How many of our cities should burn before...

...someone actually does something about it? The November 26, 2008 attacks in Mumbai have made the world sit up and take notice because for the first time foreign nationals were targeted in India. But let us not forget that in the last two years, we have been switching on the television to a scene of carnage at some part of the country almost every other month . Bomb blasts across the Indian Metros have chalked up enough bodies to put any war-torn country to shame. So, what has been the response by our security agencies so far ?

Blasts in Delhi led to several arrests and Delhi police boasted that they had broken the ring of terrorism. The Anti-Terrorist Squad was in the news till yesterday owing to the arrests of army personnel involved in the Malegaon Blast Case. Today the ATS is in news because of their Chief Hemant Karkare's death in last night's attack.

So, we come back to the question, what has our police and intelligence sources accomplished so far? Going by the 27 hour-and-still-going-siege on our financial capital- a big zero!

Since our beloved Prime Minister's stoic speech did nothing to convince anybody of our proactive retaliation, the only bright spot in the day so far has been the decisive action taken by the Army and commandos in killing the terrorists and freeing the hostages. They have done their job. Now only if our police investigators can make some progress based on the bodies recovered.

Of course, this attack will probably force our authorities to be more pro-active as it involved foreign nationals and the "moneyed-folk" as they say. Gives one a bad taste in their mouth to acknowledge that without the "international" angle, this story probably wouldn't have garnered as much attention and action.

At this point, I just hope this at least forces our security forces to take action.

Meanwhile, this incident again raises the question of the state of our national security. Maybe at this point, our policy makers should re-evaluate our border security and invest in building a stronger system involving ID cards and biometric data for people traveling in and out of the country. I am sure this statement will raise many eyebrows because being majorly landlocked, our borders are considered almost un-securable at this point. But as we are already realising, India has grown to be noticed as a major player by international governments as well as terrorists. The new India also needs new security. Before another city pays the price and burns in the flames of terrorism.

Showbiz

Short Story

It might have been years, but Miss Monica still turned heads. Regal in her posture and dressed in an elegant kurta, she seem to float in to the dressing room. The hustle bustle of the backrooms were familiar and nostalgic to her. Even though she was much older than many of the nubile young things running around her, she knew time had been kind to her. Men still had the admiring look in their eyes when they saw her. She made sure of that every morning, standing in front of the mirror for hours.

After a final look at her make up, Miss Monica stood up as elegantly as possible (just to give the young 'ones' a taste of real grace!) and glided out in to the garden where today's scene was being shot. Finding a shaded spot to stand, she surveyed the scene. Camera's were being set up, shouted commands and exaggerated hand movements indicating the directors and producers who were used to being noticed. Running around were also a whole band of sweating men, workers behind the scene who made the movies possible.

Meaningless to many, this scene was very dear to Monica. It excited her to think she was part of this scene, this movie, this great work of art. She felt like she was 17 again, when she first came into this business. The lights and money had dazzled her then. Now, she just smiled a knowing smile at the new girls who were coming into the business today. Their flushed and nervous face easily set them apart.

The commotion was slowly calming down. Everything was almost in place. Chairs were being brought in and chilled cokes being readies on trays to be served to the director. Beach umbrellas have been already set up to shade the delicate skins of the actors and actresses.

It was almost time. Monica went through her lines again in her mind. A perfectionist, she knew she had to deliver the correct line with the right emotion. She had practiced for hours for the past three weeks for this scene. She was startled out of her reverie by a voice behind her , "Okay every one; Get ready!"

Putting on her acting face, Miss Monica gracefully swayed into the market scene. With the shout of "Action", the stationary people sprang into action, turning the area into a busy market place. Monica started walking hurriedly, a woman hurrying home, and ran into the handsome hero. She faltered so genuinely that even a few people around her almost reached out to save her. Righting herself on cue, she turned around and shouted "battameez, dekhai nahin deta! (Shameless, can't you see?)". And turned around in a perfect huff and stomped off. At the shout of "cut", she relaxed and let her face relax into a natural expression.

The day was over. It was no use hanging around for her. She headed for the dressing room to take her make up off and then head home. Though 300 Rupees was not much, but these days anyone hardly paid so much for a few minutes work. After all, opportunities for 50 year old extras were not easy to come by anymore.