We, the common, educated, law abiding citizens of India, having solemnly affirmed that it is time to move beyond drawing room discussions blaming everyone for the mess we are in, need to take some action NOW. What needs to be done will get clearer as we move along, as long as we agree that SOMETHING must be done, and make a begining however small.
The immediate step is to initiate discussion through the forum of this blog and within our immediate circle of likeminded friends. The aim of such discussions is to identify actions within our circles of influence which can be taken to stop being helpless victims of terrorism. Some of the issues that come to my mind are:-
- Vigilance and prevention.
- Awareness of immediate actions if you are in a terrorist situation – Dos and Don’ts.
- Actions to seek accountability from politicians and public servants.
- Security measures and precautions – at home, workplace and public places.
We need to brainstorm these, and any other relevant / related issues that are thrown up during the course of such a discussion. Since we are all gropin in the dark as of now, we wil definitely benefit from each other’s points of views, insights and experiences in specific fields. For example, doctors can suggest first aid measures for specific situations.
We would like to distill the outcome of such discussions to prepare some kind of advisories / Dos and Don’ts, and maybe, plan for taking this initiative further – to educate our children, spread awareness in our communities through our RWAs and so on.
With these tentative thoughts, I invite all of you to post your views, ideas, suggestions on the topics bulleted above, but not necessarily restricting yoruseves to them.
December 6, 2008 at 11:07 am |
The tone , tenor and language of this letter by an Indian to the PM is a clear indicator that the nation is angry …. very, very angry ….. But will anything change ???? I fully emphatise with those who have lost their near and dear ones in the multitude of terror related incidents in our nation.
Just as it is time for criticism …. it is also time for some serious introspection ….are we a nation of law abiding people who can collectively be called a strong willed nation where men and women of character live ? Isnt it a cruel paradox that we are asking the very same politicians to change the system who we say are responsible for the mess the nation is in.
There is no use crying hoarse over our politicians in particular and our system in general ….. but then as a people we will get only what we deserve. I think the secret lies in adopting a bottom to top appch ….. that somebody correctly taught us in junior school moral science class – CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. Let most of us improve ourselves first – then graduate to community level – and then to sate and finally to the national level. The motto should be …. let the change begin today, here and with me !!!
If we have to emerge at par with other world powers we must produce a generation of men and women of character —— we owe it to ourselves. National character shall take care of everything.
Lastly, being interested in strategic and defnce analysis I may be able to contribute constructively to your endeavour – sp pl do let me know if u tend to agree with my line of thought and then together we can develop / recommend a model to enhance our effectiveness as a NATION STATE
Your comments are most solicited.
Manuhar Sharma