Too many things to cover me, Too much can make me blind
I’ve seen so much in so many places, So many heartaches, so many faces
So many dirty things, You couldn’t believe
- Moby, Extreme Ways
When Aristotle said “We make war that we may live in peace” I am not too sure that he would have actually thought that his ideologies would be applicable even thousands of years after his existence!
I have already said enough about the proxy war on Mumbai. I live in Delhi and I have not seen grieving faces around me of those who have lost their kith and kin in the attack. I can still hear around me wedding songs in the adjoining apartment. I can still see ladies conveniently bargaining outside with the vegetable vendor on the roads. I can still see people thronging to malls on a Sunday and queuing outside movie stalls. I can still see couples trying to steal a kiss in a crowd of hundreds. I can still sense the sense of normality! This is resilience. Probably they have not lost one of their own. When we were in school we were made to say in the assembly “Every Indian is my bother and sister”. Words are words after all!
The Pakistani Foreign Minister has already declared that they are moving 100,000 troops to the Indian border. Shivraj Patil has resigned. Too little, too late! Anyhow, Air links and rail links with Pakistan have been suspended. What’s the big deal! Is the government flattering to deceive once again?
Mythological, India has been a land of warriors. I say that in reality also we need to display our warrior-like instincts. We need a Winston Churchill in this hour of crisis. We need a leader to echo his famous words: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” And we Indians are ready to take all of that and more!
Churchill in that famous speech on May 13, 1940, went on to say, “We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs — Victory in spite of all terror — Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.”
The speech inspired the country and united they fought the war against France. What I am trying to come at is that if we have a warrior-like leader then we will always be a strong country, even if we have struggle or be wounded for a while, but then a warrior is not afraid of being hurt or wounded; he wants to fight with victory in sight.
Today, I feel helpless sitting inside the comfort of my room, when I know that miles away from here there are organizations and outfits masterminding another attack against my brothers and sisters. I stand shaken and with a will to “do” to “avenge”!