I came across two thought provoking letters to the editor of Outlook. Thought of sharing with you.
Quote: After all that I've read and heard about the attack on Mumbai, I feel it's my fault. I'm the one to blame. Why? Because I live my life pretending nothing can happen to me (until it hits home like this); Because I take my security for granted all the time; Because I've become blind to other people's problems—in Kashmir, in Assam and more. Because I continue to tolerate and even justify violence when it is in my interest. Because I've spent the last five years telling my government that our priority is infrastructure and development when it should have been security; Because I haven't demanded accountability from my elected representative; Because I suggested that martial law would be better without realising that 20 years of that hasn't fixed Kashmir or the Gaza; Because the only thing I would think of if I was caught in the crossfire is how I could save myself and my family; Because there is so little I am willing to sacrifice for security. I will feel bad in the immediate aftermath but after a month, I would have moved on; Because I complain about paying taxes; Because I have a very long list of what I expect from my country and government, but virtually nothing on what my country can expect from me. And more than anything because I have neither the attention span, nor the will or dedication required for being vigilant even if others aren't. What am I going to do about it? I'm still figuring that out. Karan Manral, on e-mail Quote: Where the heart is heavy and the head is bowed; Where evil, greed and hatred have right of way; Where morals, values and ethics have vanished into the oblivion of the past; Where integrity and loyalty are up for sale, for a crore of rupees; Where the security of a nation is unashamedly offered on a platter to lesser forces of evil; Where ugly, soulless, corruptoids stuff their ever-widening bellies with the lives and well-being of a billion people; Where a once eminent bureaucrat, who has since crossed over to the dark side, mumbles about retaliation; Where the common man stands watching helplessly in mute disbelief and disgust; Into that hell of bondage, my father, I've awoken. P. Kamat, Bangalore Unquote: Regards, Marshall
