family as Crown Prince of this democracy. Has not our Queen spoken? Intelligence gathering? Punishing the culprits of the various terror attacks ? Looking after the safety and well-being of countrymen? These are mundane tasks to worry about. Please do not expect any punishment to the terror strikers, after all they belong to our holy cow community!! If we take any step against them, what will our “gora” secular teachers say? What will they further say if we do not talk, ad nauseum, to our friendly good neighbour even though they continue giving us a thousand cuts! I fail to understand what sins Bharatvarsha has committed to deserve such leaders!! Even God must be scratching His head to understand what stuff our politicians and leaders are made up of.

 

Rajinder Chaudhary says:

February 16,2010 at 10:08 PM IST

My Heart goes to the innocent victims who have lost their life in this yet another terrorism provoked attack in Pune .The Writer has made very correct analysis of the events leading to it but no improvement can come unless the Politicians wake up to the reality that the Vote Bank is not 200 Million voters of a Particular Community but each and every citizen of this country after attaining the age of voting.Let the Voting be made Compulsory and a Sea Change itself will come in our Political System where the Rulers will have to rise to the Occcassion and be answerable to the Citizens.We indeed have a Great Home Minister now and a Largely excellent Council of Ministers with a perfect Prime Minister but the Terrorism must be dealt with bold measures.A lesson or two must be learnt from those countries who too have been a regular target of the Terrorists but they always respond by bold retaliation. And let Vote Bank not deter us from Hanging those whose guilt is proved for fear of retaliation.It is time to say Loud and Clear that "EEINT KA JAWAB PATHAR SE MILEGA"But if caution is the Policy of the Rulers,they need to be reminded of a Couplet of once a Nationalist Poet Maulana Iqbal who had said "Na Samjho Gey Tau Mitt Jayo Gey Aai Hindustan Walo, Tumhari Dastan Bhi Na Hogee Dastanon Main"

 

AP says:

February 17,2010 at 01:42 AM IST

Do you know what was the reaction from Delhi?
Press trust of India floated a story Sonia is anguished at the Pune tragedy. It is as if only she was anguished. They cannot even spare a tragedy to trump up the rulers. I guess we will not hear for a while that Rahul is going to Azamgadh.

 

Ravi Thussu says:

February 17,2010 at 08:48 AM IST

Very subtle!!! But only for those who can learn from their mistakes. Our leaderes always seem to score a point when they clim (as if it is their personal accomplishment) that we are the largest democracy of the world . It perhaps is true- but it is the democracy which elects leaders to not to perform .

 

Jayanta Dutt says:

February 17,2010 at 12:39 PM IST

Ever since Pakistan launched its eminently successful iregular warfare on a hapless India through terrorism 23 years ago, our powers-that-be have rejected every single step from the Counter-terrorism doctrine recommended by our intelligentsia due to vote bank considerations. Even a basic item like police reforms has been shoved under the carpet. Our netas are well protected while the aam admi is offered as slaughterhouse. Captured terrorists like Mohd Afzal and Ajmal Qasab are treated as VIPs and saved from the gallows because their lives are considered more precious than those of Indian citizens. After every strike, we showcase a standard one-act play: the top political echelons condemn it while increasing their own security detail; we go into a huge sulk apropos Pakistan; our Home Minister runs to Washington to sob on the latter's shoulders; the state versus centre blame game intensifies; our netas slyly meet their Islamabad counterparts at foreign conferences; finally, we offer to talk to Pakistan. This cycle is repeated with minor modifications from strike to strike!

 

Pranav says:

February 17,2010 at 02:57 PM IST

sometimes I break into tears when i hear the stories of victims how their dreams never fulfilled...there is no end becouse our politicans dnt know where to start...waiting waiting and waiting did america waited for talks after 9/11????? but we want peace great thinking i do break into tears if people has to die why not die fighting war???? i know war will not be the end but it will be a start atleast..

 

Mark says:

February 17,2010 at 03:59 PM IST

Who said they are not doing enough? They had the CCTV's in place, they had the intelligence and the works. Inaction caused by apathy is the source of all the problem. Was any memorial observed for the 26/11 victims? Our government follows the I-care-to-hoots attitude.

 

Anil Kohli says:

February 17,2010 at 05:45 PM IST

Thank you. Loved it. This basic message needs to be sent to our so called leaders.

The word "LEADER" is used at the drop of the hat, signifying an individual who somehow seems to have become our master. Winning the most insignificant election has becomes the qualifying mark for being bestowed with this title.

“Leader” has become a hereditary title or more precisely the exclusive domain of the few, embodying arrogance, power and larger than life image, rather than the responsibility that is inherent. Electronic media is culpable for this trend, the constant barrage unleashed on the young impressionable minds, leaves them numb, in a state of stupor unable to look beyond the glitz and glare that is attached to the “LEADER”. The acceptance is instant, ability to question the credential and seek detailed resumes to ascertain the applicability of this word is not in realm of our thoughts.

The common Indian has been reduced to a mere knave who survives at the will and whim of this leader.

 

Abc says:

February 17,2010 at 06:22 PM IST

what can one say now???? sit back & watch the ugly politicians collect the votes of the terrorist community

 

rush says:

February 18,2010 at 01:55 AM IST

answer to most complex problem r mostly simple... don't ask who blasted the bomb ~~~
ask how & where did he get the bomb or its raw material.
bomb & its raw material can only be sourced from limited place(in india)--- control it--so they dont have anything to blast.
if bombs are sourced from out of india~~~~ask how did it enter indian border.---control entry point so no bomb to blast in india.

terrorist travel only in stolen vehicle-- track auto theft with urgency at police level.

point to remember: more then 150 vehicle went missing during 25 jan & 26 jan.in delhi-- has police traced any of it and where is it used now.

instead of wasting govt money on vote bank politics welfare scheme....use it to seal our porous borders.

charge us 1% more on petrol & desiel. and use 100% of the fund to make our border airtight.

just for fun.... crash land few of our aging mig plane on terroist camp in P.O.K

question to ask to weed out corrupt & inefficient politician........
do i have any right to deny my vote to a particular politician...
i should have a option in the E.V.M during election "none of the above, give us better choice".
so the election commision and the political class know our answer abt the nominated persons.
[if more then 50% vote for my suggestion then the whole batch of politician of that constituency should be blacklisted.]

police: how to make them less corrupt and bribe proof------- stuff their body till the neck from stomach with money and social benefit so that they dont have any inclination to run after money. take excellent care of their family and needs so they can dedicate themself to work

my point- bhuke pet se kam nahi hota; dhuki maan se jan kalyan nahi hota

pet ki aag aur maan ka dhuk(sorrow) hata dijiye koi insan chor ya farebi nahi hona chahata.

don't ask a man to behave like a god (who does no wrong)

if pakistan wants to talk abt kashmir-- let us talk abt only " pak occupied kashmir"

 

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ABOUT ANOOP KOHLI More
Anoop Kohli is a senior consultant neurologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. His interests go far beyond his chosen profession. For him, it's just one game of life so interesting to study for all its themes and aberrations. He also dabbles in script-writing and recently got a membership of the Bombay Film Writers' Association. In this blog, Masquerader, expect from him anything from H1N1 to Heena.
 
The views expressed in Masquerader are the author´s own.
 
 
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